Long Way Gone

Martin (When Crickets Cry) crafts a playful, enticing tale of a modern prodigal son. Told as a memoir, the novel begins in the middle of Cooper O’Connor’s story as he struggles to get his life together on the streets and in the bars of Leadville, Colo. Twenty-five years earlier, at the age of 18, he left his father’s home in a fit of anger, taking everything his father loved—including himself. As he seeks to make his way in music, he finds himself gaining popularity and falling hard for budding star Daley Cross. But when tragedy strikes and strips him of his singing abilities, Cooper finds himself alone and full of regret. After his accident, the fear of his impending death forces him to give up the one thing he holds dearer than his songs: Daley Cross. Only after he is broken does he begin to look up, and he searches for the father who never gave up on him. Now middle-aged, Cooper is struck by memories when he sees Daley Cross alone and battered on a street corner. Given a chance at life, Cooper must decide to take the leap and tell Daley the truth before his time runs out. Agent: Chris Ferebee, Christopher Ferebee Agency (Oct.)