The Far Empty

The Far Empty follows seventeen-year-old Caleb Ross and newly arrived Deputy Chris Cherry as they navigate life in the remote Texas border town of Murfee. The two become linked by their suspicions about the local sheriff, Stanford "Judge" Ross - Caleb's father - and the disappearance of Caleb's mother nearly a year ago. Set against the stark backdrop of Big Bend country, the story builds through multiple perspectives as Deputy Cherry investigates both a recent murder and the cold case of a Mexican girl found in the desert. The brutal landscape serves as more than scenery, shaping the actions and choices of those who inhabit this unforgiving territory. In his debut novel, J. Todd Scott draws from his experience as a DEA agent to create a world where the lines between law and lawlessness blur. The narrative explores themes of corruption, loyalty, and the weight of family bonds in a place where survival often demands compromise.

Readers describe The Far Empty as a dark, slow-burning crime novel that captures the atmosphere of West Texas. Many compare Scott's writing style to Cormac McCarthy and Craig Johnson. Readers appreciated: - Authentic portrayal of small-town Texas law enforcement (Scott is a DEA agent) - Rich descriptions of the desert landscape - Complex character development - Multiple viewpoint narratives that build tension Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the first third - Too many characters to track initially - Some found the ending rushed - Occasional overwritten passages Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (430+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (50+ ratings) "The stark beauty and harshness of the Texas borderland becomes a character itself," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review criticized that "the plot meanders too much before finding its footing around page 150."

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🌵 Author J. Todd Scott draws from his real-life experience as a DEA Agent in West Texas to create authentic details about law enforcement operations and border dynamics in the novel. 🏜️ The book's setting, Murfee County, Texas, is fictional but based on several actual counties along the Texas-Mexico border where Scott worked during his career. 🌟 This was J. Todd Scott's debut novel, published in 2016 after he spent more than 20 years working in law enforcement while nurturing his writing aspirations. 📚 The Far Empty is the first book in a series called "The Texas Border Series," followed by "High White Sun" and "This Side of Night." 🔍 Scott wrote much of the novel while working overnight surveillance shifts as a DEA Agent, using the quiet hours to develop his characters and plot.