I am a person who always loves signs: pennies on the street, birds in the sky, and now, a wonderful collection of twelve short stories called WAIT FOR SIGNS just in time for the upcoming twelve days of Christmas season! Even better, they are twelve stories featuring one of my most favourite characters, Walt Longmire - the sharply observant and perspicaciously canny Sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming.

In the Acknowledgements section, New York Times bestselling author Craig Johnson tells how this collections of delightful short stories came into being: some of the short stories that Johnson had previously shared with his fans through his newsletter and others were tidbits of tales that were not full books in themselves but helped to fill in gaps between other previously written books. All good!

All the stories have a bit of the droll tongue in cheek humour that will bring a smile to your face and all can be thoroughly enjoyed whether this is the first time you are fortunate to enjoy a Longmire book or whether you have read a fair pile of them or seen the TV series LONGMIRE. There is humour in the titles (Thankstaking), nestled in the story, sometimes poignantly and sometimes with a nice "got ya" moment. My personal favourites are "Old Indian Trick" and "High Holidays". To tell you more would only be as cruel as tearing of the wrapping on each of the wonderful stories whose endings, like ribbons on a package, just perfectly give that final tough -- the "ah ha" moment!

Having read many of Johnson's books in the series, I admire and love Walt Longmire as a character and his penchant for arcane bits of knowledge. Whether drunk or sober, on or off duty, Walt retains his sense of decency, humbleness, his loyalty to those he loves, his job as protector and to those in need, even if not expressed the way people want him to be. His friendship with Henry Standing Bear is legendary. Both are quick witted and sharp observers, and open to listening and learning from each other. I also appreciate Johnson's masterful skill in effectively portraying Native Americans and their concerns in a very authentic manner that I wish other authors could emulate. Johnson's books are all set in the vastness and beauty of Wyoming and deal with issues of conflict, crime, family and the heart. While western in tone, they hold stong appeal for anyone who just likes a good story.

If you are looking for that special book gift to give to someone special or for yourself, WAIT FOR SIGNS is the perfect treat for the season! Many of the stories have a Christmas theme, yet there are other that do no, so it can be read and treasured at any time of the year. Similar to the short novella, SPIRIT OF STEAMBOAT, written by Johnson last year, these stories can be re-read over again as a favourite every year. Once I started reading, I just could not stop until the satisfying and funny conclusion of the last story in WAIT FOR SIGNS entitled "Petunia, Bandit Queen of the Bighorns!" If you are not already a fan of Craig Johnson before you read WAIT FOR SIGNS, you will be even before finishing all twelve stories. So, WAIT FOR SIGNS and enjoy!