Chris Offutt’s The Killing Hills was one of my favorite books last year. He continues Mick Hardin’s story in Shifty’s Boys, another compelling novel set in the hills of eastern Kentucky. While Mick is much the same, and the writing is still poetic and filled with traces of humor alleviating the overall darkness, there’s something missing in this book. Mick is lacking a quality of goodness in this book. He just seems overwhelmed by the ugliness in life.

Hardin, an Army CID agent, is home recuperating from an IED attack and leg injury. He mopes around his sister’s house, takes too much Percocet, and he’s bored. When Shifty Kissick sends a son to bring him to her house, he’s willing. Shifty’s son, Barney, the local heroin dealer, was found murdered, and she knows the police don’t care. One more dealer is dead. But, he was one of Shifty’s sons, and she wants answers. Mick is just the man for the job. Shifty understands he knows the local people and the community. And, he understands her grief.

When Shifty loses another son, one who was not a dealer, she admits to Mick that she’s in trouble, and she blames herself for the second death. Then, one more death makes it personal for Mick. Before taking action, he’ll sign his divorce papers, and try to fly under the radar so as not to disturb his sister’s campaign for sheriff.

Grief and family. Offutt combines grief and family with the beauty of the hills of eastern Kentucky. And, if you’re reading the book for a compelling crime drama, Shifty’s Boys works. Offutt’s characters are realistic and believable. But, I was looking for Mick’s spirit again. And, that’s just missing in this book, as if his soul and spirit are broken. I hope Mick Hardin can find something in his life in the next in the Mick Hardin series.

Chris Offutt’s website is http://books.chrisoffutt.com/

Shifty’s Boys by Chris Offutt. Grove, 2022. ISBN 9780802159984 (hardcover), 272p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley to review for a journal.