Blood on the Leaves [Hardcover]

Jeff Stetson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2004

In the 1960s, racism was rampant in Jackson, Mississippi, and it was common for white men caught in the act of killing blacks to be acquitted by all-white juries. But 40 years later, someone is seeking justice; those same men are turning up dead - in the identical manner in which they killed their victims. Now, James Reynolds, who has overcome the odds - and his own personal demons - to become the only black prosecutor in Jackson, will face the toughest case of his life: He'll have to prosecute prime suspect Martin Matheson, a brilliant professor, the son of a venerated Civil Rights leader, and the newly appointed folk hero for thousands of African Americans hungry for retribution.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stetson's first novel gets off to a provocative start: in contemporary Mississippi, charismatic African-American professor Martin Matheson polarizes students and the larger Jackson, Miss., community with his incendiary lectures about lynchings and other atrocities inflicted by local whites upon local blacks at the height of the struggle for civil rights. The inclusion of graphic photos in the lectures, as well as the names and addresses of the unpunished perpetrators, sparks controversy and a spate of revenge killings of the identified men. On this riveting premise, Stetson builds a thriller cum social commentary cum character study, anchored in a courtroom drama. In this, the book resembles nothing so much as a (very good) episode of Law & Order, with a controversial issue depicted in broad, compelling strokes and examined from a number of vantage points. Because blood evidence links Matheson to the killing of unrepentant racist Earvin Cooper, he's tried not for inciting murder (as seems likely) but for murder itself. Prosecuting Matheson is a meticulous and well-respected black deputy district attorney, James Reynolds, who, caught in the middle of the larger ethical debate, becomes the novel's moral center. Todd Miller, venerable white liberal past his courtroom prime, defends Matheson, who takes the strategic lead in his defense. Miller and Reynolds have often faced each other before, but never in a case like this. Reynolds has a rough time in court, and a rougher one outside, under siege for the first time in his life by members of the black community. Stetson's sharp storytelling pushes buttons as skillfully as Matheson's lectures in this promising debut.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Professor Martin Matheson's ardent belief in justice being served on those who were wrongly acquitted of hate crimes during the civil-rights era has put him on the political hot seat, but his Mississippi students support him unequivocally. When two notorious racists are found murdered, all signs point to Matheson, the most damning evidence being that both victims' names appear on a list Matheson compiled detailing free men who have committed heinous acts. James Reynolds, the only African American attorney in the DA's office, is assigned as lead prosecutor, clearly a calculated move on the part of his politically driven boss. The case stirs up a public debate about the appropriateness of taking the law into one's own hands when the system fails. Reynolds himself fights this dilemma internally even as he vigorously prosecutes the accused. First-novelist Stetson handles the central moral question with something of a heavy hand, but he does lay out both sides of the issue clearly, and he skillfully develops a suspenseful story. Expect interest, fueled by the volatile subject matter. Mary Frances Wilkens
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 392 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1st edition, edition (July 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446527068
• ISBN-13: 978-0446527064
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.2 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,068,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!, October 8, 2004

By 

Phyllis Rhodes (Orlando, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Blood on the Leaves (Hardcover)

Set in Jackson, Mississippi, Blood on the Leaves weaves around wonderfully drawn three-dimensional characters amid social injustice and long suppressed memories. The catalyst is in the actions of one charismatic Professor Martin Matheson, a disputatious community leader, who uses his classroom as a medium to resurface 30-40 year old unsolved crimes involving murdered/lynched blacks. He wantonly distributes the names and addresses of whites suspected of carrying out theses deadly deeds and when the white named suspects are murdered in similar manners as the black victims, pandemonium breaks loose and Matheson is arrested and charged with murder. The community is immediately split along moral and racial divides.

The core of the story centers on theatrical courtroom scenes of Professor Matheson's trial; however, it is the internal struggles of the key characters that add depth and drama to the plot. For example, prosecuting attorney James Reynolds is the only black assistant DA with an impeccable win ratio and is also a social acquaintance of the defendant. Reynolds is assigned to prosecute Matheson against his wishes by his racist and inept boss (the County's District Attorney). He suffers from haunting, sleep-depriving nightmares, and wrestles with his own internal morals regarding justice and duty. Todd Miller, Matheson's defense attorney, is a white Civil Rights lawyer who was disowned and disenfranchised by his family in the 1950's for his liberal political views. Stetson also interjects ingenious subtle references to and commentaries on modern day political groups and social issues that trigger deep internal examination on the reader's part.

Bravo, Mr. Stetson! This book is extremely well done - a true page-turner until the very end! When I finished Blood on the Leaves, I was emotionally drained but thoroughly entertained! Stetson's skill as a playwright brought the story to life via dialogue, carefully crafted scenes and vivid imagery. It is a suspenseful, thought-provoking story that grapples with age-old concepts of revenge, redemption, and morality! This book is most definitely on my 2004 favorites list and I am looking forward to the next release.

Reviewed by Phyllis

APOOO BookClub
Nubian Circle Book Club

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Move over John Grisham!, August 6, 2004

By 

Emanuel Carpenter... Author/Reviewer (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blood on the Leaves (Hardcover)

Move over John Grisham. There's a new king of torts; and he's taking the literary world by storm. In his amazing new debut novel "Blood on the Leaves," Jeff Stetson crafts a delectable tale of racial hostility, murder, and retribution that commands your attention.

In the book, several of the white men accused but never convicted of murdering blacks during the civil rights era are turning up dead. What's more, they're dying in the same fashion as their alleged victims of long ago. When it is discovered that Professor Martin Matheson has composed a list of the men for a college course he teaches, he becomes the prime suspect in the murder investigations. Matheson, an intelligent yet pompous man believes the men got just what they deserved. But did he participate in their untimely deaths? That's what James Reynolds, the only black prosecutor in the district attorney's office, would like to know.

When Matheson is arrested for one of the murders, he hires long time civil rights advocate, Todd Miller as his attorney. Miller, a middle-aged man who sports a pony tail and is a friend of the prosecutor, comes from a long line of attorneys. And by the way, Miller just happens to be Caucasian. Though Miller is not thoroughly convinced of his clients' case, he cannot refuse what will prove to be the case of a lifetime.

Thus sets the stage for the trial of the century, even bigger than O.J. When Reynolds's haunting secret of the past reveals itself again, he becomes even more dedicated in proving Matheson's guilt. But battle with a genius professor, a seasoned attorney, and a history of bigotry may prove to be enough to send the prosecutor over the edge. Can he win the case? And if he does, will justice be served? Regardless of the outcome, the clear winner will be the reader.

Jeff Stetson, writer of the long-running play The Meeting, has crafted a powder keg of a tale full of intrigue and shock that will leave readers longing for more well after its dynamic conclusion. Though you may not be able to decide which side to cheer for, you will no doubt love this remarkable book. This is the kind of story moviemakers should eat up. I hope Hollywood is listening. Run out and buy "Blood on the Leaves" today!

Emanuel Carpenter
Author of "Where is the Love?"
emanuelcarpenter dot com

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Justice Overdue, April 17, 2005

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blood on the Leaves (Hardcover)

BLOOD ON THE LEAVES by Jeff Stetson turns up the volume on originality, suspense and mystery. It is a bold new step for an established writer who has received many awards for his projects in the theatre and movie industry.

The storyline takes place in Mississippi, a stronghold of several unsolved killings and lynchings against blacks during the Civil Rights era. Professor Martin Matheson, an activist, discusses several of these cases with his class and distributes a list of the black victims and their white accusers. The list includes their names, addresses, and other pertinent information.

When the white accusers begin coming up dead one by one by the very same method they killed the black victims, all attention is diverted to the professor. Assistant District Attorney James Reynolds, who is also black, now faces the difficult task of prosecuting the professor. However, because of the issues in the case, he will also have to come to terms with his insecurities and haunting dreams that keep him awake at night. He is matched up against the professor's defense attorney who is a liberal white Civil Rights lawyer who will become a strong adversary during the trial.

The suspense, and political foreplay is nonstop and takes you on an educational journey on life and times in the south during the Jim Crow years. The courtroom drama becomes the main plot, leading up to the grand finale. Both the primary and secondary characters complement each other with strong dialogue and intensity in bringing to the forefront a unique blend of issues, drama and emotions. Who is responsible for the murders? Is it a lone vigilante, members of his class, or the professor?

Jess Stetson is a writer to watch on the literary scene. His writing style and strong character development put him at the front of the line. What makes BLOOD ON THE LEAVES stand out impeccably is the subject matter and how well it is presented to the reader. The originality of the plot made it an instant winner. I highly recommend BLOOD ON THE LEAVES because it is a great book to choose when you're looking for something unique and different.

Reviewed by Kalaani
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers