*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Turned into a book that was hard to put down, would recommend

Let me disclose that this is book three and I did not read books one and two and I listened to this one and it is narrated by one of my favorite authors narrators.

I am always up for a good crime series, but I never fully connected with Mick, the detective. I'm guessing this is due to me picking up book three. But I did enjoy the mystery and figuring what if anything linked the murders. I felt like I was in Appalachian Ky and thought of Justified as I read it.

George Newbern did a great job bringing the story to life and representing the characters. I see such rave reviews of the start of the series, so I'm off to look those books up.

Code of the Hills (Book 3 in the Mick Hardin series) by Chris Offutt
Narrated by George Newbern
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Published: June 13, 2023

Code of the Hills is the third book in the Mick Hardin series by Chris Offutt. I have not read the previous books and found that this book can be enjoyed as a standalone mystery or as part of the series.

I thought this was an interesting book with fascinating characters. It was fast paced and I enjoyed trying to figure out how things were going to end!

The narration by George Newbern was really good. I enjoyed how he brought the story to life.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a well paced thriller. I enjoyed the cast of characters and found myself pulled into the story quickly. While this isn't my preferred action packed thriller, it does such a great job telling a story that I was fully engaged. Well done.

Mick Hardin recently retired as an investigator from the army and he goes back to his hometown to visit his sister before he goes to live abroad. While Mick is visiting his sister, the sheriff in his hometown, a series of events happens that results with Mick becoming temporary Sheriff and investigating a few murders in town.

Code of the Hills is the third Mick Hardin book in the series and I will be getting the first two books to read. I found this book to be engaging and captivating and I was drawn in from the beginning. I do think it had a bit of a Jack Reacher feel to it but that is definitely okay with me.

I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by George Newbern and I think George did a fantastic job. The characters were easy to distinguish from each other and the story line flowed easily.

I will be recommending this book to family and friends.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for my advance listening copy

A well narrated audio book that I enjoyed, but it was too much like the one I listened to a few years ago.
I like the characters and the story, but would have liked something a bit different.

What a wonderful insight in to the lives of the people of the "hills"! A mesmerizing creation that left me enthralled and bemused. Worth taking your time to immerse yourself completely.

The story is well-paced and Mick is a relatively likeable protagonist. I found many of the minor/side characters to feel like caricatures, which was initially off-putting but in retrospect adds to the charm of the world Offutt has created. The ending is satisfying, yet implausible.

LOVED IT!!!

I was hooked from the moment I started this book. Although this was the third book in the Mick Hardin series, this was the first one I read and I was able to pick-up without feeling like I was lost. I plan to read the first 2 and any future additions to the series too.

Plenty of mystery and intrigue with a dose of small town connections in the “hills.”

Listened to the audiobook after reading on the kindle; fantastic narration by George Newbern.
Preferred listening speed: 1.25x

I received this book in exchange for my honest review from NetGalley & Bookouture.

Code of the hills - Chriss Offutt

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

This novel began as a well-written and entertaining down home Kentucky country mystery. As I was raised in the country, the descriptions of the place and the people were initially reminiscent of home. We ran a small country general store, we raised hogs, and we owned a farm. I gave. this book a generous two for quality writing which Spike to me immediately.

That said, I have long been a proponent of animals, and I have a lifelong hatred against animal cruelty.

Trigger warning: This book almost immediately contains severe animal abuse, which is reflected in my review.

Just as I was happily settling in for an enjoyable read, looking forward to reading a mystery, I became sick to my stomach as apropos of nothing, a shockingly cruel, nauseatingly detailed account of the castration of a hog was described. This brutal castration is performed in an extremely cruel fashion, by a self-described "veterinarian" with the animal given no anesthesia, nothing to alleviate the ensuing excruciating pain. Therefore, we are treated to details of a screaming animal, running crazily back and forth in a pointless effort to escape the horrific pain it is experiencing, the hog eventually collapses into his enclosure and lays there moaning mournfully.

There is even more, but I can't go there...

This added nothing of apparent value to the story, and it stayed on my mind, unfortunately, for most of the day.

When we select a book, it goes unstated that we are placing a level of trust in the author... We are also seeking escapism and entertainment. I do not see either of those values provided in this story.

I have no desire to read about severe animal abuse, and as I learned from the small amount of this book I read, I learned that it included a storyline about chickens forced to fight to their death for the delight of humans (who should be protecting their animal charges).

As the author seems to reveal in relaying barbaric scenes of animal cruelty, which add nothing to any novel, I quickly set this novel aside, to spend my time reading other authors.

So, unfortunately for me, this book was nothing other than a disappointment.

Until next time, dear authors, your clever mystery readers don't mind violence, however, we also reveal in leveling the field, therefore writing about extreme cruelty against the wholly innocent, with no possibility of justice, is merely the key to a losing plan.

Code of the Hills revisits Mick back in his hometown. Lots of action and methodical thinking involved in pursuit of witnesses and criminals. I liked how the motivation to do certain things was well explained. The plot moved along smoothly and it was an enjoyable listen thanks to great narration by George Newbern. looking forward to what happens next for Mick. Thank you to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for the Audio ARC.

My first foray into the world of Chris Offutt was the first book in the Mick Hardin series, The Killing Hills. Set in the small town of Rocksalt, in the hills of Kentucky where illegal activities of the worst sort are the norm. I enjoyed his writing style very much and I relished the dark and gritty Southern Noir depiction. His visual description of people and places are done so flawlessly I felt I was there. I just realized that somehow I missed book two so will have to go back and read that one.

In this book. Mick Hardin has once again returned to his hometown of Rocksalt, but not for a visit this time. Mick has retired from 20 years of service in the Army and now is making a pit stop in Rocksalt while he decides what to do with the rest of his life.

Mick is known for stumbling into all kinds of trouble. His sister Linda is investigating two murders and then is shot herself. Mick ends up deputized in the midst of murders, horseracing, and cockfighting. The more he investigates, the more trouble he finds.

Of course, it is fun reading about all the interesting situations Mick finds himself in, but the real star of this book is Offutt’s writing which just flows along seamlessly taking the reader along for the ride.

I listened to this via audiobook, and it was my first time, I believe, listening to narrator George Newbern. I had trouble at first adjusting to his speaking voice and style, but in no time at all I was captive to his cadence.

I thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I gave this book four stars and look forward to the next one!

Code of the Hills is Mick Hardin book #3 and my first from this author. This is a great standalone mystery and once finished I immediately grab The Killing Hills book #1 and I'm ready to roll!

As a sucker for good crime mysteries set in the South, I like them gritty and in rural locales. Code of the Hills is set in the backwoods of Kentucky, a small town of Rocksalt. The author captures the atmosphere so well and makes me feel a part of the story.

Retired Army investigator Mick Hardin visits his hometown when his sheriff sister Linda was severely injured while on duty. THREE deaths, are they linked? Mick whose plan to be in France is now deputized to help Linda's deputy, Johnny Boy with the case.

I didn't figure out the mysteries and kept changing my mind. I'm very satisfied with the conclusion and find it very fitting for this novel.😉 Love these characters and hope to see them again in future books.

George Newbern did a wonderful job reading this novel. I'm glad he reads all three!

“Offutt’s acclaimed crime series, Mick Hardin is tested like never before as familial allegiances and old wounds collide, threatening to destroy everything he loves.”

I’m always a little worried when I read a murder mystery writer for the first time.

Is it going to be too gory?
Am I going to figure it out in the second chapter?
Can I jump into the middle of a series, or am I going to be lost?

This book was thoroughly enjoyable. The characters and storyline were both great, but the low-key MVP was the setting. I don’t know much about Appalachia, but I really enjoyed getting to know it through Mick’s character.

My only side-eye was that I don’t know how I feel about Mick’s brand of justice. It’s the kind that the heart wants – and perhaps the Code of the Hills requires – but the SJW in me knows it can/will/has been used and abused in the past. It makes me very nervous.

I will definitely be looking into this author’s back catalogue.

7/10

Thanks to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and Dreamscape Media for this ARC.

Dead bodies, colorful characters, touches of Kentucky - a thriller with a few twists and turns and a lot of flavor. Excellent narration.

I enjoyed this book, the story and characters are well written and I love that it takes place in Appalachia.

Book Title: Code of the Hills
Series: Mick Hardin Book #3
Author: Chris Offutt
Narrator: George Newbern
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: June 13, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 288

Mick Hardin has returned back home to the hills of Kentucky; he just retired from a twenty-year service in the Army. He plans to head to France but first wants to visit his sister Linda, who is the Sheriff of Rocksalt, Kentucky.
She and her deputy Johnny Boy Tolliver (remember this is the south and most have two or more first names!) are investigating a series of shoots which may or may not be connected.
However when Linda gets shoot, Mick steps in to help and serves as Sheriff.
He uncovers some evidence of illegal cockfighting. His investigation takes him to Detroit and is faced with an unethical choice.

George Newbern is one of my favorite audiobook narrators. I became a fan when I listened to [book: A man Called Ove]! He always does a great job performing the characters and did so in this story as well!
This is an ordinary story but was so entertaining. Love the audiobook.
Author, Chris Offutt has a fun wit in this writing. e.g. When Sheriff Hardin is looking for a guy he described has having a ‘wondering eye’ the woman assumes he is unfaithful but no he actually has one eye that wonders. Yep! made me laugh.

Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for granting me this audiobook!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 13, 2023.

I love me some Mick Hardin & Co! This was a great ride and I love how Mick gets caught up in solving murders and making things right, even when he just keeps trying to be "retired"! I can't wait to see how things devolve for him in the next installment in the series!

#CodeoftheHills
#NetGalley

Code of the Hills (Mick Hardin #3)
Chris Offutt
Mick Hardin has retired from his twenty-year army career and plans to move to Corsica but first he returns to his roots with a visit to Rocksalt, Kentucky. His sister, Linda is the sheriff in Rocksalt; she and her deputy Johnny Boy are investigating the murder of Pete Lowe a local auto mechanic. Two more deaths have Linda and Johnny Boy search for a connection. During the investigation Linda is seriously injured, putting her out of commission. Johnny Boy temporarily takes the position of sheriff and deputizes Mick. During his investigation Mick finds himself facing several difficult decisions; he uses wisdom and compassion but not necessarily ethics.
I enjoyed this novel. This is the first Mick Hardin book I’ve listened to; it caught my eye because the setting is in Kentucky. Author Chris Offutt has successfully captured the ambience of the eastern part of the state. I like Mick, he is intelligent and shows both kindness and insight. He knows how to listen to people and can hear the truth behind their story. He knows when compassion is needed and when to come down hard on them. He doesn’t know how to deal with Sandra, the dispatcher that he is attracted to. His relationship with his sister is complex. Both the main and secondary characters are well developed. There is a lot of humor in this tale. My favorite part is the eastern hills of Kentucky; they take on a life of their own. The nuances of the culture are well described. I will be watching for more Mick Hardin books as well as reading book 1 and 2.

When I applied for this book, I didn't realize it was a series. Code of the Hills by Chris Offutt is book 3 in the Mick Hardin series. Blurb was exciting and the cover was mysterious so it was enough willing to have this audiobook narrated by George Newbern.
When I discovered that this was book 3 it was the dilemma of what to do - do I need to go back and read the first two or just jump on this straight away? After a little research, I decided to listen to this audiobook without the previous two.
In this book, Mick Hardin is back in his hometown. He decided to retire from the army and enjoy his life. On his arrival his sister Linda, the county sheriff, and her deputy, Johnny, are investigating the murder of the local car mechanic, Pete. As we can expect things are not as simple as look and more dead bodies appearing. Are they all separate murders or are linked? If liked then how and why but most important - who did it? Unfortunately, Linda gets seriously injured and Mick must step up to help to find the links between to find the guilty one.
This book is full of twists and turns and a good amount of humor. One of my favorites was: "I sat on my favorite chair... Ok, it's my only chair!" and "-Do you have a gun? -Yes. -Slowly put it down! -No, I'm not ready!" Made me laugh loud as in the serious setting it was so brilliant.
Narrator George Newbern has done a brilliant job! The story felt live, I literally felt like I am watching the film.
I will give Big, fat 4 stars. Even so, I did enjoy the book, but for some reason, it was hard to connect with the characters. Sometimes we just can't click with the book.
But I would highly recommend this book but probably better would be to read/listen in the correct order.
Thank you NetGallery, Chris Offutt, and George Newbern for the chance to have this story.
#CodeoftheHills #NetGalley