spork2_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I didn't know how I felt about this books for a majority of it. I think it's just because it's the first book in this genre that I've read. There's some things description wise that irk me a little bit . Over all I definitely enjoyed, I cried a little here and there, I'll definitely look out for more books by this author. :)
Spoiler
for safe measure putting spoiler, the way this books deals with Asperger's makes me lose the story a bit just because the term is so outdated, it's probably nitpicking thoughcorysreadingcorner's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
witheringghoul's review against another edition
3.0
It’s a good book just not my kind of book really. It has some pretty interesting twists and I liked Dane as a character as well as William, the other characters I did not like so much. Altogether it is a good read.
johnofrodrigue's review against another edition
5.0
I was thrilled to win an ARC from Goodreads, as I’m a fan of Mr. Panowich’s first two novels. This one takes us back to near Bull Mountain, with another quick stopover in Jacksonville in the beginning. While there are nice references to the Burroughs clan and their history, Darby Ellis is the only holdover, filling the seat vacated by the now officially retired Clayton Burroughs. This adjustment keeps the series fresh, without that “spin-off” feel. We’re introduced to all-new characters and a new section of the underworld, where the perils are just as deadly, if not more so than in the first two installments. The violence is a-plenty, but never comes off as gratuitous and is for the most part dealt out by the emotionless, mechanical Fenn, who goes on a rampage that makes McCarthy’s Chigurh look almost sweet in comparison. The final showdown and the main character’s redemption make for a satisfying ending that keeps you guessing until the end, with more heel-turns and plot twists to fill an unpaved backroad. Great entry into this series and into this great new age of Southern-noir, headed by Panowich, Michael Farris Smith and Taylor Brown. I mention those three in particular as they all have great new books out this year (I haven’t read Pride of Eden yet, but loved Gods of Howl Mountain, so I’m willing to gamble.) If you loved Bull Mountain and Like Lions, prepare to have your nerves rattled and find yourself turning to the next page real quick to see if what you think is coming actually is. Five stars.
jpbooks13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Somewhat of a standard criminal thriller, set mainly in rural Georgia
muddypuddle's review against another edition
4.0
Dark and violent with a few shafts of sunshine pouring in.
martyfried's review against another edition
5.0
After reading several books by this author, I expected this one to be good, and I wasn't disappointed. But it's pretty brutal, with a few killers that have no problem killing people that are not a direct threat to them, but are possible loose ends. Parts of it were so gory that it was kind of humorous. There was one guy who seemed like he could not be stopped, and reminded me of that Monty Python scene in The Holy Grail where King Arthur cuts off the guys arms and legs, but the guy still wants to keep fighting ("Nothing but a scratch!"). The guy literally had pieces of burned skin coming off when they tried to grab him, and he didn't let up.
But there was a lot of sadness throughout the book, even though it was somehow kept balanced by things like the interaction between Dane and Roselita, and didn't seem to go overboard. Perhaps the saddest part was when we find out how Dane's wife and daughter died, although Ned's story was pretty sad also.
Even though this is number 3 in the series, it can be read by itself, as it doesn't use any characters from previous books, at least not in any important way. I think Dane was mentioned in a previous book, but no in any detail.
But there was a lot of sadness throughout the book, even though it was somehow kept balanced by things like the interaction between Dane and Roselita, and didn't seem to go overboard. Perhaps the saddest part was when we find out how Dane's wife and daughter died, although Ned's story was pretty sad also.
Even though this is number 3 in the series, it can be read by itself, as it doesn't use any characters from previous books, at least not in any important way. I think Dane was mentioned in a previous book, but no in any detail.
bethnellvaccaro's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series. I think that Panowich was very smart to spread the focus to other characters. I hate when the main detective in a mystery series experiences so many traumas that it becomes ridiculous. I think the Burroughs storyline is done and the author deftly pivoted to other folks. I can’t wait to read about others from this part of Georgia.
sharptoe's review against another edition
4.0
Good spinoff from the first 2 books in the series. You don't need to read the first 2, but how could it not reference the infamous Burroughs family? I liked this one a lot, I wish certain plot points were more drawn out. Hard 4 stars
jesscad's review against another edition
3.0
A solid police procedural. Dane Kirby is a former arson investigator who is taking the back half of his career in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in what is supposed to be a slower paced job. When Arnold Blackwell is brutally murdered in a hotel in Florida and the trail leads back to Kirby's back yard, Kirby finds himself embroiled in a Federal investigation into game cock fighting, a missing child and a million dollar payday won by a many time loser.