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Jack Swyteck #14
A Death in Live Oak
When the body of Jamal Cousin, president of the pre-eminent black fraternity at the Florida's flagship university, is discovered hogtied in the Stygian water swamps of the Suwanee River Valley, the death sets off a firestorm that threatens to rage out of control when a fellow student, Mark Towson, the president of a prominent white fraternity, is accused of the crime.
Contending with rising political tensions, racial unrest, and a sensational media, Towson’s defense attorney, Jack Swyteck, knows that the stakes could not be higher—inside or outside the old Suwanee County Couthouse. The evidence against his client, which includes a threatening text message referencing "strange fruit" on the river, seems overwhelming. Then Jack gets a break that could turn the case. Jamal's gruesome murder bears disturbing similarities to another lynching that occurred back in the Jim Crow days of 1944. Are the chilling parallels purely coincidental? With a community in chaos and a young man’s life in jeopardy, Jack will use every resource to find out.
As he navigates each twist and turn of the search, Jack becomes increasingly convinced that his client may himself be the victim of a criminal plan more sinister than the case presented by the state attorney. Risking his own reputation, this principled man who has devoted his life to the law plunges headfirst into the darkest recesses of the South’s past, and its murky present, to uncover answers.
For Jack, it's about the truth. Traversing time, from the days of strict segregation to the present, he’ll find it—no matter what the cost—and bring much-needed justice to Suwanee County.
Contending with rising political tensions, racial unrest, and a sensational media, Towson’s defense attorney, Jack Swyteck, knows that the stakes could not be higher—inside or outside the old Suwanee County Couthouse. The evidence against his client, which includes a threatening text message referencing "strange fruit" on the river, seems overwhelming. Then Jack gets a break that could turn the case. Jamal's gruesome murder bears disturbing similarities to another lynching that occurred back in the Jim Crow days of 1944. Are the chilling parallels purely coincidental? With a community in chaos and a young man’s life in jeopardy, Jack will use every resource to find out.
As he navigates each twist and turn of the search, Jack becomes increasingly convinced that his client may himself be the victim of a criminal plan more sinister than the case presented by the state attorney. Risking his own reputation, this principled man who has devoted his life to the law plunges headfirst into the darkest recesses of the South’s past, and its murky present, to uncover answers.
For Jack, it's about the truth. Traversing time, from the days of strict segregation to the present, he’ll find it—no matter what the cost—and bring much-needed justice to Suwanee County.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2018
638 people are currently reading
1069 people want to read
About the author
James Grippando
50 books1,205 followers The first thing you should know about bestselling author James Grippando is that he is no longer clueless—or so they say, after “A James Grippando Novel” was a clue for #38 Across in the New York Times crossword puzzle. James is the winner of the Harper Lee Prize for legal fiction and a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 novels to his credit, including the popular series featuring Miami criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck. His latest, "Goodbye Girl" (HarperCollins 2024), is the 18th in the Swyteck series. His novels are enjoyed worldwide in 28 languages. As an adjunct professor he teaches "The Law & Lawyers in Modern Literature" at the University of Miami School of Law. He is also counsel at one of the nation’s leading law firms, where he specializes in entertainment and intellectual property law, representing clients who have won more than 40 Tony Awards. He writes in south Florida with Atlas at his side, a faithful golden retriever who has no idea he’s a dog.
Series:
* Jack Swyteck
Series:
* Jack Swyteck
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews
February 24, 2018
It has been a while since I have read a legal thriller, so was excited to see a new book featuring attorney Jack Swytek. Have read and enjoyed reading this series in the past, following Jack in his professional and personal life. When I left him before, he had decided not to continue with the Innocence project, once again branching out on his own. Now married to an FBI agent, and they are parents to a three year old daughter. He is hired in this one to defend the President of a white fraternity, accused of the lynching death of the President of a black fraternity. The University of Florida is the backdrop, and this case will bring out the white supremacists in force.
As I was reading this, another about current happenings in the US, I thought about the rich pickings author have now, so much is currently in our news. Race relations, gay rights, politic, guns, shooting, black lives matter, sexual harassment, one doesn't need to look far to find food for fodder. This is well done, well intentioned, and written with a certain degree of understanding. I did feel that a certain degree of depth was lacking, and the side plot of the white supremacists not fully explored. There was also a question left hanging at the end that was brought up often during the story. So, I liked it but wanted more.
I do applaud the author though for the example he used in the book, one that came to the forefront of the real life lynching of a young black boy that did actually happen. Also, I learned something, did not know there was such a thing as atonement cases and will investigate these further.
ARC from Edelweiss.
As I was reading this, another about current happenings in the US, I thought about the rich pickings author have now, so much is currently in our news. Race relations, gay rights, politic, guns, shooting, black lives matter, sexual harassment, one doesn't need to look far to find food for fodder. This is well done, well intentioned, and written with a certain degree of understanding. I did feel that a certain degree of depth was lacking, and the side plot of the white supremacists not fully explored. There was also a question left hanging at the end that was brought up often during the story. So, I liked it but wanted more.
I do applaud the author though for the example he used in the book, one that came to the forefront of the real life lynching of a young black boy that did actually happen. Also, I learned something, did not know there was such a thing as atonement cases and will investigate these further.
ARC from Edelweiss.
February 14, 2018
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
This really was a fantastic book. I have been a fan of James Grippando for a long time so I was really eager to get my hands on this newest installment in his long running Jack Swyteck series. This is the fourteenth book in the series but each book in the series works well as a stand alone novel. I expect good things from both this author and this series and that is exactly what I got with this book. I really had a great time reading this wonderful story.
This book opens with a bang and I quickly found myself both heartbroken and angry. There are a lot of things in this book that made me angry and broke my heart because the subject matter is just really emotional. The mystery involves the apparent lynching of a young black man at a local university which sparks a lot of racial tension in the community.
Jack becomes the lawyer for the young white man that has been accused of the murder. I thought that this was a really interesting perspective into the crime. There really doesn't appear to be a whole lot to tie the young man to the crime besides a racist text the his client denies sending. The case ends up being a whole lot more complicated than anyone realizes.
I really liked how we get to see each stage of the legal process in this book. Each stage is represented from initial questioning of the suspect, indictment, and bail hearing. We see how difficult it can be for a lawyer to represent a client that doesn't always share what they should or take the advice given. I felt the fear of the his client, Mark, as he goes to prison and fears for his future.
I liked the characters in this book. I think that this series has been focusing less on Jack's personal life in later books. There is still some scenes with Jack and his wife and daughter which I enjoyed. Theo makes an appearance but doesn't play a big role and I have to say that I missed Theo working alongside Jack. Andie, Jack's wife, does get some of her own action in this one to keep things interesting. There were a few characters that were easy to hate such as the prosecutor who is more focused on his re-election than justice.
I do highly recommend this series to others. This was a book that really kept me thinking and glued to the pages. It really was a great story with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. I can't wait to read more from this talented author.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from HarperCollins Publishers - Harper via Edelweiss.
Initial Thoughts
This was excellent. The mystery was very strong and quite complex. I couldn't figure out how everything would come together until the very end. I had a really hard time putting this book down.
This really was a fantastic book. I have been a fan of James Grippando for a long time so I was really eager to get my hands on this newest installment in his long running Jack Swyteck series. This is the fourteenth book in the series but each book in the series works well as a stand alone novel. I expect good things from both this author and this series and that is exactly what I got with this book. I really had a great time reading this wonderful story.
This book opens with a bang and I quickly found myself both heartbroken and angry. There are a lot of things in this book that made me angry and broke my heart because the subject matter is just really emotional. The mystery involves the apparent lynching of a young black man at a local university which sparks a lot of racial tension in the community.
Jack becomes the lawyer for the young white man that has been accused of the murder. I thought that this was a really interesting perspective into the crime. There really doesn't appear to be a whole lot to tie the young man to the crime besides a racist text the his client denies sending. The case ends up being a whole lot more complicated than anyone realizes.
I really liked how we get to see each stage of the legal process in this book. Each stage is represented from initial questioning of the suspect, indictment, and bail hearing. We see how difficult it can be for a lawyer to represent a client that doesn't always share what they should or take the advice given. I felt the fear of the his client, Mark, as he goes to prison and fears for his future.
I liked the characters in this book. I think that this series has been focusing less on Jack's personal life in later books. There is still some scenes with Jack and his wife and daughter which I enjoyed. Theo makes an appearance but doesn't play a big role and I have to say that I missed Theo working alongside Jack. Andie, Jack's wife, does get some of her own action in this one to keep things interesting. There were a few characters that were easy to hate such as the prosecutor who is more focused on his re-election than justice.
I do highly recommend this series to others. This was a book that really kept me thinking and glued to the pages. It really was a great story with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. I can't wait to read more from this talented author.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from HarperCollins Publishers - Harper via Edelweiss.
Initial Thoughts
This was excellent. The mystery was very strong and quite complex. I couldn't figure out how everything would come together until the very end. I had a really hard time putting this book down.
November 13, 2025
Although I thought some of the descriptions around race relations were a bit clunky, I enjoyed the legal aspects of this thriller. It held my interest and had a good pace.
April 22, 2018
James Grippando is one of my favourite go to authors. I have read all his books and enjoyed them all and this one was no exception. Even though this is the 14th book in the Jack Swyteck series, you do not have to have read the previous books to read, follow and enjoy this story. The topic is not an enjoyable one. It deals with racial tensions, issues of race on college campuses as well as historical lynching. This was a good story. It deals with the suspected lynching of Jamal Cousin, the president of a black fraternity at UF by Mark Towson, the president of a white fraternity. Mark claims that he did not send the incriminating text message and that he only knew Jamal by sight and from the few meetings of all the fraternity presidents. Unfortunately, Mark is being charged and two other fraternity brothers are being investigated by an ambitious district attorney and a high profile lawyer representing the victim's family. I do not want to say much more about the plot, but suffice it to say that the reaction at the University and in the town is not quiet. Jack Swyteck is hired by Mark's family as his father is a good friend of Jack's dad.
I like the characters of Jack and Theo. Theo is not in this book as much as he is in others, but when he appears, it is important to the theme of this story. There are actually two storylines, one involving Jack and one Andy, but they do tie together, especially in the end. I was sure I knew who had actually killed Jamal, then changed my mind over and over. I had at least four different suspects. The book kept me riveted and I had to finish. The plot moved quickly and even though there are over 80 chapters, they are relatively short, so the "just one more before I go to bed" went on and on until late into the night. There is no gratuitous violence described, but when the body of Jamal is found and during the court sessions it is described, you get the idea of the horror of finding a lynched body. The ending came as a surprise, but it was well done and very believable. You may wonder how the prologue ties in to this story, but it all comes together at the end.
The author's note shares that the case from the past is true. I know about lynchings but I was not familiar with the term "strange fruit". This is a book that I dreamt about after finishing and woke up feeling a bit uncomfortable. You might not want to read it just before going to bed. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes Legal thrillers, Mysteries and to read about racial tension in the US. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Edelweiss.
I like the characters of Jack and Theo. Theo is not in this book as much as he is in others, but when he appears, it is important to the theme of this story. There are actually two storylines, one involving Jack and one Andy, but they do tie together, especially in the end. I was sure I knew who had actually killed Jamal, then changed my mind over and over. I had at least four different suspects. The book kept me riveted and I had to finish. The plot moved quickly and even though there are over 80 chapters, they are relatively short, so the "just one more before I go to bed" went on and on until late into the night. There is no gratuitous violence described, but when the body of Jamal is found and during the court sessions it is described, you get the idea of the horror of finding a lynched body. The ending came as a surprise, but it was well done and very believable. You may wonder how the prologue ties in to this story, but it all comes together at the end.
The author's note shares that the case from the past is true. I know about lynchings but I was not familiar with the term "strange fruit". This is a book that I dreamt about after finishing and woke up feeling a bit uncomfortable. You might not want to read it just before going to bed. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes Legal thrillers, Mysteries and to read about racial tension in the US. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Edelweiss.
February 25, 2018
There are only a few authors who every book I’ve read by them I’ve loved. Michael Connelly is one of my favorites. But there was a book of his that left me flat. I’m a big fan of Tess Gerritsen. Yet, there was one of her novels I couldn’t get into. James Grippando is one of those few who I’ve loved EVERY BOOK he’s written. I’m sure I’ve rated each one of them 5 stars.
When I started ‘A Death in Live Oak’ I expected another surefire hit.
For some reason—and based on other positive reviews maybe it’s me—but this one just never pulled me in.
The story centers on a lynching. I was sure this would be moving and poignant. Grippando never shies away from controversial topics and confronted racism and bigotry head on.
The story was fast-moving. (367 pages. I finished in 3 nights.) There were a few unexpected turns and twists I didn’t expect.
However, I had a couple issues with the writing.
One complaint I had was the fact, in my opinion, there were too many characters to keep track of. It was overwhelming.
***spoiler***
Another complaint was that some of the action felt…forced or contrived. In a novel, things should seem to happen by random, not manufactured. I make this point regarding Andie’s involvement. Yet again, FBI Agent Andie Henning is working a federal angle of the same case her husband Jack Swyteck is involved in. It happened in past novels but yet, there was really no reason for Andie’s involvement this time. The fact she is undercover in the Aryan Nation as they plan racial violence based around a client Jack is defending seemed to push the limits of credibility.
***end spoiler***
One of the best parts of a story with Jack Swyteck is the camaraderie and friendship between our protagonist and his best friend Theo. Since this book was all about racism and prejudice, I was excited to see how this would effect their friendship. How Jack, a white man, and Theo, his best friend who is black, would react. Yet, there was virtually no interaction between them. Theo was only on 2 or 3 scenes. To me, Grippando should’ve included more Theo and less Andie.
Lastly, it became very apparent and obvious early on who the killer was. When this particular individual first appeared, I got the inclination immediately he was the one. This was on page 45 or 50. On page 360 or so, I was proven right. Kind of a disappointment.
Is this a good book? Absolutely.
Is this a good book for James Grippando? No.
Maybe I expected too much. And yeah. Not every novel will be rated 5 stars. I’m still a big fan and will continue to read him. It will take a lot more than one step back to lose me as a fan. Every author is entitled and this one is Grippando’s.
When I started ‘A Death in Live Oak’ I expected another surefire hit.
For some reason—and based on other positive reviews maybe it’s me—but this one just never pulled me in.
The story centers on a lynching. I was sure this would be moving and poignant. Grippando never shies away from controversial topics and confronted racism and bigotry head on.
The story was fast-moving. (367 pages. I finished in 3 nights.) There were a few unexpected turns and twists I didn’t expect.
However, I had a couple issues with the writing.
One complaint I had was the fact, in my opinion, there were too many characters to keep track of. It was overwhelming.
***spoiler***
Another complaint was that some of the action felt…forced or contrived. In a novel, things should seem to happen by random, not manufactured. I make this point regarding Andie’s involvement. Yet again, FBI Agent Andie Henning is working a federal angle of the same case her husband Jack Swyteck is involved in. It happened in past novels but yet, there was really no reason for Andie’s involvement this time. The fact she is undercover in the Aryan Nation as they plan racial violence based around a client Jack is defending seemed to push the limits of credibility.
***end spoiler***
One of the best parts of a story with Jack Swyteck is the camaraderie and friendship between our protagonist and his best friend Theo. Since this book was all about racism and prejudice, I was excited to see how this would effect their friendship. How Jack, a white man, and Theo, his best friend who is black, would react. Yet, there was virtually no interaction between them. Theo was only on 2 or 3 scenes. To me, Grippando should’ve included more Theo and less Andie.
Lastly, it became very apparent and obvious early on who the killer was. When this particular individual first appeared, I got the inclination immediately he was the one. This was on page 45 or 50. On page 360 or so, I was proven right. Kind of a disappointment.
Is this a good book? Absolutely.
Is this a good book for James Grippando? No.
Maybe I expected too much. And yeah. Not every novel will be rated 5 stars. I’m still a big fan and will continue to read him. It will take a lot more than one step back to lose me as a fan. Every author is entitled and this one is Grippando’s.
February 5, 2018
This is such an insanely good book. Obviously going in, I had some preconceived ideas of what happened to Jamal and who was responsible. (I didn't believe it was Mark, but I definitely thought someone from the frat was responsible, because frats.) I'm obviously not sharing whether or not I was right, but enough happened to show me how wrong I can be. (I loved the book anyway.)
The author's note shares that the case from the past is true. I know about lynchings and I knew what "strange fruit" means but this book made me feel it in a way that I hadn't before. (I haven't looked at lynching pictures, although I'm sure that would've worked, too.) But it's handled in a sensitive, non-gratuitous way. It's not like the injuries are described in graphic detail. At the same time, the point is very definitely and effectively made.
This is not the first book in the series, but new readers will be able to join in progress with no problems. (Although I do want to go and read the others, so be aware that your TBR may grow quite a bit after reading this one book.)
Recommended.
The author's note shares that the case from the past is true. I know about lynchings and I knew what "strange fruit" means but this book made me feel it in a way that I hadn't before. (I haven't looked at lynching pictures, although I'm sure that would've worked, too.) But it's handled in a sensitive, non-gratuitous way. It's not like the injuries are described in graphic detail. At the same time, the point is very definitely and effectively made.
This is not the first book in the series, but new readers will be able to join in progress with no problems. (Although I do want to go and read the others, so be aware that your TBR may grow quite a bit after reading this one book.)
Recommended.
March 18, 2018
Grippando usually includes a racial element to his stories. However, this time taking advantage of current events (e.g. Black Lives Matter, alleged police brutality) he has gone overboard linking past years when racism was more pervasive to these same current events. It's as if we haven't progressed at all. Naturally, the southern white man was and still is a villain yearning for those wonderful days when slavery was legal. I was extremely disappointed, and pretty much offended by Grippando's depiction of the South and the University of Florida in particular. Anybody with kids in U of F knows what a great and diverse college it is, and is so far removed from Grippando's ham-handed attempts to smear it that it would be laughable were it not so pathetic. I'm done reading that buffoon's novels.
February 11, 2018
Grippando never disappoints. Jack Swyteck is one of my favorite fictional characters.
January 18, 2018
What effort do we make every day to not repeat the history of hate?
Mark Towson is an active college student and believes in respectability of the Greek life he has taken over on the campus of the University of Florida. He knows the other Presidents of the fraternities socially but not to the extent that he would be accused of murdering one. However right now that is what Mark is being chased down for along with two other fraternity brothers by an ambitious district attorney a family’s high profile lawyer. Jamal Cousin was president of one of the elite nine African American fraternities and when he is brutally murdered in the most horrific of manners the back story of why and how becomes more than a statistic it becomes a race to find out what happened before it occurs once more.
Jack Swyteck is commandeered into being part of the solution to the problem by his father who repeatedly tells him he can always back out if the ‘the kid’ is guilty. Jack believes in the legal system he has worked his entire life to uphold and wants to speak to any client before presuming anything about them. While the situation seems dire, there is always cause to believe that something is not adding up and any client or potential client is being rowed slowed down one of Florida’s rivers. After meeting with Mark, Jack quickly comes up with a plan of action to figure things out and despite the high profile, very hotly debated situation someone always has to stand for the accused. Spending time and effort to help Mark will keep Jack away from his family and this is the first time his wife, Andi is hesitant about him taking on the client. She knows how life rolls in the real world as an undercover FBI agent, yet support is what Andi provides always even when she doubts the outcome will favor Jack.
As time moves on the politics and media hype make the case and life more difficult for Jack as his client keeps not telling him bits and pieces of what he needs to know. The fraternity brothers become adversaries instead of allies and the entire University shuts Mark out without even a verdict or real answers. Trouble become terror as the campus is a place for both sides of the equation to take a stand and show force with unnecessary violence and then the unspeakable happens and another student goes missing and the bits and pieces of evidence that show up tend to hurt everyone’s case not just Jacks.
What everything in the end comes back to is a telling of a story from 74 years ago that appears to be ancient history yet still applies to today’s present. The sad tale of how one young man was punished for a crime he did not commit revealing how things change and still remain the same. The hope is that while there is a breath in one person’s body to tell the story someone will be made to listen and everyone should be made to hear so that history never repeats itself.
James Grippando is the master of making sure every reader progresses through his stories unable to put them down. Every book is a journey written to keep you mesmerized by the fact that where ever they thought the story was going it just took a huge turn into another direction.
Mark Towson is an active college student and believes in respectability of the Greek life he has taken over on the campus of the University of Florida. He knows the other Presidents of the fraternities socially but not to the extent that he would be accused of murdering one. However right now that is what Mark is being chased down for along with two other fraternity brothers by an ambitious district attorney a family’s high profile lawyer. Jamal Cousin was president of one of the elite nine African American fraternities and when he is brutally murdered in the most horrific of manners the back story of why and how becomes more than a statistic it becomes a race to find out what happened before it occurs once more.
Jack Swyteck is commandeered into being part of the solution to the problem by his father who repeatedly tells him he can always back out if the ‘the kid’ is guilty. Jack believes in the legal system he has worked his entire life to uphold and wants to speak to any client before presuming anything about them. While the situation seems dire, there is always cause to believe that something is not adding up and any client or potential client is being rowed slowed down one of Florida’s rivers. After meeting with Mark, Jack quickly comes up with a plan of action to figure things out and despite the high profile, very hotly debated situation someone always has to stand for the accused. Spending time and effort to help Mark will keep Jack away from his family and this is the first time his wife, Andi is hesitant about him taking on the client. She knows how life rolls in the real world as an undercover FBI agent, yet support is what Andi provides always even when she doubts the outcome will favor Jack.
As time moves on the politics and media hype make the case and life more difficult for Jack as his client keeps not telling him bits and pieces of what he needs to know. The fraternity brothers become adversaries instead of allies and the entire University shuts Mark out without even a verdict or real answers. Trouble become terror as the campus is a place for both sides of the equation to take a stand and show force with unnecessary violence and then the unspeakable happens and another student goes missing and the bits and pieces of evidence that show up tend to hurt everyone’s case not just Jacks.
What everything in the end comes back to is a telling of a story from 74 years ago that appears to be ancient history yet still applies to today’s present. The sad tale of how one young man was punished for a crime he did not commit revealing how things change and still remain the same. The hope is that while there is a breath in one person’s body to tell the story someone will be made to listen and everyone should be made to hear so that history never repeats itself.
James Grippando is the master of making sure every reader progresses through his stories unable to put them down. Every book is a journey written to keep you mesmerized by the fact that where ever they thought the story was going it just took a huge turn into another direction.
February 13, 2018
I have read all of the Jack Swyteck novels and have enjoyed them. The latest was enjoyable BUT I was definitely turned off by the need to include Andie, the wife and FBI agent. The main story was great and we really did not need Andie in the story at all. I am really tired of the little lady fighting off the huge bad guy and winning. Really?? It wasn't necessary and added absolutely nothing to the story. Don't get me wrong, I like the Andie character but did not feel right this time. The ending was a surprise to me?? He kept you going in different directions so I wasn't sure "who done it". I look forward to Grippando's books and all in all was good. If not for Andie, I would have given 5 stars for plot alone.
Read
July 7, 2018Deftly woven tale of racism, bigotry, small towns and the exploitation of the biases that bind us. Do these biases pass like genes from one generation to another, and if so, do the efforts to break free of prejudice also pass like genes in small communities, but recessive ones, doomed to linger on the margins? These questions are posed as a white frat president is accused of lynching another student president, the victim was head of an African-American fraternity. The college and the community will erupt before the mystery will be solved and it will involve almost 80 years of secrets. The tale is timely in many ways while retaining its mystery and suspense throughout. It is a hard book to put down and harder still to forget. -Suzanne R.
April 9, 2019
This wasn't an easy book to read. The lynching of young black men and the racism involved was very difficult to deal with. The offshoot of that was the quick belief that an innocent young white man was guilty of lynching an up and coming young black college student without waiting for any proof. So many people ready to take advantage of the situation to spread hate is unsettling, particularly in view of the present climate in the world.
August 26, 2020
I have read several of this author’s series about a Florida attorney, Jack Sweytek? The books are well written with very good witty banter. I love witty banter. The books have interesting and detailed plots and the character evolve and change. This series is good if you like a series of stories that make you smile and keep your interest. “The Hardy Boys” for semi-adults.
March 4, 2018
Excellent legal thriller. Plot covers racism. I need more like this.
June 3, 2019
An excellent book. Based on true events from 1940’s to modern day north Florida and all the racial tensions. James Grippando doesn’t write a lot of books but they’re well done.
February 24, 2020
This was so good, I could not put it down and finished it in one day! It's the 14th in the Jack Swyteck series, but the first of the author's books for me, and I'm thrilled to think of all the great books I have to read to catch up. The setting is Florida, the swamps of the Suwannee River, where the body of the president of the leading black fraternity at the university is found lynched. Evidence points to the president of the leading white fraternity and his two friends. Swyteck is called in to defend Mark Towson and becomes embroiled in the rising unrest and tension this crime has inevitably brought about. In his investigation, he learns of the similarity of this present crime to one committed in 1944, the lynching of a young black boy just because he became friends with a white girl. Jack believes his client is the victim of a sinister crime of racial hatred and revenge. This is an incredible story, beautifully written, that will grab you and drag you into the lives of the characters, past and present.
April 21, 2019
3.5 stars
the case: a lynching
the relevant topic: racism
this story is Jack busy w/the legal aspects & the courtroom.
the negative is that there were alot of characaters and too much going on. I wasn't as rapt w/attention as i have been w/previous ones.
but it had the usual twists along the way and the high suspense in the last 1/3 of the book.
also, i appreciate the "authors note" at the end which explained the true story behind this one. as well as why one character went from the spelling of Riley to Rhiley which i flagged and said "huh? what happened there?"
the case: a lynching
the relevant topic: racism
this story is Jack busy w/the legal aspects & the courtroom.
the negative is that there were alot of characaters and too much going on. I wasn't as rapt w/attention as i have been w/previous ones.
but it had the usual twists along the way and the high suspense in the last 1/3 of the book.
also, i appreciate the "authors note" at the end which explained the true story behind this one. as well as why one character went from the spelling of Riley to Rhiley which i flagged and said "huh? what happened there?"
August 2, 2018
3.7 It has been a while since I read a Jack Swytecki .
This story is very disturbing ~ I don’t enjoy reading “hate crimes” and I totally hate f-bombs!!!
I did hang in there as story had me! Although I hated the language the novel wasn’t a disappointment! I like good courtroom drama, and I like Jack, Andie, and Riley. Plus Jonathan Davis did a GREAT job performing these characters.
This story is very disturbing ~ I don’t enjoy reading “hate crimes” and I totally hate f-bombs!!!
I did hang in there as story had me! Although I hated the language the novel wasn’t a disappointment! I like good courtroom drama, and I like Jack, Andie, and Riley. Plus Jonathan Davis did a GREAT job performing these characters.
May 1, 2018
I've really enjoyed Grippando's novels in the past, especially those featuring J. Swyteck, but not this one. He seemed to be focusing on incendiary issues rather than on the plot, itself. Of course, I can understand why - he was mirroring the sensationalism we have in our news today. But when I sit down to enjoy a novel for pleasure, I don't want to feel bombarded by the fake news so prevalent today. If I wanted to read the National Enquirer, that's what I'd read.
This was quite a disappointment. I hope he'll get back on track for his next novel.
This was quite a disappointment. I hope he'll get back on track for his next novel.
September 19, 2018
There's a lot going on in Miami lawyer Jack Swyteck’s life in this 14th series title. There's his current case involving the lynching of a black fraternity man at a Florida university, and it has tempers running high; his FBI wife Andie's case is also troubling, since she's undercover investigating a case involving white supremacists; and then there's the historical story line that retells a Jim Crow-era murder that was never solved--and it's on the same stretch of river as the current lynching. Building tensions propel the plot, although historical and contemporary details slow it a bit; Grippando’s characters are always compelling and that's the case here; twisted plots involving all three threads; haunting, harrowing tone. A fine addition to an always satisfying series.
August 23, 2018
Excellent read
March 13, 2018
Never disappoints me !!! I have been reading this author for a long long time.
May 3, 2018
Not his best effort, it seemed forced or contrived.
October 6, 2024
One of my new favourite authors
September 24, 2018
Excellent read. Shows how a horrible event can effect a town 100 years later.
April 29, 2018
This story was okay; it was about racial issues in Florida from past to present & centers around a university student who is accused of lynching. Andie is also involved in the case unbeknown to Jack as she is uncover and their paths do not meet.
September 2, 2019
A heart-thumper? You bet. Tackling racism head-on? Yes, but also with a bit of a pulling back, in my opinion. The ending was, well, disappointing.
January 29, 2018
4.5 stars.
The fourteenth installment in the Jack Swyteck series, A Death in Live Oak by James Grippando is a timely mystery about the apparent lynching of an African American student at a Gainesville University.
The shocking discovery of Jamal Cousin's corpse is eerily reminiscent of the rumored lynching of young teenager Willie James Howard 74 years earlier. One week prior to his death, Jamal, the president of the revered Alpha Fraternity, received racially charged, threatening texts from three members of the Theta Fraternity. Since Jamal only saved the text from Theta president Mark Towson, State Attorney Oliver Boalt and lead detective Josh Proctor quickly zero in on him as their main suspect. Fearing his son will be charged, Mark's father requests a favor from his old boss, former FL Governor Harry Swyteck to ask his son, Jack, to consider representing Mark.
Tensions run high and the university is forced to quickly act. Mark is expelled from college and the future of the Theta fraternity is uncertain. Mark's efforts to overturn his expulsion backfire when Jamal's friend Brandon Wall gives damning testimony that point to racism within the fraternity. Racial tensions on campus turn violent when white supremacists begin attacking African American protesters at demonstrations.
With Boalt under extreme pressure to ensure Jamal receives swift justice, he relies on sworn statements from Mark's frat brother and friend Baine Robinson to bolster his somewhat thin case. Jack is quite skeptical of Baine's efforts to cast suspicion on his friend, but Boalt quickly convenes a grand jury and Mark is summarily indicted then arrested for Jamal's murder. Jack is extremely worried about his client's safety after he is incarcerated pending trial. Forced into a hearing to procure bail for Mark, will Jack uncover the truth about who murdered Jamal?
At the same time Jack is immersed in the volatile case, his wife, FBI agent Andie Henning's current assignment rapidly progresses. Working undercover, she is a very capable agent but the people she is investigating are extremely dangerous. Despite her best efforts to remain out of harm's way, when her path crosses with someone connected to Jamal's murder investigation, things quickly take a perilous turn.
A brilliant addition to the Jack Swyteck series, A Death in Live Oak is a riveting mystery that is socially relevant. The storyline moves at a brisk pace and readers will have a difficult time figuring out who killed Jamal and why. Loosely based on the real life lynching of Willie James Howard, James Grippando shines a much needed light on the racial injustices of the past and the racism that continues to plague our society today.
The fourteenth installment in the Jack Swyteck series, A Death in Live Oak by James Grippando is a timely mystery about the apparent lynching of an African American student at a Gainesville University.
The shocking discovery of Jamal Cousin's corpse is eerily reminiscent of the rumored lynching of young teenager Willie James Howard 74 years earlier. One week prior to his death, Jamal, the president of the revered Alpha Fraternity, received racially charged, threatening texts from three members of the Theta Fraternity. Since Jamal only saved the text from Theta president Mark Towson, State Attorney Oliver Boalt and lead detective Josh Proctor quickly zero in on him as their main suspect. Fearing his son will be charged, Mark's father requests a favor from his old boss, former FL Governor Harry Swyteck to ask his son, Jack, to consider representing Mark.
Tensions run high and the university is forced to quickly act. Mark is expelled from college and the future of the Theta fraternity is uncertain. Mark's efforts to overturn his expulsion backfire when Jamal's friend Brandon Wall gives damning testimony that point to racism within the fraternity. Racial tensions on campus turn violent when white supremacists begin attacking African American protesters at demonstrations.
With Boalt under extreme pressure to ensure Jamal receives swift justice, he relies on sworn statements from Mark's frat brother and friend Baine Robinson to bolster his somewhat thin case. Jack is quite skeptical of Baine's efforts to cast suspicion on his friend, but Boalt quickly convenes a grand jury and Mark is summarily indicted then arrested for Jamal's murder. Jack is extremely worried about his client's safety after he is incarcerated pending trial. Forced into a hearing to procure bail for Mark, will Jack uncover the truth about who murdered Jamal?
At the same time Jack is immersed in the volatile case, his wife, FBI agent Andie Henning's current assignment rapidly progresses. Working undercover, she is a very capable agent but the people she is investigating are extremely dangerous. Despite her best efforts to remain out of harm's way, when her path crosses with someone connected to Jamal's murder investigation, things quickly take a perilous turn.
A brilliant addition to the Jack Swyteck series, A Death in Live Oak is a riveting mystery that is socially relevant. The storyline moves at a brisk pace and readers will have a difficult time figuring out who killed Jamal and why. Loosely based on the real life lynching of Willie James Howard, James Grippando shines a much needed light on the racial injustices of the past and the racism that continues to plague our society today.
November 8, 2025
Picked this one up on a lark from a library sale and it gripped me from the first chapter. A legal drama with racial tension, set in northern Florida and based on a true story from the South’s tragic history from 1944. I will definitely pick up another by this author who I’d never previously heard of before now.
April 3, 2018
Wow, a hat trick of distressing books. The newest Grippando left me with that squeamish feeling and saying in my head: "why are people like that? " Just when we think we have become more "enlightened", we (sadly) discover we are not. And whited sepulchers (Matthew 23:27) among us (seem to) throw the first stones.
While I'll not summarize this book (and too many do), I will say that it kept my attention and I read (listened) in only 2 days. There was an interesting albeit brief merging of Jack's & his FBI agent wife's work on this case. Not sure how I feel about it but think it was more like a shadow than part of the storyline somewhat dropped in and not really developed.
After reading the latest James Grippando, Lee Child and Alex Berenson books, think I need to watch more than a couple kitten and puppy videos on YouTube. Otherwise, contemplating on what a mess we are as a people is sad work. : {
DD@Phila
While I'll not summarize this book (and too many do), I will say that it kept my attention and I read (listened) in only 2 days. There was an interesting albeit brief merging of Jack's & his FBI agent wife's work on this case. Not sure how I feel about it but think it was more like a shadow than part of the storyline somewhat dropped in and not really developed.
After reading the latest James Grippando, Lee Child and Alex Berenson books, think I need to watch more than a couple kitten and puppy videos on YouTube. Otherwise, contemplating on what a mess we are as a people is sad work. : {
DD@Phila
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