Gods of Howl Mountain
Ratings1
Average rating5
15
Ratings1
Average rating5
Bootlegger Rory Docherty has returned home to the fabled mountain of his childhood - a misty wilderness that holds its secrets close and keeps the outside world at gunpoint. Slowed by a wooden leg and haunted by memories of the Korean War, Rory runs bootleg whiskey for a powerful mountain clan in a retro-fitted '40 Ford coupe. Between deliveries to roadhouses, brothels, and private clients, he lives with his formidable grandmother, evades federal agents, and stokes the wrath of a rival runner.
Reviews with the most likes.
What kind of story is Gods of Howl Mountain? Think Robert Mitchum's Thunder Road. But, on steroids and twice as complex. We get violence, moonshine running, and deep dark secrets in a gritty story set in the North Carolina mountain country in the 1950s. It has some great characters. I was especially taken by Granny May – one tough lady who has lived through some really hard times.
The publisher's introduction will tell you the basics. Read that first.
I did not expect the literary quality of the story. Taylor Brown's writing is rich, lyrical, and thought provoking. I listened to the audio version. Mark Bramhall's narration is very good – one of the best I have listened to and perfect for the story.
4+ stars for the story and 5 stars for the narration; so, 4.5 stars rounded up.
