Dead Hand Control

by Tim Stutler, Russell Stutler (Illustrator)

After a turbulent childhood, Russell White vows to control his destiny—and build a lasting legacy. The willful working-class youth graduates from a top law school, then joins a preeminent California firm. His life seems perfect. But the same desires and drive that bred White’s success also conspire to destroy him. His aggressive style spawns dangers to his home. As White’s world spirals out of his control, he becomes consumed with safeguarding his young family. The full measure of his obsession emerges when a tragedy robs his power to personally continue protecting it. Then foes mysteriously start disappearing and even dying. White’s plan to control his family’s future appears successful—until a disastrous misstep imperils his son’s life. No amount of meticulous planning can help; only a miracle will save the boy.

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

    Tim Stutler is a California writer, lawyer, and humor blogger (timstutler.com/blog.html). His second novel, HILLARI'S HEAD, was published in the summer of 2013. His first, DEAD HAND CONTROL, was released in paperback and dust jacket forms in 2003 and in Kindle format in 2011.

    Born and raised in Ohio, Stutler enlisted in the navy after high school and sailed the Pacific for five years. Following his 1981 discharge he enrolled at California State University, Fullerton, graduating in 1984. Stutler then attended UC Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law, where he earned a juris doctorate in 1987 after completing his 3L year at Harvard Law School. He served as a member of the CALIFORNIA LAW REVIEW and an editor of the HARVARD ENVIRONMENTAL LAW REVIEW, and has edited or contributed to other professional, scholarly and general-interest publications.

    Stutler is presently a Deputy City Attorney for the City of San Diego. He has held a number of other positions over his career, including dishwasher, burger flipper, taxi driver, sailor, soldier, law firm partner, Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of California, administrative law judge, and municipal court judge pro tempore.

    In addition to writing and practicing law, Stutler is a distance bicyclist and enjoys cooking. He and his wife Marilyn live in San Diego, California. They are proud parents of an adult son.