Blood on the Leaves

by Jeff Stetson

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

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published July 27, 2004

Reviews

[Phyllis | Mocha Drop · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

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

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

[Cynthia Turner-Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page-turner, couldn't put it down. A sign of true art is the degree to which it stays with you,makes you reflect and question, leaves a kind of restlessness. I loved the multi-layered development of the cast of characters, the unexpected twists and turns, and many unresolved conflicts remaining at the end. Can't wait until the movie is released.

[Christopher Markland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book!! Well told story with a very poignant message: You can never outrun your crimes and misdeeds. Stetson puts the story together masterfully and lets you feel the pain that all of the characters, both major and minor, feel as it relates to the story. Loved it!

[Alissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

not as gripping as I thought it'd be. No real climax. It annoyed me that all the charaters were referred to by their last names. Subject matter was intriguing.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Civil rights or civil wrongs? Justice or revenge? This one will have you wondering.

[Shari Gaskins · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was entertaining and interesting. However, I expected more of a climactic ending.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

In summer 2004, I reviewed for Mystery Scene Magazine and wrote a piece on Jeff Stetson's powerful debut novel, which takes its title from the lyrics of a haunting song: "Southern trees bear strange fruit, Blood on the leaves and blood at the root . . ."

I have never forgotten this vivid book. This morning, reading of racial injustice in Jena, Louisiana, I thought again of BLOOD ON THE LEAVES. If only those schoolboys sitting under their "whites' only" tree, its branches hung with empty nooses, would take the time to read Stetson's novel, to think things through and put themselves in another's place.

While its plot hinges on racial conflicts, Stetson's story is far from black and white. Like the world we live in, the book's fictional world is richly nuanced with complex personalities struggling to determine where they stand on the continuum from justice to vengeance. Three years after reading BLOOD ON THE LEAVES, I still remember how Stetson's writing shines and how his themes resonate. Too bad the conflicts he wrote about are not a thing of the past. I wish we could all forget to hate.

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't say I liked this book because to much of today's racial strife is mirrored in this story. It was a good read with solid characters and enough twists to keep you guessing. Published in 2004, the story deals with a black professor teaching a class in black history that brings atrocities from the 1960's to life in in vivid detail. Some in the community feel he is teaching revenge and, in fact, white men from that generation start dying in copy-cat murders identical to the crimes they allegedly and in many cases admitted. A black District Attorney is put in charge of the investigation and trial of the teacher. That is it, you will have to read the rest. A solid story that hits perhaps to close to home.

[Wayland Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really well done legal thriller. Years ago, white men got away with killing black men just about as often as they wanted to. Decades later, someone is evening the score. Men who were involved in these killings are turning up dead, and killed in the same way as their victims.

There are a lot of twists and turns along the way in this great mystery. I enjoyed it a great deal more than I expected to. It's really excellently written, delving into racism (on both sides), morality, and some really difficult choices.

Recommended to pretty much everyone, really. This was just a great story.

[Carol Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real page turner. I highly recommend this book.
For anyone who has ever thought about revenge, this story details reprisals/retribution upon a group of white men who harassed and terrorized black people before the civil rights era. The book makes you question notions of law, justice, revenge, forgiveness, personal and political morality. I even argued with my brother, who also enjoyed the book, about the ambiguous ending. Thought provoking and would make a good book club selection.
I always critique courtroom scenes and this one was well done.

[Kamatchi Krishnamurthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood on the leaves was written by my neighbor's classmate from Natick High school. She highly recommended this book. The book was published in 2004. Strikingly things have not changed since this book was written and it is 2017 very relevant now as it was then. The story is about the Klan's killing of black people in the south and the white men who were either not tried for their murders or tried and let go without any consequences. Very strong and sensitive subject. Extraordinary and powerful writing!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What else can you expect from a book whose title quotes Billie Holliday's Strange Fruit, and that is dedicated to the children killed in the Birmingham church bombing?

This debut thriller starts off extremely strong, going on to examine revenge vs justice. The last part languishes somewhat. Still, this has been an incredibly powerful book that kept my interest until the last page.

Schedule for movie release in 2009 (starring Jamie Foxx) this book deserves wider reading and discussion.

[Smoochys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Racism and hate exist - even if we don't talk about it

it's interesting that I found this book at the time when there is so much public outcry (at least from blacks) about the death blacks are being handed by white cops who will never be punished for their actions.

Justice was served in an eye for an eye format in this book. The book also served as a platform for the author to point out what is wrong with the black community and how hard it is to live in white America.

[AlTonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've read such a dynamic legal thriller. I definitely enjoyed this one, although I had expected to be just a little more surprised once the mystery was solved. Still, this was certainly a page turner, with strong gripping characters and a plot with the power to enrage, sadden and humor me. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from this author.

[Barbara Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mesmerizing book. Difficult to put down but a the same time so violent that I found it even more difficult to keep reading. I do believe that this book paints a truthful picture of racial hatred in the old South. This story exposes the truth of racism and murder of innocent people and the revenge that took place later.

[Trisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was about a kid from Boston who defended his Irish cousin after being killed by Hornsbuckle. He was a brat who was in a dual with his cousin and killed him early before he even got to turn around. He gets sentenced to hang and escapes and ends up in the south with a fellow prisoner who becomes his best friend. They end up joining the confederate army. Kinda dragged out.

[Millardswm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I found it while looking for the song lyrics, Strange Fruit, before introducing To Kill a Mockingbird to my 9th grade class. Jamie Foxx is producing and starring in the movie to be released in 09.

[CKE387 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who is killing off unrepentent killers of civil right activists ? The Professor, a student, someone that was involved in the civil rights movement, or a twisted serial killer ? Thought provoking look at "what is justice?".

[Born True Bethea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read books like this, but i have to say, this was a great read. this is one of the top ten books i have ever read. I swear. This is definitely one of the books that everybody should read.

[Bonita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably the first book of fiction I read. It has been many years. Great book, crime mystery kept you on the edge. You think you know how is doing the deed, but you don't. There was some talk about a movie and Jamie Foxx playing the lead, that would be a grave mistake.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

"An eye for an eye" or "turn the other cheeK" - both have consequences. This book addresses both sides while still managing to be a legal thriller and mystery. May even make you think about yourself. This book is especially interesting considering today's issues. Worth the read.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently reading this for class, it is really good so far

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My dad gave me this to read. I'm kind of shocked - it's a bit liberal for him.

So far, the writing is mediocre, but the story is good. Very thought provoking.

[Melina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a page turner. I could not put it down; I wish Jeff Stetson would treat us all to another novel.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Previously read in 2004; Black DA must proscecute AA college professor for killing white klansmen in the manner they slaughtered innocent AA's during the civil rights period.

[Monique Lurry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Love the "Native Son" references. Left me excitingly tired from always being on the edge of my seat.

[Queen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful

[Camille Rogers]

Supposedly they are making a movie out of this...and they better not mess it up!!!!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was really good, i loved the trials and the writing really easy going, the subject is also new to me and i found it interesting, couldn't wait to finish the book.