crooked lane books | Top Shelf with Carol Ann Tack

“Jason Allison’s debut crime novel, The Killing Yards, hits like a high-octane James Ellroy/Michael Mann cocktail. Allison’s sure hand guides us through a claustrophobic Gotham on the brink of massive change. Sin, corruption, bad choices—all the dirty, divine terrain is well-covered. The Killing Yards is blunt, forceful, and explosive. Get your top-shelf noir fix here.”
—William Boyle, author of Saint of the Narrows Street and Heavy Sugar

Top Shelf indeed, William Boyle, Top Shelf indeed.

So I did just that and invited Jason Allison onto the show – and this conversation is not to be missed. Jason Allison, a former NYPD homicide detective, talks about his gritty NYC crime drama, The Killing Yards. Set in 1993, the novel is a tale of manners and morals, questionable loyalties, intense ambition, and dark, explosive criminal activity. In this episode, Jason shares some of his early reading influences (no spoilers!), gives us insight into the routes and reasons behind crime, talks about what makes anti-heroes so compelling, and shares advice he received from author Don Winslow.

Jason also offers some terrific book recommendations. Give this NYC-focused conversation a listen. From Brooklyn to the Bronx, thanks for joining me, Jason!

Authors discussed: S.A.Cosby; Don Winslow, Karl Ove Knausgard. Jason recommends: Astronaut by Oana Aristide; The Disappearers by Marlon James; Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke; They All Fall the Same by Wes Browne.

Check out my Top Shelf conversation with Wes Browne here.

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They All Fall the Same by Wes Browne has already made waves, earning a spot as one of Goodreads’ biggest mysteries and thrillers of 2025 and a most anticipated book of the year by Book Riot’s Read or Dead. Author Kelly J. Ford raves, “The hills of Kentucky burn in this thrilling tale of warring crime families that harks back to the furies of the Hatfields and McCoys.”

In this episode, Wes joins me to discuss his gripping character development, the art of crafting suspenseful action scenes, and how his experience as a criminal defense attorney helped shape characters that feel intensely real.

This novel is a fast-paced, runaway train of a story—packed with twists, surprises, and high-stakes action that kept me on the edge of my seat. And the audiobook narrated by Matt Godfrey? Pure dynamite. You won’t want to miss either version of They All Fall the Same.

Wes Browne recommends: Trampoline by Robert Gipe; When We Were Hardcore by Linda Michel-Cassidy; Asides by George Singleton; King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby, the work of David Joy; the work of Leah Hampton.

Place your hold for both Wes Browne titles here.