What do you think?
Rate this book
McMurtrie and Drake #2
Between Black and White
In 1966 in Pulaski, Tennessee, Bocephus Haynes watched in horror as his father was brutally murdered by ten local members of the Ku Klux Klan. As an African American lawyer practicing in the birthplace of the Klan years later, Bo has spent his life pursuing justice in his father’s name. But when Andy Walton, the man believed to have led the lynch mob forty-five years earlier, ends up murdered in the same spot as Bo’s father, Bo becomes the prime suspect.
Retired law professor Tom McMurtrie, Bo’s former teacher and friend, is a year removed from returning to the courtroom. Now McMurtrie and his headstrong partner, Rick Drake, must defend Bo on charges of capital murder while hunting for Andy Walton’s true killer. In a courtroom clash that will put their reputations and lives at stake, can McMurtrie and Drake release Bo from a lifetime of despair? Or will justice remain hidden somewhere between black and white?
Retired law professor Tom McMurtrie, Bo’s former teacher and friend, is a year removed from returning to the courtroom. Now McMurtrie and his headstrong partner, Rick Drake, must defend Bo on charges of capital murder while hunting for Andy Walton’s true killer. In a courtroom clash that will put their reputations and lives at stake, can McMurtrie and Drake release Bo from a lifetime of despair? Or will justice remain hidden somewhere between black and white?
397 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2016
4588 people are currently reading
2584 people want to read
About the author
Robert Bailey
12 books1,273 followersRobert Bailey is the bestselling and award winning author of the McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers series, which includes The Final Reckoning, The Last Trial, Between Black and White, and The Professor, as well as the Bocephus Haynes’ series, which debuted with Legacy of Lies. He is also the author of the inspirational novel, The Golfer’s Carol.
Robert was born in Huntsville, Alabama, the son of a builder and a schoolteacher. From the time he could walk, he’s loved stories, especially those about Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide football team.
Robert obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History from Davidson College in North Carolina. Law School at the University of Alabama followed, where Robert made Law Review, competed on the school’s trial team and managed to watch every home football game.
For the past twenty-one years, he’s been a civil defense trial lawyer in his hometown of Huntsville. He and his wife, Dixie, have three kids.
Robert was born in Huntsville, Alabama, the son of a builder and a schoolteacher. From the time he could walk, he’s loved stories, especially those about Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide football team.
Robert obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History from Davidson College in North Carolina. Law School at the University of Alabama followed, where Robert made Law Review, competed on the school’s trial team and managed to watch every home football game.
For the past twenty-one years, he’s been a civil defense trial lawyer in his hometown of Huntsville. He and his wife, Dixie, have three kids.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 683 reviews
March 8, 2016
On a summer night in 1966 when Bocephus “Bo” Haynes was 5 years old he secretly witnessed the Klu Klux Klan lynch his father. He overheard the leader speaking, it was a voice he had heard many times before, it was that of a prominent businessman who both of his parents worked for. When Bo told his mother who it was and he wanted to go to the sheriff to report the crime, it scared her to death. No one would take the word of a five-year-old child who was already traumatized by what he had witnessed over this man’s word who was a pillar of society. Plus if it ever got out what Bo saw and heard his life would be in grave danger. He was sent to live with his aunt and uncle in a neighboring town.
He excelled on the football field and was recruited by Paul “Bear” Bryant himself to play for the University of Alabama. He had ambitions to play professionally until he was injured on the field and his career was cut short. Bo decided to study Law that’s where he met Tom McMurtrie who became more than just his professor, he also became Bo’s mentor and a very good friend to him.
When Bo Haynes graduated law school, he goes back to his old hometown Pulaski, Tennessee the birthplace of the Klu Klux Klan. He turned down many lucrative offers from high profile law firms both in Alabama and Tennessee. He was the only African-American attorney in the town but he worked hard and made a good name for himself. He was still seeking justice for his father’s death. He made no bones about it, he knew exactly who was responsible and Bo was going to bring this man to justice whatever the cost. It had already cost him a great deal, so what did he have to lose?
Every year since he’d been back in Pulaski he would go out to the clearing where they had hung his father. He was on his way to his annual pilgrimage when he stopped in at a local tavern and had something to eat and quite a bit to drink. He was sitting at the bar drinking when the man Andy Walker came walking towards the front door with his wife and brother in law. Andy Walker was the man who he held responsible for the death of his father. Bo had a heated exchange with Andy in front of several witnesses. They left the tavern, then Bo left not too long afterwards. He was so drunk, he didn’t remember anything until the next morning when he was awakened by blue flashing lights and loud banging on his office door. He sees muddy tracks and has mud on his clothes but he has no recollection of how they got there. The night before was a total haze, he was arrested for the murder of Mr. Andy Walker. He was stunned, he knew he had a blackout but he would never murder anyone. No matter how much he hated the man.
When he’s being questioned, he asks for his attorney, his attorney being Mr. Tom McMurtrie who had just come out of retirement and has never tried a death penalty case before. Tom is the only man Bo would trust with his life.
This is a great legal thriller, it has a little bit of everything in it. The characters are very likeable, the setting is fantastic from the description of the old, style courthouse to the beat up old Saturn that Tom’s law partner drives. It’s really held my attention. I was totally taken with this great cast of characters and Mr. Bailey’s writing style. He kept me on pins and needles during the whole trial, there wasn’t a lot of legalizing that some authors bog you down with. It was full of surprises. I realize that I would have understood more regarding the complexities of the relationships between the main characters if I had read the first of the series before hand but I wasn’t fumbling around lost, Mr. Bailey gives the reader enough background so they can’t wait to sink their teeth into the first book of the series, “The Professor”. I’ve already purchased my copy.
I would like to thank Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with an e-galley of this book for an honest review.
He excelled on the football field and was recruited by Paul “Bear” Bryant himself to play for the University of Alabama. He had ambitions to play professionally until he was injured on the field and his career was cut short. Bo decided to study Law that’s where he met Tom McMurtrie who became more than just his professor, he also became Bo’s mentor and a very good friend to him.
When Bo Haynes graduated law school, he goes back to his old hometown Pulaski, Tennessee the birthplace of the Klu Klux Klan. He turned down many lucrative offers from high profile law firms both in Alabama and Tennessee. He was the only African-American attorney in the town but he worked hard and made a good name for himself. He was still seeking justice for his father’s death. He made no bones about it, he knew exactly who was responsible and Bo was going to bring this man to justice whatever the cost. It had already cost him a great deal, so what did he have to lose?
Every year since he’d been back in Pulaski he would go out to the clearing where they had hung his father. He was on his way to his annual pilgrimage when he stopped in at a local tavern and had something to eat and quite a bit to drink. He was sitting at the bar drinking when the man Andy Walker came walking towards the front door with his wife and brother in law. Andy Walker was the man who he held responsible for the death of his father. Bo had a heated exchange with Andy in front of several witnesses. They left the tavern, then Bo left not too long afterwards. He was so drunk, he didn’t remember anything until the next morning when he was awakened by blue flashing lights and loud banging on his office door. He sees muddy tracks and has mud on his clothes but he has no recollection of how they got there. The night before was a total haze, he was arrested for the murder of Mr. Andy Walker. He was stunned, he knew he had a blackout but he would never murder anyone. No matter how much he hated the man.
When he’s being questioned, he asks for his attorney, his attorney being Mr. Tom McMurtrie who had just come out of retirement and has never tried a death penalty case before. Tom is the only man Bo would trust with his life.
This is a great legal thriller, it has a little bit of everything in it. The characters are very likeable, the setting is fantastic from the description of the old, style courthouse to the beat up old Saturn that Tom’s law partner drives. It’s really held my attention. I was totally taken with this great cast of characters and Mr. Bailey’s writing style. He kept me on pins and needles during the whole trial, there wasn’t a lot of legalizing that some authors bog you down with. It was full of surprises. I realize that I would have understood more regarding the complexities of the relationships between the main characters if I had read the first of the series before hand but I wasn’t fumbling around lost, Mr. Bailey gives the reader enough background so they can’t wait to sink their teeth into the first book of the series, “The Professor”. I’ve already purchased my copy.
I would like to thank Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with an e-galley of this book for an honest review.
January 18, 2023
Between Black and White is the second book in the McMurtrie and Drake series. Although it could probably be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading The Professor first.
Reading about the KKK and what Bo witnessed as a child was heartbreaking ... but is he guilty of what he has been accused of as an adult?
I must say that the twists and turns in Between Black and White kept me on my toes and I hated to see the book end!
Now it's on to The Last Trial!!
Reading about the KKK and what Bo witnessed as a child was heartbreaking ... but is he guilty of what he has been accused of as an adult?
I must say that the twists and turns in Between Black and White kept me on my toes and I hated to see the book end!
Now it's on to The Last Trial!!
September 25, 2021
This is the second book in this series, it is a while since I read the first book so I had forgotten some of the 'history' but it soon came back to me.
In this book, Bo Haynes, a successful black lawyer in a town that is the birthplace of the KKK is accused of murdering Andy Walton, former Imperial Wizard of the local chapter. He has a strong motive as Andy was the leader of the lynching party that hung his father when Bo was only five years old. Now some forty years later Bo is separated from his wife and family over his relentless pursuit to seek justice for his father's death.
Tom McMurtie is the first person Bo calls when asked to find a lawyer, but Tom seriously worries he and business partner Rick Drake may be out of their depth. Can he take on a case fuelled on hate and what clearly appears to be an opposition being backed by KKK members determined to keep their identities a secret.
In this book, Bo Haynes, a successful black lawyer in a town that is the birthplace of the KKK is accused of murdering Andy Walton, former Imperial Wizard of the local chapter. He has a strong motive as Andy was the leader of the lynching party that hung his father when Bo was only five years old. Now some forty years later Bo is separated from his wife and family over his relentless pursuit to seek justice for his father's death.
Tom McMurtie is the first person Bo calls when asked to find a lawyer, but Tom seriously worries he and business partner Rick Drake may be out of their depth. Can he take on a case fuelled on hate and what clearly appears to be an opposition being backed by KKK members determined to keep their identities a secret.
October 13, 2025
Between Black and White is Book 2 in author, Robert Bailey’s McMurtrie and Drake legal thriller series. Pulaski, Tennessee is the birthplace of the Klu Klux Klan. In 1966, six-year-old Bocephus (‘Bo’) Haynes watched in horror as members of the Klan hung his father, a trauma from which Bo never fully recovered. In later life, he became a lawyer, moved back to Pulaski and swore he would bring the perpetrators to justice – legally. When Andy Walton, believed to have been the leader of the lynch mob back in 1966 is murdered in the same spot as Bo’s father, all eyes look towards Bo as the perpetrator. In a drunken tirade the previous night, he’d swore to kill Walton and all the state’s evidence puts him clearly in the frame. The stakes are high – Tennessee still has the death penalty and the prosecutor is out for blood. Tom McMurtrie is a retired law professor with no hands-on experience as a criminal defence attorney. He was Bo’s former teacher and Bo is adamant he wants McMurtrie to represent him. After issuing Bo with appropriate disclaimers as to his suitability to properly defend him, he takes the case on together with his young partner, Rick Drake. Bo swears that although he doesn’t remember much about the night in question, he didn’t kill Walton. But raising a reasonable doubt to the charge while the prosecution is leaving no stone unturned in its relentless pursuit of a guilty verdict – and all that entails – will not be easy for a defence attorney with no experience of court room defence work. And there are others outside the legal system who are hell-bent on meting out their own form of justice.
Well, move over John Grisham, you’ve got company. Robert Bailey, also a lawyer and also from America’s Deep South, has taken court-room dramas to a new level with Between Black and White. The plot is unique and imaginative and has more twists and turns than a snake in its death throes. Every scene is described in such a way that it is almost like watching the story unfold as a movie. Three-dimensional, colourful characters – good and bad – add a nice finishing touch. The prose is tight, dialogue script-like and realistic and as one would expect, the court room scenes are described so graphically you feel like you’re sitting in the public gallery. This is heart-thumping thriller-writing at its best.
Well, move over John Grisham, you’ve got company. Robert Bailey, also a lawyer and also from America’s Deep South, has taken court-room dramas to a new level with Between Black and White. The plot is unique and imaginative and has more twists and turns than a snake in its death throes. Every scene is described in such a way that it is almost like watching the story unfold as a movie. Three-dimensional, colourful characters – good and bad – add a nice finishing touch. The prose is tight, dialogue script-like and realistic and as one would expect, the court room scenes are described so graphically you feel like you’re sitting in the public gallery. This is heart-thumping thriller-writing at its best.
August 11, 2019
a great followup to The Professor ... excellent read from start to finish ... many interesting characters, lots of complications and surprises, but all under Bailey's superb control
September 30, 2016
I had enjoyed Bailey’s prior book “The Professor” so I could hardly wait for his next book to be published. Bailey is a top notch new author.
In this book we have the key characters from “The Professor” back in court. I think the reader will enjoy this book more if they have read “The Professor” first. The aging law professor, Tom McMurtrie, and his former student, Rick Drake, are representing McMurtrie’s longtime friend and fellow attorney, Bocephus Haynes. Bo has been charged with the murder of Andrew Davis Walton. Walton was the Imperial Wizard of the Tennessee Knights of the KKK. The story takes place in Pulaski, Tennessee the birthplace of the KKK. Walton and his fellow Klansmen lynched Bo’s father when he was five years old. Bo watched the whole thing and became a lawyer in his lifelong attempt to bring Walton to justice for the killing of his father. Needless to say Bo is black and Walton is white. On the 45th anniversary of the lynching of Bo’s father, Walton was killed. Walton was dying of cancer and had decided to turn himself in for the lynching. Drake and McMurtrie attempt to solve the murder while defending Bo.
Bailey has created a classic legal thriller but has also created something different with surprising twists and turns. The ending is a surprise. The book is extremely well written; the pace is fast. There are dramatic courtroom scenes. The book is an edge-of-the-seat story. The characters are well-drawn and likable.
Eric G. Dove does an excellent job narrating the book. Dove is an award winning audiobook narrator. He is a southerner and the accent is perfect with the story.
In this book we have the key characters from “The Professor” back in court. I think the reader will enjoy this book more if they have read “The Professor” first. The aging law professor, Tom McMurtrie, and his former student, Rick Drake, are representing McMurtrie’s longtime friend and fellow attorney, Bocephus Haynes. Bo has been charged with the murder of Andrew Davis Walton. Walton was the Imperial Wizard of the Tennessee Knights of the KKK. The story takes place in Pulaski, Tennessee the birthplace of the KKK. Walton and his fellow Klansmen lynched Bo’s father when he was five years old. Bo watched the whole thing and became a lawyer in his lifelong attempt to bring Walton to justice for the killing of his father. Needless to say Bo is black and Walton is white. On the 45th anniversary of the lynching of Bo’s father, Walton was killed. Walton was dying of cancer and had decided to turn himself in for the lynching. Drake and McMurtrie attempt to solve the murder while defending Bo.
Bailey has created a classic legal thriller but has also created something different with surprising twists and turns. The ending is a surprise. The book is extremely well written; the pace is fast. There are dramatic courtroom scenes. The book is an edge-of-the-seat story. The characters are well-drawn and likable.
Eric G. Dove does an excellent job narrating the book. Dove is an award winning audiobook narrator. He is a southerner and the accent is perfect with the story.
March 1, 2016
This is a gripping and compelling legal thriller. Bo Haynes is in a bad place. When he was 5 years old, he saw his father being murdered by the Ku Klux Klan and recognised one of them as Andy Walton. He grows up and becomes relatively successful, he is a lawyer. He has, however, determinedly pursued Walton in an effort to attain justice but to no avail. His obsession to nail Walton has lost Bo his wife and children after his family were threatened.
It is made clear to Bo that Andy Walton has terminal cancer and does not have long to live. Bo gets paralytically drunk when he realised that Walton will die having evaded any form of redress. The following morning Bo is arrested for the murder of Walton. Walton was found hanging from a tree and burnt. Tom McMurtie and Rick Drake take on the task of defending Bo whilst at the same time trying to find the real killer. In a story of twists and turns, Tom and Rick risk their lives to exonerate Bo in a complex case.
The author has constructed a tale that will enthrall the reader. I very much enjoyed this book and think others will too. Many thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book via netgalley.
It is made clear to Bo that Andy Walton has terminal cancer and does not have long to live. Bo gets paralytically drunk when he realised that Walton will die having evaded any form of redress. The following morning Bo is arrested for the murder of Walton. Walton was found hanging from a tree and burnt. Tom McMurtie and Rick Drake take on the task of defending Bo whilst at the same time trying to find the real killer. In a story of twists and turns, Tom and Rick risk their lives to exonerate Bo in a complex case.
The author has constructed a tale that will enthrall the reader. I very much enjoyed this book and think others will too. Many thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book via netgalley.
February 8, 2021
Another excellent legal thriller by Robert Bailey. After graduating at the top of his University of Alabama law school class, Bocephus Haynes returned to Pulaski, Tennessee to seek justice for his father, who was lynched in 1966 when Bocephus was five. Shortly thereafter, his mother disappeared and he was raised by his aunt and uncle. Drinking heavily at the local bar, the man Bocephus knows is responsible for his father's death shows up and some threatening words are spoken. The man ends up shot to death, hung on the same tree, and set afire. Bocephus cannot remember a thing after the bar except going to look at the tree, and is arrested the next day and charged with capital murder by a very aggressive prosecutor, who never loses. Bocephus calls his friend, the Professor (Tom McMurtie), who is the only one he trusts to defend him, and Tom comes to town to help in what appears to be an open and shut case. He finds a local attorney, with deep roots in the community, but is not well liked by many, including Bocephus. Together, they organize a defense while an old adversary targets Tom and other members of the defense team for personal and professional reasons. Of course, the black versus white trope brings out the KKK and tensions are high. Several surprising turn of events at the end, starting in the courtroom, moving to the streets, and eventually back to the famous tree. Recommended, but start with the first book in the series.
February 15, 2023
The second book in this series, this was very enjoyable and hard to put down, but I'm not sure it's any better than the first one. I'd recommend reading the first one before this, if you haven't.
I've seen other reviews comparing this author to Grisham. The story did remind me of Grisham's "A Time to Kill", which I read long ago. The funny thing is that later in the book, a character makes the same comparison about what was happening. If I remember that book, it had the type of suspense where you felt something terrible was going to happen, but you're not sure exactly what or when.
The story takes place in Pulaski, TN, a small town (pop: <10,000) about 75 miles south of Nashville, which is most famous for being the birthplace of the KKK. In this story, the KKK is still somewhat active, and the plot centers around a hanging from 45 years in the past of a black lawyer's father by the KKK. The lawyer, Bo Haynes, was introduced in the first book of the series, where he played a major, and colorful, part. Bo witnessed the hanging as a 5 year old boy, and knew who the leader was by his voice. But nobody wanted to pursue the crime on the word of a 5 yr old black boy.
The perpetrator of the murder in this story seems cut and dried. Most everyone has no doubt that he did it, and the evidence against him is strong. And much like the first book, the bad guys are relatively rich and powerful, and have no problems with eliminating possible witnesses. Much of the suspense in the story is waiting to see who, if anyone will be killed. Even the lawyers are not off limits.
I've seen other reviews comparing this author to Grisham. The story did remind me of Grisham's "A Time to Kill", which I read long ago. The funny thing is that later in the book, a character makes the same comparison about what was happening. If I remember that book, it had the type of suspense where you felt something terrible was going to happen, but you're not sure exactly what or when.
The story takes place in Pulaski, TN, a small town (pop: <10,000) about 75 miles south of Nashville, which is most famous for being the birthplace of the KKK. In this story, the KKK is still somewhat active, and the plot centers around a hanging from 45 years in the past of a black lawyer's father by the KKK. The lawyer, Bo Haynes, was introduced in the first book of the series, where he played a major, and colorful, part. Bo witnessed the hanging as a 5 year old boy, and knew who the leader was by his voice. But nobody wanted to pursue the crime on the word of a 5 yr old black boy.
The perpetrator of the murder in this story seems cut and dried. Most everyone has no doubt that he did it, and the evidence against him is strong. And much like the first book, the bad guys are relatively rich and powerful, and have no problems with eliminating possible witnesses. Much of the suspense in the story is waiting to see who, if anyone will be killed. Even the lawyers are not off limits.
May 20, 2025
3.5 Stars
May 31, 2016
Pulaski, Tennessee has a history that the town can't seem to escape. It has a big scarlet R on it for "racist" because it is the birth place of the Klan. Who will pull down their sheets and hoods to show the awful, naked truth of racism?
A gripping thriller that goes back to the lynching of Bo Haynes' father. Bo watched as a 5 year old boy the killing of his father by the Klan and he knew then the voice that carried out the brutal murder and changed his life forever - Andy Walton. Bo took that injustice to seek justice and became Tennessee's finest criminal lawyer in hopes to bring justice to those that killed his father. On the anniversary of his father's death, Bo came into contact with Andy Walton who is the Warren Buffet of the South. With the frustration that comes when justice is not served, Bo made death threats to Andy in a bar room of people including Walton's wife. The next day Walton is found dead, hanging from the same tree Bo's father had hung from years before.
Bo's old friend and mentor, comes to the defense of Bo to find the real killer and the reason why the cover up. It is complex and compelling and will keep you turning pages. The plot has many characters. Strong characters such as the General- Helen the prosecutor who is determined to keep her town safe and bring new life to the town that has been marked. I like a plot that you can follow along and determine who it is but also has a twist which this one did. A great read on racism and the fight against it.
A Special Thank You to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
A gripping thriller that goes back to the lynching of Bo Haynes' father. Bo watched as a 5 year old boy the killing of his father by the Klan and he knew then the voice that carried out the brutal murder and changed his life forever - Andy Walton. Bo took that injustice to seek justice and became Tennessee's finest criminal lawyer in hopes to bring justice to those that killed his father. On the anniversary of his father's death, Bo came into contact with Andy Walton who is the Warren Buffet of the South. With the frustration that comes when justice is not served, Bo made death threats to Andy in a bar room of people including Walton's wife. The next day Walton is found dead, hanging from the same tree Bo's father had hung from years before.
Bo's old friend and mentor, comes to the defense of Bo to find the real killer and the reason why the cover up. It is complex and compelling and will keep you turning pages. The plot has many characters. Strong characters such as the General- Helen the prosecutor who is determined to keep her town safe and bring new life to the town that has been marked. I like a plot that you can follow along and determine who it is but also has a twist which this one did. A great read on racism and the fight against it.
A Special Thank You to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
August 17, 2019
Good legal thriller. The twist was unexpected!
May 14, 2022
A nice follow up to the first book of the series. If you enjoy courtroom dramas you will enjoy this book. Very enjoyable read!
March 12, 2021
Gave The Professor 4 stars because it was his first book and usually second books are better. Yes, I was right, this is a 5 star book, it is better than the first and that is saying something. I stayed up way too late on a work night to finish this and totally worth it. I would suggest reading The Professor first, this is kinda a continuation. Great book and great new author!!
February 15, 2023
I thought this would be a good audio book for long car rides, unfortunately my driving wasn't long enough and I had to continue listening to it until the end, for two days this was my background music.
Great story, so compelling and with so many twists! The characters are all likable and the story sure is a page turner. Very hard to put it down.
Sad to be reminded of what went on in the southern States in the 60's, so hard to comprehend. Book 2 is definitely a step above book one, which I also enjoyed. Moving on to the next book in the series.
Great story, so compelling and with so many twists! The characters are all likable and the story sure is a page turner. Very hard to put it down.
Sad to be reminded of what went on in the southern States in the 60's, so hard to comprehend. Book 2 is definitely a step above book one, which I also enjoyed. Moving on to the next book in the series.
September 29, 2020
This was a buddy read with my pal Mary Beth and I thought I’d was good but I took off one star because I had part of the ending figured out in the beginning. This was still worth the time but I think book one was better.
February 23, 2018
Another great read by the author of The Professor. His writing reminds me of early John Grisham books. There are a few authors that I follow so I can be sure to get their new books as soon as they are published and this is one of them. I would recommend reading his books in order as the main characters remain pretty much the same and other characters tend to reappear. I've recommended these books to lots of friends and all have enjoyed them immensely!
October 8, 2020
Between Black and White is a story of revenge, being framed, criminal investigation, and trial. It's a story of the Klan, then and now, and also of friendships over the years.
I tend to enjoy "legal thrillers" in movies, TV, and books. I certainly did enjoy this one, and I'll be reading The Last Trial, third in the series.
I tend to enjoy "legal thrillers" in movies, TV, and books. I certainly did enjoy this one, and I'll be reading The Last Trial, third in the series.
January 24, 2017
This is a good legal thriller series. The second installment features a trial of a black lawyer in Klan country. Looking forward to more from these characters.
January 14, 2018
Please see my review on Amazon. com under C. Wong.
September 29, 2018
A real page-turner.
March 23, 2016
A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Robert Bailey returns following debut and first in his new legal series: McMurtie and Drake, The Professor, with a strong follow-up; the highly anticipated #2 BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE. With the return of some likable characters we met in book one—for a riveting fast-paced series of obsession, revenge, murder, and racial injustice.
Interweaving family, crimes, lies, and secrets past and present in a mesmerizing thriller featuring Southern lawyer and former law Professor. A conspiracy of greed and murder, where no one is safe, whether black or white.
From Tennessee Aug 18, 1966, we meet a young boy, Bo (Bocephus) only five years old, a gunshot, a cross, fire, men dressed in costumes (KKK) long white robes with hoods masking their faces. 20 members. His daddy, a field hand. They wanted his dad.
A promise to his dad, to take care of his mother, and to one day make something of himself, and to not believe a word of what would be said. I love you. Don’t watch this. He witnessed his father’s brutal murder. Had he witnessed Andy Walton’s voice?
Flash forward to Pulaski, Tennessee Aug 18, 2011. Bocephus Aurulius Haynes, now a 6 foot four inches-200 lbs. – a heavyweight- blowing out a knee playing football for Bear Bryant (The Man) at Alabama. He still carried the athletic frame of a middle linebacker. Pushing fifty years old, Bo was an intimidating sight.
Bo started out as a black lawyer in the town in the mid-8-s and cut his teeth on criminal defense and worker’s comp cases, and then started the lucrative personal injury plaintiff cases by the mid-90s.
At the tavern, Maggie (Andy’s wife) and Clete reminded him of the date. Forty-five years ago – the anniversary of his dad’s murder by the KKK. Even though Bo was a young boy, he knows Andy Walton (the leader) was behind it.
He was going to make them pay for their sins- "an eye for eye." He had seen the Ku Klux Klan up close and personal through five-year-old eyes as they murdered his father. Historians could spin the past however they wished. He had spent a lifetime trying to put the men who did it, in jail.
Andy had been a recluse for the last year and holed up at his farm. Of all nights to run into him. Bo had been waiting, since he had moved back to Pulaski after law school in 1985. Maggie Walton had approached him several times asking him to leave her family alone. He would never leave Andy Walton alone. She said he was dying—pancreatic cancer, stage IV.
Bo’s wife, Jasmine (Jazz) had begged him to open his practice anywhere but here. However, she finally agreed after accepting a position as an art history professor at Martin Methodist College. He had never lied to her about his motives. He had to bring the men that killed his father to justice.
Pulaski had enough bad publicity as the birthplace of the KKK and unless he could bring forward conclusive evidence, the town was content to let sleeping dogs lie. The only thing his investigation had done was bring danger to his family. His quest for vengeance may cost them their lives. He was not alone. He was afraid Andy was going to die before he could bring him to justice.
Andy was now an old man, had made millions in the stock market, and he wanted the screams to stop. He wanted closure. He had done bad things. A shotgun. He was now dead. He only heard the screams of the boy from long ago.
Now, Bo is being charged with murder. Who else had motive, except for Bo? Shot and hanged on the anniversary date of Bo’s father.
Everything after he left the tavern was a blur. What happened last night? He is under arrest. For what? He does not remember. Four eye witnesses who overheard him threaten Any at the tavern earlier. The same spot where the lunching took place – The clearing. He goes there every year on the anniversary of his death. He was alone and no alibi. He had motive. He knows this will be a hardship on the Professor; however, he trusted no one with his life but Tom.
Enter Tom McMurtrie, his mentor and professor in law school. Bo is the only African-American attorney in town and worked hard to make a name for himself. Drinking the previous night, a blackout, he does not recall murdering anyone, much less his enemy. Tom, comes out of retirement (gotta love the old guys who have the smarts). Of course one big trucking verdict in Alabama doesn’t mean he is ready for a capital murder trial in Tennessee.
Tom McMurtie and Rick Drake take on the task of defending Bo, and try to get the case moved out of Paulaski. From the good ole boy Southerners to the evil enemies….Tom knows Bo is innocent and while working to defend him, they need to find the real killer.
From learning the story of a young boy the horrible night, no child should have to witness, he had told his mom everything. Two weeks later he woke up and she was gone. He went to live with his aunt and uncle and never saw his mom again. Bo was the best student Tom every taught. He knew Bo wanted nothing more than to put Andy Walton and every one of the bastards that lynched his daddy in a prison cell. Plus Bo had to know the real reason they killed his father.
Some people in town were a little nervous about McMurtrie, the former law professor who had spearheaded the big trail win in Henshaw, Alabama over Jack Willistone, whose trucks had routinely carried loads for many of Andy’s businesses in Giles County.
From twists and turns, testimonies, and murder to the explosive ending of what really went down long ago. Dark family secrets and lies of the past are unraveled - revenge. A monster. Racial violence.
Wow, this southern legal thriller hooks you from page one to the end. Southern legal fans of John Grisham and Greg Iles will enjoy the well -developed characters and the deliciously evil twisted plot. An ideal choice for the title --looking forward to more from this exciting new author. The showdown reminded me a little of David Baldacci's The Guilty.
JDCMustReadBooks
Robert Bailey returns following debut and first in his new legal series: McMurtie and Drake, The Professor, with a strong follow-up; the highly anticipated #2 BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE. With the return of some likable characters we met in book one—for a riveting fast-paced series of obsession, revenge, murder, and racial injustice.
Interweaving family, crimes, lies, and secrets past and present in a mesmerizing thriller featuring Southern lawyer and former law Professor. A conspiracy of greed and murder, where no one is safe, whether black or white.
From Tennessee Aug 18, 1966, we meet a young boy, Bo (Bocephus) only five years old, a gunshot, a cross, fire, men dressed in costumes (KKK) long white robes with hoods masking their faces. 20 members. His daddy, a field hand. They wanted his dad.
A promise to his dad, to take care of his mother, and to one day make something of himself, and to not believe a word of what would be said. I love you. Don’t watch this. He witnessed his father’s brutal murder. Had he witnessed Andy Walton’s voice?
Flash forward to Pulaski, Tennessee Aug 18, 2011. Bocephus Aurulius Haynes, now a 6 foot four inches-200 lbs. – a heavyweight- blowing out a knee playing football for Bear Bryant (The Man) at Alabama. He still carried the athletic frame of a middle linebacker. Pushing fifty years old, Bo was an intimidating sight.
Bo started out as a black lawyer in the town in the mid-8-s and cut his teeth on criminal defense and worker’s comp cases, and then started the lucrative personal injury plaintiff cases by the mid-90s.
At the tavern, Maggie (Andy’s wife) and Clete reminded him of the date. Forty-five years ago – the anniversary of his dad’s murder by the KKK. Even though Bo was a young boy, he knows Andy Walton (the leader) was behind it.
He was going to make them pay for their sins- "an eye for eye." He had seen the Ku Klux Klan up close and personal through five-year-old eyes as they murdered his father. Historians could spin the past however they wished. He had spent a lifetime trying to put the men who did it, in jail.
Andy had been a recluse for the last year and holed up at his farm. Of all nights to run into him. Bo had been waiting, since he had moved back to Pulaski after law school in 1985. Maggie Walton had approached him several times asking him to leave her family alone. He would never leave Andy Walton alone. She said he was dying—pancreatic cancer, stage IV.
Bo’s wife, Jasmine (Jazz) had begged him to open his practice anywhere but here. However, she finally agreed after accepting a position as an art history professor at Martin Methodist College. He had never lied to her about his motives. He had to bring the men that killed his father to justice.
Pulaski had enough bad publicity as the birthplace of the KKK and unless he could bring forward conclusive evidence, the town was content to let sleeping dogs lie. The only thing his investigation had done was bring danger to his family. His quest for vengeance may cost them their lives. He was not alone. He was afraid Andy was going to die before he could bring him to justice.
Andy was now an old man, had made millions in the stock market, and he wanted the screams to stop. He wanted closure. He had done bad things. A shotgun. He was now dead. He only heard the screams of the boy from long ago.
Now, Bo is being charged with murder. Who else had motive, except for Bo? Shot and hanged on the anniversary date of Bo’s father.
Everything after he left the tavern was a blur. What happened last night? He is under arrest. For what? He does not remember. Four eye witnesses who overheard him threaten Any at the tavern earlier. The same spot where the lunching took place – The clearing. He goes there every year on the anniversary of his death. He was alone and no alibi. He had motive. He knows this will be a hardship on the Professor; however, he trusted no one with his life but Tom.
Enter Tom McMurtrie, his mentor and professor in law school. Bo is the only African-American attorney in town and worked hard to make a name for himself. Drinking the previous night, a blackout, he does not recall murdering anyone, much less his enemy. Tom, comes out of retirement (gotta love the old guys who have the smarts). Of course one big trucking verdict in Alabama doesn’t mean he is ready for a capital murder trial in Tennessee.
Tom McMurtie and Rick Drake take on the task of defending Bo, and try to get the case moved out of Paulaski. From the good ole boy Southerners to the evil enemies….Tom knows Bo is innocent and while working to defend him, they need to find the real killer.
From learning the story of a young boy the horrible night, no child should have to witness, he had told his mom everything. Two weeks later he woke up and she was gone. He went to live with his aunt and uncle and never saw his mom again. Bo was the best student Tom every taught. He knew Bo wanted nothing more than to put Andy Walton and every one of the bastards that lynched his daddy in a prison cell. Plus Bo had to know the real reason they killed his father.
Some people in town were a little nervous about McMurtrie, the former law professor who had spearheaded the big trail win in Henshaw, Alabama over Jack Willistone, whose trucks had routinely carried loads for many of Andy’s businesses in Giles County.
From twists and turns, testimonies, and murder to the explosive ending of what really went down long ago. Dark family secrets and lies of the past are unraveled - revenge. A monster. Racial violence.
Wow, this southern legal thriller hooks you from page one to the end. Southern legal fans of John Grisham and Greg Iles will enjoy the well -developed characters and the deliciously evil twisted plot. An ideal choice for the title --looking forward to more from this exciting new author. The showdown reminded me a little of David Baldacci's The Guilty.
JDCMustReadBooks
May 21, 2022
This strong legal thriller was picked from the list of books available at pdfduck.com, a site that allows to choose from a wide selection of authors and genres.
This book deals with the struggle of racial injustice through the eyes of Bo Haynes, a lawyer who has been charged with the murder of the leader of the Tennessee chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, forty five years after the murder of Haynes' father.
The backstory itself is quite descriptive (the actual trial not so much) and the book is well-written.
As far as reviews go I really enjoyed the book and because of my love of legal thrillers, I would give this book a solid five stars.
As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.
This book deals with the struggle of racial injustice through the eyes of Bo Haynes, a lawyer who has been charged with the murder of the leader of the Tennessee chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, forty five years after the murder of Haynes' father.
The backstory itself is quite descriptive (the actual trial not so much) and the book is well-written.
As far as reviews go I really enjoyed the book and because of my love of legal thrillers, I would give this book a solid five stars.
As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.
February 20, 2023
I’m not sure how I feel about the author continuing on with the same “villain” being involved with this new case. Part of me found it fun to watch play out and see how JimBone Wheeler (and Jack Willistone) could happen to be involved, while the other half wishes the author had continued on with a brand new case with no connection to the old one.
It was weird how much easier it was to get into this book over the first one in the series. I don’t know if it was the fact that I’m more used to this author’s writing style now or if this case just interested me more than the one in the other book, but this one’s writing felt a lot less dense. The fact that there were a lot fewer dirty threats also helped my enjoyment as well.
It was weird how much easier it was to get into this book over the first one in the series. I don’t know if it was the fact that I’m more used to this author’s writing style now or if this case just interested me more than the one in the other book, but this one’s writing felt a lot less dense. The fact that there were a lot fewer dirty threats also helped my enjoyment as well.
March 26, 2022
As a 5-year-old boy, Bo Haynes watched his father get lynched by the KKK. Now 50, he has spent his adult life trying to bring to justice those involved in the lynching, starting with Andy Walton - big man around town. On the anniversary of the lynching, he threatens Walton with Old Testament justice - an eye for an eye (etc). When Walton is murdered and hung from the same tree, all the evidence points to Bo. Enter Tom McMurtrie, his former professor and mentor. Aided by his partner Rick Drake and local counsel Ray Ray, they try to come up with an alternative theory of the case to counter the very strong prosecution case.
Good writing, gripping storytelling, and a cast of characters who are starting to feel like friends. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Good writing, gripping storytelling, and a cast of characters who are starting to feel like friends. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
June 16, 2025
This was the best book I’ve ever read! I read the professor, the first book in the series first. Then reading this book.. I knew the characters so well.. it was well written with surprises and twist! It was really good!
May 30, 2018
Another good entry in this series.
June 9, 2019
Notes:
Continues to be a fun Character Driven Series
Flaws in details that bug me but not enough to quit the book.
Continues to be a fun Character Driven Series
Flaws in details that bug me but not enough to quit the book.
June 1, 2020
The second in this series. Still going strong and loving the read.
August 2, 2022
Highly recommend reading these books. I can’t wait for the next one. I feel like I know these characters. The lead up to trial is remarkable. So is the outcome.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 683 reviews