Shirley J. Adult Fiction Veterans, Art Heists and Unexplained Money Next to Last Stand: A Longmire Mystery by Craig Johnson 334 pages
There is a St. Louis connection to this story. It involves a painting by Cassilly Adams of Custer's last stand as described by Curly, a survivor (soldier) of the Little Big Horn. Augie Busch bought the original painting and a bar for $35,000 in a deal when the former bar owner couldn't pay his debt. Augie had the painting replicated and used for advertising to his distributors (about 15,000 originally, today in the millions). The original painting is said to have burned up in a fire at the 7th Calvary Headquarters in Fort Bliss, Texas in 1946. This story revolves around a Veteran's Nursing Home in Wyoming, where Longmire had befriended many of the Vets, visiting and bringing them beer when it was allowed or (pretended) not seen. Longmire's friend, Charley Lee passes away and since there is no contact info for family and he has been the only visitor over the years, given his job, too, the director of the home asks for his help especially when she opens a box of Charley Lee's belongings and about faints. More digging takes Longmire down a whole lot more rabbit holes that come out to a surprising end. Good story, I recommend this one to fans of western novels, mystery fans, Louis L'Amour fans and we baby boomers who appreciate seeing an older fellow be the hero now and then.
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