This is the fourth book I've read by Brian Panowich and they just keep getting better and better. This continues the story of the Burroughs family from Bull Mountain only this time digging into the past to present more backstory on some of the key characters. Although this can easily be enjoyed as a stand a lone, I strongly recommend starting with Bull Mountain and reading the entire series in order. Great characters, an action packed plot, and multiple unexpected twists. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced reader copy.

This new to me author put out a fascinating book.
Nothing But Bones story follows Nelon “Nails” McKenna. It started off with a punch (pun intended in the prologue. For 10+ years he has been repaying that debt back. He found himself in hot water that even his boss could not help him with.

This story was fun, two strangers on the run with another POV sprinkled in. Since finishing it appears this is a prequel to an existing series. It explains the lack of character development and explanation backgrounds. But the world building was vast and interesting.

Brian Panowich does it again. Nothing But the Bones is another novel set (for the most part) in McFalls County in the North Georgia Mountains. This is technically a prequel to Panowich's classic Appalachian noir novel Bull Mountain, since it takes place before Clayton Burroughs becomes sheriff. Here, Clayton is still a young man and still very much in the shadow of his crime-lord father, Garrett Burroughs. The main character is a troubled young man named Nelson McKenna, nicknamed “Nails” by Garrett, his boss and protector. Nails is the kind of guy people in the South shake their heads about and say, “That boy ain’t right.” Nails runs afoul of the law, falls in love, and goes on the run. Clayton is tasked with finding Nails and bringing him back home, armed only with the knowledge that Nails and his accomplice are “somewhere in Florida.”

Nails is, quite possibly, Brian Panowich’s most intriguing and well-developed character, which is saying a lot since his previous novels have given us so many memorable characters. I saw a lot of myself in the somewhat-deranged Nails McKenna, which troubles me a bit, to say the least. Brian’s novels begin with a gut-punch intro story, and that’s still the case here, with the gut-punch being delivered over the first 5 chapters (“Intro 1989”). The novel is structured like an alt-country music record, with Side One being Nails’ story set in 1996, Side Two set in Florida, and the concluding chapters as Bonus Tracks and a Coda.

No spoilers, but there are some queer themes in Nothing But the Bones, and as Brian’s biggest gay fan I sincerely appreciate the way he handled those themes here. The ending of the novel is deeply moving. Brian’s fans will love it, and hopefully this novel will attract even more new readers. I believe Nothing But the Bones is destined to become a rural noir classic.

An epic tragedy with an uplifting ending! Is that even a thing? Well, it is now. Panowich has gently guided me through his books with his literary prose, action-filled storylines, and depth of feelings and character. This book is a crescendo of all of those skills. Part of the Burroughs series but can be read as a stand-alone. I know because I just discovered that I missed a book before this one which I will rectify quickly.

Nails and Dallas - the two main characters in this novel are both broken and able to see the deep-seated hurt in each other which leads them to truly care for one another and be cared for: something they haven't experienced in many years, if ever. Unfortunately, they meet under extreme circumstances: Nails saves Dallas from sexual exploitation and accidentally kills her assailant which sends them both on the run like Bonnie & Clyde.

This is an amazing love story for which I can't say much because it would spoil others from experiencing the raw emotions they travel through. And for being such a beautiful love story it also portrays graphic violence and the ugly side of humanity. Be ready to feel all the feels.

A moving, deeply felt take on Bonnie and Clyde whose inexorable trajectory still allows room for plenty of twists.

A surprisingly heartwarming, powerful, and lyrical tale of an unlikely hero.

Nelson „Nails“ McKenna, an often underestimated and misunderstood outsider, is just a teenager when, in 1989, he protects one of his friends - with devastating consequences. Calling on local crime boss Gareth Burroughs, who rules this part of the Georgia mountains, to help, Nails quickly becomes an enforcer for Burroughs‘ criminal enterprise.

Seven years later, Nails once again finds himself defending a woman, and once again, someone ends up dead. But this time, Burroughs can‘t protect him - in fact, he wants Nails to disappear to Jacksonville, Florida. And so begins this tale of an unlikely, utterly kind hero making his way down South with an unexpected passenger.

I was awed by the author‘s talent for both describing the events with lyrical prose, engulfing you in the atmosphere of both the Appalachian mountains and Florida, and also endearing the novel‘s main protagonist to me. Though it took me a few pages to get into the story, once I did, I could not put this intense, gripping and powerful Southern Lit gem down. And while I have not read the previous 3 books in the „Bull Mountain“ series (and there is no need to before you start, as this book also works a standalone work), I will definitely do so now.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin‘s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

TW for sexual assault, violence.

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.

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