Pilate's Cross [Kindle Edition]

J. Alexander Greenwood (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Inspired by a true story, Pilate's Cross follows John Pilate, his sardonic imaginary pal Simon and lovely new friend Kate as they investigate the cold case mystery of a murdered college president. In too deep to wash his hands of the mystery, Pilate risks his life to uncover the truth of what happened in 1963 and why it's just as deadly today.

This is the first in the "John Pilate" series. The second book, Pilate's Key, will be released in early 2012.

From the Author

The real core of this book is about the open secrets that can fester in a community until an outsider raises questions.

A few years ago I left my home state of Oklahoma and moved to a very small town in the rural Nebraska. I didn't know a soul. I was a total outsider working there as marketing and public relations director and instructor at a small college.

Every day I'd walk past a plaque in the administration building that honored the college's former president and dean, who both died on the same day in the 1950s. It didn't hint at anything nefarious; it could have been a car wreck for all I knew. I finally asked--and it was more tragic than I ever imagined.

I eventually gained access to police records, crime scene photos, witness affidavits and news coverage of the decades-old murders, but the book is not a thinly veiled fictionalization of an historical event.

The professor's motive was, in the grand scheme of things, terribly petty. Pilate's Cross is inspired by the questions this terrible crime created; but as a work of fiction it's set in a different place and has a more complex motive for the murders.

Nearly all aspects of the book, including the location, characters and most importantly the mystery are strictly from my imagination.

Our "hero" John Pilate is an average guy dealing with some above-average troubles: a broken relationship, getting his career back on track and oh yes--clinical depression that manifests itself in the form of a doppelganger only Pilate can see or hear.

This is exacerbated by Pilate's habit of accidentally slipping into trouble, by virtue of his curiosity, big mouth or both. And yes, there are some traits that I share with Pilate, but I'm not telling which ones.

I hope you enjoy the book and will read the sequel, Pilate's Key, coming in early 2012.

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 325 KB
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005C7UVEQ
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #335,370 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

Former journalist, politician, television executive and radio talk show host J. Alexander Greenwood has always been drawn to what lies just beneath the surface of places and people.

When his career in public relations took him to Peru, Nebraska, a place he affectionately calls "the smallest town in the world," he found the inspiration for a mystery novel.

"The real core of this book is about the open secrets that can fester in a community until an outsider raises questions," Greenwood said.

Murders in a Small Town

"A few years ago I left my home state of Oklahoma and moved to a very small town in the rural Nebraska. I didn't know a soul. I was a total outsider working there as marketing and public relations director and instructor at a small college," he said.

"When I worked in Peru, every day I'd walk past a plaque in the administration building that honored the college's former president and dean, who both died on the same day in the 1950s. It didn't hint at anything nefarious; it could have been a car wreck for all I knew. I finally asked--and it was more tragic than I ever imagined."

Greenwood eventually gained access to police records, crime scene photos, witness affidavits and news coverage of the decades-old murders, but the book is not a thinly veiled fictionalization of an historical event.

"The professor's motive was, in the grand scheme of things, terribly petty," Greenwood said. "Pilate's Cross is inspired by the questions this terrible crime created; but as a work of fiction it's set in a different place and has a more complex motive for the murders."

"Nearly all aspects of the book, including the location, characters and most importantly the mystery are strictly from my imagination."

However, recent real-life events are chilling in their similarities, and lead Greenwood to reconsider marketing the book.

"In April the former president of the college took his own life as news of a financial scandal was about to break. Though I wrote this book two years ago (it was published in December 2009), I had some serious trepidation about promoting it in the wake of this tragedy. The 'college president' character isn't based on my former boss, and I would be very concerned if readers thought he was. Peru was very good to me, and it's very important that people know this book was not meant to mar his memory or upset anyone--especially my friends in Peru, Nebraska."

The Setting

One 'friend' he couldn't warm up to was the weather. The winters are devastatingly cold, snowy and lonely, he added.

"The town reminded me of The X-Files, in the sense that I was a stranger in a remote, ever-so-slightly foreboding location. That just added more to the mysterious, quirky and vaguely dangerous atmosphere I wanted to establish in Pilate's Cross."

About Our Hero

Greenwood is candid about the origins of John Pilate, the book's protagonist.

"John Pilate is an average guy dealing with some above-average troubles," Greenwood said. "He's dealing with a broken relationship, getting his career back on track and oh yes--clinical depression that manifests itself in the form of a doppelganger only Pilate can see or hear."

"This is exacerbated by Pilate's habit of accidentally slipping into trouble, by virtue of his curiosity, big mouth or both," Greenwood said. "And yes, there are some traits that I share with Pilate, but I'm not telling which ones."

In the end, Greenwood has written a fast-paced, fun mystery/thriller that even the casual pleasure reader will enjoy. The book was nominated for a 2011 Global Ebook Award in the Mystery/Thriller category.

The Cover Design

Cover artist David Terrill designed a book cover as intricate as the plot.

"David's cover reminds me of an Alfred Hitchcock film poster," Greenwood said. "There's a lot going on in his concept. It really elicits the book's themes of isolation, danger and mystery."

"I'm proud that David's cover was named one of three finalists for the 2011 Global Ebook Awards," Greenwood said.

Greenwood and Terrill are now collaborating on a multimedia application based on a series of Terrill's paintings titled "What the Gardener Saw."

Terrill resides with his wife and children in the Kansas City area. Visit his website at davidterrill.com.


More John Pilate Adventures?

Greenwood has enjoyed meeting with numerous Kansas City--area book clubs and had a book signing in Omaha in 2011.

"I really enjoyed hearing the likes--and dislikes--of my readers at book clubs as well as meeting new fans at the book signing at The Bookworm in Omaha," he said. "The book clubs overwhelmingly asked me to hurry up on writing the sequel."

That sequel, Pilate's Key, will be published in February 2012. It follows John Pilate to the sands of Key West, Florida.

From the book jacket:

Life's A Beach for John Pilate...

On the mend from a near-death experience in the snowy Midwest, John Pilate is taking it easy on the sun-soaked beaches of Key West. Umbrella drink in hand, Pilate is writing a book and getting some much-needed therapy to deal with his imaginary friend Simon. He's also pondering the future with his new love, Kate. Life is looking up for John Pilate...until he is drawn into a world of murder, pirates, conch fritters and smart aleck remarks from invisible men.

He has blood on his hands, a mysterious poker chip in his pocket, shadows over his shoulder and a sexy cop in his bed. John Pilate is in trouble again--and the only way out is to find the key...Pilate's Key.


Greenwood looks forward to future book club appearances--whether in person or via Skype.

"Technology has made it possible for me to appear at book clubs all over the world, and I'm certainly ready to do so."


About J. Alexander Greenwood

The grandson of the late, award-winning historical fiction novelist Robert E. Trevathan (Ballanger, Red River Angel), independent author Alex Greenwood's writing experience includes feature articles, news and crime stories syndicated throughout the nation in numerous publications.

Greenwood won the 2011 Shelf Unbound Short Story competition for his popular story Obsidian (available on Amazon.com). Besides his work with artist David Terrill he is writing a third John Pilate mystery.

He owns AlexanderG Public Relations, LLC. Greenwood is also a noted after-dinner speaker, master of ceremonies and frequent public radio guest.

He resides in Kansas City, Missouri with his wife and daughter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First rate mystery thriller, February 27, 2011

By 

Eden Baylee - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pilate's Cross (Paperback)

Pilate's Cross has a bit of everything--action, romance and spine-chilling suspense. Mr. Greenwood has a very strong voice for storytelling. His style is to tease and draw you in, and that's exactly what happened when I read his book.

I don't read many mystery books, but now, I'll have to wait for his next one to be further thrilled by the adventures of John Pilate.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful new series, October 18, 2011

By 

K. Lee - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pilate's Cross (Kindle Edition)

John Pilate is a wonderful hero, and all around good guy. Simon, a figment of Pilate's imagination who is so very not content to remain so, isn't so bad either as something of a nemesis/anti-hero/conspirator. They are the two most sharply drawn, but all the characters are memorable. The story moves along at a crisp pace, and the dialogue is sharp. It's also got some very vivid imagery (sometimes a little too vivid *shudder*). I recommend it to anyone who like mysteries. I look forward to Pilate's Key.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intruiging, September 13, 2011

By 

Karen (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pilate's Cross (Paperback)

This is the story of John Pilate. He is a college professor, teaching at a college in the small midwestern town of Cross, Nebraska. (I live in a small midwestern town, only in Oklahoma....crime stories set in towns like mine freak me out!). Pilate isn't the most popular person in town, by any means, and he is bored....until he stumbles on a murder conspiracy from about 40 years previous (JFK Assassination era). Obviously the county sheriff gets his toes stepped on and is keeping a close eye on him. Eventually they begin working together, and find MORE strange things (I don't want to spoil anything!).

I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil the story, should you read it. While stories of this nature absolutely freak me out (and always have), I still love them and can't stop reading them (as in I always look for more, and once I start one, I stay up until I finish the book even if it's 3 am. Sometimes because I am too freaked out to sleep and have to know what is going to happen at the end!).