Only Killers and Thieves

"Howarth's impressive debut is a Wild West saga transported to 19th-century Queensland, Australian. The story deals unflinchingly with the brutality of Australian rule...but the heart of the story is the complicated relationship between the brothers...While this book has a historical point to make, it also works as a suspenseful mystery and a resonant bildungsroman." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Powerful debut...the novel feels like a modern Western along the lines of Cormac McCarthy's All the Pretty Horses. Howarth's narrative is almost cinematic...U.S. readers will make the connection with our country's oppression of Native Americans and gain an understanding of the fundamental racism of both former British colonies...Howarth is a novelist to watch." - Library Journal, starred review "A gripping novel about conflict in the Australian outback at the turn of the century; beautifully done." - Paulette Jiles, New York Times Bestselling Author of NEWS OF THE WORLD, National Book Award Finalist

"I couldn't put Only Killers and Thieves down. It does what great Westerns do, it drops you inside the ugliness and chaos of Australian frontier life, it educates and horrifies, but also it entertains. Howarth's debut is a powerhouse page turner." - Willy Vlautin, author of Lean on Pete

"Devastating and impressive debut...Howarth skillfully uses the fraying relationship between the two brothers-Billy embraces vigilantism with vengeful zeal, while Tommy is revolted by both the carnage and its effect on his brother-to illustrate the moral issues at the heart of his story. The narrative is empowered further by his searing descriptions of the outback, a drought-ridden landscape of desiccation and death that provides a backdrop as bleak and merciless as the characters who move against it." - Publishers Weekly

"Howarth manages to infuse the old tropes with a depth of emotion and moral complication that will stay with readers long after closing the book." - BookPage

"Rich in character and period atmosphere, this effective blend of family saga and historical mystery will please fans of Jeffrey Archer and Wilbur Smith." - Booklist

"Everywhere alive with vivid evocations of a landscape as punishing as it is beautiful and vibrant characters who would be just as at home in Blood Meridian or Butcher's Crossing, Only Killers and Thieves compels and convinces from the start. This is a thrilling book and Paul Howarth a writer of tremendous talent." - Laird Hunt, author of The Evening