Jo’s Weekend Read: November Road by Lou Berney

Lou Berney’s new novel, November Road, is going to be one of my favorite books of 2018.

The Oklahoma native weaves a spine-tingling story set in the weeks after the John F. Kennedy assassination that is both thriller and love story. His two main characters, Frank and Charlotte, are wonderfully complex, likeable and courageous. Both are on the run, hoping for second chances. Frank hits the road when he realizes his mob boss wants him dead. Charlotte takes off with her two little girls to escape an unfulfilling life with an alcoholic husband. When their paths cross, they realize they can benefit from helping each other. Berney’s exquisite writing goes from sweet to humorous to tense within a few pages. Charlotte’s adorable daughters offer comic relief while Barone, the menacing hitman, ramps up the suspense.

November Road is receiving well-deserved accolades, including starred reviews from the big book reviewers, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus and Booklist. The novel has been optioned for a movie by renowned filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan, who will write and direct the film, according to Deadline Hollywood.

Berney’s previous novel, Long and Faraway Gone, is a terrific thriller that won numerous awards, including the 2016 Edgar, Anthony, Macavity and Barry. I anticipate November Road will be up for many awards in 2019 because it is an outstanding book. Highly recommended.