Jordan Farmer’s “The Pallbearer” is a powerful Appalachian noir that deserves far more attention than it seems to have gotten. Set in Lynch, West Virginia, an old mining area forgotten by the world whose economic well-being now seems much more tied to OxyContin and decrepit strip bars than anything else. There are woods here, but few jobs. Time has stopped. But, as is so often the case, it might as well be a prison with barbed wire, because those in its net can’t ever seem to get out.

Farmer tells a tale of some of those stuck and how things worked out for them. There’s the dwarf who works as a counselor for the local youth authority facility. People need to squint to seem him as something other than an oddity, at least till he meets Sharon, whose married to a prison guard who fancies himself as Sir Lancelot or some other gladiator. Huddles is caught in his brother’s world, his brother who runs the damn town from the back office of a strip club and has everyone in his pocket. The third member of the trio of characters is Terry, a gay drug-addicted teenager living in the woods after being thrown out of house, who can never seem to get enough cabbage to head out of town. All three will cross paths, and perhaps try to do something decent, but, as these things go, they are chained to the town and can’t ever escape.

The Pallbearer is a tough-nosed tale about those on the wrong side of town, life behind detention center bars, and lives where choices seem to disappear like sand slipping through your fingers. Beautifully written, evocative, deep, with real flesh-out characters, a standout novel.

Summary: Jason Felts is a counselor at the Shelby Youth Correctional Facility in Lynch, West Virginia. When he was younger, he worked as a pallbearer at the local funeral home. As someone who was--and continues to be--bullied because of his physical challenges, he has a soft spot for the boys in the "Shell", the nickname for the boy's prison.

Lynch, a coal mining town well onto its final skid into oblivion, is home to those who have nowhere else to go. At the top of this slag heap is a hoodlum named Ferris Gilbert. When Ferris' younger brother, Huddles, gets caught running a job for his older brother, Huddles is sent to the Shell. Already hardened at 15, Huddles fits right into prison life.

Terry Blankenship's father tossed him out of the house for being gay. Terry struggles to make ends meet doing odd jobs while living in a shack in the woods with his boyfriend. Unlike, Huddles, Terry still has too many soft spots. He attempts to cope by popping stolen pills. After Terry makes a huge mistake he also ends up in the Shell, with Ferris Gilbert's contract on his head.

Jason Felt takes big risks to try to protect both of the boys.

Comments: While the town of Lynch, West Virginia is fictional, the hopelessness is not. I drove through some West Virginia mining towns about thirty years ago. Stores were shuttered, everything was covered with a fine black dust. With my relatively privileged life, I felt... guilty. Guilty that despite my circumstances (I was in an abusive marriage at the time), I still had hope. I came from a middle class family and was well educated. I had a job, good health care and could hire a lawyer and get my life back.

What The Pallbearer accurately depicts is people who are born without options. The boys in the Shell learned to distance themselves emotionally from an early age in order to survive. I was deeply affected by this novel. It made me think about the people who still live in these forgotten rural areas and anywhere that people live under crushing poverty and hopelessness -- and many of the sociological and political implications of that existence.

Highly Recommended. Literary Fiction, General Fiction

The title of this book drew me in. Then I read the synopsis and decided to give it a chance. I'm glad I did. The Pallbearer is about real people with real problems trying the best they can to survive. A small West Virginia town, dying as the coal mines close, run by the only family left in town with enough money to influence everyone else. There are several main characters, all living different lives that end up pulled together by chance. How they work through their differences to get ahead makes a very good story.

A decaying small town in West Virginia is the setting for the debut novel by Jordan Farmer. "The Pallbearer" holds no punches at it depicts the sadness and desperation for a group of folks whenever they've known is dead or dying.

Jason Felts, a dwarf and prison social worker, has felt society's sting all his life, even when he was called upon as a teen to be a fill-in pallbearer at his family's once-prosperous funeral home. Now, as an adult, he's assigned to help Huddles, the teen-age brother of the town's version of a mob boss. Ferris Gilbert runs illegal liquor, guns and drugs, money-washing strip clubs and just everyone who crosses his path. That includes Jason, who he strangle-holds into smuggling a package to Huddles.

Also under Gilbert's control is Terry, a young man strung out on meth and trying to hide his sexuality. He ends up in prison with Huddles after murdering the sheriff at Gilbert's order. Terry, Huddles and Terry find themselves trying to survive in a violent, desperate environment. But in the desolate, yet beautiful Appalachian mountains, there are few places to hide.

Abandonment, desperation and few choices for redemption are powerful messages throughout Farmer's novel. "Gritty" doesn't come close to describing what lies between these pages. It's dark, yet powerful writing that sets the bar high for the author's future works.

ARC provided by NetGalley

I have been going back and forth on my review for this one. This was a tough book to read - animal harm, self hard, homophobia, etc. - but tough books have never been an issue for me. I actually like reading the tough stuff - I just can't watch it. The tough stuff wasn't my problem - it was the feeling I got when I read it that was the problem. I felt so heavy and sad and depressed the entire time I was reading. There wasn't any joy - nothing to ease the sadness that I felt as I read. I think that's why this isn't a 5 star for me - it was just so dang sad.

This is probably an incredibly naive opinion for me to have because let's be real, life can be really sad and really painful and really horrible. But, the reason I read is BECAUSE life can be really sad and really painful and really horrible. I don't want to read a book that's as depressing as life can sometimes be, even though I really did enjoy this book and thought it was incredibly well written. It was thought provoking and eye opening, but it just felt a little too real. Again, I know that's naive and maybe even a little out of touch, but it definitely didn't lift me up. However, any book that can truly leave me with any sort of feeling - anger, rage, happiness, etc. - gets high marks in my book. I won't soon forget how this book made me feel

OMG. What a read. I highly recommend this book for your reading pleasure. Hooks you from page one and does not let go. Interesting subject matter and superb writing. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Although I received the book in this manner, it did not affect my opinion of this book nor my review.

Triggers self-harm, addiction, animal cruelty, homophobia, physical altercations

I could not finish this book, the content did not sit well with me at all. The book appeared to be well written but was very graphic at times and I could not continue unfortunately.

"The Pallbearer" is the story of a poor small town, Lynch, West Virginia, and the crime and corruption that happens in many of these towns throughout America. Practically ran by the Gilbert Family, they think that they can get away with anything, including drugs dealing, assault, and murder. Who is going to stop them when they are above the law?

Jason Felts, a dwarf and social worker, who grew up above the funeral home and was a stand in pallbearer when needed, gets tangled into the web of the Gilberts when the youngest brother gets arrested and he tries to help him get out his situation. What ensues is a novel filled with characters that are difficult to stomach doing things that makes the story become darker and darker.

I am okay with this novel, and I would recommend it if someone is asking for recommendations for a novel that is well written, filled with crime, politically incorrect opinions, and bad decisions. I can not recommend this for everyone. Most of the characters are men filled with rage and desperation, trying to either control the situation or get out from under control of the situation, and some of this could be due to regional and/or economic attitude, but as a whole, it really is pleasing to a specific audience. The writing is skillful, and Jordan Farmer writes a good novel, but the story itself leaves something to be desired. I look forward to more works by Farmer.

I received this as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Pallbearer is not for the faint of heart. It does contain some violence, but I guess that all contributes to the story development. The plot and the characters are well-developed, and the interconnections make for a smooth flow. Story development is good. Overall, this story is closer to reality than people may believe. It shows the raw side of life. I was hooked from the beginning and was glad I read this. It's a story I won't soon forget.

I reviewed The Pallbearer by Jordan Farmer. The Pallbearer is a visceral, raw tale set in the rural West Virginia. The story follows the lives of two troubled youth. One is named Huddles. He is the younger brother of the resident thug named Ferris Gilbert. The Gilbert name is well known and feared in the small town of Lynch. Ferris Gilbert is well known for his violent streak, and is suspected in multiple homicides in and around Lynch. Huddles and his good friend Shane are apprehended by the local sheriff. A search of their vehicle yields a collection of weapons and many illicit drugs. Huddles and Shane end up in the local detention facility.

Ferris Gilbert decides to take immediate retaliation for Huddles arrest and he arranges for the sheriff who arrested Huddles to be assassinated. He recruits another troubled youth named Terry Blankenship. Terry Is a local boy who works on odd jobs in town for money. He has developed a nasty drug dependency, and he has left his dad’s home for the streets after his dad begins to suspect Terry is gay, and he takes it upon himself to degrade and occasionally beat the gay out of Terry. Terry lives in an abandoned cabin deep in the woods with his boyfriend Davey. Terry owes Ferris Gilbert money, so Ferris exploits this and recruits Terry to kill the sheriff. In exchange his debt will be wiped clean and he will be given a ride to anywhere he wants to go so he start over. While Terry succeeds at killing the Sheriff, he blows his opportunity to leave town and he is subsequently arrested for breaking and entering. He lands in the same detention facility as Huddles. The boys develop an unlikely friendship despite the obvious conflict.

The story is engaging and heartbreaking at the same time. The author has a gift for writing raw descriptives. There is a certain beauty in the words. I do wish there were a happy ending for at least some of the characters. The story is truly a heartbreaker to the end. Despite that the story is engaging and a powerful story to read. Copy provided by NetGalley.

*** 4 Stars***
The Pallbearer by Jordan Farmer was a great read that I highly recommend. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't wait find out how everything would play out. I loved the character development and how all the character's stories intertwined. The Gilbert family runs this small town and one of the brothers ends up in jail for a crime. The main Gilbert, Ferris, goes to extreme circumstances to help his brother, including blackmailing and murder. I don't want to give away any details because the story really is great and the less you know going in the better the thrill. I really enjoyed Jordan Farmer's writing style and found this to be an excellent debut novel.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse publishing for allowing me an advance read copy in exchange for an honest review.

THE PALLBEARER is Jordan Farmer's debut novel. It will be published November 6th 2018 by Skyhorse Publishing.

Lynch, West Virginia - a poverty stricken town in the dying coal region - is ruled by the ruthless criminal Ferris Gilbert. When Ferris' younger brother is incarcerated at a juvenile facility, Ferris manipulates and threatens social worker, Jason Felts, into smuggling a deadly item into the jail. Jason, who only wants to help people, is forced to choose between saving Huddles Gilbert or himself and his loved ones. Terry Blankenship - another troubled youth - finds himself in debt to Ferris. To pay off his debt, Terry agrees to murder the local sheriff and then leave the area. When things go sideways, Ferris, Huddles, Terry, and Jason find themselves caught up in a dangerous game that not all of them will survive.

I found THE PALLBEARER to be an interesting and gritty novel, but I just couldn't get into the story. While most of the characters were sympathetic, none of them were really likable and I just didn't care about any of them. The story is also very dark and violent. There are a few moments of redemption.

Farmer did bring to life the fictional Appalachian town with true-to-life descriptions and details. The residents of Lynch are just trying to survive - the coal mining industry has collapsed and the area has fallen into ruin - and some of them have been forced into a life of crime. Farmer also takes on numerous difficult topics - animal cruelty, homophobia, juvenile delinquency, physical altercations, dwarfism, and violence.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I hesitate to leave a bad review for a book I didn't have to pay for, but, honestly, I felt it was disgusting... everything about it... especially everyONE. While I strive not to be judgmental, the majority of the characters were the lowest of the scum, and it made me feel "creepy, crawly" to read about them.

I'll be honest with you all: I chose to read The Pallbearer simply because I really liked the cover and because it is set in Appalachia.

I was a little worried going in that the protagonist Jason Felts' dwarfism would be used as a gimmick in the story, as would Terry's homosexuality, but I am quite pleased to have been wrong on both fronts.

Too often, authors emphasize a character's disability so much that the character basically becomes that disability. In this instance, Felts is written as a complex, troubled man who longs for happiness and satisfaction for himself, and wishes to make a positive impact on the boys he counsels--Oh, and he's a dwarf.

The Pallbearer is a novel of place and circumstance, and that is masterfully demonstrated through the eyes of Huddles Gilbert and Terry Blankenship, both of whom are locked up in the Shell, the youth detention center at which Felts is a counselor. 

They both are caught in desperate situations and are forced to make decisions and take actions that they really don't want to take, but there are not an abundance of choices for boys like them in their failing town.

This a dark story full of stark realities. The Pallbearer will break your heart, give you a little hope, and then break it again.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you to Skyhorse Publishing for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The expected date of publication is November 6, 2018.

This is a wonderful book! It held my interest from the beginning until the end! Very interesting and complex storyline and characters. I cannot wait for more from this author.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a tearjerker. Sad, but happy at times as well, the journey the main character takes throughout the story line is what kept me hooked. I cannot wait to see what else this author has in store!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book
This debut novel delivers a knockout punch.
It has a well executed plot that is fast pavmced and had engaging characters
Loved it