I loved this book!! Total page turner!! Definitely going to check out if this author has anything else out there

Nothing but the bones - Brian Panowich

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

I LOVED this book, and I finished it in one sitting. When I initially began this story I thought perhaps it was a reimagining of Mice and Men, the societal misfit, compelled to a tragic end.

However, I was thrilled to find this story to be so MUCH more - ultimately I found it a well-woven intricacy uplifting quilt of individualism, empowerment and ultimately, redemption..

Best book of the year so far!

Nothing But the Bones by Brian Panowich is a prequel in the Bull Mountain series set in McFalls County, Georgia, following the Burroughs family. It definitely works as a stand alone and is highly recommended Southern crime fiction.

Nelson “Nails” McKenna is a giant of a man who was born with a deformed hand and can be slow on the uptake. He has worked for local crime boss Gareth Burroughs since an incident when he was a teen. When Nails goes too far defending a young woman one night, leaving a man dead at a roadhouse, Burroughs sends him off with $8,000 cash to Jacksonville, Florida where he's supposed to call a man who will help him. On the start of his trip to Florida, he discovers the young woman he was protecting, Dallas Georgia, is hiding in his car. The two take off together to Florida and become fugitives.

Nails and Dallas are both being pursued by others, including Alex Price, brother of the dead man, and Nails' friend Clayton Burroughs. These two are at crossed purposes and have very different goals in mind. As they are on the run, Nails and Dallas develop an agreement but their alliance is plagued by Dallas' bad decisions.

Nothing But the Bones is full of interesting characters and laden with corrupt people and organizations. It is a tension-filled, engaging, fast-paced plot that will hold your attention throughout. There are twists and surprises along the way, some more credible than others, but all of them serve to propel the narrative forward. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, X, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

It's always an exciting day at my house when Brian Panowich comes out with a new book and this one definitely was no exception.
This is a prequel to the Bull Mountain series and Clayton Burroughs is trying to help his friend Nails who has ended up on the wrong side of his Deddy Gareth Burroughs.
Nothing But The Bones was a fast paced gripping read that I couldn't put down. I hope we haven't heard the last of Clayton and the other characters in McFalls County.

This was an outstanding noir story. The author writes with a pen of fury and crafts characters which are deep and flawed, but we still care about them and their outcomes. Fantastic addition to the Bull Mountain storyline.

This was such a great read had me feeling all kinds of emotions. Very easy to follow the story!!! Really enjoyed the characters and the twists.

An atmospheric and gripping novel that depicts the hardened life of McFalls County. The writing has the reader thinking about the choices we make when pushed to the limit. It is a great addition to the series and I will look forward to more.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Nothing But Bones is prequel to Brian Panowich"s two other books about the Burroughs clan. Though Clayton and Gareth Burroughs have roles in this story the book is about Nelson "Nails McKenna. Its a gritty and brutal story of how Nelson becomes Nails. The story takes place with a young Clayton way before he becomes sheriff. Nelson Clayton and Kate his girl friend,who later becomes his wife and their friend Amy. a bad situation turns for the worse and Clayton father shows up and forces Nelson to make a tough decision. years later Nails is now working for Gareth and another tough situation sends Nails and Dallas, a women he helped out, on the run. The story has lots of twists and turns and plenty of despicable characters. In the end Nelson becomes Nails then becomes Nelson again. you also see the break between Gareth and Clayton. this book is a solid 4.5. Mr.Panowich has a great style of writing. plus he has great taste in music

This was an easy 4.5 stars for me. This book is a gritty, hard-hitting crime thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. I was left questioning what each characters story/motives were and how they all pieced together until the end where it was wrapped up beautifully.

The characters in this book are well-developed and complex, you can't help but become invested in their lives. Each character has their own demons to battle, and watching them navigate through the twists and turns is both heart-wrenching and exhilarating.

Panowich brilliantly captured the complexities within his main characters. While many were involved in awful acts, you still wanted to root for them and could see they were inherently good. . I wanted to give Nelson a hug numerous times throughout this journey.

The plot itself is a rollercoaster of emotions, with unexpected twists and turns that had me guessing until the end. This was the first of this series that I have read and while they don’t need to be read in order, I’m excited to start from the beginning and see what else happens in Bull Mountain.

While I loved this book, the only reason I’m taking 0.5 stars off is because I found the beginning slow. I understand why we needed the build up and the end was worth it but I found myself wondering when it was going to pick up.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

I didn't realize this was a series but it was a great standalone as well. Brian Panowich writes so sharply that it makes the story feel so real. The story and characters were all very well written. I will be going back to the beginning of this series to read more!

Welcome to the south! Follow this winding road of a book as the main characters escape with just the clothes on their backs!

This book follows Nelson "Nails" on the run from killing a man after defending a woman he barely knows, Dallas.

These two become quite the pair and partners in crime on the road to redeption and freedom from their pasts. They are faced with challenges along the way and ultimately their lives at stake.

You will be gripping your seat at every turn of the page for this one. Will Nails and Dallas make it to their destination of parented freedom? Leaving everything behind, this book shows perseverance, love and hate, unbreakable bonds, and so much more.

This is a crime, drama, and thriller packed into one book.

I found the book to be evenly paced and well written. The character development is thoughtfully done. This can be read as a stand-alone book in the series, as I have not read the other books prior and did not feel as though I was missing anything when reading.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for my advanced copies of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Great inclusion to the series. These books just keep getting better and I hate to see them ever end.. characters were amazing as always with an adventurous story line.

I’ve enjoyed the entire Bull Mounrsn series and this book was no exception. However, this one was less of a mystery than the others. Some chase scenes, to be sure, bit this one was a quieter, less plot driven novel.

Nothing But the Bones is the fourth book in the Bull Mountain series that I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying. This definitely can read as a stand alone,

The Burroughs family is exactly what I have come to expect. A crime family in North GA, with all their wrong doings for the right or not so right reasons. Clayton and his father relationship is still palpable and believable.

Admittedly, I had a hard time believing Dallas and Nails relationship could have been so binding in 4 long days. I REALLY want a re-write of a very short scene. I do not think that this topic is in anyway adds to a North GA crime family novel. In fact, it detracts from the story. The topic just doesn’t fit in this particular southern crime genre of the time period. It left me with more questions. If the subject matter is brought up it should be more clearly developed on how this added to Nails deep commitment to Dallas. Maybe the theme is supposed to be one of acceptance but that is not reality for Nails. Nails is the baddest and most dangerous man in North GA. No way, is he gonna fall for a girl like Dallas.

Having said that, I could totally see Freddy dressed as he was at the bar. That is believable! This theme is a vastly growing one in modern books. I suppose that writers have to appeal to the publishers and the folks who purchase books. I get it but was shocked to read it in this particular genre.

I am rating it 5 stars because I truly enjoyed 95% of the book. I’ll definitely read another Panowich book.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Surprisingly charming! A gritty noir style story about childhood friends and coverups.

When Nelson "Nails" McKenna gets in a bar fight that ends badly, a whole crime syndicate gets involved. Before things go completely off the rails, some of his childhood friends step in. This is a great thriller filled with interesting and complex characters. I enjoyed every minute of it - Panowich surprised me all the way to the end!

If you love gritty stories, underdogs and noir, Nothing But the Bones is for you! #stmartinspress #nothingbutthebones #brianpanowich

4.5 stars
I've been a fan of this author's books for years and was really pleased to be given a copy of this newest book to read. I requested it without even reading one sentence about it so was a bit surprised to find it telling the beginning of the Burroughs clan. The level of violence was also a surprise but it was ultimately critical to the plot. If you can get past that, you'll really appreciate the story last six or seven chapters. True friends do make all the difference in life. Bravo.

In Brian Panowich's latest offering, "Nothing but the Bones," readers are welcomed into the hardscrabble life of McFalls County, Georgia, where no one crafts Southern noir quite like Panowich. Serving as a prequel to his acclaimed debut, "Bull Mountain," this standalone novel delivers a gripping narrative that effortlessly stands on its own, yet seamlessly integrates into the larger tapestry of Panowich's literary universe. While I wholeheartedly recommend diving into all three books in his series, "Nothing but the Bones" is a compelling testament to Panowich's mastery of storytelling, making it an irresistible read that's hard to put down.

At the heart of McFalls County lies Gareth Burroughs, a patriarch with a grip on the land and a network of influence that extends like tentacles throughout the county. His brood of sons, mostly entangled in his crime syndicate, adds layers of complexity to the already intricate dynamics of the region. Among the characters is "Nails," or Nelson McKenna, a character shaped by indebtedness to his boss following a fateful incident in his youth. When "Nails" finds himself entangled in a dangerous situation involving a young woman named Dallas, the narrative catapults into a thrilling chase as the duo goes on the run. As the story unfolds, it weaves in an array of characters whose presence complicates the already tense atmosphere, drawing readers deeper into the heart of McFalls County's underworld.

What sets "Nothing but the Bones" apart from Panowich's previous works is its nuanced exploration of themes like friendship, loyalty, and the complexities of familial bonds. While violence and murder permeate the narrative, there's a palpable emphasis on the softer, more human elements of the characters' lives. Panowich deftly navigates these dynamics, offering readers a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is pulse-pounding.

One of the novel's standout features is the portrayal of Gareth's moral son, whose steadfast friendship with "Nails" serves as a poignant contrast to his father's iron-fisted rule. As he defies his father's authority in a quest to bring "Nails" home, readers are treated to a character arc that is both compelling and emotionally resonant. Through this lens, Panowich explores themes of redemption and the quest for identity in a world defined by its moral ambiguity.

In "Nothing but the Bones," Panowich demonstrates a remarkable ability to tackle socially uncomfortable topics with sensitivity and grace, inviting readers to confront the complexities of the human experience. With its breakneck pace and richly drawn characters, this is a book that demands to be devoured in one sitting. Whether you're a seasoned fan of Southern noir or a newcomer to Panowich's literary landscape, "Nothing but the Bones" is a must-read that promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of McFalls County's dark underbelly.

NOTHING BUT THE BONES by Author Brian Panowich is another raw, gripping, graphic addition to the Bull Mountain series set in McFalls County, Georgia. A novella and three full length books precede this one, and I highly recommend reading them in order. Having said that, each book will stand alone with no issue and that’s due to the author’s ability to weave the needed backstory into each book. If you're a fan of Southern Noir, don't hesitate to pick this book up and dive in. You'll need to clear your calendar, pour yourself a strong one and settle in for the long haul as there's no stopping once you start reading this book.

Author Brian Panowich has crafted another stunningly powerful tale in this award-winning series. NOTHING BUT THE BONES opens with a scene that takes place prior to Clayton Burroughs becoming sheriff of McFalls County. Readers learn how Nelson McKenna became known as "Nails" when adopted into the Gareth Burroughs crime family and how he became an enforcer - a role he's uncomfortable with. Fast forward in time and Nails steps in to save a woman from a horrific fate in a roadside pub igniting a series of explosive mishaps that lead to he and the woman, Dallas, on the run from a multitude of malevolent forces. Nails is so far out of his comfort zone with Dallas that it leaves him confused, speechless and undecisive, but when he learns that the family he thought he could trust to always have his back might have ulterior motives, he forges ahead vowing to protect the woman with his life. Nails and Dallas leave a trail of violence, death and utter chaos in their wake as they make their way south. With his back nailed to the wall, Nails makes one last stand knowing he may not survive. The repercussions are heard all the way back in McFalls County. Time has run out. Who'll be left standing? Who'll take the fall?

NOTHING BUT THE BONES is a tension laden, fast paced, gritty tale of blood, sweat and tears - a prime example of southern noir done right. Panowich strips the words down to nothing but the bones - no fluff, no filler, as he expertly manipulates tainted, larger than life antiheroes through a complex, multi-faceted plot line toward an explosive climax no one will see coming. His sharp, descriptive prose is well suited to communicating a keen sense of place and southern tradition as well as cajoling engaging characters to life to the point of them stepping off the page into your living room. Readers can see, sense and smell the gun powder and motor oil as Nails and Dallas barrel down the highway in his classic LTD Ford toward their destination, knowing with little doubt their fate is sealed. While this story is action driven, it's the emotional turmoil of the characters I want to emphasize - A man and a woman, both outcasts, both battling their own demons, both needing something neither believes they deserve finding each other on a journey to hell and back. The heart break, the despair, the self-hatred drips like blood off the pages due to the amazingly talented author.

Brian Panowich is a force to be reckoned with in the southern noir and grit lit genre, and no one's more deserving of the accolades coming his way. I can say without reservation he's on my short list of favorite auto-read noir authors. NOTHING BUT THE BONES is nothing but the best in southern noir today. I hope there's more to come! Highly recommended to fans of crime fiction, suspense and noir.

This book is definitely a slow burn, but if you stick it out, and get through all of the character build up, you’ve got yourself a very good read.

The first few chapters, I was a bit perplexed but once i started over & read it all again, I was able to fully understand what was being conveyed about the upbringing Nelson AKA Nails had with his father.

This story, was a reminder that not everyone has a say or choice in the path their life takes, sometimes, it can truly be influenced by those around you that think they’re doing you a favor and they later regret it.


The story shows the perspective of
Nails & Dallas - as they each navigate the world in a way they see fit dealing with their own traumas and secrets.

This book has made me pray for the best for some of the characters. Gasp at the different turn of events. And just watching Nails grow & get in tune with himself… man.

My heart.

& let’s not talk about the end of this book. I just.. it was unexpected and took me through every emotion imaginable.

Overall. It’s a great read.


I volunteered to read this ARC through NetGalley.

I have read all other books in this series. This could possibly be read as a stand alone because you didn't really have to know anything about any of the characters to understand what was going on.
That being said, I LOVED THIS BOOK!!
But beware, these books are rough, raw, violent and cringe worthy.
But that ending made every bit of that worth it.
I will not only recommend this book, but all others in the series.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I can't even express how excited I was to be approved.