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.

I adore the Mick Harden series. This is the fourth and there is so much in this rich setting that gets better and better with each book. Offutt has created a great place to visit and I am always a little sad whenever I finish a Hardin series novel.

MRB returns to the Kentucky hills where author Chris Offutt sets his Mick Harding books.

Mick has returned home to Rocksalt, KY to help family. His sister is the county sheriff now convalescing after being wounded in her leg in the line of duty. She deputizes Mick (and he then deputizes another Army buddy). Along with a couple others in the Sheriff’s office, Mick takes on the day to day minutiae that waddles through the door – vagrant in a barn (actually a deer), missing pets, noisy neighbors.

He's not without skills. He’s former Army CID but wasn’t interested in getting back into law enforcement until his sister was shot. Actually there are two parallel stories going on. The minor story involves Johnny Boy who killed someone. Mick quickly sent him off to Corsica to stay with an old MI6-type Mick knew from Afghanistan to help him get over his PTSD. The primary story involves a series of murders that may or may not be connected. Part of the connection is that a person of interest is his ex-wife’s current husband not to mention a bunch of Deliverance rejects. Outside business interests are trying to establish a foothold in the hills and are doing their best to muscle their way in.

Offutt is a widely respected southern writer who skillfully takes the reader into a world most of us never experience. This is the 4th Mick Hardin novel reviewed by MRB and he has developed a loyal following. Solid books. Compelling storylines, Smoothly paced and written. He is also the author of Country Dark that I thought was downright spectacular. Offutt may not be a household name, but he is certainly worth checking out.

Thanks to Netgalley for the Advance Reviewer Copy. Estimated publication date is 25 March 2025.

East Coast Don

I read this book as a stand alone book, not as part of the series it is in. I think that may have led to me missing some background info that might have helped solidify the book for me. It was still good and you can still understand the book without reading the other books in the series. I think it had a good pace and writing style, it was intriguing and kept you wondering

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and especially the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review of the book!!

The Reluctant Sheriff by Chris Offutt is number four in the Mick Hardin series further detailing the exploits of the retired military investigator and his return to his rural Kentucky stomping grounds.

In the newest novel, Mick Hardin has been acting sheriff for some time while filling in for his sister Linda after her injury in a shoot-out in a previous novel.

Offutt returns with previously introduced characters and settings detailing a series of local murders while including more to the plotline of Johnny Boy’s stay in Corsica while teasing out bits and pieces about the mysterious background of Johnny Boy’s host, Sebastian, along with his strange relationship with Mick.

To reveal more about the murders would require spoilers, but readers can be reassured, that all of the finer hallmarks of his previous Hardin novels are present in The Reluctant Sherrif.

For me, not a lot needs to be mentioned about the writing of Chris Offutt that is not already known. For one thing, there are not many Southern fiction writers who can assemble words to tell stories in such a smooth way as Offutt. His writing is so flawless and even, he makes writing seem easy, but we all know that is certainly not true. One can only imagine the amount of time and effort when it comes to his skills.

While the novel does tie up loose ends, the door to future Mick Hardin novels is clearly left open and in such a way, previous readers will realize that Offutt might have something special in store for Mick later on.

The Reluctant Sheriff is highly recommended to those fond of rural noir. It is also highly recommended readers also explore the other writings of Chris Offutt as well.

Netgalley provided an ARC of this novel for the return of a fair review. The novel is set to be published in March of 2025.

This was a beautiful story, and I found the conclusion deeply satisfying.

The narrative begins with a man who has spent most of his life preoccupied with work. Mick, a former CID officer, is now on a predictable path toward retirement when his sister is shot, forcing him to assume her responsibilities. He unexpectedly becomes the town sheriff, spending his days managing minor disputes—whether they involve marital issues, elderly squabbles, or other routine matters. Each day feels monotonous until he is summoned to investigate a murder. A body is discovered, and Mick’s once predictable life takes a dramatic turn. As the investigation unfolds, seemingly unrelated details begin to mix and the case intensifies. Will he be able to crack the case and return to his routine, or will this investigation alter the course of his life for better or worse?

Although there was nothing inherently unpleasant about the story, I found myself somewhat disengaged while reading. There wasn't anything particularly gripping that kept me eager to discover the ending—it felt rather obvious. However, despite this, the story remained compelling in its own way.

The pacing is neither too fast nor too slow but perfectly matches the unfolding events. The characters are well-developed, each with a distinct personality. They have a depth inside them. The grammar is flawless, and I didn’t encounter any errors throughout the book. I would recommend it to anyone in search of a solid thriller.

Chris Offutt’s Mick Hardin novels have their ups and downs for me. I loved the first in the series, The Killing Hills, and then I seem to appreciate all the odd-numbered ones more than the even ones. The Reluctant Sheriff is the fourth to feature Mick Hardin, an ex-Army CID officer. He returns home to the hills of eastern Kentucky, steps in to help his sister, Linda, who is sheriff. But, now that she’s laid up, recovering from a gunshot wound in the line of duty, Mick’s filling in as sheriff. I like Mick. I love the descriptions of the hills and backcountry of the area. But, the divided storyline with one set in Kentucky and one set in Corsica, didn’t work for me.

Mick’s the only law enforcement in the area, and he’s reluctantly drawn into a shooting at a local bar. He has a different interpretation of the crime scene than the local police chief, whom he’s able to work with. But, he was drawn into the case because of personal connections that make him uncomfortable. When several other men are killed, Mick’s able to find a connection due to his knowledge of the area and the people. But, he needs help, and he hires Raymond Kissack, a retired Marine, as his deputy.

He’s forced to hire a deputy because he sent the previous one, Johnny Boy Tolliver, to Corsica. That’s where Mick always intended to retire, but problems in Kentucky interfered with his plans. Johnny Boy, a fish out of water, eventually learns to cope in Corsica, but finds himself caught up in someone else’s problems there.

The descriptions in The Reluctant Sheriff are exquisite. Offutt’s writing is always beautiful. I love his descriptions of Mick. “He’d always maintained a sense of decency and honor, even through his own pain, and he refused to compromise that part of himself.” During a firefight that brings characters and plots together, Mick’s sister, Linda, thinks about “A side of her brother that Linda had never seen – the coldly efficient battlefield soldier.”

Offutt can define a setting or a character in just a sentence. Although I’d read all the books in the series, the storyline with Johnny Boy Tolliver lost me. The book came together, but I didn’t need or care about that section of the book. Give me Offutt’s descriptions of eastern Kentucky, the people and the hills. That’s what I’m looking for in The Reluctant Sheriff.

I have read several books by this author and they have all been very well written, this one was no exception. This is the fourth book in the series, but I believe you can read it as a stand alone. Mick Hardin has taken over for his sister Linda as the sheriff while she recovers from a gunshot wound. Mick is called to a scene where a local bar owner was shot, using his really good powers of observation he's able to pick up clues that the local police have missed (like that the guy was shot inside the bar not out). Mick decides that his brother has to relocate to Italy due to his apparently attracting attention from some very bad men. Mick is also renovating his grandfather's cabin someplace he wants to eventually live by himself, that cabin becomes the scene of a gunfight against some men who are looking to rub out a person, but if collateral damage is done, so be it. The southern country really comes to life in this book, I could really get a sense of what it must be like to live in such a small town where everyone literally knows everyone else and their business. The story goes back and forth between Mick and his brother, it was very well done. I would recommend. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Grove Press for the ARC.

Chris Offutt’s The Reluctant Sheriff is an amazing installment in the Mick Hardin series, blending Southern atmosphere with crime fiction to deliver a gripping tale set in the atmospheric hills of eastern Kentucky.

We follow ex-Army CID officer Mick Hardin, who reluctantly steps in as sheriff after his sister, Linda, is injured in the line of duty. Mick, who has been eager to escape the small town of Rocksalt and retire far away from murder, is now forced to confront not only the mundane squabbles of the townspeople but also a murder that is a bit too close to home.

Pros:

Writing Style: Offutt’s writing is smooth and easy to follow, making it accessible without sacrificing depth. The vivid descriptions of Rocksalt and Corsica allow readers to visualize the world clearly, crafting an immersive experience.

Character Development: The novel excels in creating layered, relatable characters. Offutt effortlessly develops Mick’s personality, revealing much about him through first-person narrative without over explanation.

Atmosphere and Setting: The novel captures the mood of Southern noir beautifully, emphasizing the environment of a small town. The tension between Mick and the town’s history is palpable, and Offutt makes excellent use of setting to reinforce the dark undertones of the narrative.

Cons:

New Readers May Feel Disconnected: For those unfamiliar with the Mick Hardin series, the backstory might feel incomplete at first, as the novel doesn’t rely heavily on exposition. However, it’s a minor issue since Offutt does provide enough hints for readers to grasp Mick’s core motivations.

Side Plots : While the main plot around the murders is engaging, some subplots, such as Linda’s recovery and the business tycoon’s interference, could have been given more attention.

Conclusion

The Reluctant Sheriff is a compelling crime novel that skillfully balances character development with a well-constructed mystery. While the story does not stand out in the genre of crime thriller, it is still an interesting read that a fan of of mystry thriller will not regret picking up. Offutt’s ability to build tension and craft a strong sense of place makes this novel a standout in the Southern noir genre.

Thus it is recommended for those who enjoy slow-burn mysteries with rich character development and a gritty, immersive setting.

I enjoyed the book with a bunch of interesting characters. Should definitely start at the beginning of the series. I would have been able to follow the 2nd part of the story much better.

The Reluctant Sheriff by Chris Offultt.

An engrossing read about Mick Hardin, a veteran who steps in as Sheriff for his injured sister. Annoyed - annoyed with the job, annoyed with his family, his ex-, the petty issues of the local citizens... Suddenly he is facing three unexplained murder. Engrossing, the book focus is on Mick and the setting in Eastern Kentucky which acts another character.

On the other side of the world the reader follows the evolution of another character that has no role in advancing the main plot of The Reluctant Sheriff but (I assume) enhances the series arc.

Thoroughly enjoyed the book but feel as though the experience would be enhanced if I had read the entire series.

Another great book in this series. It’s fast paced, well written with well developed characters. I can really recommend this book.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the copy.

Thanks for the ARC! Got through this one quick. The setup of Mick being forced into a sheriff position to fill in for his injured sister, despite wanting nothing to do with it grabbed me quick. The setting of the hills of Kentucky worked really well for this sort of crime story, and the characters all were fully formed and easy to either root for, or dislike quite a bit. The story taking off and landing in Corsica was unexpected, but enjoyable, as it's not an area I knew anything about going into the descriptions. Good book, and excited to check out more by Chris Offutt!