Anyone has read Panowichs previous books, starting with Bull Mountain, knows there is much gruesome violence within. Not for the faint of heart. The Burroughs rule Bull Mountain and their reach is hard and long. No one crosses Garrett Burroughs and lives to tell the tale. Here we learn the backstory of how Nails because the Burrough family.enforcer. Although a few of the family make appearances in the story the book is dedicated to telling up about Nails and what, in the end, would change his life once more.

Despite the violence, these books also provide a sharp contrast between good and evil. That some, regardless of being raised in less than ideal situations, rise above and become moral and loyal people. Also, how one person can male a difference in a persons life.

Audio was excellent.

Brian Panowich knows how to craft an enthralling story! Wow! Nothing but the Bones drew me in with the tense opening scene and kept my attention riveted throughout the entire novel. When I was not listening to this audiobook, I was thinking about the characters and wondering how their dangerous journey would play out.

We’re introduced to a teenager named Nelson, who is tormented by his peers both because he has trouble speaking and because he’s physically different than most people. Nelson is very strong and loyal, and the local crime boss recruits him and exploits him to do his dirty work.

The setting is 1998 in Georgia and Florida, and I really enjoyed how the author captured the daily life of that time. People are listening to mix tapes in the cassette deck in the car, and are excited about getting a flip phone which is an upgrade from beepers and pagers. I remember those days!

Even though many scenes in this book are violent, the book has a message of acceptance, tolerance, and redemption. I loved the humanity of the characters and how most of them tried their best to act with integrity, even when they were put in situations where they had to do bad things.

The book and characters seemed very realistic and believable to me.

This author’s writing style reminded me of Matthew FitzSimmons, who is one of my favorite authors. I also saw some similarities with S.A. Cosby’s book, Razorblade Tears, which is a favorite book of mine.

I had not heard of this author before, but since I enjoyed Nothing but the Bones so much, I have added his other books to my to-read list.

Thank you Netgalley for the free audio download of this novel for review consideration. I completely enjoyed it. Five stars.

I read books 1-3 to prepare for this ARC and I am so glad I did. I would have been totally lost if I had jumped into this series in the middle. This family is so many shades of fucked up! I love the fact that the Sheriff seemed to make it out of that family semi-whole...he does have his demons but is a good person at heart. This was my 1st foray into Brian Panowich's writing and I am totally here for it, I am adding all of his books to my TBR!

This book was really good. The narration was very subpar. I didn’t find it phenomenal compared to some I have listened too. It did make some of the book unappealing to me at times.

I'm not sure how I missed this author, or this series, because it's right up my alley. I'm not usually one for reading a series out of order, but I took a chance and read this first, even though it's actually #4 in the series. As it turns out, that's not a bad thing, as apparently it's more of a "prequel" to the other 3. This is Southern Noir at its dark and gritty and violent best. The majority of the book takes place in 1998, and moves from north Georgia to Jacksonville, Florida. When a mentally challenged "enforcer", nicknamed Nails, goes too far in defending a young woman from a predatory jerk in a north Georgia bar, he's sent by his boss to Jacksonville to be protected from the consequences. What follows is a road trip with the young woman (who'd stowed away in his car before he left) as well as a road trip for a friend, Clayton, who's been convinced by his fiancée to follow Nail's trail to hopefully help him escape from the clutches of his boss (who also happens to be Clayton's crime boss father).
It's a compelling ride for the reader, with excellent characterizations of some wonderful people (as well as some pretty horrible humans). As a Georgia native (and Florida resident) I greatly enjoyed the evocative sense of place and time Panowich created. Brian Troxell's narration of the audiobook was excellent - expressive without being over the top. Can't wait to go back to Book 1 and catch up on the characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

I picked up this title based on the synopsis. Especially the part about "lyrical prose". Well, that was way off. There is no lyrical prose to be found here. I also did not realize it was a part of the larger series.

Still, I found this story captivating and entirely bingeable. I'm sure by jumping into the middle of this series I am missing some of the context but the author does a really good job at making this title accessible for his new readers. Thoroughly enjoyed it from the first to the last page.

In the end, it turns out to be a feel-good story with highly idealistic elements that barely skims the surface of the dark world it mentions but it works just the same.

I was unable to stop listening to this book. It gave me some Of Mice and Men vibes, but in a way where Nails was able to live a functioning productive life in the end.
I honestly didn’t see the end coming, but was very pleased with the whole story.
I would totally recommend this book!

Nothing But the Bones is a raw and gritty story with haunted characters that will stay with you forever.

What appealed to you the most in this story?

The characters made this an emotional and engaging ride. They were haunted, troubled, and extremely vulnerable. I found myself rooting for them, even the morally gray characters, and especially for Nails who pulled at my heartstrings. He was so troubled, and I wanted to jump into the story to give him a hug. Just thinking about the person he is, along with his troubled and dark past, I couldn't help but be all in as soon as I turned the first page.

I also appreciated how this story tackles bigger and uncomfortable issues along with a a reminder that sometimes we are born into a certain life and the path it eventually takes.

Read if you like:

Morally grey characters

Suspense

Family Drama

Friendships

Southern Noir

How was the audiobook?

I really enjoyed the audiobook narration by Brian Troxell. He did a phenomenal job bringing this story fully to life by capturing the voices and styles of each character with their own idiosyncrasies.

How was the pace?

I flew through this gripping fast-paced story.

Do you recommend this book?

This story is an absolute must if you are looking for amazing characters in a fantastic setting! It is also a prequel to the other Bull Mountain stories, and I am now on my way to binge the series!

Thank you, Minotaur and MacMillan Audio, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC.

This was a good thriller and an easy read and a fun read. I recommend.

“God loves you, but not enough to save you” – Ethel Cain, Preacher’s Daughter

I came across this prequel recently and since the first installment has already been on my to-read for a while, I decided to read this one first. I’ll read the second prequel next. I’m weird like that, with my obsessive need to start a series from the beginning for fear of missing some important detail or history about a character or the story. I blame it on the day job.

Anyway, The prologue starts in GA, 1989, with a teenaged Nelson, who goes into a rage while witnessing an @$$#*!% bully terrorize a girl Nelson liked. In the aftermath, local crime lord (Bull Mountain’s #1 crazy-@$$%& bully in the county), Gareth Burroughs, comes to Nelson’s rescue. However, now Nelson owes him. It’s downright dangerous to owe Gareth Burroughs of Bull Mountain anything.

Fast forward to 1998, and Nelson is in another jam after another one of his rages, only this time, Gareth can’t really rescue him. As the book summary indicates, Nelson goes on the run with Dallas Georgia. LMAO Seriously!!! Anyway, regardless of what her real name is, Dallas is a humungous complication for Nelson in his escape from Bull Mountain.

“They thought I had guts; they were wrong. I was only frightened of more important things” – Charles Bukowski, Open All Night

There is also a secondary storyline about the tenuous relationship between Gareth and his youngest son, Clayton. While Clayton grew up always wanting their relationship to be better and different than it was, at this point in his life, he knows that is simply never going to happen. He soon decides that in order for him to move forward in his life, he needs to make some hard decisions and make some really tough choices. This also happens pretty early in the story.

Nelson and Clayton were friends back in high school and while Clayton wasn’t previously feeling guilty about his part in the turn that Nelson’s life took nearly 10yrs ago, he is now, thanks to his GF, Kate, who has always felt guilty about what happened to Nelson that day and the part that they played in it. So, Clayton goes after Nelson in an effort to help him with this latest fiasco. Meantime, there is another party, Alex, also looking for Nelson and is hot on the trail after him too. None of this is a spoiler because it all happens at the beginning of the story.

The story flips back and forth between Nelson and Clayton with some chapters for Dallas and Alex. Most of the story revolves around Nelson getting to Jacksonville and Clayton following him. Lots of mayhem ensues along the way. The story ended with “Bonus Tracks”. LOL Seriously!!! Bonus Tracks??? Anyway, the ending bonus tracks were just an epilogue and a lead-in to #.5 prequel, which I will be reading next. Personally, the bonus tracks could have also been included into the next prequel. What do I know though? I’m neither a writer nor a publisher, I’m just an avid reader who finds numerous prequels and “Bonus Tracks” kind of annoying.

The characterization and pacing were pretty good, a mixture of likeable and unlikeable characters. I suspect this storyline was a necessary prequel for the series. However, since it was written this year, it was categorized as the 4th installment of the series, which would have irritated me had I already been reading the series. It could have been made another prequel, #.25, since there is already a #.5 prequel, which was also written after installment #1. Personally, I find this poor planning in the storyline as well as the writing. I’m going to be an outlier here; however, it’s because of the multiple prequels/series installment order. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.3 and will be rounding down to 3stars. I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #NothingButTheBones

Author Brian Panowich’s soon to be released book Nothing but the Bones returns readers to McFalls County in rural Georgia. Everything on Bull Mountain is run by crime boss Gareth Burroughs. Nelson “Nails” McKenna has been Burroughs’ enforcer since he was a teenager. One night at a local bar, Nails goes too far defending a beautiful young woman named Dallas. Nails and Dallas go on the run to Jacksonville & become unlikely friends and partners. Jacksonville may offer the possibility of escape, but it’s a perilous journey. A rich & powerful man seeking Dallas & revenge is on their trail and Burroughs is worried Nails might spills his secrets if he’s captured by the authorities. Is freedom just a dream or will Nails and Dallas pay with their lives?

Panowich delivers another rural noir gem of a book. This is the fourth book in the Bull Mountain series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. Nails is a complex character. He’s not exactly the cliched tough guy with a heart of gold. He’s way more layered than that which makes for a great main character. I couldn’t help rooting for him.

This is an atmospheric story filled with unforgettable characters, over the top action, and surprising twists. At its heart, it’s a story of friendship, loyalty, love, and hope. Brian Troxell provides an excellent narration of the audiobook.

Action packed!!

Nelson is picked on by other kids. They talk about how he looks. His mama is dead, and his daddy beats him black and blue.
Nelson loves comic books. Some boys come and start throwing rocks at him and his friends. One even pulls out a knife.
Nelson loses control and his temper just about killing the kid.
Nelson, aka Nails, has grown up. But his temper is still getting him into trouble. I mean, sometimes you have to pound someone's face into a pulp. They deserve it!
But Nails has to be careful. He works for some very high-powered people now that wouldn't want their names mixed up into the business they do. Don't want to draw attention to themselves. A woman named Dallas is the reason Nails gave the last man a beating, killing him as well
Dallas and Nails are on the run. Some people in Florida, Nails boss knows, are going to help Nails supposedly, but once Nails reaches Florida, more trouble seems to gravitate towards him and Dallas
Can they survive, or should he ditch Dallas, since it seems trouble follows her everywhere she goes as well

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.

For more of my reviews, please visit: ReviewPost.news

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. Although it's not my typical read, I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only regret is not realizing it was book four of a series. It takes place in McFalls County on top of a mountain owned by a family for several generations. It follows Gareth, local crime boss and his employee, "Nails" McKenna. Nails goes too far one night and Gareth tries to pay him off to leave town. What follows is a long road trip with Nails and the woman he tried to defend (Dallas), running for their lives all while trying to figure out what exactly happened that night. Without the back story of this mountain or these characters, I was still able to follow most of it. It has everything really - love, mystery, and action. The narrator did a fantastic job of portraying all of the characters.

This book is not for me! I sped this up to 2X speed on audio just trying to get through it and still tapped out at 8%.

The synopsis calls this "lyrical prose" and I think that's why I requested it. I was intrigued by a gritty thriller set in the "rural south" with lyrical prose. Whoever wrote that synopsis should be fired. There's nothing lyrical about this writing. It's not bad at all, just very straight-forward and typical of the rural south. The characters are very unlikable and the author uses "gritty" language like "retard" in dialog.

I am not the target audience for this book and would not recommend it.

Nothing But the Bones, by Brian Panowich is a powerful fast paced thriller. I really enjoyed this audio book, it's very well written, and the narrator did a fantastic job bringing the individual characters to life!

I genuinely enjoyed this book!

I love thrillers, but recently -- I don't know, maybe I've just read so many that I've burned myself out -- but lately, I've not found very many "good" thrillers that I've really liked.

That's not the case with this one. It was very enjoyable straight from the beginning. I loved the characters, especially "Nails" -- the main character. It was interesting to see a main character like Nails -- someone who MAYBE has a learning disability or who maybe just gets a little overwhelmed and so was written off by society as being "slow" without being given much of a chance.

He was an excellent main character to follow, as was Dallas -- the female who quickly becomes central to the story, as well. I won't give out any spoiler information on her, but I LOVE the direction the writer went with that particular character. I also thought he handled it well -- which is not often something I would say about a male writer handling this character's particular situation, which I've omitted to avoid spoilers.

The story was good and engaging; the characters were well-written and believable; the action was fast-paced without being so fast that I got lost in it. Overall, a very excellent story.

As for the audio aspects of the book, those were excellent. The narration was clear and concise. I DID have to speed it up a little because it was narrated a bit too slowly for my tastes. But still, the narrator was excellent. I didn't mind the accents, either, which some narrators go nuts on when they're Southern.

No real complaints. A great thriller for those of us who enjoy the genre. Highly recommend it.

I found this to be a well written and powerful read. The pacing was spot on and kept me turning the pages long into the night. I love tension in books and this one had it throughout.
This was a heart-felt, emotional read about friendship and loyalty, interlaced with some even deeper themes throughout..

Overall enjoyed this story.