The Last Few Miles of Road: A Carter McCoy Novel

by Eric Beetner

When Carter McCoy learns he hasn’t got long to live, it’s time to take care of something he has wanted to do for years – kill the man responsible for his daughter’s death. But Carter has no experience killing, and isn’t even sure he can do it.

Breanna needs to escape her toxic home life, or end up living a life of regret. When she happens upon the old man with a rifle, she sees a light at the end of her dark tunnel. Carter may be the answer to her problems, if he lives long enough to help her.

Carter is a man on borrowed time, and what he does with the rest of it could change who he has been his whole life. With the police closing in one step ahead of death, Carter has the opportunity to change Breanna’s life and give her the chance his daughter never had. With his trusty dog, Chester, at his side, Carter’s last act will be the one that defines who he is.

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2024

About the author

BIO:
Eric Beetner has been hailed as “the new maestro of noir,” by Ken Bruen and “The 21st Century’s answer to Jim Thompson” by LitReactor.
He has written more than 2 dozen novels and his short stories has been featured in over 30 anthologies and along the way he’s been nominated for an ITW award, a Shamus, Derringer and three Anthony awards. He’s won none of them.
Novels include There and Back, All The Way Down, Two In The Head, Rumrunners, The Devil Doesn't Want Me and many more.
For more visit ericbeetner.com

Reviews

[Jim Thomsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beetner’s best yet

As lean and fast-paced as his others, but with deeper characterizations and a relaxed, lived-in feel that doesn’t depend on a constant surge of adrenaline. This self-described “pulp hack” is leveling up: if he was a Day Keene or a Harry Whittington before, he’s now a Charles Williams.

[Lyle Boylen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beetner has written a pretty great novel here. Hopefully we will see Carter McCoy in the future, but it will have to be the near future.

[Scott Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Beetner has a new book? Of course I read it. And it was fantastic. Loved the story, the characters and the writing. And with that ending, I am looking forward to more Carter McCoy.

[Teresa Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Few Miles of Road
Eric Beetner
A Carter McCoy Novel
February 26, 2024

Bouchercon 2024 opened my eyes to so many new authors. Eric Beetner is one of them. Little did I know the man sitting on the shuttle across from me wearing kick arse Converse would be an author and one who makes vigilante justice jump off the page!

Carter McCoy is a 72 year old man who lost his wife to a heart attack and his daughter to a man who didn’t spend enough time in prison. When Carter finds out that his recent diagnosis is fatal, he begins to see life differently. He has no one to talk to, to hug, to even go to dinner with. He has no one to leave his worldly possessions to. The only thing he does know is that justice must be served. The thing is, Carter has never killed anyone. He is a one speed, under the radar, not flashy man. He lives his life and keeps to himself and his simple way.

Every single character in this book is flawed and real. Carter, Bree, Dill all of them - they are relatable. I put myself in their shoes wondering how I would handle each situation as it passed. To be honest, I am not sure how I would handle it, but I have to tell you, in the world today I think Carter McCoy has the right idea and I hope to see more of him. (I mean I know he is living on borrowed time, but just one more please?) This dark and gritty revenge novel should not be missed. I am currently adding more Eric Beetner to my TBR now.

[Sandra Ruttan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. An engaging read, start to finish. Eric Beetner does a great job getting you into his protagonist's mindset, which shapes his actions throughout the entire book. When you know death is imminent, what's the point playing by the rules? Carter McCoy can finally get the justice he believes he's been denied, and that decision is the catalyst for a series of unexpected events that lead to a remarkably unexpected and satisfying conclusion. In a way, this is much more than just a story about getting justice denied. It's a story about connection, about stepping up when others shut their eyes, and about trying to make the world a better place. It grapples with some tough questions along the way, but it never gets too weighed down in the morality of these decisions. Ultimately, McCoy does what he needs to do for himself, and I did appreciate the way different aspects of the story intersected. This is a blistering read that flies by and doesn't lag at all. No spice, no romance, but you might find a lump in your throat a time or two along the way.

[Brigitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read the second book in the series, not knowing it was a series and had thoroughly enjoyed it, which motivated me to go back and start with the first narrative. Interesting tale of revenge as Carter McCoy sets out to kill the man who killed his daughter, since he has nothing to lose as he is dying of a terminal disease that is nine syllables long and he cannot remember. Unfortunately, in doing so, there is a witness next door who sees his crime and thus starts his role as a type of hit man even though he is really a grandfatherly type. Very well done. He rectifies his killing as doing bad for the right reasons as all his victims are despicable individuals--abusive or drug dealers. Definitely a fun, easy, quick read.

[L.A. Starks · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the MN setting didn't fit the seriously southwestern vibe, everything else in this book rang true. Readers will be both discomfited by and understanding of/sympathetic to the protagonist's actions as he counts down his last few months of his life.

This book was one of six finalists for best series novel in Thrillerfest 2025. https://thrillerwriters.org/past-nomi...

While it didn't win, I am very grateful to the Thrillerfest judges for highlighting it.

Highly recommended.

[Frank Vatel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having recently learned he has only months to live, 72-year-old Carter McCoy decides to scratch off a longstanding entry on his to-do list—kill the SOB who, two decades earlier, was responsible for his daughter's death. This one act of violence leads to several more, but Eric Beetner never allows THE LAST FEW MILES OF ROAD to lapse into the kind of overblown melodrama you'd expect from a revenge story. Like its gruff but decent protagonist, the novel is mercifully low-key, wise, and real. Extra points for the delightfully dark twist at the end.

[Deborah Ledford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a love story in many ways. Redemption for a love lost. Vengeance for a love that could have been. Retribution for brutal wrongdoings so that others may find love. Beetner hits hard with this thriller and doesn’t hold back. Carter McCoy is an unassuming and unlikely geriatric hero who glides under the radar, taking on evildoers who perpetrate truly bad circumstances for those who can only wish they had the courage to face. 5 stars across the board. Getting to Carter’s Book 2 now!

[Steve Hockensmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "The Last Few Miles of Road," Eric Beetner puts a welcome new spin on the revenge thriller by giving his elderly avenger an extra motivation: He only has months to live. Beetner also digs deeper into the unexpected consequences of going vigilante, resulting in a thriller that leavens its suspense with nuance and humanity. (Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book.)

[Jason Bovberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s a twisty little dark crime thriller that manages to also have a great beating heart. An old man given a short time to live is determined to avenge the death of someone close to him—except while doing so, his mission becomes much darker and more complex. This is the beginning of what could be a fascinating series. Plus, wait’ll you meet the old man’s dog Chester.

[Gregory D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked from page one

The characters in this yarn are compelling and relatable. And once you start, it picks up steam with every page. Every twist and turn led to a delightful (or horrible) surprise - and I can’t believe how beautifully it came together. This is my first foray into Beetner’s work, but I can’t wait for the next one.

[Matthew Cost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cater McCoy. Bad Good Man. Good Bad Man.

“The Last Few Miles of Road” wraps you into a microcosm of life where a good man must face hard decisions to do bad things. Author Eric Beetner develops complicated characters trying to disentangle muddled lives in a tightly-woven plot that pulls the reader into the pages like a magnet, even if the pages turn as quickly as a gust of wind. Read this. You won’t be disappointed.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Beetner has created an empathetic bad guy called Carter McCoy. Dexter in Wisconsin, is how I think of him. He's committing crimes yet what's worse--the person he's after remaining alive and committing more nefarious acts, or Carter, doing away with them and in the process, committing a crime? Carter McCoy has my attention.

[Russell Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good twist!

My wife always figures out these twists before me - I'm a little slow. So this one caught me by surprise! Really good read and I'm a huge fan of anything Beetner writes. I really hope this turns into a series.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful. Beetner draws you in from his first few lines to place you solidly in McCoy’s shoes. You can’t help but feel and root for the 72-year-old main character. As his thirst for justice spirals into my much more than he bargained for, you can’t help but enjoy the ride.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! Carter McCoy doesn't have long to live, so he just might follow thru with something he has wanted to do for years, avenge his daughter's death. One problem, he has never killed anyone & needs to figure out how to do it.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I’m late to the party on this, but I finally read The Last Few Miles of Road by Eric Beetner, and I loved it. A really well-crafted story with a fresh plot and characters that really stick with you. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that was this much fun and had this much heart.

[Mark Krajnak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one from Eric.

Good read here. Kept me swiping the pages. A little twist in there surprised me. Good ol' Chester as well!

[Allie (Allisen) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

[Michael Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweetness and violence and a good dog! Mexican food! Entertaining and satisfying plotting. Great dialogue. I really enjoyed The Last Few Miles of Road, and I'm betting many others will too.

[Ilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Beetner is known for delivering engaging stories, and THE LAST FEW MILES OF ROAD does not veer from that reputation. Topnotch.

[Sue Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. But only because I think I accidentally read a book in a series and I hate books in a series. Wrapped up astonishingly well

[Mindy Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Compelling story. Loved the motivations, dialogue, and I couldn't put it down until I'd finished it.

[Cyndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisfying. Happiest murder novel I've read I a long time, that's for sure.

[Chris Wendel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tremendous read. Relatable hero you can't root against.

[Jarrett Mazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly chilling and intrinsic crime noir tale, with solid writing, and beautifully rendered characters. Always been a fan of Eric's work, but now...I'm a super fan. Buy it. It's amazing...

[Mhd]

series?? library doesn't have hardcopy or kindle[Carol rec]
Comes before Real Bad Real Soon

[Tj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the premise here, as sort of a senior citizen Punisher. A few surprises, but mostly just really enjoyed the main character and his gassy shelter dog.

[Brian Koppin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and the three protagonists! Though two I guess could be called antiheroes. I think my fave character was the non-antihero Chester the Dog! This book was not nominated for The Booker Prize like Flesh, but the main protagonist reminded me of the protagonist in Flesh which did win the Booker Prize. In Flesh the guy had no real feelings or decisions to make, he just kept saying Okay to everything and failing/falling upward. In this book the protagonist keeps going from murder to murder with no real choice. But the good news is every single one of them had it coming!! The world was better off without them in it!!!