The End of the Road is a bloody, gripping crime novel with original quirky characters. Recommended for readers who enjoy original crime writing with characters who pull readers into their own world of crime.

There are three storylines that are intertwined together with it all centering around a small town in Ohio. First Myles who has just been released from prison after taking the fall for an armed robbery where he was the getaway driver. Two days after he is released, he is shot in retaliation for his testimony against the ringleader Pryor. With Myles is in the hospital his girlfriend plots revenge. Pryor and the rest of his gang are plotting their next bank robbery and finally there is Deputy J.P. who is trying to follow in his father's footsteps a father who was a Sheriff in Darbytown. With a slow burn all three worlds will collide with a pretty good amount of action. I would rate this 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Myles was only out of prison one day when Pryor shot him because he refused to drive for a bank robbery. Pryor was a bully before he turned criminal, and he doesn't hesitate to leave bodies behind. Now, with Myles in critical condition in the hospital, and Pryor planning his next moves, Myles' partner, Penny, is desperate. She knows that she, Myles, and their son will never be safe as long as Pryor is alive. While Pryor terrorizes witnesses, and heads to a farmhouse in rural Ohio, Penny tracks him, threatening her brother-in-law and a worker in an ice cream shop, while saving the life of a prostitute. The scenes Penny leaves behind aren't pretty, but she's determined. Although a deputy sheriff, J.P., stumbles on Pryor's hideout, it's a desperate Penny who saves the injured deputy, and does whatever she can to take down Pryor.

The viewpoints of Pryor, J.P. and Penny are featured, but it's the single-minded character of Penny that stands out. The author of the Andy Hayes mysteries separates his gritty rural noir from other books by featuring a woman who isn't a cop or detective as she tracks the villain in this violent story.

An excellent, if not unique, take on the genre. When a bank robber serves his time, he’s the only one who does. Upon release, he feels the need to be compensated. Doesn’t happen. Instead he once again becomes a victim. Working through his situation becomes an excellent adventure.

Told from three main perspectives, Pryor, Penny and JP. A knock out crime novel that goes bare knuckle toe to toe to final scenes. Welsh-Huggins nails the Southern Ohio crime vibe with sleazy characters and characters that want to revenge or just do right. Fabulous if you enjoy crime dark noir. Prefect for James Salis or Donald Ray Pollack fans.