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Bull Mountain
“[Panowich] pulls off [a] daunting undertaking with astounding success . . . The storytelling is mesmerizing, with virtually every chapter set in a different timeline and focused on a single character, but the sense of immediacy carries over into each era. And while the violence is shocking in its coldhearted brutality, it’s as aesthetically choreographed as any ballet.”—Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review
“Brian Panowich stamps words on the page as if they’ve been blasted from the barrel of a shotgun, and as with a shotgun blast, no one is safe from the scattered fragments of history that impale the people of Bull Mountain.”—Wiley Cash, New York Times-bestselling author of This Dark Road to Mercy
From a remarkable new voice in Southern fiction, a multigenerational saga of crime, family, and vengeance.
Clayton Burroughs comes from a long line of outlaws. For generations, the Burroughs clan has made its home on Bull Mountain in North Georgia, running shine, pot, and meth over six state lines, virtually untouched by the rule of law. To distance himself from his family’s criminal empire, Clayton took the job of sheriff in a neighboring community to keep what peace he can. But when a federal agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms shows up at Clayton’s office with a plan to shut down the mountain, his hidden agenda will pit brother against brother, test loyalties, and could lead Clayton down a path to self-destruction.
In a sweeping narrative spanning decades and told from alternating points of view, the novel brilliantly evokes the atmosphere of the mountain and its inhabitants: forbidding, loyal, gritty, and ruthless. A story of family—the lengths men will go to protect it, honor it, or in some cases destroy it—Bull Mountain is an incredibly assured debut that heralds a major new talent in fiction.
From the Hardcover edition.
“Brian Panowich stamps words on the page as if they’ve been blasted from the barrel of a shotgun, and as with a shotgun blast, no one is safe from the scattered fragments of history that impale the people of Bull Mountain.”—Wiley Cash, New York Times-bestselling author of This Dark Road to Mercy
From a remarkable new voice in Southern fiction, a multigenerational saga of crime, family, and vengeance.
Clayton Burroughs comes from a long line of outlaws. For generations, the Burroughs clan has made its home on Bull Mountain in North Georgia, running shine, pot, and meth over six state lines, virtually untouched by the rule of law. To distance himself from his family’s criminal empire, Clayton took the job of sheriff in a neighboring community to keep what peace he can. But when a federal agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms shows up at Clayton’s office with a plan to shut down the mountain, his hidden agenda will pit brother against brother, test loyalties, and could lead Clayton down a path to self-destruction.
In a sweeping narrative spanning decades and told from alternating points of view, the novel brilliantly evokes the atmosphere of the mountain and its inhabitants: forbidding, loyal, gritty, and ruthless. A story of family—the lengths men will go to protect it, honor it, or in some cases destroy it—Bull Mountain is an incredibly assured debut that heralds a major new talent in fiction.
From the Hardcover edition.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2015
1066 people are currently reading
13429 people want to read
About the author
Brian Panowich
23 books953 followersBrian writes and lives in Georgia but he dreams of Parma.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,694 reviews
April 26, 2019
“As far as you can see out in every direction belongs to us—to you. Ain’t nothing more important than that. Ain’t nothing I wouldn’t do to keep it so. Even it if means I gotta do a thing that ain’t easy doing.”
I feel I should give credit where it’s due. A few years back, it was David Joy’s work that opened my eyes to the whole grit-lit, hillbilly or Appalachian noir (whatever you want to call it) world. At this point, even though I feel like I’ve barely dipped a toe into the vast pool of bloody and unforgiving books in the genre, it’s become one of my favorites.
Admittedly, it took far too long for me to pick up Bull Mountain. Despite the copy residing on my bookshelf, patiently waiting for some attention, it wasn’t until the impending release of book two, Like Lions: A Novel, that I found the will to commit.
For three generations of the Burroughs family, Bull Mountain has been home and a way of life. For the grandfather, father, and two of the three sons, making shine, slinging dope and defending their land has been the be-all end-all. A clan of despicable men, there's no hint of redeeming qualities put on display for the reader's sake, so don't kid yourself. They're all willing to dig a grave at the first whisper of disloyalty. Well, with one exception.
For the third son, Clayton, being an outlaw and living off the addiction of others was never in his nature. Now, the sheriff in a neighboring town, he’s intent on keeping his distance. Focusing instead on the jurisdiction he’s charged with, his wife and their desire to start a family. Until a fellow lawman persuades him otherwise, that is. Tugging on those strings of familial loyalty that somehow still linger.
The magic of Bull Mountain lies in Panowich's clever plotting and the collision of the multiple timelines and perspectives. The way the author ties things together is unapologetic, spectacularly dark and gritty on the palate. Redemption at its finest. While the finale does feel a bit tidy overall, it's still sort of badass.
“You’re not the last one standing . . . I am.”
Had I not known about the second book going in, I would have been satisfied with the way things concluded here. In my opinion, Bull Mountain doesn’t scream for a follow-up necessarily, but it’s certainly welcome.
January 26, 2019
"What do you do when you can't reach a hornet's nest?"
"You set fire to the tree."
sometimes a hornet's nest is more than a hornet's nest.
and many trees will be sacrificed.
and i hear you, "wait, another literary crime thriller about moonshine and meth and a sorta backcountry mafia where murder is all in a day's work?? is there any juice left to wring out of this suddenly overexposed genre??"
yes! because location! where we are dealing with
"Some baller from up in Georgia. I didn't even know they had ballers in Georgia. Backwoods motherfucker."
and this is one hell of a baller. we're actually dealing with several generations of ballers comprising the burroughs family and their adopted family of likeminded individuals, all holed up in the mountains of north georgia, where they have transitioned from running a moonshine enterprise into its modern-day equivalent: meth. and guns. and a dislike of anyone who tries to step in and interfere with their business, whether it be competitors, the law, associates suddenly wanting a bigger cut of the action, or even family.
this debut opens with a fantastically taut and surprising chapter that sets the tone for the whole book, which then unfolds across time and through several storylines encompassing both the members of the burroughs clan and an atf agent intent on bringing them down.
clayton burroughs is the main focus - a man who left bull mountain and his kin behind to become sheriff in waymore valley, bringing what order he can to his community, but adhering to the philosophy that "what happens on bull mountain stays on bull mountain." that is, until agent holly comes sniffing around looking for some cooperation from clayton's brother hal in closing a case in which hal is tangentially involved. although clayton has been estranged from his brother, and the rest of the inhabitants on bull mountain, he takes the offer and the warning up the mountain to hal, who is… unimpressed.
the rest of the ebb and flow of the book supplies motive, backstory, revelations, and bucketfuls of blood - all the things people want out of their southern crime fiction in glorious violent technicolor. because trees aren't the only things that can be set on fire.
it's a dark and twisty debut, and the strength of the writing elevates this above "just another grit lit novel." it's definitely familiar territory for those of us who read widely in the genre, but it's terrifically paced and plotted, and while the argument can be made that it's a little too conveniently tidy in some of its concluding bits, it's still a wonderfully engrossing read and frequently surprising.
i will be needing more from this author.
come to my blog!
"You set fire to the tree."
sometimes a hornet's nest is more than a hornet's nest.
and many trees will be sacrificed.
and i hear you, "wait, another literary crime thriller about moonshine and meth and a sorta backcountry mafia where murder is all in a day's work?? is there any juice left to wring out of this suddenly overexposed genre??"
yes! because location! where we are dealing with
"Some baller from up in Georgia. I didn't even know they had ballers in Georgia. Backwoods motherfucker."
and this is one hell of a baller. we're actually dealing with several generations of ballers comprising the burroughs family and their adopted family of likeminded individuals, all holed up in the mountains of north georgia, where they have transitioned from running a moonshine enterprise into its modern-day equivalent: meth. and guns. and a dislike of anyone who tries to step in and interfere with their business, whether it be competitors, the law, associates suddenly wanting a bigger cut of the action, or even family.
this debut opens with a fantastically taut and surprising chapter that sets the tone for the whole book, which then unfolds across time and through several storylines encompassing both the members of the burroughs clan and an atf agent intent on bringing them down.
clayton burroughs is the main focus - a man who left bull mountain and his kin behind to become sheriff in waymore valley, bringing what order he can to his community, but adhering to the philosophy that "what happens on bull mountain stays on bull mountain." that is, until agent holly comes sniffing around looking for some cooperation from clayton's brother hal in closing a case in which hal is tangentially involved. although clayton has been estranged from his brother, and the rest of the inhabitants on bull mountain, he takes the offer and the warning up the mountain to hal, who is… unimpressed.
the rest of the ebb and flow of the book supplies motive, backstory, revelations, and bucketfuls of blood - all the things people want out of their southern crime fiction in glorious violent technicolor. because trees aren't the only things that can be set on fire.
it's a dark and twisty debut, and the strength of the writing elevates this above "just another grit lit novel." it's definitely familiar territory for those of us who read widely in the genre, but it's terrifically paced and plotted, and while the argument can be made that it's a little too conveniently tidy in some of its concluding bits, it's still a wonderfully engrossing read and frequently surprising.
i will be needing more from this author.
come to my blog!
February 7, 2015
When I first read the blurb for this book I was so excited. The setting is in my area in Georgia and well, I love some crazy rednecks. Thanks to my friend karen I was able to read this book. Thanks again!
The book is the story of a family of outlaws, aka "Hillybilly Godfathers." It sweeps over the time of the grandfather, his son and then the remaining three sons. They started off on Bull Mountain with moonshining. They realize that moonshining is soon a thing of the past and they want to be an empire.
These aren't your typical redneck idiots.
From that they move on to growing marijuana and then meth.
One of the sons has tried to leave the family's legacy and is the local sheriff. Is he that figure-head that his brother's allow?
This book is dark. No sunshine coming through the cracks in it. But, DAMN...it's good. The writing is slow paced and sweeps you into the story so much that several times my breathing quickened.
At first I was a tad bit ticked off about how the author depicted the people living in this area, but then as I read I thought...you know what? I know people like this. This shit could happen. The North GA Mtns are beautiful but they are secluded enough that sometimes the law gets overlooked, or bought.
There was a twist to this book that I thought was going to ruin the book for me, but the author pulled it through amazingly..and I was all in...AND THAT ENDING!!!!!!!
The book is the story of a family of outlaws, aka "Hillybilly Godfathers." It sweeps over the time of the grandfather, his son and then the remaining three sons. They started off on Bull Mountain with moonshining. They realize that moonshining is soon a thing of the past and they want to be an empire.
These aren't your typical redneck idiots.
From that they move on to growing marijuana and then meth.
One of the sons has tried to leave the family's legacy and is the local sheriff. Is he that figure-head that his brother's allow?
This book is dark. No sunshine coming through the cracks in it. But, DAMN...it's good. The writing is slow paced and sweeps you into the story so much that several times my breathing quickened.
At first I was a tad bit ticked off about how the author depicted the people living in this area, but then as I read I thought...you know what? I know people like this. This shit could happen. The North GA Mtns are beautiful but they are secluded enough that sometimes the law gets overlooked, or bought.
There was a twist to this book that I thought was going to ruin the book for me, but the author pulled it through amazingly..and I was all in...AND THAT ENDING!!!!!!!
April 2, 2017
When Kelly, Dan 2.0, and Shelby- all give the same book 5-stars...that is about as close to a GRs miracle as you can get, so it tends to make a girl (me), sit up and take notice. I decided to drop what I was reading and take BULL MOUNTAIN by the horns.
Mountains...
Moonshine...
Marijuana...
...and Meth.
1949- Bull Mountain, Georgia
The Burroughs clan has spent years and years dealing Moonshine- and they were pretty much left alone by the law... until one brother makes a fateful decision, that takes the family in a new direction they may never be able to come back from.
2015- Waymore Valley, Georgia
McFalls County Sheriff Clayton Burroughs left his family's life of crime far behind. Clayton now tries to enforce the law and look the other way at the same time. Clayton's father- Gareth- burned up in a meth cookhouse fire. His brother Buckley- was shot by the feds...and his other surviving brother- Hal, now runs Bull Mountain- with an iron fist- selling meth.
When Clayton is approached by Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Special Agent- Simon Holly- Clayton thinks maybe things can be solved without bloodshed this time- but instead it opens a can of WHOOP-ASS on all of their lives.
Definitely my favorite read of 2015! A new favorite genre opened up to me, and a new favorite author to watch. Yes, Dan 2.0- you have your moments where you DO know what you are talking about. Not many...but some. ;)
Mountains...
Moonshine...
Marijuana...
...and Meth.
1949- Bull Mountain, Georgia
The Burroughs clan has spent years and years dealing Moonshine- and they were pretty much left alone by the law... until one brother makes a fateful decision, that takes the family in a new direction they may never be able to come back from.
2015- Waymore Valley, Georgia
McFalls County Sheriff Clayton Burroughs left his family's life of crime far behind. Clayton now tries to enforce the law and look the other way at the same time. Clayton's father- Gareth- burned up in a meth cookhouse fire. His brother Buckley- was shot by the feds...and his other surviving brother- Hal, now runs Bull Mountain- with an iron fist- selling meth.
When Clayton is approached by Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Special Agent- Simon Holly- Clayton thinks maybe things can be solved without bloodshed this time- but instead it opens a can of WHOOP-ASS on all of their lives.
Definitely my favorite read of 2015! A new favorite genre opened up to me, and a new favorite author to watch. Yes, Dan 2.0- you have your moments where you DO know what you are talking about. Not many...but some. ;)
May 28, 2021
For generations, the Burroughs clan have lived amid the mist wreathed forests of Bull mountain in North Georgia. Over the years this powerful and feared family have graduated from dealing moonshine to marijuana and are currently producing and distributing crystal meth. They live as outlaws on the fringe of society.
Meet Clayton Burroughs, the white sheep of the family. As the local sheriff he’s long been having a problem squaring his career choice with his kinsfolk. They are disappointed in him to say the least!
Throw into the mix an FBI plot, biker gangs, some wince inducing violence and some hillbilly justice and you have a fine novel in the Southern noir tradition (or southern gothic, grit lit, southern grit, rural noir etc - I’m sure there are fine distinctions but I’m still learning)
Bull Mountain is darkly humorous and very well written. Chapters alternate between characters and time periods, filling in the turbulent, blood soaked history of the Burroughs family.
The interplay between Sheriff Clayton and his monstrous, bear like brother Hal, is electric.
I was pleased to see that Brian Panovich’s exciting story of family loyalty and vengeance will continue into two more books ........ hopefully featuring some of the colourful characters that were lucky enough to survive this one.
Meet Clayton Burroughs, the white sheep of the family. As the local sheriff he’s long been having a problem squaring his career choice with his kinsfolk. They are disappointed in him to say the least!
Throw into the mix an FBI plot, biker gangs, some wince inducing violence and some hillbilly justice and you have a fine novel in the Southern noir tradition (or southern gothic, grit lit, southern grit, rural noir etc - I’m sure there are fine distinctions but I’m still learning)
Bull Mountain is darkly humorous and very well written. Chapters alternate between characters and time periods, filling in the turbulent, blood soaked history of the Burroughs family.
The interplay between Sheriff Clayton and his monstrous, bear like brother Hal, is electric.
I was pleased to see that Brian Panovich’s exciting story of family loyalty and vengeance will continue into two more books ........ hopefully featuring some of the colourful characters that were lucky enough to survive this one.
February 20, 2020
Great read. Gritty. Solid storyline, great end. Could be predicted but I did not see it coming.
Dark stories set in the US or Canadian wilderness are favorites of mine, Cormac McCarthy one of my favorite writers.
Seen this book around on goodreads, several of my friends here read it already.
This book is about a family of criminals, the Burroughs clan, ruling Bull Mountain. One of the sons in the last line turned out different and 'clean', Clayton Burroughs, the sheriff of the area. It is him against the family, his brothers, also let's say..., unexpected family. And in the end, it's all about woman power, isn't it? :-)
Recommended.
Dark stories set in the US or Canadian wilderness are favorites of mine, Cormac McCarthy one of my favorite writers.
Seen this book around on goodreads, several of my friends here read it already.
This book is about a family of criminals, the Burroughs clan, ruling Bull Mountain. One of the sons in the last line turned out different and 'clean', Clayton Burroughs, the sheriff of the area. It is him against the family, his brothers, also let's say..., unexpected family. And in the end, it's all about woman power, isn't it? :-)
Recommended.
August 11, 2019
4 Stars
Gritty, Ominous and Violent, Now This is My Kind of Book! (What does that say about me?!)
The Burroughs Family runs Bull Mountain. It has for generations. One brother, Clayton, is a Sheriff, who enacts the laws of the land. The other, Halford, breaks every single one of them, running drugs like pot and meth, destroying whatever comes across his path.
Neither is above murder, truth be told. On Bull Mountain, you gotta do what you gotta do. Their dad is dead as is their brother. Living is hard, but then so is dying.
When Agent Holly of the FBI appears and requests that Clayton Burroughs assist him in an investigation to take down his brother’s empire, Clayton agrees. As if life wasn’t hard enough already, now he has started a War.
Grit Lit at its finest “Bull Mountain” has it all. Bad Decisions, Family, Intrigue and Murder. Characterizations that are spot on and either full of heart or ill intent. It’s totally wicked!
I listened to the audiobook and absolutely loved the narration. I will say that as the book got to about 70%, I guessed how it was going to end but that did not take away from my enjoyment in any way whatever.
So I have no idea what took me so long to read this book considering that it came out in 2015. It wasn’t even on my radar until I saw my friend Jan’s review for it (thank you Jan!), which is surprising considering how much I love Grit Lit (thanks to Michael Farris Smith and David Joy). Next up is Like Lions. I can’t wait!
Thank you to audible for my copy.
Published on Goodreads on 8.11.19.
Gritty, Ominous and Violent, Now This is My Kind of Book! (What does that say about me?!)
The Burroughs Family runs Bull Mountain. It has for generations. One brother, Clayton, is a Sheriff, who enacts the laws of the land. The other, Halford, breaks every single one of them, running drugs like pot and meth, destroying whatever comes across his path.
Neither is above murder, truth be told. On Bull Mountain, you gotta do what you gotta do. Their dad is dead as is their brother. Living is hard, but then so is dying.
When Agent Holly of the FBI appears and requests that Clayton Burroughs assist him in an investigation to take down his brother’s empire, Clayton agrees. As if life wasn’t hard enough already, now he has started a War.
Grit Lit at its finest “Bull Mountain” has it all. Bad Decisions, Family, Intrigue and Murder. Characterizations that are spot on and either full of heart or ill intent. It’s totally wicked!
I listened to the audiobook and absolutely loved the narration. I will say that as the book got to about 70%, I guessed how it was going to end but that did not take away from my enjoyment in any way whatever.
So I have no idea what took me so long to read this book considering that it came out in 2015. It wasn’t even on my radar until I saw my friend Jan’s review for it (thank you Jan!), which is surprising considering how much I love Grit Lit (thanks to Michael Farris Smith and David Joy). Next up is Like Lions. I can’t wait!
Thank you to audible for my copy.
Published on Goodreads on 8.11.19.
March 7, 2016
You had me at "hillbilly noir".
Rednecks, moonshine, pot and meth- throw in a few guns and we got us a rodeo.
Bull mountain belongs to the Burroughs' Boys. It's a symbiotic relationship that exists with the land and they will fight to the death to ensure no one interferes or infringes on their territory. Except two of the brothers are on different sides of the law: one an outlaw and one a sheriff. Clayton Burroughs tries to maintain the peace in the community and within his own dysfunctional and estranged family where a mountain of bad blood, grudges and bitterness separate them and enables an outsider to move in to settle his own score.
This is a gritty, violent and dark story with a twist.
Themes of good vs evil, betrayal and survival rebound throughout the novel. Told from various male perspectives, it spans 3 generations.... And while you might be able to take the Billy out of the hills, you can't take the hills out of the Billy. 4★
Rednecks, moonshine, pot and meth- throw in a few guns and we got us a rodeo.
Bull mountain belongs to the Burroughs' Boys. It's a symbiotic relationship that exists with the land and they will fight to the death to ensure no one interferes or infringes on their territory. Except two of the brothers are on different sides of the law: one an outlaw and one a sheriff. Clayton Burroughs tries to maintain the peace in the community and within his own dysfunctional and estranged family where a mountain of bad blood, grudges and bitterness separate them and enables an outsider to move in to settle his own score.
This is a gritty, violent and dark story with a twist.
Themes of good vs evil, betrayal and survival rebound throughout the novel. Told from various male perspectives, it spans 3 generations.... And while you might be able to take the Billy out of the hills, you can't take the hills out of the Billy. 4★
July 13, 2015
"Bull Mountain" is hands down my favorite book of 2015 and I doubt anything will top it! I haven't been so excited to tell people about a novel since I read Terry Hayes' book "I Am Pilgrim".
Brian Panowich is an amazing writer! I was a bit trepidatious about reading Panowich's novel because it's been billed as "Hillbilly Noir" (that just didn't sound appealing to me) but I read some great reviews on GR and when I heard meth and dynasties I automatically thought of my favorite show of all time "Breaking Bad", so I had to give it a go. Boy am I glad I did! Yes, it is about hillbillies, but it is so much more!
This book is about three generations of the Burroughs family. The first chapter of "Bull Mountain" quickly sweeps the reader into what will be a dynasty filled with moonshine, marijuana and meth, yes, meth! All of this takes place in Northern Georgia. The black sheep of the family is on the other side of the law because he goes legit and becomes the local sheriff. The law can't touch these people because everything is done on a mountain where they fly under the radar.
The entire time I was reading this novel I was in awe of the way the whole story played out. It goes back and forth in time and from character to character just seamlessly.
There is also a twist in the middle that I didn't see coming. This twist sets the novel up for a truly great ending!
It's brilliant and a MUST read! Put it at the very top of your to read list!
Brian Panowich is an amazing writer! I was a bit trepidatious about reading Panowich's novel because it's been billed as "Hillbilly Noir" (that just didn't sound appealing to me) but I read some great reviews on GR and when I heard meth and dynasties I automatically thought of my favorite show of all time "Breaking Bad", so I had to give it a go. Boy am I glad I did! Yes, it is about hillbillies, but it is so much more!
This book is about three generations of the Burroughs family. The first chapter of "Bull Mountain" quickly sweeps the reader into what will be a dynasty filled with moonshine, marijuana and meth, yes, meth! All of this takes place in Northern Georgia. The black sheep of the family is on the other side of the law because he goes legit and becomes the local sheriff. The law can't touch these people because everything is done on a mountain where they fly under the radar.
The entire time I was reading this novel I was in awe of the way the whole story played out. It goes back and forth in time and from character to character just seamlessly.
There is also a twist in the middle that I didn't see coming. This twist sets the novel up for a truly great ending!
It's brilliant and a MUST read! Put it at the very top of your to read list!
October 2, 2020
Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich is a 2016 G.P. Putnam’s Son’s publication.
Southern Literature, organized crime, and a family drama all rolled into one book.
Usually, the ‘black sheep’ of the family means the odd guy out- but in an unsavory way. Clayton Burroughs is most definitely the odd guy out in his family- but in this case, he is the only one in his family who walks on the right side of the law.
In fact, he’s a sheriff in a neighboring community, while his brother runs the family business on Bull Mountain, located in Northern Georgia. Their family empire, which has been run by the Burroughs for generations, began with bootlegging, then branched out into drugs- first pot, and now meth.
Clayton is devoted to his wife, and wants to keep the peace, which means giving his mean hard-bitten brother and his criminal enterprise a wide berth. But when an ATF agent shows up, he lures Clayton into helping him shut ‘the mountain’ down. Naturally, the plan throws Clayton a few unforeseen curveballs, pitting one brother against the other, and leading to a dreaded, but unavoidable family showdown….
I passed on this book five years ago, when it was first released. I found my way back to it when ‘Hard Cash Valley’ was released. I didn’t make the connection at first- but soon realized that HCV was the third book in the Bull Mountain series- so I decided to do a quick catch up-
I entered into this one with a small amount of trepidation, mainly due to some misleading trendy, sub-genre labels attached to it, which now that I’ve read it, didn’t do the book justice.
However, I discovered this book is right up my alley! I loved it! I love southern fiction, I love family sagas, and I love crime fiction. I especially love it when a book can mingle these genres into one book and do so with style… literary style, at that.
I had a hard time finding anyone who had the same insights into this novel that I did- so this may seem way out of left field – but I found a strong parallel between the Burroughs family and many fictional mob families.
To me, many of the same elements are present- an organized crime operation- loyalties, backstabbing, deep family dramas, cold-blooded criminals, tons of gritty violence, a hint of Greek or Shakespearian tragedy- any of that sound familiar? The difference is, of course, that instead of Italy, New York, or Chicago, this book is set in the mountains of Northern Georgia and it is a much smaller, tight knit group- although the enterprise reaches far and wide.
We also have Clayton Burroughs- a conflicted hero- such a well- drawn character- flawed, but determined to break the chain – but in the end will he lack the courage of his own convictions?
This is really, really good stuff!!
The story may be violent and rough, the characters without conscience, mean, and heartless, with no redeemable traits, they may not speak eloquently, or live opulently, although they are surely deceptively comfortable financially- but this book is not raw! It is not stark,
or sparse- it is way too polished for some of the tags and labels applied to it.
The characters are hardly one dimensional and the novel does not rely heavily on the action to carry it. In fact, it is deeply psychological, even quiet at times- very high in suspense, and nearly impossible to put down.
I have already started book two and I can tell I am going to like it- maybe as much as I did this one!!
Southern Literature, organized crime, and a family drama all rolled into one book.
Usually, the ‘black sheep’ of the family means the odd guy out- but in an unsavory way. Clayton Burroughs is most definitely the odd guy out in his family- but in this case, he is the only one in his family who walks on the right side of the law.
In fact, he’s a sheriff in a neighboring community, while his brother runs the family business on Bull Mountain, located in Northern Georgia. Their family empire, which has been run by the Burroughs for generations, began with bootlegging, then branched out into drugs- first pot, and now meth.
Clayton is devoted to his wife, and wants to keep the peace, which means giving his mean hard-bitten brother and his criminal enterprise a wide berth. But when an ATF agent shows up, he lures Clayton into helping him shut ‘the mountain’ down. Naturally, the plan throws Clayton a few unforeseen curveballs, pitting one brother against the other, and leading to a dreaded, but unavoidable family showdown….
I passed on this book five years ago, when it was first released. I found my way back to it when ‘Hard Cash Valley’ was released. I didn’t make the connection at first- but soon realized that HCV was the third book in the Bull Mountain series- so I decided to do a quick catch up-
I entered into this one with a small amount of trepidation, mainly due to some misleading trendy, sub-genre labels attached to it, which now that I’ve read it, didn’t do the book justice.
However, I discovered this book is right up my alley! I loved it! I love southern fiction, I love family sagas, and I love crime fiction. I especially love it when a book can mingle these genres into one book and do so with style… literary style, at that.
I had a hard time finding anyone who had the same insights into this novel that I did- so this may seem way out of left field – but I found a strong parallel between the Burroughs family and many fictional mob families.
To me, many of the same elements are present- an organized crime operation- loyalties, backstabbing, deep family dramas, cold-blooded criminals, tons of gritty violence, a hint of Greek or Shakespearian tragedy- any of that sound familiar? The difference is, of course, that instead of Italy, New York, or Chicago, this book is set in the mountains of Northern Georgia and it is a much smaller, tight knit group- although the enterprise reaches far and wide.
We also have Clayton Burroughs- a conflicted hero- such a well- drawn character- flawed, but determined to break the chain – but in the end will he lack the courage of his own convictions?
This is really, really good stuff!!
The story may be violent and rough, the characters without conscience, mean, and heartless, with no redeemable traits, they may not speak eloquently, or live opulently, although they are surely deceptively comfortable financially- but this book is not raw! It is not stark,
or sparse- it is way too polished for some of the tags and labels applied to it.
The characters are hardly one dimensional and the novel does not rely heavily on the action to carry it. In fact, it is deeply psychological, even quiet at times- very high in suspense, and nearly impossible to put down.
I have already started book two and I can tell I am going to like it- maybe as much as I did this one!!
May 4, 2019
4.5
Wow!! I’m very late to the party for this one, but I saw everyone enjoying the newly released “Like Lions” Bull Mountain book 2, so I had to get a move on.
Ruthless, gritty .. hillbilly noir they call this? .. well, I loved it!
Bull Mountain has been ruled by The Burroughs Brothers .. for generations.. running moonshine, dope.. then in the more recent years we find brothers on the opposite side of the law and this causes problems.
This was such a fast and exciting read!! So happy that I finally picked it up!🏞🥃
Wow!! I’m very late to the party for this one, but I saw everyone enjoying the newly released “Like Lions” Bull Mountain book 2, so I had to get a move on.
Ruthless, gritty .. hillbilly noir they call this? .. well, I loved it!
Bull Mountain has been ruled by The Burroughs Brothers .. for generations.. running moonshine, dope.. then in the more recent years we find brothers on the opposite side of the law and this causes problems.
This was such a fast and exciting read!! So happy that I finally picked it up!🏞🥃
July 29, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
The biggest perk of Goodreads is easily discovering books that might never have made it to my TBR list were it not for seeing a friend’s review. I have a lot of friends who read quality stuff, but when Shelby and Ron 2.0 agree on something? That’s a book I need to read pronto. Now that I’ve read Bull Mountain I’m going to do something I’ve never done before – I’m telling y’all if there’s one book you should read this year, this is it.
“Stop thinkin’ you can right something that was born wrong.”
The Burroughs family carved their niche in the world on Bull Mountain – a picturesque piece of land in North Georgia . . . .
It was there the family started running that good ol’ Georgia Peach back during prohibition . . .
As times changed, so did the family business - eventually evolving into an enterprise producing crops from thousands of acres of land . . .
The present-day Burroughs are serious high rollers. The product has morphed yet again . . .
but the stakes have become much higher, leading the family to form an association with some fellas from Florida . . .
and the Feds are closing in.
Bull Mountain tells the tale of this one-of-a-kind family. With a timeline that spans the 1950s to the present and a true ensemble cast of characters that is woven together seamlessly with twists and turns I never saw coming – this book will easily go down as one of the top five books I read all year.
“Sins of the father run deep. Family bonds, right?”
The biggest perk of Goodreads is easily discovering books that might never have made it to my TBR list were it not for seeing a friend’s review. I have a lot of friends who read quality stuff, but when Shelby and Ron 2.0 agree on something? That’s a book I need to read pronto. Now that I’ve read Bull Mountain I’m going to do something I’ve never done before – I’m telling y’all if there’s one book you should read this year, this is it.
“Stop thinkin’ you can right something that was born wrong.”
The Burroughs family carved their niche in the world on Bull Mountain – a picturesque piece of land in North Georgia . . . .
It was there the family started running that good ol’ Georgia Peach back during prohibition . . .
As times changed, so did the family business - eventually evolving into an enterprise producing crops from thousands of acres of land . . .
The present-day Burroughs are serious high rollers. The product has morphed yet again . . .
but the stakes have become much higher, leading the family to form an association with some fellas from Florida . . .
and the Feds are closing in.
Bull Mountain tells the tale of this one-of-a-kind family. With a timeline that spans the 1950s to the present and a true ensemble cast of characters that is woven together seamlessly with twists and turns I never saw coming – this book will easily go down as one of the top five books I read all year.
“Sins of the father run deep. Family bonds, right?”
May 22, 2019
4.5 stars
Grit Lit, Hillbilly Noir, whatever you call it, I call it terrific! I listened to this one and loved it. It’s the law of the Wild West on Bull Mountain. They live according to their own rules and with their own form of justice. Revenge and retribution are meted out mercilessly.
The Burroughs family has ruled the mountain for decades, operating outside the law. When the Feds close in on an operation, they enlist the help of the sheriff, who just happens to be Clayton Burroughs, the one member of the family that broke apart and lives on the right side of the law. The investigation sets off a chain of events that will unearth secrets, bring the past to light, and pit brother against brother. The characters are compelling, the dialogue snappy, and the women are as tough as the men.
A terrific debut that Marialyce and I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend! We are looking forward to book #2 in the series, Like Lions.
For our duo review please visit:
https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...
Grit Lit, Hillbilly Noir, whatever you call it, I call it terrific! I listened to this one and loved it. It’s the law of the Wild West on Bull Mountain. They live according to their own rules and with their own form of justice. Revenge and retribution are meted out mercilessly.
The Burroughs family has ruled the mountain for decades, operating outside the law. When the Feds close in on an operation, they enlist the help of the sheriff, who just happens to be Clayton Burroughs, the one member of the family that broke apart and lives on the right side of the law. The investigation sets off a chain of events that will unearth secrets, bring the past to light, and pit brother against brother. The characters are compelling, the dialogue snappy, and the women are as tough as the men.
A terrific debut that Marialyce and I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend! We are looking forward to book #2 in the series, Like Lions.
For our duo review please visit:
https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...
March 17, 2018
This is another excellent crime novel in which family ties are a critical theme. For several generations, the Burroughs family has controlled Bull Mountain in rural North Georgia. Their criminal empire was built first on moonshine and then graduated into weed and, finally, meth. The family's leader in each generation has been tough, brutal, amoral, and willing to do anything to protect the family and its enterprises. Murder is simply one of many tools for advancing and protecting the family's fortunes, and most Burroughs men will kill without giving it a second thought.
The exception is Clayton Burroughs, the youngest brother of the current generation, who has determined to take another path. Clayton has won election as sheriff in a small neighboring town and is attempting to carve out a life for himself and his wife, different from that of his brothers. Not surprisingly, there's no love lost between Clayton and his brothers, particularly Halford, the current leader of the clan. At one point, Halford tells his Clayton that he's the sheriff only because Halford allows him to be--not meaning that he could see Clayton defeated at the ballot box, but rather meaning that he simply hasn't given the order to have his little brother killed yet.
Into this combustible mix comes a rogue F.B.I. agent named Simon Holly who has an agenda of his own. The Burroughs have entered into an alliance with an outlaw Florida biker gang to run their product and their money back and forth between Florida and Georgia. Holly shows up in Clayton's office, claiming that he wants to shut down the biker gang and their network of illegal activities. This would impinge on the Burroughs family operation, and Holly wants Clayton to cooperate with the investigation. Clayton now finds himself trapped between the proverbial rock and the hardest of all spots, and there's simply no way that this can end well.
The story is told from shifting points of view, and Panowich writes beautifully. He creates a wonderful sense of place, and the reader can practically feel him- or herself climbing Bull Mountain and being sucked into the roiling catastrophe that is the Burroughs family. This is a great read that will keep you turning the pages well beyond your bedtime.
The exception is Clayton Burroughs, the youngest brother of the current generation, who has determined to take another path. Clayton has won election as sheriff in a small neighboring town and is attempting to carve out a life for himself and his wife, different from that of his brothers. Not surprisingly, there's no love lost between Clayton and his brothers, particularly Halford, the current leader of the clan. At one point, Halford tells his Clayton that he's the sheriff only because Halford allows him to be--not meaning that he could see Clayton defeated at the ballot box, but rather meaning that he simply hasn't given the order to have his little brother killed yet.
Into this combustible mix comes a rogue F.B.I. agent named Simon Holly who has an agenda of his own. The Burroughs have entered into an alliance with an outlaw Florida biker gang to run their product and their money back and forth between Florida and Georgia. Holly shows up in Clayton's office, claiming that he wants to shut down the biker gang and their network of illegal activities. This would impinge on the Burroughs family operation, and Holly wants Clayton to cooperate with the investigation. Clayton now finds himself trapped between the proverbial rock and the hardest of all spots, and there's simply no way that this can end well.
The story is told from shifting points of view, and Panowich writes beautifully. He creates a wonderful sense of place, and the reader can practically feel him- or herself climbing Bull Mountain and being sucked into the roiling catastrophe that is the Burroughs family. This is a great read that will keep you turning the pages well beyond your bedtime.
September 22, 2018
Vengeful crime family empire set in North Georgia. It reminded me of Fargo (season 2) with fewer happy outcomes. Parts of it I loved. I can understand why it received so many rave reviews. On the whole, I liked well enough.
November 5, 2015
4.5 Stars....... What a "Blast" of a Great Mystery!
Sheriff Clayton Burroughs has a lunatic brother in Hal; well actually, he has a whole lunatic family!!! They hang with the worst sorts, live by their own merciless rules and spill blood on Bull Mountain by the bucketful with nary a thought for anyone but themselves until FBI Agent Holly enters the picture and really stirs up a "hornets nest" resulting in a shitload myriad of REVENGE!
My recommendation.....read this slow-building, uniquely structured killer of a debut novel, but stay off the mountain!
July 28, 2015
Clayton Burroughs is the only member of his family not involved in its crime network. He,instead became the Sheriff. His family had ruled Bull Mountain in Northern Georgia for generations first with moonshine, than marijuana and lastly meth. They are a hard people, not adverse to killing those who try to get in their way.
We learn something about each generation though most of the story takes place in the current one, with one brother dead and two facing off against each other. A surprise is thrown into the mix with the arrival of a federal agent, Agent Holly, and he will be the match6 that sets off the fire. He though has his own secrets, his own story.
This is a tightly structured book,each chapter narrated by a different character. It is suspenseful, intriguing and violent. A novel about fathers and sons, about money and expectations, retribution and revenge. If you have read Deliverance, you know not to wander around in the mountains, although this is set in a different place it reinforces that viewpoint.
We learn something about each generation though most of the story takes place in the current one, with one brother dead and two facing off against each other. A surprise is thrown into the mix with the arrival of a federal agent, Agent Holly, and he will be the match6 that sets off the fire. He though has his own secrets, his own story.
This is a tightly structured book,each chapter narrated by a different character. It is suspenseful, intriguing and violent. A novel about fathers and sons, about money and expectations, retribution and revenge. If you have read Deliverance, you know not to wander around in the mountains, although this is set in a different place it reinforces that viewpoint.
April 28, 2018
“Only thin beams of light broke through the heavy canopy of oak trees and Scotch pine. As a kid, Rye used to believe those rays of light warming his skin were the fingers of God, reaching down through the trees to bless this place–to look out for his home. But as a man, he’d grown to know better. The children running underfoot and the womenfolk might have some use for that superstitious nonsense, but Riley reckoned if there was some Sunday-school God looking out for the people on this mountain, then the job wouldn’t always fall on him.”
Bull Mountain is sacred land to the Burroughs clan—a birthright passed down through the generations—and they’ll do whatever it takes to hold on to every last piece of it. Isolated in the backwoods of rural Georgia, the Mountain’s always been the perfect locale to run the family business without the worry of any local or federal interference. A business that’s evolved, over the years, from running shine to growing weed to cooking crystal, and whose influence and control over the local community is all-encompassing. Any of those law-dogs not in the Burroughs’ pocket sure as shit ain’t dumb enough to poke their noses into that hornet’s nest.
The story is a multigenerational tale which seamlessly shifts back and forth through time to follow a few of the Burroughs clan and other important players in their saga. All of the various threads are nicely woven together in a third person narrative which tells a classic tale of right vs might, good vs evil, brother vs. brother.
The only criticism I could level is the story is perhaps a bit lightweight. You never get bogged down in the grit, grime, and nastiness. That’s not to suggest this isn’t a dark story—because violence lurks around every corner—only that Panowich doesn’t revel in it. Hell, when compared to something like the Devil All the Time, this practically farts sunshine and rainbows. The slang isn’t as prevalent as one would expect in this genre, and even though a few of the story elements are somewhat predictable I still greatly enjoyed the tale, warts and all.
Honestly, I’m a bit taken aback. For a debut novel, this is impressive stuff. I don’t know if I’ve just been fortunate to have stumbled upon some real gems, or if this Hick Lit is truly special. Whatever the case may be, I gotta say this is quickly shaping up to be one of my favorite new genres. Hopefully, this toned-down, approachable style will pave the way for a few more mainstream readers to enter into the fold. All I can do now is try and spread the gospel of Brian Panowich, and pray for some new Hick Lit converts.
4.5-Stars rounded up - overall an outstanding debut.
Bull Mountain is sacred land to the Burroughs clan—a birthright passed down through the generations—and they’ll do whatever it takes to hold on to every last piece of it. Isolated in the backwoods of rural Georgia, the Mountain’s always been the perfect locale to run the family business without the worry of any local or federal interference. A business that’s evolved, over the years, from running shine to growing weed to cooking crystal, and whose influence and control over the local community is all-encompassing. Any of those law-dogs not in the Burroughs’ pocket sure as shit ain’t dumb enough to poke their noses into that hornet’s nest.
The story is a multigenerational tale which seamlessly shifts back and forth through time to follow a few of the Burroughs clan and other important players in their saga. All of the various threads are nicely woven together in a third person narrative which tells a classic tale of right vs might, good vs evil, brother vs. brother.
The only criticism I could level is the story is perhaps a bit lightweight. You never get bogged down in the grit, grime, and nastiness. That’s not to suggest this isn’t a dark story—because violence lurks around every corner—only that Panowich doesn’t revel in it. Hell, when compared to something like the Devil All the Time, this practically farts sunshine and rainbows. The slang isn’t as prevalent as one would expect in this genre, and even though a few of the story elements are somewhat predictable I still greatly enjoyed the tale, warts and all.
Honestly, I’m a bit taken aback. For a debut novel, this is impressive stuff. I don’t know if I’ve just been fortunate to have stumbled upon some real gems, or if this Hick Lit is truly special. Whatever the case may be, I gotta say this is quickly shaping up to be one of my favorite new genres. Hopefully, this toned-down, approachable style will pave the way for a few more mainstream readers to enter into the fold. All I can do now is try and spread the gospel of Brian Panowich, and pray for some new Hick Lit converts.
4.5-Stars rounded up - overall an outstanding debut.
November 3, 2015
There have been so many glowing reviews of this novel from Goodreads friends that I just had to grab a copy. And I’m very glad I did. I like noir fiction: it’s generally tough and straight talking, with characters who are as quick with their fists as they are with their lips, and the women are typically a tough breed who may be on the receiving end of some dubious treatment but are as often as not (as my Welsh friends would say) chopsy. So this was an easy pick.
Set in North Georgia it tells of the Burroughs clan that have grown up on Bull Mountain, an area they protect with a frightening level of devotion and ferocity. The story covers a period from the 1940’s to the present day and we meet three generations of the clan in the telling of the tale. Over the years the family business develops from moonshine production and distribution to growing marijuana. Then one family member, Clayton, breaks away from the others to become the County Sheriff. As you can imagine, this career choice doesn’t go down too well.
Tormented Clayton is at the heart of this novel, as he wrestles with the consequences of his life choices and the resultant damaged relationships with his family. Then one day an ATF Agent comes to see him and presents a proposal that forces Clayton to face his issues head-on.
I’ve read someone describe the story telling here as Hillbilly Noir, and I like that. This phrase does seem to capture the mood of the piece: it’s gritty and and in-your-face and yet it carefully paints a picture of country folk finding a way of getting along, of living their lives far removed from what’s going on in the rest of the world. Characters are big and brilliantly brought to life. The dialogue is sharp and spare, yet it feels totally true to how it should be (well, to my mind, at least – that’s to say the mind of someone who’s never been remotely near America’s Deep South).
The story is attention grabbing from the start and whilst I was bothered by the way chapters shuffled forward and back in time, I also realised that this is the best way to spin this yarn whilst protecting the secrets and surprises that lurk below the surface. But, in truth, the non-linear style did spoil the flow of the narrative to an extent and consequently I took longer than I’d have expected to finish it off.
Another point of note is how the woman are treated herein. I can recall four women appearing at various points and they are invariably treated with a mix of distain, physical abuse and mental abuse. It’s not something rang huge alarm bells in my head (this is noir fiction after all) but it does paint a rather stark picture in life in this rural enclave.
Overall, it’s a fine debut from an author who is promising a follow up novel at some point – one I’ll certainly be looking out for.
Set in North Georgia it tells of the Burroughs clan that have grown up on Bull Mountain, an area they protect with a frightening level of devotion and ferocity. The story covers a period from the 1940’s to the present day and we meet three generations of the clan in the telling of the tale. Over the years the family business develops from moonshine production and distribution to growing marijuana. Then one family member, Clayton, breaks away from the others to become the County Sheriff. As you can imagine, this career choice doesn’t go down too well.
Tormented Clayton is at the heart of this novel, as he wrestles with the consequences of his life choices and the resultant damaged relationships with his family. Then one day an ATF Agent comes to see him and presents a proposal that forces Clayton to face his issues head-on.
I’ve read someone describe the story telling here as Hillbilly Noir, and I like that. This phrase does seem to capture the mood of the piece: it’s gritty and and in-your-face and yet it carefully paints a picture of country folk finding a way of getting along, of living their lives far removed from what’s going on in the rest of the world. Characters are big and brilliantly brought to life. The dialogue is sharp and spare, yet it feels totally true to how it should be (well, to my mind, at least – that’s to say the mind of someone who’s never been remotely near America’s Deep South).
The story is attention grabbing from the start and whilst I was bothered by the way chapters shuffled forward and back in time, I also realised that this is the best way to spin this yarn whilst protecting the secrets and surprises that lurk below the surface. But, in truth, the non-linear style did spoil the flow of the narrative to an extent and consequently I took longer than I’d have expected to finish it off.
Another point of note is how the woman are treated herein. I can recall four women appearing at various points and they are invariably treated with a mix of distain, physical abuse and mental abuse. It’s not something rang huge alarm bells in my head (this is noir fiction after all) but it does paint a rather stark picture in life in this rural enclave.
Overall, it’s a fine debut from an author who is promising a follow up novel at some point – one I’ll certainly be looking out for.
May 30, 2024
This was my first venture into Brian Panowich & it Definately won’t be my last, this was an epic read it had everything you’d want in a book like this compelling well written characters that drew me in from the very beginning right through to the reveal that I didn’t see coming at the end, I loved this one & could not put down.
The Burroughs have lived on Bull Mountain for decades dating back to 1949 Waymore Valley Georgia 2015 Clayton now a sheriff controlling what happens on the mountain has something to worry about Special Agent Simon Holly has been building up a case for the last 2 years An outfit set up ⬆️in Jackson Florida which amount other things supplying Clayton’s brother who went rogue & his people supplying a pipeline to make methamphetamine to a guy by the name of Wilcombe who is high on the gravy train.
Lurking is an insider who is against Clayton what is the agenda?
I just loved this book the setting made it even better I have Like Lions to read at a later date highly recommended.
The Burroughs have lived on Bull Mountain for decades dating back to 1949 Waymore Valley Georgia 2015 Clayton now a sheriff controlling what happens on the mountain has something to worry about Special Agent Simon Holly has been building up a case for the last 2 years An outfit set up ⬆️in Jackson Florida which amount other things supplying Clayton’s brother who went rogue & his people supplying a pipeline to make methamphetamine to a guy by the name of Wilcombe who is high on the gravy train.
Lurking is an insider who is against Clayton what is the agenda?
I just loved this book the setting made it even better I have Like Lions to read at a later date highly recommended.
September 2, 2015
I love southern Fiction and Brian Panowich's debut Novel Bull mountain is a compelling read with great suspense and gritty characters.
I have to admit while reading this I decided to download it on audio as well just to enjoy the southern drawl and I loved the audio as it was really good as gave me a wonderful sense of mountain life.
The story is set on Bull Mountain in the Georgia backwoods where the Burrough's clan rule with an iron fist. The family have made their income from the time of running moonshine to the present day meth labs.
The story is told through multiple narrators and it is extremely well written with a fast paced plot.
An easy read and very enjoyable novel.
I have to admit while reading this I decided to download it on audio as well just to enjoy the southern drawl and I loved the audio as it was really good as gave me a wonderful sense of mountain life.
The story is set on Bull Mountain in the Georgia backwoods where the Burrough's clan rule with an iron fist. The family have made their income from the time of running moonshine to the present day meth labs.
The story is told through multiple narrators and it is extremely well written with a fast paced plot.
An easy read and very enjoyable novel.
January 12, 2016
"Nobody bled that didn't need it comin'."I recently finished the best book of the year so far and I want to just clue in as many people as possible. The book is called Bull Mountain and it will be released very soon on July 7th. Read it as soon as you get your hands on it. I would say that it will win awards and all that jazz but we all know that most of the really great ones don't these days...
The book is a look at the Burroughs clan that have ruled their northern Georgia mountain home with an iron fist for generations. Not only does the land on Bull Mountain pass from son to son, but so does the legacy and the mistakes and they affect each generation until it all threatens to blow the family apart once a wayward son decides to make a change. It's a tragedy about a family that must reap what they've sowed throughout the years and face the destiny that they've created.
This story is so well-conceived, it was a joy to read each page and witness each layer of the tale get peeled away to reveal yet another enriching thread in the narrative web. You can tell every aspect of this book was planned out meticulously; everything matters and adds to the story, even down to the smallest detail. It's structure is important too, and while in other books a similar structure might be annoying, it's ingenious here. The author jumps back and forth between multiple eras, different POV's, and the different generations of the Burroughs family in a non-linear narrative where each chapter cleverly provides perspective and a frame of reference for the parts that precede it and follow it.
You'll probably read a lot of praise about this book throughout the year, and I'm here to tell you it's all warranted. If I had a gripe, it would be that I wish that the ending was a bit more tragic, but the book is so great as it is, that I don't really care. I can go on and on about how excellent this book is and how not only is it the best that I've read so far this year but it's one of the best that I've read in a long time. But please, just read it and see for yourself. And did I forget to mention that this is a debut novel? I'll be damned...
April 13, 2020
4.5 Stars
Rules of law don't apply here with this Clan who rule Bull Mountain in North Georgia by their own code. For years the Burroughs have used intimidation and cruelty to rule over the mountain with their crimes. Sons become like Fathers until Clayton, the youngest son, breaks away and is now the sheriff. A federal agent wants his help to shut down the mountain that is now run by Clayton's brother. It's brother against brother, and things start to turn ugly here when family loyalties are tested.
The story is dark, gritty, full of tension and unforgettable with twists that come fast and furious. The characters are cold-hearted and mean as snakes. The violence is brutal and Brian Panowich holds nothing back, but once I started reading this one, there was no turning back. I was invested in our likeable hero Clayton's conflict, his struggles with his demons and rooting for him to take on his brother and come out the winner. I was drawn into the deep-rooted setting that didn't only feel like a character but also created dynamics between the land and the characters.
The story goes back and forth through time, and there are a few characters to keep track of here. At times a bit confusing for me to keep track of who is who, but it's a compelling way to add layers to the history with the family from generation to generation. Brian Panowich doesn't leave out the women in the family and they are strong characters here that add depth to the story as well.
The pace is fast right up to that heart-stopping ending that had me needing to practice my breathing. Once I started breathing normally again I dived right into Like Lions. I highly recommend it.
Rules of law don't apply here with this Clan who rule Bull Mountain in North Georgia by their own code. For years the Burroughs have used intimidation and cruelty to rule over the mountain with their crimes. Sons become like Fathers until Clayton, the youngest son, breaks away and is now the sheriff. A federal agent wants his help to shut down the mountain that is now run by Clayton's brother. It's brother against brother, and things start to turn ugly here when family loyalties are tested.
The story is dark, gritty, full of tension and unforgettable with twists that come fast and furious. The characters are cold-hearted and mean as snakes. The violence is brutal and Brian Panowich holds nothing back, but once I started reading this one, there was no turning back. I was invested in our likeable hero Clayton's conflict, his struggles with his demons and rooting for him to take on his brother and come out the winner. I was drawn into the deep-rooted setting that didn't only feel like a character but also created dynamics between the land and the characters.
The story goes back and forth through time, and there are a few characters to keep track of here. At times a bit confusing for me to keep track of who is who, but it's a compelling way to add layers to the history with the family from generation to generation. Brian Panowich doesn't leave out the women in the family and they are strong characters here that add depth to the story as well.
The pace is fast right up to that heart-stopping ending that had me needing to practice my breathing. Once I started breathing normally again I dived right into Like Lions. I highly recommend it.
August 22, 2015
Duck into Lucky's. It's the only bar in town. Careful, though. If you aren't known there, you are apt to catch a whole room full of stink-eye from the regulars. You might espy Scabby Mike or Big Joe Dooley in there if you are brave enough to look around.
This is a story of the bonds of kith and kin, love of the land, treachery, and backwoods justice. Generations of the Burroughs clan have been savvy enough to morph with the times up there on Bull Mountain. From moonshine to marijuana to meth, business is thriving and they have guns aplenty to protect their interests.
I have a feeling this new author is going to go far. Fantastic debut.
This is a story of the bonds of kith and kin, love of the land, treachery, and backwoods justice. Generations of the Burroughs clan have been savvy enough to morph with the times up there on Bull Mountain. From moonshine to marijuana to meth, business is thriving and they have guns aplenty to protect their interests.
I have a feeling this new author is going to go far. Fantastic debut.
February 9, 2017
I'm just going to echo Alona's review. I know this isn't what my GR friends normally read, but please, oh please, oh please, let this be the exception. This was incredible. Bikers, strippers, moonshiners and meth-heads all rolled up into a family saga of Shakespearean revenge. READ THIS BOOK!
October 15, 2019
Fair warning, this is a very violent book and there were times at the beginning I thought about not finishing it. But it’s also a very well written book with some great characters. Once I got over the violence, I found myself devoting extra time to listening to it.
Clayton is the sheriff of a small community in Northern Georgia. What makes this unique is that his family has run a large criminal operation on Bull Mountain for generations, first making money from moonshine before moving into pot and meth. So, when a federal agent from the ATF shows up and wants to shut down the family operations, Clayton has some hard decisions to make.
We not only get the current story, but the story of his father and grandfather. These are not good men. They are willing to kill or maim anyone that stands in their path, including other family members, friends and neighbors. There’s domestic violence and racism. Even Clayton struggles with his demons and doesn’t always win.
There are some great twists in the story I never saw coming. Anymore, it’s rare for an author to be able to surprise me but Panowich caught me off guard time after time.
If you don’t mind your stories dark and gruesome, then I highly recommend this book. Trowel does a great job narrating and differentiating the voices.
And the best news I got was finding out there’s a second book in the series.
May 22, 2019
Gritty, in your face, and down and dirty are often words to describe a novel such as the one Jan and I read. We were constantly amazed how the author kept throwing in scenarios that tuned this family saga into something special, something we both found utterly fascinating and definitely one of those books we can refer to as "unputdownable".
Don't go near Bull Mountains for it belongs to the Burroughs's family. Invested with genes for the nasty, the evil, and the dangerous, the men of the family from the grandfather on down to his sons and grandsons bring their kind of dark and malevolent forces into play as they deal with the nefarious activities of initially moonshine running, which morphed into growing marijuana, and then to making meth. This is not a family you want to mess with, and all are very aware of the goings on that occur on the mountain and yet there seems little that can be done to stop what some might call a mountain of terror.
All the brothers are bad that is all except one, Clayton, who breaks the mold and becomes a lawman much to the anger and hatred of his family. Add into all this is a federal agent who seems to be hot on the trail to shutting down the Burroughs and enlisting the help of Clayton.
Things turn and twist and the evil side of the family is shown so well by the vile character, Halford. This is a family that has no redeeming value, no morals, and no qualms about killing to justify getting what they think they deserve. Don't mess with the mountain for it is theirs and no one can enter their realm unscathed and that includes your brother.
Told with a wonderful flair for straight on story telling, this book kept piling on the characters, the twists, and ultimately the idea that family no matter how bad always has ties that bind.
This is a book definitely recommended and Jan and I both can't wait to tear into the next in the series, Like Lions.
To see our duo reviews and the author's words about himself, you can go here: http://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpress...
Don't go near Bull Mountains for it belongs to the Burroughs's family. Invested with genes for the nasty, the evil, and the dangerous, the men of the family from the grandfather on down to his sons and grandsons bring their kind of dark and malevolent forces into play as they deal with the nefarious activities of initially moonshine running, which morphed into growing marijuana, and then to making meth. This is not a family you want to mess with, and all are very aware of the goings on that occur on the mountain and yet there seems little that can be done to stop what some might call a mountain of terror.
All the brothers are bad that is all except one, Clayton, who breaks the mold and becomes a lawman much to the anger and hatred of his family. Add into all this is a federal agent who seems to be hot on the trail to shutting down the Burroughs and enlisting the help of Clayton.
Things turn and twist and the evil side of the family is shown so well by the vile character, Halford. This is a family that has no redeeming value, no morals, and no qualms about killing to justify getting what they think they deserve. Don't mess with the mountain for it is theirs and no one can enter their realm unscathed and that includes your brother.
Told with a wonderful flair for straight on story telling, this book kept piling on the characters, the twists, and ultimately the idea that family no matter how bad always has ties that bind.
This is a book definitely recommended and Jan and I both can't wait to tear into the next in the series, Like Lions.
To see our duo reviews and the author's words about himself, you can go here: http://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpress...
February 3, 2017
4★
What do Wiley Cash, C. J. Box, Tom Franklin, and John Connolly all have in common beyond careers in writing? They all wrote mini blurbs praising this debut novel.
The author was a traveling musician for twelve years then moved to East Georgia and became a full time fireman before writing this story—Say what?
Cooper, Gareth, and Halford are definitely channeling Chigurh from No Country For Old Men. If families like the Burroughs exist in real life Somewhere USA, could Homeland Security please tell Donald Trump where the real threats need wall containment? Yes indeed, you will be hearing banjo music by the end of the first chapter so get ready to paddle fast through the pages.
An I-could-not-put-it-down thriller that had all the bells and whistles plus a kitchen sink of a twisted ending thrown in without the over-the-top incredulity and readers-intelligence-bashing all too common in this genre. Unlike many books that lose thrust in the middle, this one kept getting more compelling. I would have preferred he left off the last page and a half which were like bones thrown to the reader to satisfy cravings for some Southern comfort. It would have had a truer ringtone without it and maintained the chill factor but after all the hard core violence others might disagree. Friends bequeathed 4 and 5 stars across the board for this one, and deservedly so.
What do Wiley Cash, C. J. Box, Tom Franklin, and John Connolly all have in common beyond careers in writing? They all wrote mini blurbs praising this debut novel.
The author was a traveling musician for twelve years then moved to East Georgia and became a full time fireman before writing this story—Say what?
Cooper, Gareth, and Halford are definitely channeling Chigurh from No Country For Old Men. If families like the Burroughs exist in real life Somewhere USA, could Homeland Security please tell Donald Trump where the real threats need wall containment? Yes indeed, you will be hearing banjo music by the end of the first chapter so get ready to paddle fast through the pages.
An I-could-not-put-it-down thriller that had all the bells and whistles plus a kitchen sink of a twisted ending thrown in without the over-the-top incredulity and readers-intelligence-bashing all too common in this genre. Unlike many books that lose thrust in the middle, this one kept getting more compelling. I would have preferred he left off the last page and a half which were like bones thrown to the reader to satisfy cravings for some Southern comfort. It would have had a truer ringtone without it and maintained the chill factor but after all the hard core violence others might disagree. Friends bequeathed 4 and 5 stars across the board for this one, and deservedly so.
August 31, 2018
"Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell!" W. Shakespeare, Othello, Act 3, Sc. 3
"Resentment is like drinking poison in the hope it will kill your enemy."
A thunderous novel about the Burroughs clan on Bull Mountain in north Georgia. Younger brother has tried to clean up and be respectable as sheriff in an adjacent county, while his elder brother still runs the family "business," a merciless production/distribution network (in the Southeast U.S.) of moonshine, then marijuana, and now meth.
Mr. Panowich brilliantly constructed this novel such that unexpected events shake things up to make this a tense and magnetic story of a violent, venomous, vengeful family.
"Resentment is like drinking poison in the hope it will kill your enemy."
A thunderous novel about the Burroughs clan on Bull Mountain in north Georgia. Younger brother has tried to clean up and be respectable as sheriff in an adjacent county, while his elder brother still runs the family "business," a merciless production/distribution network (in the Southeast U.S.) of moonshine, then marijuana, and now meth.
Mr. Panowich brilliantly constructed this novel such that unexpected events shake things up to make this a tense and magnetic story of a violent, venomous, vengeful family.
February 26, 2016
Beware of Spoilers!
Do you like that what-goes-around-comes around story with neat phrases,hopeless diehards,and superb episodes?
Welcome to Bull Mountain,where every drama started and came to a powerful end.
It seems like just another story of a fearless clan against the police over protection of their sacred place full of illegal activities.
Well,it may be good enough,but what if the police have inside a member of the clan,and a marvelick with a vengeful past?Who is against who for what?This is the juicy part that makes the story more gripping.
Spare this gem a few days,and you’re guaranteed to have a great read.
Do you like that what-goes-around-comes around story with neat phrases,hopeless diehards,and superb episodes?
Welcome to Bull Mountain,where every drama started and came to a powerful end.
It seems like just another story of a fearless clan against the police over protection of their sacred place full of illegal activities.
Well,it may be good enough,but what if the police have inside a member of the clan,and a marvelick with a vengeful past?Who is against who for what?This is the juicy part that makes the story more gripping.
Spare this gem a few days,and you’re guaranteed to have a great read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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