Thinking about wintertime hunkering down with a good book? Good idea! But the literary world offers more to appreciate than cozy evenings reading in your armchair. A prime example is found at 3rd Turn Brewing in Jeffersontown. The thriller/historical fiction author James Markert has established an informal institution there, called “Book Social,” for author events, book sales, etc. Check out its Facebook group site or go to 3rd Turn’s website events page.
And by all means consider what is going on with its mid-January event as part of celebrating Kentucky author Wes Browne’s new addition to bookshelves. This will be practically a summit meeting, with Markert hosting, Browne as proud papa launching his second novel “They All Fall the Same,” and conversation with the novelist and Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House.
Browne cuts a unique figure in Kentucky letters. For decades a lawyer, and at times a purveyor of pizza — the latter was fictionalized with entertaining, darkish humor in his first novel, “Hillbilly Hustle.” But his professional life has prepared this author well to incorporate matters of the drug trade and family businesses into a purer strain of Appalachian noir that juices up his new work.
The “They” who fall are members of two families dominated by large-scale criminal enterprises in the center of the commonwealth. One, making up the primary narrative focus, is splintering from its center—a marijuana farmer who has a large payroll, local law enforcement in his pocket, and relatives whose diversity and dysfunction spike up his temper.
The opposition is a tighter family unit, dealing in heroin and not caring that when they increase the fentanyl content in their product there’s also an increase in ODs. A combination of poor choices and simple mistakes leads to a war between the kingpins’ organizations. And Browne knows how to get readers involved in the strategies, logistics, and law enforcement/legal maneuvers with thought and emotion. He doesn’t overplay these, though. And the characters who might become collateral damage are treated with the same understanding, but sympathy for them doesn’t come at the cost of understanding everyone’s got baggage and demands.
Characterization is consistently realistic and well-rounded with Browne’s work. But the author knows how much emphasis he wants to put into his tale’s appeal as a page-turner. He doesn’t speak at great length to the turns made by, or put upon, souls under the straits of modern Appalachia as might be found with House, or David Joy. And S.A. Cosby may now be the leading figure for mixing personal desperation with rural action.
But Browne’s delivered a novel that grabs with its combination of violent dramatics and unstoppable readability. And it’ll be introduced to attendees of the Book Social event with compelling discussion where you can learn more about today’s Kentucky literary scene.
Book Social at 3rd Turn Brewing
Wednesday, Jan. 15
7 p.m.
10408 Watterson Trail
Wesbrowneauthor.com
This article appears in Dec 18, 2024 – Jan 16, 2025.