The Good Sheriff

by Mike Walters

From an early age, Mike Walters discovered that life was far more entertaining when not bound by strict adherence to the truth. In other words, he learned to spin a good tale. Whether exaggerating the size of the steelhead that got away in the mighty Rogue River or coming up with a creative excuse for a fresh scratch on his father’s truck, Mike was always ready with a story—one meant to dupe, delight, and, most importantly, entertain.

When he wasn’t basking in the spotlight, Mike sought solitude in the wild. While his father and brother panned for gold deep in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, he wandered off with his fishing pole and loyal Labrador, casting lines into quiet pools, cliff diving into bottomless waters, and occasionally dodging protective mama bears. These moments sharpened his appreciation for nature’s hidden rhythms and fostered a keen sense of observation—qualities that later led him to explore forty-nine states and pursue a career as a photographer for the U.S. Air Force. The people and places he encountered along the way continue to shape the stories and characters in his novels.

These days, when he’s not mountain biking or road cycling through Oregon or capturing the beauty of the great outdoors through his lens, Mike is busy crafting his next mystery. His published works, set primarily in Southern Oregon, span supernatural, mystery, and action genres. His books include The Rogue River Incident (Books I & II), Hidden Beneath the Pines, and The Good Sheriff. He is currently working on a brand-new Southern Oregon mystery, set for release in April 2025.

Genres: Fiction

350 pages, Paperback

Published August 14, 2020

About the author

Mike Walters writes character-driven thrillers exploring family secrets, trauma, and resilience against the atmospheric backdrop of the Pacific Northwest. His novels blend psychological depth with genuine suspense, inviting readers into stories where what families hide is as dangerous as any external threat.

His bestselling novel, Hidden Beneath the Pines, introduced readers to his signature style: complex characters caught between protection and deception, set in Southern Oregon's haunting landscape. Memories of an Ash Covered Sky deepens this exploration, following a father and daughter forced to confront decades of silence and betrayal in the shadow of wildfire. His debut duology, The Rogue River Incident (Books I & II), blends mystery with supernatural elements, while The Good Sheriff offers a gripping character study of a lawman navigating moral complexity in a small town.

With a voice that's introspective, unflinching, and deeply human, Walters captures the emotional weight of unresolved pasts, the ache of family estrangement, and the redemptive possibility of finally speaking the truth. Perfect for fans of Chelsea Cain's character-driven Portland thrillers or Rene Denfeld's atmospheric explorations of trauma and survival, his novels linger long after the final page.

Mike is currently working on another Good Sheriff mystery. Sheriff Maxwell Wilcox returns, navigating unexpected death and a killer hiding among countless suspects. He must enlist outside resources to bring a killer to justice.
Discover more at mikewaltersnovels.com.

Reviews

[C.L.]

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this new novel by Mike Walters. It has been a pleasure to watch him develop as an author, and The Good Sheriff is one of his best yet.

Wonderful characters, interesting mystery, a gorgeous exploration of Oregon as a setting that is a character in this excellent and satisfying story.

It starts with a body washed up in the Rogue River and the twists and turns don’t stop for Sheriff Wilcox as bodies begin piling up. In a race to stop a killer the tension keeps us reading.

[Natalie]

In beautiful Southern Oregon, Maxwell Wilcox just took a job as the new county sheriff. It's in the quaint town of Rogue Valley where he's hoping to find peace and solitude to mourn the recent death of his wife. Just as he's starting to feel comfortable in his new position, a body with unusual circumstances seemingly falls from the sky with no ordinary clues in sight. When he meets the county medical examiner, Dr. Heather Stone, he can't help but notice just how friendly - and attractive - she is. Still grappling with the loss of his wife, he's overcome with guilt about thinking of another woman and vows to push away any possibility of Dr. Stone as anything more than a co-worker. With Dr. Stone at his side, Sheriff Wilcox jumps into action to solve this murder case. But it isn't long until another body with the same strange circumstances shows up... and another... and another...

The Good Sheriff has a little bit of everything - murder, mystery, and a hint of sexiness. The story is brought to life by strong character development, the beautiful Oregon small-town setting, and the twists and turns throughout. I enjoyed that the book is told from different point of views of the characters, which gave me a window into their thoughts. Sheriff Wilcox, Dr. Stone, and the other characters are well thought out and likable. Most importantly, I feel, is that the mystery murders keep you guessing what could possibly happen next. Why do bodies keep piling up around Rogue Valley? Will Sheriff Wilcox be able to solve this case?

I found The Good Sheriff to be an interesting thriller/suspense novel. Despite having a few different theories about what exactly was going on in the quiet town of Rogue Valley, I was way off. Mike Walters did a good job of reeling me in for the ride. If you enjoy murder mysteries, I'd say this book is for you.

Trigger warning for mild violence and some explicit language.

I read a free copy through the Reedsy Discovery program which allowed me to provide an honest review.