... as dark and brooding a slice of rural noir that one is likely to encounter this year, an engrossing read that is impossible to digest quickly enough ... complete in itself, but a question (or two) is left hanging at the conclusion. It does resolve one issue that is more or less unstated; some will see it coming and may even predict the outcome. Even if that is the case, this novel is a dark and violent ride that will make your hair stand on end in spots as Panowich slowly and inexorably ratchets up the suspense quotient to 11. He does this without sacrificing plot or character development ... Panowich has the rare ability to make each character, even the most minor ones, well-defined and unforgettable.
Brian Panowich makes a triumphant return to Bull Mountain, Georgia, in his second novel, Like Lions, as he continues to mix crime fiction with a violent family drama, perfectly melding characters with a sense of place ... Clayton's complicated persona forms the heart of this enthralling story. Violence erupts frequently, yet Panowich never uses it gratuitously ... Like Lions" moves at a brisk clip, leading to a stunning, yet believable, finale.
Brian Panowich finally delivers a sequel that was worth waiting for ... Panowich skillfully mixes in a number of touching scenes and moments...creating incredible balance throughout...the heart of the story isn’t in the tone or message, but rather the characters, as Panowich continues to create a memorable, relatable cast and shows that he knows how to get the most out of his characters ... creating the type of hypnotic, page-turning experience that doesn’t come around too often. Dark, raw, and honest, Brian Panowich’s Like Lions is a beautifully written, powerful crime thriller that’ll have readers begging for more.
Panowich is a terrific storyteller with a way with words. Clayton’s mountain, he muses, is 'a wheel of tragedy that never stops rolling.' Fine country noir.
