Brian Panowich

This is the author’s fourth gritty noir crime novel set in fictional McFalls County, Georgia. The area is run by a local crime boss, Gareth Burroughs, by his own rules, with his own interpretation of justice and morality.

The story begins in 1989 and ends in 2007, over a time span in which we follow what happens to Nelson “Nails” McKenna. He started working as an enforcer for Burroughs as a teenager after Burroughs got him out of a jam (as a favor to Nails’ friend Clayton, who was show more Gareth’s son).

Nails is a classic “misfit” - he is big, he has a club hand, and his mind doesn’t always connect all the dots. Aside from, or in spite of, his work for Burroughs, most of the time Nails is a “gentle giant,” although when he sees red, it is hard for him to get control of himself. He responds with special fury when he witnesses abuse of women, which is what happened one night in a local roadhouse. He finds he has to go on the run, and the woman he defended, who calls herself Dallas Georgia and is a misfit in her own way, goes with him.

A lot of people want to stop Nails, some to save him, but even more to get rid of him; he knows too much of Gareth Burroughs’ secrets.

The harrowing trip of Nails and Dallas to Florida is full of danger and violence, but also some serendipitous moments of grace. But with so many people wanting them dead, there is no guarantee either or both will come out of the trip alive.

Evaluation: This intense, page-turning story is certainly full of vicious cruel characters and shocking violence. But it also has surprisingly complexity. The author paints a thoughtful portrait of the aching loneliness that comes with outsider status, and how even the smallest amount of acceptance and trust can mitigate the pain it brings, and perhaps lead to healing and more. show less

Rarely does a book open with such an emotionally suspenseful scene. I felt stunned as I read the dramatic, heart wrenching story of a mother’s attempt to leave her abusive, criminal husband. Like Lions is a sequel to Bull Mountain and it’s just as dark and gritty. This story takes place on Bull Mountain, Georgia where a sheriff is determined to extinguish the crime and violence from his community. Such a tall order considering he is constantly fighting against his own family whose legacy show more is so powerful. This time, Sheriff Clayton Burroughs’ enemies come after his wife and child. Brian Panowich doesn’t just write really great novels; his story telling abilities are masterful. Panowich skillfully illustrates how easily the boundaries are blurred for Clayton as he navigates to protect his family. And, wow…the ending truly left me frozen. I had to sit and digest that one for some time. show less

Clayton Burroughs, county sheriff of this small north Georgia location, is still recovering from the major, near-death injuries of a year ago. His family and the legacy left by his father and brothers are never far from the tumultuous crime-ridden surface. It's Burroughs territory and they reined heavily until that confrontation. Their deaths and his lack of desire to take over the helm of the dynasty has begun to open the door for new and even darker gangs or clans.

There are unseen and show more powerful forces building a dreadful foreboding of the war to come. These factions play for keeps and when moonshine took a back seat to the drug trade, millions of dollars as well as the territory went up for grabs.

"Pride will kill you faster than a bullet."

This is a gritty, southern lit, hick lit, hillbilly noir or whatever you want to call it and I'll warn you, it's rude, crude, and socially unacceptable. The characters are raw, open, and come off totally real. Kate, Clayton's wife, is wonderful, strong, decent. She loves her man. But the man is damaged and he's drinking. He has a number of "family" who will cover his back--well, most that is because this is also a story of loyalty and betrayal. His office gal slash dispatcher, Cricket, is a great support character. Other characters have names like Scabby Mike and Nails McKenna, JoJo and Coot Viner. You'd expect that...

The conflict and turmoil have you reeling from the gut punches and flipping pages, unsure what will happen next. The plot moves with gathering speed until the explosive climax. Wow, is this guy a storyteller or what?
And just when you think it's over, the epilogue! Enough said. show less

Like Lions by Brian Panowich is a 2019 G.P. Putnam’s Sons publication.

An exceptional follow up to Bull Mountain

After the stunning events which led to the death of his brother, Sheriff Clayton Burroughs is struggling mightily. Despite his finally becoming a father, he is drinking excessively, while his marriage crumbles and his mental health deteriorates.

The fallout of damaging the lucrative drug and alcohol empire his family once controlled, has opened doors for others to gladly move show more into the North Georgia territory to pick up the slack.

With little trained help, Clayton finds himself sucked into the very void he has worked so hard to escape. With his back against the wall, Clayton fights for his marriage, his job, his life, and perhaps his very soul.

Panowich blew me away… again! My goodness this guy can write! I wouldn’t have thought he could top Bull Mountain, but this sequel shines just as bright, if not brighter.

This story held me in a vise like grip from start to finish. It’s every bit as dark as its predecessor, but the intensity at times was almost more than I could bear. If this had been a movie, I would have been trying to cover my eyes, as my worst fears begin to play out.

As I said in my review of Bull Mountain, the labels often applied to his book, doesn't do the book justice, and while some professional or editorial reviewers still cling to those descriptions, I noticed a few others called them out on it. Good. This is literary crime fiction at its finest and should be described as such!

All the stars for this one! show less