Lou Berney teaches writing at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University. He is a television and film screen writer. His first book, “Gutshot Straight” was a Barry Award nominee and on Booklists’ Ten Best Debut Crime Novels of 2010. His second book, “Whiplash River,” I reviewed. It was nominated for both the 2013 Edgar and Anthony Awards. Both of these novels were funny crime mysteries featuring Charles “Shake” Bouchon, a professional wheel man.

“The Long and Faraway Gone,” is a departure from the previous novels and characters. This is a literary mystery that focuses on the lives of two survivors. Wyatt, now a private investigator, was the only one spared in a movie-theater massacre where six employees were murdered in an armed robbery. The other survivor is Julianna, whose beautiful sister left her at a fair and was never heard from again.

While the book solves these two mysteries, the story focuses on the lives of these two survivors. Will solving the mysteries free the survivors from the psychological trauma? Is there anything that can stop the pain?

The story is compelling and dark.

Five stars out of five.
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In accordance with the FTC guidelines for reviewers, I would like to clarify that this book was provided to me by the publisher free of charge.  I am not compensated by the author or publisher for my review.  All they expect is an honest review of the work.