Reviews

The Killing Hills by Chris Offutt

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itsonmytbr's review

4.0

Mick Hardin is AWOL from his job as a military investigator overseas. His wife, Peggy, is pregnant after having an affair. His sister, Linda, is the sheriff. Mike splits his time between avoiding Peggy and helping Linda track down a killer. Linda knows surprisingly not much at all about investigating murders. Mick knows surprisingly everything about interrogation. Like honestly I'm over here taking notes on how to get dirt out of people.

Full disclosure: I'm not a fan of this Jack Reacher type hero, this better-than-other-guys hero, this too humble to announce that he can kill you with his pinkie hero. This wronged by a woman but too good to hate her for it hero. However, we're eased so slowly into Mick's talents that it's hard to be annoyed by him. Sure, in Germany he's the pinnacle of masculinity, but in the hills he's just a kid who grew up in the woods and can't deal with what happens outside of them.

The atmosphere of this book is both thrilling and claustrophobic. A small Kentucky town set in the Appalachian hills, populated by the descendants of the original residents. Everyone is polite and careful but they've all got loyalties that an outsider couldn't understand. I really enjoyed being in this world, dark and close as it is. It makes me want to read more.

rocketiza's review

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2.0

One of those my detective is on the edge of the law and he's the smartest, toughest guy ever and let me make sure I over explain every single reason why, but with the added bonus of he's also from the south and they do things differently down there and let me smack you over the head with that till you feel brain dead at the end of this book. I couldn't tell if it was not respecting the intelligence of the reader or the author just was so proud of himself he had to make sure to explicitly be including all the explanation in the book.

debfreemantx's review

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5.0

Author has a deep understanding and appreciation for the Kentucky hill culture. Appreciated the humor in an investigation story.

ericfreemantx's review

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5.0

The main character's sister asks him how he is doing. He replies, "Feel like I been shot at and missed, shit at and hit." Truly enjoyed this story and I'm looking forward to the next two in the series. Highly recommend.

bahuerka's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

smilesgiggle's review

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4.0

The writing brings the Kentucky hills and families to life.
Mick arrives home from a tour- to his extremely pregnant wife. After a short affair, Peggy is unsure of the baby's paternity.
Mick moves into his grandfather's old shack in the hills, needing space to think. His sister, the newly appointed Sheriff, asks for his help. Linda has a murder to solve - a local woman found on a hill.
With Mick's help, they work to earn the trust of the community to share what they know.
Enjoyable quick read, short and doesn't waste words.