Tag Archives: kentucky

Epsiode 163: Interview with Wes Browne, author of They All Fall the Same

April 23, 2025Author Interviewappalachia, crooked lane books, hillbilly hustle, kentucky, matt godfrey, they all fall the same, wes brownetopshelfatmerricklibrary

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.

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Episode 96 : Interview with Geraldine Brooks author of Horse

June 13, 2022Author InterviewAmerican Historical Fiction, art, Geraldine Brooks, Horse, kentucky, penguin random house, people of the book, pulitzer prize winner, race, slavery, Viking Presstopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Horse isn’t just an animal story—it’s a moving narrative about race and art.”
—TIME

A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, Pulitzer Prize winner G eraldine Brooks braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and racial injustice across American history. Horse is a fascinating and richly compelling story that I could not put down.

What a thrill and honor to host Geraldine Brooks for this episode. We talked about the greatest racehorse of all time, the Kentucky Derby, bone articulation (trust me) and what she’s working on next and our love for The Overstory by Richard Powers. Place you hold here for all work by the fabulous Geraldine Brooks!

Geraldine Brooks recommends: The Overstory by Richard Powers

Follow her on Twitter: @geraldinebrooks and on Facebook @GeraldineBrooks

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Episode 70: Interview with Isla Morley

August 23, 2021Author InterviewAmerican Historical Fiction, Author Interview, blue people, Book Discussion, book discussions, Isla Morley, kentucky, Pegasus Books, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, wpatopshelfatmerricklibrary

In this luminous historical fiction narrative inspired by the fascinating real case of the Blue People of Kentucky, Isla Morley probes questions of identity, love, and family in her breathtaking new novel.

In 1937, there are recesses in Appalachia no outsiders have ever explored. Two government-sponsored documentarians from Ohio, a writer and photographer are dispatched to penetrate this wilderness and record what they find for President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. For photographer Clay Havens, the assignment is his last chance to reboot his flagging career. So when he and his journalist partner are warned away from the remote Spooklight Holler outside of town, they set off eagerly in search of a headline story.

I was hooked from the first page, second sentence. Morley’s prose is luminous indeed and I was thrilled to host her for this episode. A must read and book club gold. Can’t thank her enough for joining me.

Isla Morley recommends, The Body by Bill Bryson; Leaving Coy’s Hill by Katherine Sherbrooke; How to Fly by Barbara Kingsolver

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