Out Clause: A Novel

by Ernest Thompson

What if you could leave your life? Oxton Paris, the ultimate misfit, disfigured and ostracized, years ago left his and repurposed his angst into helping others escape their own entrapments, bad marriages, poor choices, compromising positions. He created Out Clause, providing thousands of Travelers a new life, a second chance, a smoother fit.

The compact, though, comes with one, a commitment to discontinue all contact with what’s been left behind, no texting, no coded messaging on social media, no burner phone calls, no keepsakes tucked in backpacks. And, two, a promise to live a better life, predicated on honesty and kindness, not only to others but to oneself. Could you do that, become the better angel you perhaps have always longed to be?

If Travelers fail in their mission, their bodies will be discovered where they went missing, near a bridge, on a Caribbean beach, stumbled over by hikers or exposed when a glacier recedes, a house torn down, a subway tunnel reactivated. There’s a vast network of spirit guides ensuring that Travelers reach their destinations. And stay true to the Out Clause ethic.

Enter a New York detective obsessed with suicides, especially those he calls No Bodies, and determined to find out where they’ve gone, setting up a human chess game with Oxton Paris and putting the entire sweet construct of Out Clause in jeopardy.

547 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

Ernest Thompson’s work has won an Academy Award, two Golden Globes, Writers Guild and Broadway Drama Guild Awards and been nominated for a Tony, an Emmy and a British Academy Award. His plays have been seen in theatres around the world, his most enduring, "On Golden Pond," translated into 30 languages and presented in more than 40 countries. Current projects include the film sequel to "On Golden Pond," the plays "Grand Time," "Some Parts Missing" and "Ask/Answer" and his latest novel "Out Clause," an epic literary thriller you won't be able to put down. With his writer wife Kerrin Thompson, he established Rescind Recidivism, a prison writing program giving inmates a chance to feel creative as well as human, capable and worthy.

For more than forty years, Ernest has been weaving stories with a unique clarity and understanding of the human condition, writing characters with a precision that makes you swear you know them or are them. His first novel, "The Book of Maps," will take you on a painfully beautiful cross-country journey through love and loss, laughing all the way, and, ultimately, leaving you with a greater appreciation for anyone who has gone the distance to find redemption.

Reviews

[Scott]

This is well-written with a Stream of Consciousness point of view. However, several portions stray a bit making it challenging to know where the story is going.

[Jason]

Thompson has a very erudite style of writing. Wonderful use of language to pain detailed pictures. This works really well in plays, and in his novel, The Book of Maps. Unfortunately, it didn't work so well with Out Clause. This book is a mystery/thriller and needs to really move, and this didn't move quickly enough for me. Despite that, the premise is really interesting and plot lines all work, and it's very thought provoking. My main issue is that it was too long and felt too long, with took me out periodically.

[Linda Hannon]

Love the concept… who hasn’t had days they’d like a chance to start over….though what does that really look like?

The writing has its own style. This is not a beach book but rather a curl up on the couch in front of a fire on a snowy weekend book. You have to let yourself fall into it to get the full effect.

Enjoyed!

[Brittany Durgin]

Interesting premise. Turned a little too high-action for me. The guy can write!