The Long and Faraway Gone

The Long and Faraway Gone follows two parallel stories set in Oklahoma City, centered on unsolved crimes from 1986. Private investigator Wyatt Rivers returns to his hometown to work a case, while nurse Julianna searches for answers about her sister's disappearance - both confronting memories they've tried to escape. The narrative alternates between Wyatt and Julianna's perspectives as they conduct their separate investigations in modern-day Oklahoma. Their paths occasionally intersect as they navigate the present while grappling with questions that have haunted them for decades. Berney crafts a suspense novel that operates on multiple levels - part cold-case mystery, part character study. The book earned major recognition in the mystery genre, winning the 2016 Edgar, Anthony, and Macavity Awards for Best Paperback Original. The novel explores the lasting impact of trauma and the complex relationship between memory, truth, and closure. It raises questions about whether some mysteries are meant to remain unsolved, and how people carry on in the wake of life-changing events.

Most readers found this book combined a compelling mystery with deep character studies of two people haunted by trauma. Reviews highlight Berney's skill at weaving together parallel narratives while maintaining emotional resonance. What readers liked: - Authentic portrayal of Oklahoma City and its history - Complex, flawed characters dealing with unresolved grief - Quality of writing, especially dialogue - Balance between mystery elements and psychological depth What readers disliked: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Some found the parallel stories disconnected - Unresolved plot elements - Too many coincidences in the mystery Ratings: Goodreads: 3.95/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (1,400+ ratings) Representative review: "The characters' obsessions feel real and earned. Not just another crime novel - it's about the weight of surviving when others didn't." - Goodreads reviewer Barnes & Noble readers gave it 4.1/5, with multiple reviews praising the authentic Oklahoma City setting.

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🔍 The novel won multiple prestigious awards including the Edgar Award, Macavity Award, and Anthony Award in 2016. 🎬 The movie theater massacre in the book was loosely inspired by a real 1978 robbery at the Sirloin Stockade restaurant in Oklahoma City where six employees were killed. 🎡 Lou Berney grew up in Oklahoma City and drew extensively from his childhood memories of the State Fair to create authentic atmospheric details in the novel. 🏙️ The book captures Oklahoma City's transformation before and after the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, though this event isn't central to the plot. 📚 Before writing crime novels, Berney was a screenwriter in Hollywood and wrote scripts for film and television, which influenced his cinematic storytelling style.