James Sheehan, the author of Mayor of Lexington Avenue, is a Florida trial lawyer, and he has undoubtedly seen the justice system from any number of angles, some more flattering than others. His debut novel exposes some of the very real warts in the American capital punishment system, albeit in a story that drifts occasionally into melodrama and actually stacks the deck in its favor at the outset.
In a small Florida town, a brutal murder leads local police to target Rudy Kelly, a young man of borderline mental capacity whose only real crime (as the reader already knows) is that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He's quickly charged for a murder he didn't commit, after a corrupt cop manages to coerce a confession from him while keeping Rudy's mother cooling her heels outside. Provided with a public defender whose ineffective representation was only slightly better than if Rudy had defended himself, Rudy is found guilty and sentenced to death.
Ten years later, a hotshot Miami lawyer named Jack Tobin reads an article about the death of Mikey Kelly, a man who just happens to have been Jack's childhood friend. It turns out Mikey died under somewhat suspicious circumstances while looking into the evidence of his son's guilt. Given Jack's history with Mikey (which is told in flashback), Jack embarks upon a crusade: first to prevent Rudy's execution (if not to establish his innocence and exonerate him), and subsequently to pursue those responsible for sending Rudy to death row despite knowledge of his innocence.
That's right: during Jack's efforts to get Rudy a new trial, he discovers that the local police and the prosecutor covered up critical evidence regarding the murder (much of which would have suggested Rudy's innocence, if not proven it absolutely). Jack's crusade transforms from an effort at simple exoneration and becomes something more: a campaign to demonstrate corruption and malice that allowed government officials to seek the death penalty against a man they knew—or categorically should have known—was innocent.
Article comments
1 - Pat Cummings
This book review has been selected for Advance.net. You'll be able to find this and other Blog Critics reviews at such places as Cleveland.com’s Book Reviews column.
2 - Sheryl Werner
Mr Sheehan, I am an avid reader of thrillers. I really enjoyed The Mayor of Lexington Avenue. A great read and I sincerely hope that we get to read another book by you soon. Congratulations on your first book being such a success.
Kind regards,
Sheryl
Fish Hoek
South Africa
3 - Scarlett Dean
Mr. Sheehan;
I received "The Mayor" at the Bouchercon mystery conference and haven't been able to put it down. I find that I'm pacing myself so I won't finish it too soon.
As a published author, I appreciate this as your first book and must congratulate you. I see Best Seller.
As an avid reader, I find it so refreshing to find a gem like this. It's been a long time since I've truly fallen in love with a story.
Thank you!
Do you have a website for further information?
Sincerely,
Scarlett Dean
4 - Greg Vernam
Mr. Sheehan,
Please accept my most heartfelt thanks for a work that more than entertained me. Your first book captivated and put me right into the world of the characters. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I hope to see more of your books soon.
Greg Vernam
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
5 - Lynn McPherson, Oxford, FL
I just finished your wonderful novel! I am a voracious reader and I must say this is definitely the "book of the year". I can't remember the last book that made me cry because of the emotions it evoked. The characters were so well drawn and as a fourth generation Floridian, I loved the poetic passages decribing the unique beauty of the Everglades. I can't wait for your next novel !!!
6 - jo w
I also just finished your novel ... was without doubt the best book i've read in the past 12 months. I couldn't put it down, definitely stirred up emotion and brought back memories of time spent in Florida and New York :) ... Have recommended it to everyone I've spoken to today ... hard to believe it's your first novel and can't wait for your next!!!
7 - Ralph Udezeh
WAO.
Quite a book you have written. I have net been this exited about a new authur since John Grisham.
When's your next book due? ... Or is it out already? Hold on i've got to do a google search
8 - Jan Sargent
Dear Jim,
I am always pleased to see someone I have known of, do well. We have several mutual connections. I feel it is my duty to support my acquaintances.
To my surprise, this book is wonderful. Rarely do I find a book that keeps my interest. This one will remain on my bookshelf. I will never loan it out for fear it will not be returned. Instead, all of my lawyer connections and Florida-history buffs have received copy from me.
It is written so that even those of us who are not in the legal profession can follow the story.
In addition, those of us from OLD FLORIDA can imagine many of the faces plastered on our televisions or in the newspapers stepping in and replacing the characters. All we would need to do is change the names...I love that!
Congratulations, Jim. You have entered a new dimension. I look forward to hearing of future books!
Sincerely yours,
Jan Johnson-Sargent
Plant City, FL
(Sister-in-law of Lawrence Rayburn)
9 - cant tell you
Thanks Sheenan, now I have a blueprint of how to nail my boss for what he has done to me.
10 - Maria
One of the most amazing books I have ever read. I wept last night as I finished the 2nd part. There are. Things in this story that have touched me on a much deeper level. I would like to see life as 'Rudy' sees it!! A true literary masterpiece