The Hired Man
by Sandra Dallas
SPOILERS
This book takes place in the Dustbowl of Colorado during the Great Depression and the Great Drought. We follow Martha Helen and her family facing various trials that life and nature throw at them. One day a mysterious stranger stumbles upon their farm and the Kessler family is faced with backlash from their closed-minded neighbors and friends.
This was my first Sandra Dallas book and I found her writing to be simple in the best way possible. I was never confused or unsure about what she was trying to say, and the flow felt very natural and enjoyable to read.

The pacing of the story was on the slower side for the first half of the book, but if you thoroughly enjoy character driven stories this probably would not bother you. We see through Martha Helens point of view and hear her thoughts as she goes about the mundane day-to-day life of a teenage girl. The story then picks up when there is a tragic death to Martha Helens closest friends. However, this part did not feel realistic. It is mentioned that Martha Helen cried her eyes out when she hears that Frankie is missing, but whenever they find her, and Martha Helen sees her she is suddenly composed and able to go with her father to the doctors exam room. This is a traumatic event that would completely change the life of anyone this happened to. This would take months or years to recover from, and Martha Helen simply went on with her life.

While I am offering constructive criticism, I would like to add that the Kessler family seemed to be the only family, besides the doctor, that was not struggling financially. It of course was mentioned how bad times were and how there was not enough of this, and not enough of that, but the the Kessler family had enough food to supply an entire search party. They had coffee and sugar readily available, they were able to make sandwiches for anyone passing by, able to bring food to their sick neighbors, and magically had the money to send letters and to adopt another child. Mr. Kessler is a farmer like the majority of the town, and everyone seems to be struggling way more than the Kesslers.

With that being said, I feel like the author really highlighted the life of a vagrant in a way that I have never read before. It was interesting and lowered a veil on a part of the great depression that isn't normally written about. Hence the name of the book, "The Hired Man."
The setting of the small town in Colorado felt real, and I could picture the whole town in my mind. It was very immersive.
One thing I especially loved was the relationship between Martha Helen and her mom. Often times the parents are overlooked in stories to save room for the teenage main character but the mom was one of my favorite characters. She was gentle and kind with a quiet strength and leadership. I would have loved to have seen her point of view.
The ending felt rushed and unsettling, and I would have liked to have seen more scenes or Martha Helen and Darrel throughout the whole book leading up the end.

In closing, this was a very enjoyable read overall. If you like Historical fiction with a murder mystery thrown in, this is the book for you. Out of 5 stars I would give it a solid 3! Thank you NetGalley for this early copy!

This is my first novel by Sandra Dallas that I have read. That said I have always been interested in books that took place during the terrible dust storms that took place in the 1930s ever since I read the Grapes of Wrath. This is a story of a small town in the dust bowl and follows several families. The characters were all well developed and you really cared for them. There is suspense and a crime to be solved.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's press for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Excellent historical fiction. The characters and basically the Kessler family were written with heart. The times were tough on America from Oklahoma to Colorado to Texas suffered greatly during the great dust bowl, can’t remember the title but I read a book on it. So the Kessler family made a mistake and took in a tramp. The town was in a tizzy and I kept waiting to see if Otis was black and I never got that answer. I just needed that to see if that was the issue. Just a guy without family trying to earn a living doesn’t make for so much hate.

The story of Emmett was pretty interesting and also left me with a question . Henry and Willie were good “brothers” The main character I think was Martha Helen and she was a force.
Who is the killer? That’s the big question

This is the first book I have read by Sandra Dallas and it captivated me from page one. I have never read a book that talked about the dust bowl so this made me realize the struggle people had during this time. Well written and I will look for other books by the author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All words are my own.

Love everything I’ve read by Sandra Dallas including this book. This was about the Dust Bowl and really interesting as I haven’t read a lot about it. I like books that teach me things and I feel like I learned a lot about a period of time I knew little about. If this was part of a series I would gladly read more.

The Hired Man by Sandra Dallas. Captivating historical fiction novel set in Colorado in the 1930 during the Depression with people coping with dust storms and shortages of food and supplies. An interesting and engrossing story about growth and survival during hard times with realistic and relatable characters.

Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

During the dust bowl, Martha Helen's family is struggling to survive. Food is scarce, people are leaving their small farming community, and the dust storms have turned dangerous. When a drifter named Otis shows up, Martha Helen's mother hires him to help around the farm, sparking controversy and distrust among the town residents. When Martha Helen's best friend Frankie goes missing and is later found murdered, the town turns on Otis. Martha Helen is forced to question what she knows about Otis, those in the town, and even her own family. But things aren't always what they seem and she is forced to make a decision that will have lasting consequences.

This was a quick read that kept me engrossed! I was really invested in the story and the characters. I thought the author did a very good job of showing how the dust bowl affected the lives of the townspeople - the hunger that they faced, the desperation, the choices parents were forced to make to protect their children. It was heart wrenching. I also thought the author did a good job of balancing the historical aspect of the novel within the story; this was a book, not about the dust bowl, but set during the dust bowl and while it impacted the story, it wasn't the main event.

At times during the novel, I did feel like the book was a bit too wholesome. I'm a bit surprised that the book wasn't listed in the 'Christian Fiction' genre. Not that I would have had a problem with that, but it would give readers a better sense of the novel. I also thought there were some things the author could have explained better. Martha Helen's family doesn't seem to be as affected by the poverty that most others are facing. They still have plenty of food, they can afford to buy fencing supplies, they still have livestock. But we never find out how they are surviving so well.

Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read. This was my first Sandra Dallas book and I'm looking forward to reading more. 3.5 ⭐s rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy. The book is scheduled to be published on March 31, 2026.

Sandra Dallas does it again! Another phenomenal book by one of the foremost authors in women's western fiction.
Its 1937 and the dust bowl rages in Colorado. Martha Helen Kessler and her family are doing better than most, still managing to survive off the land. When a drifter comes through looking for work, the Kesslers offer him a room and board in exchange for helping around the farm. As an outsider, the hired man, named Otis, is not treated well and seen as a threat. When Martha Helen's best friend Frankie is murdered, suspicion falls heavy on Otis and the Kessler family. This is a touching story of family, both blood and chosen, resilience, and coming of age. Part murder mystery, part historical coming of age, Dallas really manages to take us into Martha Helen's world and life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to read about the dust bowl, Colorado history, or just wants an engrossing story set in the last days of the old west.

This was sooo good! Historical fiction, mystery, fast paced throughout. If you enjoy this genre you'll enjoy this one and I'm excited to read more from this author!

First, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sandra Dallas has done it again with another captivating historical fiction novel. Taking place in southeastern Colorado during the zenith of the dust bowl years, it is a hardscrabble life in the small town of Burke. No rain in sight, no food or jobs. Getting by takes courage and determination. It is a hard life for these families, especially some of the women, taking the brunt of their husband‘s frustration. But one day, a stranger appears and turns this quiet town upside down. Friend or foe? Locals don’t trust outsiders to begin with, but then when a local girl is found dead, where will the fingers point and how will justice be determined?

THE HIRED MAN tells a tale of a vagabond, hired by a struggling farm family, that sparks anger and retribution in a small Colorado town during the Depression. Everyone is struggling financially as the dust never leaves and farms dry up in Eastern Colorado. Vagabonds and tramps roam the countryside seeking work, housing or even just a free meal. These wanderers produce intense xenophobia among the remaining townspeople. And then a series of unexplained ‘departures’ of young women cause the rumor mill to lurch into overdrive with all anger focused on the hired man. Author Sandra Dallas is very good at writing historical fiction that brings readers directly into the story. The environment and struggles of the characters feel as real as our own. There are some well telegraphed twists in the tale that keep things lively. Another good book to read from this author. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advance reader’s copy, in exchange for an honest review. “The Hired Man” is scheduled for release on March 31, 2026.
This is the first book I’ve read by Sandra Dallas, so I have no basis for comparison. I will say that while the narrative flowed well and kept me engaged, it felt like so much more could have been done with this storyline.
It’s 1937 in the Dust Bowl town of Burke, Colorado. The drought has been raging for years, and destructive dust storms labeled black blizzards are common. Onto the Kessler farm walks 24-year-old Otis Hobbs, a vagrant, and he’s carrying a young boy who he rescued following a just-ended dust storm. Vagrants are “strangers” who are not welcome in Burke, but Ruth Kessler offers him a job as a hired man in exchange for room and board, so the sheriff allows Otis to stay.
That doesn’t stop the townsfolk from their suspicions about, and prejudice towards Otis. These emotions reach a fever pitch when 15-year-old Martha Helen Kessler’s best friend, Frankie, is found murdered. Of course, the townsfolk believe Otis is responsible, but Ruth Kessler is steadfast in her defense of the vagrant. Why?
This is where I feel an opportunity was missed. Rather than the currently written straight, chronological narrative where Ruth, in the form of one giant purge, reveals past events that influence her actions, I would have preferred to see alternating timelines that would have, little by little, given me better insight into who Ruth is. It would have enhanced character development, and made the overall narrative more interesting, in my opinion.
Martha Helen now must deal with conflicting emotions of grieving for the loss of her best friend and support for Otis. It’s an interesting coming-of-age dilemma she navigates.
My other issue here is the last chapter, which jumps ahead 12 years to 1949, and in five short pages summarizes everything that transpired in everyone’s lives since 1937. It’s a bit of a quick wrap, and (I think) dilutes some of the more engaging narrative.
I’m not negative on “The Hired Man.” It puts life in a small Dust Bowl town under the microscope and reveals society’s ugly underbelly present then just as it is today. But I feel it comes up short of what it could have been.
Three stars for “The Hired Man.” Worth the read.
And you can read all my reviews at my Raised on Reading(www.raisedonreading.com) book blog.

Thank you to Net Galley for giving me access to an ARC of The Hired Man and introducing me to the author, Sandra Dallas. This is not the first time I’ve read historical fiction about the Dust Bowl, but it is the first one that absolutely drew me in from the beginning and I found it hard to put down. Most of the stories I’ve read about the Dust Bowl are incredibly depressing and all about the dire conditions with little sign of hope. This one, however, focused on a family that was struggling but somehow managing to get by, unlike most of their neighbors. Although the Dust Bowl was the setting for this story and you couldn’t overlook the dreadful circumstances the families were facing, the author drew me in to all of the other elements that could happen in any great novel: Heroics, Coming of Age, Friendship, Murder, Poverty, Loss, Compassion, Long-held family secrets and finally the outcome of the murder trial. But wait, just when you think you have the answer to the crime, she brilliantly teases evidence that points to another suspect than the one convicted, leaving the reader to decide. Wow! Five stars for me. If you are looking for an unputdownable read, this is it. Bravo to this author! I can’t wait to read her again.

I really enjoyed this book. The details, the story, all of it was great! I will make sure our library orders a copy.

The Hired man is about a grifter hired to help out on a farm in Colorado during the Dust Bowl.While this is a mystery I was fascinated about the history of that time.Sandra Dallas did a great job incorporating the poverty and bleakness of that period into the story.You couldn’t help feeling dusty and hungry as you read this story.Very descriptive without embellishing on unwanted details.
Perfect twisty end to a wonderfully crafted story.Its been a while since I read a book that I absolutely could not put down.
Thankyou Netgalley and publishers for this ARC

I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction but this one really caught my attention! Set in the 1930's during The Dust Bowl, Martha Helen is the young protagonist whose family struggles to find enough to eat on their farm but gives drifter, Otis a job when he saves young son, Kevin. But the town is suspicious as a young woman's dead body is found. Could he be responsible or are there other factors involved as, of course, "new" people in town don't know their history. It's a visceral story that will tug at your heartstrings as it's a tale of resilience and the human spirit that even those undergoing tragedy can relate to!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This book captured me from the beginning and did not let up the entire way through. Sandra Dallas really painted the picture on what life would be like during The Dust Bowl, and it was interesting to see the characters and landscape through the eyes of a girl growing up during that time. Suffering really brings out people's true intentions. I definitely recommend this book when it comes out!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Sandra Dallas for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Hired Man by Sandra Dallas. Sandra Dallas has a way of educating us while entertaining at the same time. The time of the Dust Bowl isn’t something most of know about. I believe a young audience will enjoy this latest addition of Dallas novels. Thank you NetGalley for the early chance to read it.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction and I am so happy I got to read this advanced copy. The Hired Man takes place during the Dust Bowl. I enjoyed the characters, the storyline, and writing. I got sucked into this book right away and finished it in two nights. It is definitely dark with some mystery and intrigue. I didn’t expect the ending which is always a bonus. I would definitely recommend this book when it comes out.

5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah will be drawn to The Hired Man by Sandra Dallas. This heartfelt coming-of-age story beautifully weaves together themes of kindness, resilience, trust, and justice, all with a touch of mystery and an unexpected twist. The characters are wonderfully crafted—likable yet layered—and I loved that you were never quite sure who could be trusted until the very end.