Wes Browne’s They All Fall the Same plunges readers into a gritty, modern-day tale of crime, loyalty, and consequences. The story revolves around a kingpin protagonist whose selfishness knows no bounds—except when it comes to his granddaughter, the one person he truly cares about. This dynamic is the very thread that pulls him into a chaotic spiral, setting the stage for a dark and morally complex narrative.

The novel evokes the spirit of old-school Westerns with its “cowboys and robbers” energy, though here the stakes revolve around drugs and power rather than gold and land. Browne crafts an unapologetically grim atmosphere, rich with tension and suspense. The writing delivers a slow, deliberate build-up that effectively mirrors the moral decay of its central character and the gritty world he inhabits.

However, while the story’s setup is compelling, it falls slightly short of perfection. The narrative could benefit from a stronger hook to fully immerse the reader from the start. Despite this, the vivid characters and the emotional undertone of familial devotion amidst chaos provide a strong anchor.

They All Fall the Same is a raw and gripping tale for fans of crime dramas with morally complex antiheroes. It’s dark, grungy, and leaves you pondering the cost of loyalty and the thin line between self-preservation and self-destruction.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

What a great book! I really enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down. The author has such a good writing style. This was a first for me by this author but will not be my last! I enjoyed the characters. They had good chemistry.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Matt Godfrey does a fantastic job narrating this story and I highly recommend the audiobook!

I am new to Wes Brown and I must say, I really enjoyed this book. I was not sure what "southern noir" meant but I like it!

The Spoons are the cannabis cartel of Jackson County and have been for the past 30 years. Similar to Burl Spoon, Clovis Begley is the harsher drug kingpin that deals in coke, heroin and fentanyl, and like his drugs, he has a more violent streak. When the business and personal lives of these 2 men intersect, things get deadly, violent and only the strongest will survive.

I loved the writing of Brown. Its clear, sharp and at times brutal. You will find no clichés in this read. The pacing is fast, the characters are relatable and well drawn, and the story is plucked from any city newspaper. I loved the madness and tenacity of Burl to be able to wait out his revenge and to do it so methodically.

The story itself grabbed a hold of me from page one, and did not let go of me until I was done. This one delivered at the highest level.

5 stars - highly recommend.

Burl Spoon built an empire growing and selling marijuana in rural Kentucky. He owns his county. But his family wants nothing to do with him. When his daughter, who has struggled with addiction as an adult) is missing, he finds it is the fault of another local drug lord. One who focuses on importing, rather than growing. She ODed and the Begley family left her for dead. When she does die, Burl vows revenge. Burl and his men go to war with the Begley family. But will anyone be left standing?

These people are all terrible humans, but I did like Burl and was rooting for his family. It was a fast paced back and forth, with each man one-upping the other. And the ending? *chef's kiss*

It is a quick read- both in pace and length. I read it in one sitting.

Matt Godfrey narrates the audiobook and does a great job.

I received an advance audio book in exchange for an honest review.

Not your typical organized crime boss novel. I was expecting more of a cliche feel, but was pleasantly surprised at the depth and well-rounded characters.

Burl is a tough guy who can basically do whatever he likes because everyone fears him. But Burl has a soft spot for his daughter and granddaughter. When his daughter goes missing he crosses paths with another local drug family empire. Burl holds them responsible for his daughter, they retaliate, and then vice versa. How far will each side go? How many lives will be sacrificed in the name of their feud?

I ate this up. I loved the writing and characters. The narration was absolutely wonderful!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.

Pub Date Jan 07 2025

𐙚 Small-Town Corruption
𐙚 Vengeance
𐙚 Moral Complexity

They All Fall the Same is a gritty Southern noir. Wes Browne delivers on an intricately plotted mystery brimming with suspense and moral complexity. The blend of crime drama with raw family dynamics crafted an emotionally charged and suspenseful story. Burl Spoon, the aging cannabis kingpin, is a fascinating antihero, balancing ruthless power with vulnerability. In this small-town drama everyone seems to have something to hide. This was a treat of a layered morally gray, vengeance-fueled, small-town mystery.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰ /5

Thank you for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. ・❥・