ARC Review- 3 ⭐
Publication Date- January 7 2025

Ehh...this book just wasn't it for me. It was a little out of my comfort zone, not exactly normally what I would read. I couldn't get into the style of writing either--very southern language was used--I'm from the far north and this made it difficult to read without stumbling over things.

The story was good--marijuna kingpin Burl vs. heroin kingpin Clovis--family drama, criminal underworld--great story, just not my cup of tea.

My review of They All Fall the Same appears on page 182 of the latest edition of PULP LIT magazine:

https://issuu.com/pulplitmag/docs/pulp_2.0-1?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

This book was a bit hard for me to follow in parts, but altogether a good story! I may explore this author more in the future because I like the storyline.

Thank you Crooked lane books for this ARC opportunity!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and the setting of beautiful Eastern KY! This novel focuses on Burl a cannabis kingpin, whose family and life are crumbling around him. This was a great crime novel and had me engaged from chapter one. I loved the use of the language similar to what it would be in this family, and also the images and setting as described by the author. This was definitely a great novel and I would definitely read this author again!

They All Fall the Same is a noir thriller revolving around Burl Spoon, a cannabis kingpin who has successfully controlled his illegal enterprise for three decades. Meanwhile, his personal life is crumbling. This culminates in his daughter overdosing on heroin laced with fentanyl and tragically dying. In almost the same breath, one of his employees ends up murdered. Burl then devotes his time, energy, and resources to make those responsible pay.

This book was unfortunately not for me. I think my biggest issue is that the plot and storyline reminded me too much of the novel Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby. At times I felt like I was almost reading the same novel, but without the suspense or character depth and development. Based on the blurb, I was also expecting a lot more twisty thrills and edge-of-your-seat suspense, but it just fell flat for me.

I did feel the book wrapped up nicely, and I’m absolutely interested in reading more from this author, as his ideas and concepts are captivating. This is a book I’d recommend to fans of noir thrillers, however it deals with many sensitive subjects so please pay attention to the content warnings!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a gifted copy of this eARC!

They All Fall the Same is a story of two families that have their paths intertwined with violence, crime and death. They know they are bad and have lower moral standards than the general citizen, however, they do not realize how bad they are untill when their lives - because of their greed and desire for power - fall into pieces. Burl only deals with marijuana because he believes by doing so he is better than the others but he will kill, mame, bribe and will be ruthless with those who not obey him (even those who are family). The Begleys will deal any sort of heavy drugs because if they don't others will and they'll lose money; only family is present in the core of the family business. They all have strange ways to show love and respect for their families and the people they supposedly love. It's a strong and compelling narrative on a difficult theme but that kept me turning the pages through the night. I'll certainly be looking for other titles by this author.
I thank Mr. Browne, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

WOW 🤯 this novel was phenomenal! I could not put it down, and my heart was racing from the thrill and emotion the author mastered on every page. The feud between Burl and Clovis was like the Hatfields and McCoys, Soprano style.

I would give anything to read this again for the first time. You MUST read this one!! I look forward to reading more by Wes Browne.

The impressive story of a man and the lengths he will go to protect his family. We meet Burl Spoon, who is a Kentucky "businessman" who is on a mission to find his daughter that has not shown up for work. Its not unusual for her to go missing but this time, she isn't answering calls from her Burl.  Burl puts out his network of men to track her down. Some of the techniques employed may not be totally legal. Eventually she is discovered in ICU, she succumbs to the lethal overdose. As Burl wrestles with death of his daughter, in his mind, he must avenge her death. He must also take into consideration his granddaughter with whom he is very attached. Burl uses some unscrupulous methods to flush out the one responsible for her death. Once Burl learns who is responsible, he puts the entire family in his sights. How far will Burl go to avenge his daughter's death? How many people will die in his fury? This southern mafia story is very fast paced, set during the covid pandemic. A man's love for his family is the ultimate sacrifice.

They All Fall the Same is a very intense, tremendously dark family drama. The story is spot on with the book’s descriptive blurb as it is packed with revenge, retribution, and remorse. The devastating spiral of crime after crime is difficult at times to read but is mesmerizing how much hate can exist between families to the exclusion of protecting one’s own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book reads like it could be a very captivating drug cartel drama show on The CW or HBO. Unfortunately not the book for me, but definitely a good read for someone who is into the gritty, seedy, ruthless underbelly of small town drug trafficking and the feuds between families.

I love gritty revenge stories in books, and its been a long time since I found one I enjoyed.
Normally, I've guessed everything that would happen before it has, but in They All Fall The Same I kept getting surprised and it made it a great reading experience for me.
The lack of cliches and the way Browne wrote the story was very refreshing, and I cannot wait to reread the physical book when it comes out.

The disappearance of Burl Spoon’s drug addicted daughter starts a war between him and the family who supply the town with heroin. Burl, who has built an empire on the marijuana he grows at his farm, is willing to burn the whole world down to get retribution for his daughter. But his nemesis Clovis is just as ruthless and hellbent on protecting his sons from Burl. Nothing is safe, not even Burl’s beloved granddaughter.

As a big fan of Ozark, this novel is right up my alley. Burl’s big personality is front and center and his character arc is absolutely earned. The people who love and loathe him are beautifully developed, making each causality hit home hard while keeping the tension high as the safety of the other characters comes into question.

The intense action scenes are nicely balanced with character moments to create a perfect pace. Those closest to Burl, his right hand man Greek and his side piece Whitney act as Burl’s conscience, while they use their unique talents to contribute to the carnage. Clovis’s kids Kendall, Cargo, and Micah are so different yet each one plays a significant role in the story.

My favorite thing about the book was the resonance of the strong epilogue which provides a jolt of justice that is both horrifying and satisfying.

This book is a must read for fans of Jordan Harper, SA Cosby, and David Joy and anyone who enjoys a bloody thrill ride with relentless, doomed criminals in the driver’s seat.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books, an imprint of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

thank you net galley for the arc copy. they all fall the same is the story of a cannabis kingpin. when ben ,s daughter dies from an overdose of fentanyl he want justice.body start stacking you dont know who side your on.

It was fine, not really my thing! But can definitely why others would love it! Quite enjoyed the writing style but the story did not get me going

This book was okay! It was about organized crime and followed the life of this kingpin. I think it was entertaining but not something I would normally read, so it did not keep me as entertained as other books have. it was decent though!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and especially the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review of the book!!

This book was great. Mystery, murders, family squabbling all lump together. Has it all. First time reading this author, cant wait for his next book.

"They All Fall the Same" is a gritty, fast-paced noir thriller set in the backwoods of Kentucky, following Burl Spoon, a cannabis kingpin whose personal and criminal life collide with devastating consequences. The novel dives into the underworld of organized crime, with themes of revenge, family dysfunction, and the price of power.

While I didn’t find it to my taste, as I prefer Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries, this book is more in line with fans of Ozark, Narcos, or Peaky Blinders, blending crime, family drama, and moral decay. My husband, on the other hand, loved it and could easily see it adapted into a TV show or movie. His score: 5/5, while I would give it 3/5, making it a well-crafted book for those who enjoy darker, edgier crime stories.

Wesley Browne's They All Fall the Same is a thrilling noir that pulls you into the gritty world of rural Kentucky crime. With a compelling narrative and well-developed characters, Browne delivers a story that's both thought-provoking and action-packed.
The novel's exploration of family, loyalty, and the consequences of a life lived on the edge is both heartbreaking and exhilarating. Browne's prose is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world where violence and retribution are never far away.
While the plot may feel a bit predictable at times, the characters and their complex motivations more than make up for it. The ending is satisfying and leaves you pondering the moral implications of the story long after the final page.

Wesley Browne's They All Fall the Same is a thrilling noir that pulls you into the gritty world of rural Kentucky crime. With a compelling narrative and well-developed characters, Browne delivers a story that's both thought-provoking and action-packed.
The novel's exploration of family, loyalty, and the consequences of a life lived on the edge is both heartbreaking and exhilarating. Browne's prose is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world where violence and retribution are never far away.
While the plot may feel a bit predictable at times, the characters and their complex motivations more than make up for it. The ending is satisfying and leaves you pondering the moral implications of the story long after the final page.

This is a new author for me. None of the characters are people you’d want to be friends (or enemies) of. There really weren’t any likable characters which isn’t to say it wasn’t a compelling read. The theme is heavily centered on drug dealers, their criminal organizations and the consequences thereof. If there are people contemplating a future in criminal activity this would be a good deterrent. It’s a cautionary tale of the far-reaching tentacles of one person’s poor choices.
Burl doesn’t think he’s as bad as those other people that sell the hard stuff, until it affects him personally. There are small town cops, some on the take. The setting in Kentucky was a state I know nothing about except the derby. Burl’s troubles have far reaching ripples for his family. I enjoy Southern Noir and this one didn’t disappoint, I will look for more from this author.
Crooked Lane Books (via NetGalley) provided an Advance Reader Copy of “They All Fall the Same” by Wesley Browne. Publication is expected 01/07/2025. These honest, personal thoughts and opinions are mine given voluntarily without compensation.