Nothing but the bones

The vivid fourth installment (after Hard Cash Valley) of Panowich's series set in McFalls County, Ga., follows a criminal enforcer on the lam. In 1989, 16-year-old Nelson McKenna is confronted by a pair of bullies. Clayton Burroughs, son of drug kingpin Gareth Burroughs, intervenes on Nelson's behalf, and one of the attackers ends up dead. Gareth cleans up the mess, but in return, forces Nelson (whom he nicknames "Nails") to start working for him. Ten years later, Nails is collecting contraband for Gareth at a bar when he interrupts a man sexually assaulting a woman in the bathroom. In the chaos that ensues, Nails's crew kills the woman's assailant. Gareth refuses to cover for Nails this time, and sends him to hide out in Florida. On his way out of town, he links up with the woman he defended, who tells him her name is Dallas Georgia, and the two develop an emotional connection. Meanwhile, Alex Price, brother of the man Nails's crew killed, grows hell-bent on revenge. Panowich keeps readers on their toes all the way through, and anchors his well-executed plot reversals in Nails and Dallas's tender feelings for each other. It's another standout Southern noir from Panowich. (Apr.)

In this prequel to Panowich's earlier novels about McFalls County, Georgia, we learn that Clayton Burroughs, who's shunted into a supporting role here, led an eventful life before becoming sheriff. Nelson McKenna's always had it tough. Born with a deformed hand and a cloudy mind and regularly beaten by his father, he had precious few friends in high school, where his sudden, violent turn against a bully brought him into uncomfortably close contact with Gareth Burroughs, Clayton's wealthy, unscrupulous father, who's willing to do anything to protect his extensive interests. When Nelson, now known simply as Nails, senses a dispute between patrons of Tuten's Chute, the bar where he works, he lashes out again, this time leaving Robbie Price dead. Given $8,000 in traveling money and promised a safe landing by Gareth's agents if he makes it to Jacksonville, he takes it on the lam with Dallas Georgia, the girl he rescued. Their modern-day odyssey, revolving around a relationship that unfolds in unexpected ways, is further complicated by the fact that both Robbie's brother, attorney Alex Price, and Nails' old friend Clayton are searching for him with very different goals in mind. Clayton's hunt puts him clearly at odds with his father, who's protecting Nails for reasons of his own and only up to a point. The familiar story of fugitives on the run is intensified by the contrast between Nails' mental challenges, which combined with his hulking stature make other people see him as a monster, and his essential sweetness. A moving, deeply felt take on Bonnie and Clyde whose inexorable trajectory still allows room for plenty of twists. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.