Military investigator Mick Hardin is back in the Kentucky Hills for a fourth go round in Chris Offutt’s The Reluctant Sheriff. As the name suggests, Mick is literally reluctantly filling in for his sister Linda, the actual Sheriff who was shot in the line of duty in the previous book in this series. Also impacted by those events was Linda’s offsider Jonny who killed a man and has now, with Mick’s help, fled to Corsica. This leads to a strange double story, which does not really cohere except to understand it as a lead in to the next book in this series.
The Reluctant Sheriff opens with a murder. Mick’s ex-wife’s new husband is implicated and she asks Mick to help clear his name. Mick’s reluctance goes further here but he puts aside his dislike of his ex-wife’s partner to help clear him. Then a couple of other murders happen and Mick goes into full investigator mode. But before he gets too far with that investigation a couple of criminals hole up in his half finished cabin and then an ex-colleague from MI6, and then everything goes pretty much to hell. Meanwhile in Corsica, Johnny is learning French and working through his issues.
The Reluctant Sheriff is pretty much on par with the other books in this series. There is an investigation at the core of it but that does not really drive the plot which is more about Mick and his relationships. The whole builds up to an extended firefight/action scene in which Mick and his friends get to use their military experience despite being in the mountains of Kentucky. The difference in this volume is the Corsican thread which is atmospheric and provides a stark contrast to the Kentucky sections but adds nothing to the main story and by the end, as noted, seems to be all setup for the next book which promises to be something different (although that promise has been made before and Hardin has still ended back in Kentucky).

Anyone who hasn't feasted upon one of Chris Offutt's Mick Hardin novels needs to rectify the situation. These lean mean books immerse readers in the world of eastern Kentucky and the ways of the people who live there. In The Reluctant Sheriff, we also watch Johnny Boy Tolliver (last seen in the previous book, Code of the Hills) adapt to life on the French island of Corsica.

The stories ring true, and they can be explosive. Moreover, Mick Hardin is a character who's always looked after everyone else while ignoring his own needs. This series of books shows Mick becoming more self-aware. Excellent, fast-paced stories, a nuanced main character, and in-depth knowledge of a culture most of us know nothing about... all these things make Offutt's series a must-read, but there is one key element that I haven't mentioned yet. What's that? The descriptions of the landscape and nature. Mick Hardin is firmly rooted in the Kentucky hills. He knows all the trees, the plants, the animals. He can gauge what's going on in the woods by which birds are singing. This inclusion of the natural world draws me right into the story.

And another draw? Offutt's power of description. "...he was lonely as the last leaf on a tree in winter." "That woman is tough as woodpecker lips." I love those!

By reading these books, I've joined Mick Hardin in his journey to turn his back on the past and embrace the future. It's a privilege to be able to be a part of it.

Mick Hardin is still the sheriff while his sister is recovering, and he hires a new deputy. He is still dealing with people in his easy-going, laid-back style, even when his ex comes to ask for help about her new husband being arrested for murder. He helps, of course, but does not tell her everything decides that it is up to him to tell her everything. He is dealing with two people from Detroit and the people who are after them. You also get a look at where he sent Johnny Boy. A good scene is where there is a shot out and his sister is finding out more about him and what he did he the military. Once again, a good book.

Mick Hardin returns in Chris Offutt’s The Reluctant Sheriff, the fourth book in this series about a war (and peacetime) veteran returned to the hills of Kentucky, testing his ability to fit into the landscape he has always loved and missed when away. Now he is filling in as Sheriff as his sister, Linda, the actual Sheriff, recovers from injuries incurred in the prior series novel, Code of the Hills. Almost immediately he is presented with a case that forces him to confront a very painful part of his past, the failure of his marriage. His ex-wife asks for his help for her husband. What could go wrong? And then there are murders and more violence. Throughout this story, the beauty of the land and the bonds of friendship are offset by the violence of people and man’s destruction of nature.

I have now read three of the four books in this series and highly recommend them. They are a window into a place and culture, as well as the life and mind of a singular character who has much to say about living through war and other violence, trying to go home, family bonds, and the healing power of the natural world.

I do suggest that you read earlier books before reading this, especially Code of the Hills, so that you can understand the relationships between characters and why the action begins with Mick as Sheriff.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. This is my review.

This story has the most unexpected combination of Kentucky hills and the french island Corsica. Mick, the reluctant sheriff, is in the position because his sister - the elected sheriff - was wounded in the line of duty. He is a rather interesting character who has lost himself after the divorce and leaving the army. He does not enjoy his job or his present living condition, he is unhappy and in poor mental health. Everything turns to the worst when people turn out dead in the area and he is faced with extreme violence which will involve not only himself but the very few people that he considers as friends. At the same time, in Corsica, his friend Sebastien is looking after Johnny Boy who is recovering from another act of violence. Will Mick find what he wants to do with his life, find a purpose, move to Corsica? Although I did not read the previous books in the series I had no problems understanding the story which is well-written, easy to read, and with relatable characters. Highly recommended!
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

At last Mick Hardin’s fourth instalment which I gobbled up in a couple of days.

Offutt mixes up Kentucky and Corsica and all the different characters very smoothly whilst getting deeper into Mick and his raison d’etre.

He continues exploring how the Kentuckian code of the hills anchors its adherents but how it also leads them to violence they can do better without. What happens when they become untethered, do they have the strength to stand on their own?

As usual with Offut, I enjoyed reading this instalment and must now knuckle down to the wait for the next one.

An ARC kindly provided by author/publisher via Netgalley

Another great book by Offutt. I love the characters in this story, and have loved following them. I hope this isn't the last book..they are so realistic to me, as I live in eastern Kentucky. I recommend these books to everyone looking for great southern grit lot.

I got off my lazy reading bum and decided since this book was coming out soon that I would catch the series up. The only problem now is "WHAAT THE HELL DO I READ NOW".

I love these characters. Will we get more of them? Is this the end? I have questions. I NEED answers. They are now my family. They better call me.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

Up front- I'm a fan of this series which sees Mick Hardin return to Rocksalt, Kentucky first to help and then to stand in for his sister Linda, the Sheriff who was gravely injured in the last installment. It helps, I think, to have read the earlier books so that you can appreciate the relationships and the backstories. I note that Offutt doesn't provide a lot of backstory especially with regard to why Johnny Boy is on Corsica. That said this sees Mick dealing with multiple murders, one of which might have been committed by his ex-wife's new husband (or not). And he's got an issue at his cabin, which is under renovation. I'm not a fan of gunfights but Offut does do them well. This moves between Kentucky and Corsica, which is just as atmospheric as the Kentucky scenes. No spoilers from me. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. It's a page turner and I'm hoping there will be a fifth installment.

For those of us who have followed this series from the beginning in The Killing Hills, we know that Mick Hardin has not really felt at home since he came back as his time in the service was ending. After the events in the last book, Code of the Hills, we knew he was probably going to have to stick around awhile due to the fact that his sister, Linda, was shot and a few others things happened. The Reluctant Sheriff: A Mick Hardin Novel by Chris Offutt picks up a few weeks later and things for Mick are not easy at all.

For one thing, Mick Hardin is filling in as sheriff while his sister, Linda, the actual elected sheriff, is working on coming back from her line of duty injury. He’s wearing the uniform, driving her official car, living in her house, and doing the job while she is living at Shifty Kissick’s place, doing her grueling physical therapy, and going slowly mad from boredom and the chaos there. The Kissick home has never been known in the mountains of eastern Kentucky as a place of peace and calm and it certainly isn’t these days.

For another thing, the department is short staffed as the deputy known as “Johnny Boy” is on leave and gone for reasons detailed in the previous book. So, Mick is constantly responding to calls, both trivial and important. He hates family drama calls and the latest was a bit out there, in more ways than one. As bad as it was, the next family drama deal is going to smack close to home.

When he gets back to the station, he finds his ex-wife and the woman he still madly loves, Peggy, waiting in his office. She wants his help. Her new husband, Zack Jones, has been held with charges pending over in Rocksalt. It seems that the police in the city plan to charge him with murder of Marlowe Martin, known to all as “Skeeter.” He was the owner of the Ajax Bar and Grill. He was found dead, hours earlier, in the parking lot of the establishment by guys delivering liquor to the place. While the business itself sits just across the county line, the actual parking lot is in the jurisdiction of the city, and that means it is a city murder case under the jurisdiction of Chief Logan.

Fortunately, Logan and Mick Hardin have known each other for years and like and respect each other. They have no issues. So, Logan is willing to discuss the details of the case. Such as the fact that Zack is part of a band, played at the bar, and felt that he and his bandmates where being cheated out of their full pay for the gig. Zack and Skeeter had a very heated public argument in the preceding hours before Skeeter was found dead and has no real alibi. Logan is more than willing to provide copies of the crime scene, let Mick talk to Zack, and let Mick do whatever else he wants to do involving the case. For a man used to being part of Army CID and working homicides, this access gives Mick a solid starting point to do something productive as he awaits Linda’s return to work.

What follows is an interesting case that is the primary storyline accompanied by several secondary ones. As always, Mick’s loner mentality, his default setting, as well as the author’s love for the land and its people comes through loud and clear to the reader. So too does the fact that as always in this series, things come up just like they do in real life, often not in a clear cut and straightforward way. This series is not like a lot of the reads out there and you really notice the difference when you read one.

Those aspects of the read do not get in the way of a mighty good mystery. In fact, if anything, they enhance it. Then there is the fact that there is more than one mystery at work in The Reluctant Sheriff: A Mick Hardin Novel by Chris Offutt. This fourth book in the series, where every book builds on the preceding one and the series, is well worth your time.



My digital ARC came by way of the publisher, Grove Press, through NetGalley with no expectation of a review.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2025

I must start by confessing that this is the first book by Chris Orfutt I've read, so I was at a bit of a disadvantage because it is the third in the Mick Hardin series. However, Orfutt is good enough at unobtrusively filling in the backstory that I never felt like I was missing something. Hardin is a veteran, filling in for his sister who is the sheriff, while she recovers from being wounded. Mick is investigating three seemingly unrelated murders. But this is a small town in the Kentucky hills, so how unrelated can they be? When two small time members of a Detroit drug gang show up looking for a place to hide out, Mick has his hands full. I enjoyed this tremendously. I plan to wait a little while to forget some spoiler details, but will definitely be going back and starting this trilogy from the first book.

I'm a huge fan of this series, so I was really excited to get my hands on an ARC of the next installment. Unfortunately, I think it may be my least favorite so far. I felt like this book was missing a lot of the great Appalachian details and quintessential humor which I've come to love and expect from the Mick Hardin series. There was some of that at the beginning, but then it fell off. This novel kind of evolved into this weird mashup of military personnel, which is just not my particular cup of tea. I also wasn't a fan of the somewhat separate story of Johnny Boy in Corsica, though by the novel's end I understood and appreciated it fully, so I do have respect for that. The ending of the book was kind of vague and bittersweet -- I certainly hope there are plans for more Mick Hardin books!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The latest in the Mick Hardin series will leave you looking forward to the next installment.

Chris Offutt, a master of Appalachian noir, returns with "The Reluctant Sheriff," a novel that burrows deep into the heart of rural Kentucky and explores the often-uneasy balance between law, community, and personal demons.

This is a character study wrapped in a crime narrative, seasoned with Offutt's signature blend of grit, humor, and melancholic beauty.

The titular sheriff, Mick Hardin, isn't exactly eager to wear the star. He's a man haunted by a troubled past, more comfortable with the quiet rhythms of his small town than the messy realities of law enforcement. Yet, fate (and local politics) conspire to thrust him into the role, forcing him to confront not only the crimes plaguing his community but also the ghosts of his own making.

Offutt's prose is as lean and muscular as his characters. He paints a vivid portrait of rural life, capturing the stark beauty of the landscape and the complex relationships that bind (and sometimes break) the community. The dialogue crackles with authenticity, revealing the unspoken tensions and simmering resentments that underlie the surface of everyday life.

What sets "The Reluctant Sheriff" apart is its focus on character. Hardin is a flawed and compelling protagonist, a man wrestling with his own imperfections while trying to uphold a sense of justice in a world that often seems to operate outside the lines of right and wrong. He's not a superhero; he's just a man trying to do his best in a difficult situation, and it's this very human vulnerability that makes him so relatable.

This isn't a fast-paced, action-packed thriller. It's a slow burn, a novel that unfolds at its own pace, allowing the reader to soak in the atmosphere and get to know the characters. It's a story about the complexities of human nature, the enduring power of community, and the often-difficult choices we make in the face of adversity.

"The Reluctant Sheriff" is a welcome addition to Offutt's body of work, a testament to his skill as a storyteller and his deep understanding of the human condition. It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates gritty, character-driven fiction with a touch of Appalachian soul.

My thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for an advance copy of this novel about a man who has to return to his hometown due to family obligations, obligations that draw up old enemies and new dangers for a man who just wants a quiet retirement from the violence he has seen.

I live in a small town. I tend to stay out of the many matters that seem important, like the new street signs, the argument over what to do with school bus parking, and of course why are the taxes so high. From what I understand there are 6 Facebook pages, and a couple of other social media sites that take verbal sniping and vitriol to such great heights. I like the pace of my small town, I just don't like the people. Unlike John Mellencamp I don't think I want to be buried here. One can understand the frustration of a person who has escaped from a small town, traveled the world, and fought in a few wars returning back home. Not for a visit, but for family obligations. Obligations that seem to bring more violence, and raise feelings for what could have been, and what life currently is. And it seems only to be getting worse. This is the life of Mick Hardin, protagonist of this really powerful series, in his fourth outing The Reluctant Sheriff, written by Chris Offutt. Hardin tries to solve one mystery involving a person from his past, while favors made to others are suddenly coming due, with even more bodies filling his small town.

Mick Hardin left Rocksalt, Kentucky with few reasons to come back, joinging the Army as a way of escaping from the small town that promised little. After proving himself in battle Hardin joined the Criminal Investigation Division where he proved to himself that he was very good at solving crime. Retiring from the Army meant living on a small island in Europe. Instead Hardin found himself without a wife, and helping his sister who has become Sheriff of Rocksalt. A bullet has kept her out of commission and Hardin is filling in as Sheriff, investigating deer breaking into barns, and suspicious daughters-in-law. A shooting involving the man his wife left him for brings him into a case that starts to expand quickly with more bodies appearing. Along with that two different people ask Hardin for a favor, one that will bring him much trouble, and one that might set him free, though both promise a lot of ultra-violence.

I hate coming into a series late, especially when I love the book that I am reading. I had read an earlier book by Chris Offutt, dealing with his father's writing career, but not being a fan of police procedurals, I passed on these books. I will admit when I am wrong, and I was real wrong. Offutt is a very good writer, able to capture emotions and develope characters, and write crackling action scenes that the most fervent gun-porn reader will enjoy. Mick Hardin feels real, a man good at a few things, mostly violent, but a man who wants more from himself, even as he gives so much of himself. There are a lot of things going on, including a sub-plot involving Mick's brother, I won't go into, but I must say this offers some of the best writing in the book. Offutt tosses in lines that stand out in this book, almost poetry that gives the story a resonance that I did not expect. Offutt keeps everything together, and offers a lot of possibilities for more stories. Something I hope he will.

One can start here, but as one who did, I must recommend starting with the other books in the series. I wish I had. This is a series that builds its characters, makes one care in what happens, and how things happen. Don't sleep on this author like I did. I really can't wait to read more by Offutt.

Latest in the Mick Hardin series about a warworn vet who returns to Kentucky and becomes embroiled in down home violence. It really is preferable to have read the previous three to follow the plot since Hardin doesn't explain all the points (such as why Mick's sister Linda was shot, necessitating a long rehab and Mick's stepping into her sheriff's role). Also, there is a lot of connection to international events that wouldn't make sense otherwise. All that being said, the characters are believable, the action sequences well wrought, and there is some gorgeous writing ("The past overlapped the present in every way, with little regard to the future. The sun would come up. The birds would sing. People would get by.") Also, there are several insights into interrogation techniques sprinkled here and there. Looking forward to installment #5.

A great quick little thriller!! I read it as a standalone and still really enjoyed it! Mick is filling in as a sherif for his sister who is injured. He gets called out to investigate a few murders and then end up getting himself involved in a shootout. The ending was left where there could be more to the series and I would definitely read another one.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

Thank you Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the e-arc. Much appreciated!

Former Army CID investigator Mick Hardin’s retirement plan was to head to a small village in Corsica to find some peace and quiet. Instead he’s stuck in Kentucky. His sister Linda, the local sheriff, was wounded in the line of duty. Now Mick is holding down the fort as interim sheriff. He’s got his hands full investigating the murder of a bar owner. Mick’s investigation takes a personal turn when his ex-wife’s new husband becomes a suspect. Then two more bodies turn up.

Author Chris Offut delivers another atmospheric and riveting police procedural. Mick is a great and complex character. He’d love nothing more to live in a cabin in the woods in his native Kentucky, but he has a restless spirit. He’s lonely after the his divorce, but he doesn’t really know how to connect with people. The only thing he knows, and what he’s good at is solving murders.

The Reluctant Sheriff, out March 25th, is the fourth book of the series and I’ve loved them all. This book can be read as a stand alone. There’s enough information about Mick’s previous exploits to get you up to speed. If you’re looking for interesting characters, sharp writing, and a mystery with as many twists and turns a country road, then dive into the world of Mick Hardin.

This is a well written and entertaining book with interesting characters and settings. What I don't get, is why the part set in Corsica is so big. But there is a story there.

I really enjoyed this exciting small-town read! It is always great when you really get to know the characters, which I appreciated here.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for offering this ARC in exchange for a review.

The official description reads, in part:

“Lauded as a “masterclass in the craft of crime fiction” (CrimeReads), Chris Offutt’s beloved and critically acclaimed Mick Hardin series is an atmospheric, tightly crafted testament to Southern noir. The Reluctant Sheriff is a dark, bracing return to the hills of eastern Kentucky where secrets roil beneath the surface, and nothing and no one stays in the past for long.”

When they say “masterclass”, there is no exaggeration. Mr. Offut has struck literary gold again with this newest entry into the series. It reads perfect as a standalone, but you’d be missing some of the best writing of a generation if you skip the others.

His writing, as always, is sparse, and tightly woven into some of the best descriptions of rural Kentucky that you’ll find. Mr. Offut doesn’t insult his readers by offering bloated descriptors or dialogue to move the story forward. He trusts his readership, and allows the mind to become fully immersed into each sentence.

I can’t recommend this high enough to those looking for a gritty southern gothic/noir novel. Even if you’re not, the writing and story alone are worth the price of admission.

It’s a shame that the majority of talented northern and midwestern authors gain notoriety after one or two publications, while the greats from the south and Appalachia gain the same regard much, much later. Oftentimes, posthumously. Faulkner, McCullers, O’Connor, William Gay—some would argue McCarthy—that list could go on. Don’t let Offut slip you by. He’s that good.