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Emmett Hardy Mystery #3
Ain't Nothin' Personal
"A strong mystery that clearly shows some secrets, like a few bodies, can’t stay buried." –Kirkus ReviewsAfter a kidnap-for-hire plot results in the death of a young boy, Burr police chief Emmett Hardy blames himself and has an alcohol-fueled breakdown. His life at a crossroads, Hardy checks into the hospital for treatment, only to discover upon his release that he's been suspended from duty. When a dying prisoner contacts him about a long-forgotten unsolved case, Emmett-temporarily at loose ends-begins an informal investigation.
Soon he becomes a target of violence himself, as his investigation becomes a murder probe implicating the most powerful men in town. Hardy is forced to relive one of the most traumatic events of his childhood, and faces the possibility that members of his own family may have been involved in the crime.
Ultimately, with Emmett's tenuous grasp on sobriety slipping and his moral foundation shifting beneath his feet, the answer to the question, "Who do I trust?" becomes a matter of life and death.
Soon he becomes a target of violence himself, as his investigation becomes a murder probe implicating the most powerful men in town. Hardy is forced to relive one of the most traumatic events of his childhood, and faces the possibility that members of his own family may have been involved in the crime.
Ultimately, with Emmett's tenuous grasp on sobriety slipping and his moral foundation shifting beneath his feet, the answer to the question, "Who do I trust?" becomes a matter of life and death.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2021
42 people are currently reading
1587 people want to read
About the author
Chris Kelsey
6 books73 followersChris Kelsey's first novel, Where the Hurt Is, won the 2018 Pencraft Award for Fiction Book of the Year. He's currently Director of Instrumental Music at Trinity-Pawling School in Pawling, NY.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 15, 2021
I just finished author Chris Kelsey's latest installment of his Emmett Hardy series, "Ain't Nothin Personal." I truly enjoyed it. It is an easy and fast read, 275 pages or so. I got hooked on Police Chief Hardy with Mr. Kelsey's first book, "Where the Hurt Is." Chief Hardy is a honest but human police chief of a small town in Oklahoma. We follow him through his struggles with the locals as well as his personal demons. Kelsey weaves a great story and keeps you intrigued and wanting more. Every time I finish a book, this is my third, I am eager to read the next. Kelsey makes his characters realistic and relatable. The reader either hates the character or loves them. The stories are very relatable, especially to anyone who has any familiarity with Oklahoma. I encourage you to read all three books. If you have read the other two you will not be disappointed in the newest book. It takes you from Oklahoma to New York City and back in a worldwind of action. I truly enjoyed the ride and cannot wait for the next adventure for Chief Hardy.
May 26, 2023
Thanks to the nice people at BlackRoseWriting I could read this book, in exchange for a review.
I really liked the book, and would to recommend it to all who are interested in detectives. Taking place in 1966 (the year I was born).
Story pace was steady on, characters were real life to me, and events worked out okay.
Plot was realistic, about a town's sheriff, who was on 'sick leave' after some problems. He was called to a prison where a dying inmate wanted to tell him about a murder that took place some 40 years earlier.
It didn't bother me that it was a third book in a serie, but now I want to find the other two.
I really liked the book, and would to recommend it to all who are interested in detectives. Taking place in 1966 (the year I was born).
Story pace was steady on, characters were real life to me, and events worked out okay.
Plot was realistic, about a town's sheriff, who was on 'sick leave' after some problems. He was called to a prison where a dying inmate wanted to tell him about a murder that took place some 40 years earlier.
It didn't bother me that it was a third book in a serie, but now I want to find the other two.
May 18, 2021
The Best of a Magnificent Trilogy
Chris Kelsey’s police chief Emmett Hardy is back in Ain’t Nothin’ Personal, a novel that manages to be the best of a magnificent trilogy. The follow up to Where the Hurt Is and Butcherville, this novel is another morally complex and entertaining journey. Ain’t Nothing Personal opens with Emmett laid low by heavy drinking and his accompanying suspension as police chief in small town Burr, Oklahoma. A likable and engaging first-person narrator, Emmett is plagued by ruminations that are often darkly humorous.
During his final weeks before possible reinstatement, he gets pulled into an investigation of a 25-year-old crime involving the murder of the last black family in Burr. While Ain’t Nothin’ Personal is set in December 1966, Kelsey skillfully weaves a vision that incorporates many of the race issues of the Twentieth Century. He does so through the richly developed characters, from his addled father to his lively horn-blowing buddy Hary to his sharp-tongued girlfriend Karen to the glad-handing sheriff Burt.
Like the previous two novels, Emmett is constantly on a journey in his investigations where not only the truth about a crime is revealed but also larger insights emerge. This novel features a memorable expedition into New York’s East Village that manages to belong in this rural Oklahoma novel because Emmett is more cosmopolitan than a reader would initially realize. His personal demons from drink are echoed by the familial and communal demons of the past. Therefore, it is so appropriate that in the satisfying, exciting climax, Emmett is ultimately left with some tough choices; he is constantly making tough choices that are defined by a nuanced moral compass.
Simply put, Ain’t Nothin’ Personal is the type of book that makes me hope that Kelsey keeps writing Emmett Hardy novels for years to come.
Chris Kelsey’s police chief Emmett Hardy is back in Ain’t Nothin’ Personal, a novel that manages to be the best of a magnificent trilogy. The follow up to Where the Hurt Is and Butcherville, this novel is another morally complex and entertaining journey. Ain’t Nothing Personal opens with Emmett laid low by heavy drinking and his accompanying suspension as police chief in small town Burr, Oklahoma. A likable and engaging first-person narrator, Emmett is plagued by ruminations that are often darkly humorous.
During his final weeks before possible reinstatement, he gets pulled into an investigation of a 25-year-old crime involving the murder of the last black family in Burr. While Ain’t Nothin’ Personal is set in December 1966, Kelsey skillfully weaves a vision that incorporates many of the race issues of the Twentieth Century. He does so through the richly developed characters, from his addled father to his lively horn-blowing buddy Hary to his sharp-tongued girlfriend Karen to the glad-handing sheriff Burt.
Like the previous two novels, Emmett is constantly on a journey in his investigations where not only the truth about a crime is revealed but also larger insights emerge. This novel features a memorable expedition into New York’s East Village that manages to belong in this rural Oklahoma novel because Emmett is more cosmopolitan than a reader would initially realize. His personal demons from drink are echoed by the familial and communal demons of the past. Therefore, it is so appropriate that in the satisfying, exciting climax, Emmett is ultimately left with some tough choices; he is constantly making tough choices that are defined by a nuanced moral compass.
Simply put, Ain’t Nothin’ Personal is the type of book that makes me hope that Kelsey keeps writing Emmett Hardy novels for years to come.
October 15, 2021
Ain’t Nothin’ Personal by Chris Kelsey is the third book of a trilogy. It takes place in Oklahoma in the 1960’s with a, sometimes hard to love, police chief name Emmet Hardy. While Hardy was taking some mandatory time off of work when he was assigned to an inmate who wanted to provide the details of an unsolved murder from several decades earlier. Hardy struggles throughout the book, whether it is with the locals of the town or his own internal conflicts. Throughout this murky crime thriller author Chris Kelsey is able to make the character relatable and fun to follow.
Ain’t Nothin’ Personal is a riveting page turner that made it hard for me to find a good spot to put the book down. One thing I really enjoyed about this mystery novel is the quick but thorough character development. We are easily able to picture the characters with a quick setup before moving along into the heart of the story. This help keeps the story moving while ensuring the characters are intriguing nonetheless.
This is book three in the enthralling Emmett Hardy Mystery series and I would recommend reading the firs two books in the trilogy before reading this one. I enjoyed this immersive story, but I felt that the end of the book was slightly rushed, or maybe I was just left with an unquenchable thirst for the story to keep going. In either case I hope this story continues with more books.
Ain’t Nothin’ Personal has a persistent air of intrigue throughout the entire story, bordering on the noir genre I think, but never losing focus on the mystery driving this story. Hardy always has alternative agendas making it so a reader is not bored by just reading about one or two events that are happening. This is an engrossing whodunit novel that will certainly satisfy crime fiction fans looking for a well developed mystery.
Ain’t Nothin’ Personal is a riveting page turner that made it hard for me to find a good spot to put the book down. One thing I really enjoyed about this mystery novel is the quick but thorough character development. We are easily able to picture the characters with a quick setup before moving along into the heart of the story. This help keeps the story moving while ensuring the characters are intriguing nonetheless.
This is book three in the enthralling Emmett Hardy Mystery series and I would recommend reading the firs two books in the trilogy before reading this one. I enjoyed this immersive story, but I felt that the end of the book was slightly rushed, or maybe I was just left with an unquenchable thirst for the story to keep going. In either case I hope this story continues with more books.
Ain’t Nothin’ Personal has a persistent air of intrigue throughout the entire story, bordering on the noir genre I think, but never losing focus on the mystery driving this story. Hardy always has alternative agendas making it so a reader is not bored by just reading about one or two events that are happening. This is an engrossing whodunit novel that will certainly satisfy crime fiction fans looking for a well developed mystery.
June 9, 2022
Quiet an ordeal that successfully depicts how crime does not pay! Very descriptive outcome!
Definitely five stars worthy, as the Author definitely did his homework before striking his first key! Definitely another who dunnit that successfully maintains your undivided attention immediately and never falters throughout the entire series of unending evidentiary storylines that certainly touches your innermost expectations!
Being a former law enforcement person, I enjoyed following the Author's outstanding descriptiveness of each and every exciting episode! The storylines successfully maintains your undivided attention immediately and never falters cover to cover! Too, the character selections could not have been any better portrayed cover to cover!
If you enjoy mysteries, then this compelling rendition of how cases are won, or lost, is definitely your type of reading pleasure! Try it! You'll love it!!!😃
Definitely five stars worthy, as the Author definitely did his homework before striking his first key! Definitely another who dunnit that successfully maintains your undivided attention immediately and never falters throughout the entire series of unending evidentiary storylines that certainly touches your innermost expectations!
Being a former law enforcement person, I enjoyed following the Author's outstanding descriptiveness of each and every exciting episode! The storylines successfully maintains your undivided attention immediately and never falters cover to cover! Too, the character selections could not have been any better portrayed cover to cover!
If you enjoy mysteries, then this compelling rendition of how cases are won, or lost, is definitely your type of reading pleasure! Try it! You'll love it!!!😃
June 1, 2021
Kelsey does it again!
In Emmett Hardy, Chris Kelsey creates and carries a drawling, , small-town, down-to-earth, conseinsious character like no one else can. Burr's chief of police takes on a 26-year-old cold case that no one in town is interested in solving in still-very-predjudiced 1966. He opens a can of worms that can get more people killed ( first & foremost being Chief Hardy) or bring some long-needed justice to a black family just wanting peace. This third story of a good guy trying to clean up a good ol' boy town in Oklahoma kept me enthralled for hours and then wishing Chris Kelsey's next book was out!
In Emmett Hardy, Chris Kelsey creates and carries a drawling, , small-town, down-to-earth, conseinsious character like no one else can. Burr's chief of police takes on a 26-year-old cold case that no one in town is interested in solving in still-very-predjudiced 1966. He opens a can of worms that can get more people killed ( first & foremost being Chief Hardy) or bring some long-needed justice to a black family just wanting peace. This third story of a good guy trying to clean up a good ol' boy town in Oklahoma kept me enthralled for hours and then wishing Chris Kelsey's next book was out!
January 11, 2026
A Great Read
I enjoyed all 3 books.. Great stories with believable characters. Humor was mixed well into the drama of life in Burr. Chief Emmett Hardy makes a great local hero who surrounds himself with honest and loving friends. The only drawback for me, but fortunately, didn't take away from the story, were the number of errors made. A good editor and proofreading would solve this. I am looking forward to Book 4.
I enjoyed all 3 books.. Great stories with believable characters. Humor was mixed well into the drama of life in Burr. Chief Emmett Hardy makes a great local hero who surrounds himself with honest and loving friends. The only drawback for me, but fortunately, didn't take away from the story, were the number of errors made. A good editor and proofreading would solve this. I am looking forward to Book 4.
November 30, 2021
Sorry it’s over.
I’ve read all three Emmett Hardy books and throughly enjoyed the authors writing style and sense of humor. I recommend all three in the order written for maximum enjoyment. Chief Hardy and all the colorful characters were very believable and a great addition to the story.
I’ve read all three Emmett Hardy books and throughly enjoyed the authors writing style and sense of humor. I recommend all three in the order written for maximum enjoyment. Chief Hardy and all the colorful characters were very believable and a great addition to the story.
April 25, 2022
Another Kelsey winner, his Emmett Hardy character is a fantastic blend of sarcasm and realist. He uncovers a 20+ year injustice that has been hanging over the town since he was a child. I like the way he mentions the ties from his earlier mysteries and brings them all together. I highly recommend this series. Continued success Mr. Kelsey.
June 27, 2023
Two is better
I enjoyed the first Emmett Hardy novel. Ain't Nothin' Personal is better. Every chapter passes so fast one is surprised to suddenly find oneself at the end. More, Chief Hardy is fleshed out, becoming more complicated. The mystery becomes multiple yet intertwined stories. It just a fun read.
I enjoyed the first Emmett Hardy novel. Ain't Nothin' Personal is better. Every chapter passes so fast one is surprised to suddenly find oneself at the end. More, Chief Hardy is fleshed out, becoming more complicated. The mystery becomes multiple yet intertwined stories. It just a fun read.
January 14, 2026
Great Book
My third Kelsey/Emmett Hardy novel. Great characters (Emmett and his team), great plot, humorous, keeps you engaged until the end. My only observation with this third book in the series; someone needs to proofread before publishing. There are words missing and incorrect words. Not a big deal but annoying.
My third Kelsey/Emmett Hardy novel. Great characters (Emmett and his team), great plot, humorous, keeps you engaged until the end. My only observation with this third book in the series; someone needs to proofread before publishing. There are words missing and incorrect words. Not a big deal but annoying.
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June 19, 2021Just finished this fun read. Chris's books are fantastic summer fun reading with great characters and interesting stories. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good easy reading book!
August 13, 2021
“Ain’t Nothing Personal” is the third book in the Emmett Hardy mystery series by Chris Kelsey. I rated this 4/5 stars, keep that in mind as I tear things apart. I love the detailed world Kelsey created starting the series, and also the many deep and detailed and flawed characters. Very few are caricatures or paper doll types. The first book in the series was really good - I said I bought it to support a musician whose work I enjoyed and someone I’d connected with online, and was incredibly surprised. The second book was even better.
‘Ain’t Nothing Personal’ is a really solid story that ties up a lot of things, pushes forward many characters and relationships, and tells a satisfying story. Unfortunately to get there required a number of shortcuts - and it got worse further into the book. Early on the sense of time matches the previous books, but when that becomes inconvenient to the plot suddenly events happen on a more modern timeline. Also, later in the story everyone just happened to be where they needed to be when they were needed, with or without whomever was also needed to be in or out of the situation. And whereas the conflicts felt real before in terms of physical and emotional impact, now they are occasionally cartoonish or like a fluffy TV drama where injuries are referred to but have no real impact. Final nitpick - the Kindle version could have really used another pass by an editor.
Overall I enjoyed the book and felt that the outline of the story that formed in my head was incredibly satisfying - but the translation to the page fell flat in a few ways that felt more like a first novel than the third entry in a series that showed the ability to make hard and realistic choices that don’t always work out for the characters we care about. Looking forward to the next entry … just not as much as I was looking forward to this one.
‘Ain’t Nothing Personal’ is a really solid story that ties up a lot of things, pushes forward many characters and relationships, and tells a satisfying story. Unfortunately to get there required a number of shortcuts - and it got worse further into the book. Early on the sense of time matches the previous books, but when that becomes inconvenient to the plot suddenly events happen on a more modern timeline. Also, later in the story everyone just happened to be where they needed to be when they were needed, with or without whomever was also needed to be in or out of the situation. And whereas the conflicts felt real before in terms of physical and emotional impact, now they are occasionally cartoonish or like a fluffy TV drama where injuries are referred to but have no real impact. Final nitpick - the Kindle version could have really used another pass by an editor.
Overall I enjoyed the book and felt that the outline of the story that formed in my head was incredibly satisfying - but the translation to the page fell flat in a few ways that felt more like a first novel than the third entry in a series that showed the ability to make hard and realistic choices that don’t always work out for the characters we care about. Looking forward to the next entry … just not as much as I was looking forward to this one.
October 21, 2021
Believable characters
Fell in love with his main character in his first book. Have waited with anxious anticipation for his two books following.
I wasn’t disappointed at all. Will be a follower forever.....
Fell in love with his main character in his first book. Have waited with anxious anticipation for his two books following.
I wasn’t disappointed at all. Will be a follower forever.....
January 19, 2024
Needs proofreading!
I like the story and the characters but the print errors are distracting. For example, sometimes Emmett’s dog Dizzy is male, sometimes female, sometimes both in the same sentence. Just one example of errors that detract from an otherwise good read.
I like the story and the characters but the print errors are distracting. For example, sometimes Emmett’s dog Dizzy is male, sometimes female, sometimes both in the same sentence. Just one example of errors that detract from an otherwise good read.
January 3, 2022
Told by a friend
That's what reading this book feels like. I love the conversational style. And the finale! Thank you for writing. I hope there's a lot more
That's what reading this book feels like. I love the conversational style. And the finale! Thank you for writing. I hope there's a lot more
April 16, 2022
Review
This was a good story. I liked the relationship with Emmett and Karen. They were a good fit. It was a good ending all around.
This was a good story. I liked the relationship with Emmett and Karen. They were a good fit. It was a good ending all around.
September 8, 2022
Another wonderful Emmett Hardy story. A fun series.
March 3, 2023
This one surprised me often…
Loved it!!! The characters are wonderful! I bet I grieve the end of the series 💔 Blessings from Lindsay, Oklahoma ❤️
Loved it!!! The characters are wonderful! I bet I grieve the end of the series 💔 Blessings from Lindsay, Oklahoma ❤️
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March 16, 2023BEST OF HIS BOOKS
Of the three books of his I have read, I have enjoyed this one the most. I love his humor mixed with a mystery.
Of the three books of his I have read, I have enjoyed this one the most. I love his humor mixed with a mystery.
April 16, 2024
Intriguing storyline with surprising plot twists. Great characters. Super series.
August 18, 2024
Emmett...he continues to learn ugly truths about the folks in his western OK home town. And to be honest about his own weaknesses. I do love him.
February 8, 2025
I’m really enjoying this mystery series which takes place in Oklahoma in the late 60s and 70s!
November 30, 2025
Another brilliantly written crime drama involving Emmett. I really enjoy the writing style and characters in these books.
I've read the first three and look forward to getting the next installment.
I've read the first three and look forward to getting the next installment.
May 1, 2021
Overall Rating = 4.5
Storyline & Concept = 5
Writing and Delivery = 5
Editorial = 3.5
The third in the series, Ain’t Nothin’ Personal takes us on another adventure with Emmett Hardy, a small-town Oklahoma police chief in the 1960s, temporarily suspended from duty. He fills this off-duty time with an investigation into an old case concerning a childhood friend. Once again, he comes up against powerful people, and the buttons he pushes lead to violence and threats against him and make him question who he can trust as the case comes a bit too close to home for comfort.
Having read Mr. Kelsey’s previous novels, I am a big fan of his writing style, his characters, and his witty dialogue. This book is no exception. The fast-paced plot is well-balanced with backstory and insights into Hardy’s character, grabbing and holding the reader’s attention. I was immersed into the small-town atmosphere, to the point that I felt as out-of-place as the police chief when he had to go to New York City. Although, you can read this as a standalone, chances are you will want to pick up the first two. I hope to see a lot more from this talented author.
Sublime Line: “Ain’t Nothin’ Personal is another not-to-be-missed installment in the Emmett Hardy series: witty, fast-paced, and irresistible.”
Storyline & Concept = 5
Writing and Delivery = 5
Editorial = 3.5
The third in the series, Ain’t Nothin’ Personal takes us on another adventure with Emmett Hardy, a small-town Oklahoma police chief in the 1960s, temporarily suspended from duty. He fills this off-duty time with an investigation into an old case concerning a childhood friend. Once again, he comes up against powerful people, and the buttons he pushes lead to violence and threats against him and make him question who he can trust as the case comes a bit too close to home for comfort.
Having read Mr. Kelsey’s previous novels, I am a big fan of his writing style, his characters, and his witty dialogue. This book is no exception. The fast-paced plot is well-balanced with backstory and insights into Hardy’s character, grabbing and holding the reader’s attention. I was immersed into the small-town atmosphere, to the point that I felt as out-of-place as the police chief when he had to go to New York City. Although, you can read this as a standalone, chances are you will want to pick up the first two. I hope to see a lot more from this talented author.
Sublime Line: “Ain’t Nothin’ Personal is another not-to-be-missed installment in the Emmett Hardy series: witty, fast-paced, and irresistible.”
May 5, 2021
After months of waiting since reading book #2, I got my hands on a review copy of Ain’t Nothin’ Personal by Chris Kelsey. It’s the third in his series and hopefully not the last. I absolutely love his characters, particularly the flawed, but honorable Emmett Hardy. The author’s style, the banter, the suspense, and the plot are engaging and made this book impossible to put down. It became very ‘personal’ for me if someone tried to interrupt my reading. He weaves the backstory into the novel in such a way that you aren’t obliged to have read the first two of the series, but take my word for it, you’re going to want to.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews