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The Color of Justice
Two racially charged cases. Two attorneys searching for the truth. But only one will stay alive long enough to find it.
1964- Justice, Mississippi, is a town divided. White and black. Rich and poor. Rule makers and rule breakers. Right or wrong, everyone assumes their place behind a fragile faCade that is about to crumble. When attorney Coop Lindsay agrees to defend a black man accused of murdering a white teenager, the bribes and death threats don't intimidate him. As he prepares for the case of a lifetime, the young lawyer knows it's the verdict that poses the real threat--innocent or guilty, because of his stand Coop is no longer welcome in Justice. As he follows his conscience, he wonders just how far some people will go to make sure he doesn't finish his job?
2014- To some, the result of the trial still feels like a fresh wound even fifty years later, when Coop's grandson arrives in Justice seeking answers to the questions unresolved by the trial that changed his family's legacy. When a new case is presented, again pitting white against black, this third generation Lindsay may have the opportunity he needs to right the wrongs of the past.
But hate destroys everything it touches, and the Lindsay family will not escape unscathed.
1964- Justice, Mississippi, is a town divided. White and black. Rich and poor. Rule makers and rule breakers. Right or wrong, everyone assumes their place behind a fragile faCade that is about to crumble. When attorney Coop Lindsay agrees to defend a black man accused of murdering a white teenager, the bribes and death threats don't intimidate him. As he prepares for the case of a lifetime, the young lawyer knows it's the verdict that poses the real threat--innocent or guilty, because of his stand Coop is no longer welcome in Justice. As he follows his conscience, he wonders just how far some people will go to make sure he doesn't finish his job?
2014- To some, the result of the trial still feels like a fresh wound even fifty years later, when Coop's grandson arrives in Justice seeking answers to the questions unresolved by the trial that changed his family's legacy. When a new case is presented, again pitting white against black, this third generation Lindsay may have the opportunity he needs to right the wrongs of the past.
But hate destroys everything it touches, and the Lindsay family will not escape unscathed.
350 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
79 people are currently reading
823 people want to read
About the author
Ace Collins
118 books219 followersCiting his Arkansas heritage, Christy Award winner Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. In that capacity, Collins has authored more than eighty books for 25 different publishers that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children’s works as well as books on history, culture and faith. He has also been the featured speaker at the National Archives Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted a television special, been featured on every network morning TV show and does college basketball play-by-play. He is married to Kathy Collins, Chair of the Education Department at Ouachita Baptist University, and the couple has two grown sons. Collins lives in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
November 30, 2016
A special thank you to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Top Books of 2014
THE COLOR OF JUSTICE by Ace Collins is a riveting, page-turner, and complex story of racial injustice and a small southern town full of dark secrets. Set in 1964, in Justice, Mississippi, where black and whites live separately, and the lines are seldom crossed.
Coop is an attorney with his own small firm, taking over from his dad’s practice, where he now resides with his wife Judy, and children. Three months of living with his wife Judy and children, in the sleepy community where five generations of his family had called home had proven two things to the lanky, dark-haired man. The first was something he liked: Justice was the same quaint town he remembers from his youth and also the thing he hated with their narrow minds and thinking.
Since he opened his office not one black person had knocked on his door until Hattie Ross walks in. She was a former maid for Coop’s dad and family and asks him to defend her grandson, Calvin, accused of murdering Becky (a white girl from a powerful family).
When Coop takes the case, entire world changes and his wife, and family are threatened and all their lives are at risk. Someone has set up Calvin, and Coop takes it upon himself to find the answers, and the real killer, no matter what. When he finally wins the case; however, they both go missing, after the trial, never to be found again.
I was immediately hooked from page one, as Ace Collins grabs the reader and never let’s go until the ending. The lovable characters were so warm and realistic and I would have been satisfied with the book ending when the trial ended in 1964, as I was so rooting for Coop and Calvin. (I loved this part, as was so engrossed, had forgotten there was a second part, and wanted to cry, as loved these two characters).
After the trial, the book advances to 2014, where Coop’s grandson returns to the small town, also an attorney, and this time the roles are reversed. Almost 50 years later, he opens his own practice, at the same office. His first case is just as controversial as the one that ended his grandfather’s life.
This time the victim is African American and the suspect is white. Things have changed for the better in 2014; however, some are stuck back in the sixties, and racial tension is still high even some fifty years later, but Clark is as driven as his grandfather and will not stop until he uncovers his grandfather’s killer, peeling back the layers and the secrets.
The last part of the book is fast-paced, revealing clues from the 1964 case relevant to the case in 2014. Some things are not as they seem, and the question – how far will the killer go for revenge. From power, money, revenge, lies, secrets, murder, and racial injustice – it has it all. I happen to grow up in this era in the south, and so loved the mentions of the sixties music, like Rick Nelson, cars, and the styles are familiar and readers from this time will relate.
Wow, I loved everything about this book! THE COLOR OF JUSTICE, is the kind of book you want to savor and do not want it to end. The front cover is so intriguing, drawing you into this world of controversial issues between races, with all its injustice.
With twists and turns you will not see coming for an engrossing and satisfying suspense thriller, THE COLOR OF JUSTICE is a story you will not soon forget, and characters which will live on making you smile long after the book ends.
Am so delighted to discover this book and author, cannot wait to dive into his previous books. Don’t you love discovering a new-found author? We can only hope for a sequel!
JDCMustReadBooks
Top Books of 2014
THE COLOR OF JUSTICE by Ace Collins is a riveting, page-turner, and complex story of racial injustice and a small southern town full of dark secrets. Set in 1964, in Justice, Mississippi, where black and whites live separately, and the lines are seldom crossed.
Coop is an attorney with his own small firm, taking over from his dad’s practice, where he now resides with his wife Judy, and children. Three months of living with his wife Judy and children, in the sleepy community where five generations of his family had called home had proven two things to the lanky, dark-haired man. The first was something he liked: Justice was the same quaint town he remembers from his youth and also the thing he hated with their narrow minds and thinking.
Since he opened his office not one black person had knocked on his door until Hattie Ross walks in. She was a former maid for Coop’s dad and family and asks him to defend her grandson, Calvin, accused of murdering Becky (a white girl from a powerful family).
When Coop takes the case, entire world changes and his wife, and family are threatened and all their lives are at risk. Someone has set up Calvin, and Coop takes it upon himself to find the answers, and the real killer, no matter what. When he finally wins the case; however, they both go missing, after the trial, never to be found again.
I was immediately hooked from page one, as Ace Collins grabs the reader and never let’s go until the ending. The lovable characters were so warm and realistic and I would have been satisfied with the book ending when the trial ended in 1964, as I was so rooting for Coop and Calvin. (I loved this part, as was so engrossed, had forgotten there was a second part, and wanted to cry, as loved these two characters).
After the trial, the book advances to 2014, where Coop’s grandson returns to the small town, also an attorney, and this time the roles are reversed. Almost 50 years later, he opens his own practice, at the same office. His first case is just as controversial as the one that ended his grandfather’s life.
This time the victim is African American and the suspect is white. Things have changed for the better in 2014; however, some are stuck back in the sixties, and racial tension is still high even some fifty years later, but Clark is as driven as his grandfather and will not stop until he uncovers his grandfather’s killer, peeling back the layers and the secrets.
The last part of the book is fast-paced, revealing clues from the 1964 case relevant to the case in 2014. Some things are not as they seem, and the question – how far will the killer go for revenge. From power, money, revenge, lies, secrets, murder, and racial injustice – it has it all. I happen to grow up in this era in the south, and so loved the mentions of the sixties music, like Rick Nelson, cars, and the styles are familiar and readers from this time will relate.
Wow, I loved everything about this book! THE COLOR OF JUSTICE, is the kind of book you want to savor and do not want it to end. The front cover is so intriguing, drawing you into this world of controversial issues between races, with all its injustice.
With twists and turns you will not see coming for an engrossing and satisfying suspense thriller, THE COLOR OF JUSTICE is a story you will not soon forget, and characters which will live on making you smile long after the book ends.
Am so delighted to discover this book and author, cannot wait to dive into his previous books. Don’t you love discovering a new-found author? We can only hope for a sequel!
JDCMustReadBooks
October 13, 2014
The Color of Justice by Ace Collins (Abingdon Press)
The Color of Justice was my first foray into the Christian book market. I have long held the view that genre work can be just as good as so-called literary work despite what the majority of my writing professors in my graduate writing program may have thought. I approached The Color of Justice as I would any book in any genre – with expectations that it would at the very least fit within expectations for its genre – that is, that a legal thriller would at a minimum deliver on established conventions – a lawyer protagonist, a legal issue, perhaps a riveting courtroom scene. If a legal thriller delivers more – great character development, insight into a social/legal problem, even a sense of place and time – all the better.
Sadly, The Color of Justice did not deliver even on my minimum expectations. Yes, there was a lawyer-hero. Yes, he accepted a difficult, unpopular case. Yes, there was a courtroom scene. Two, in fact, as the book is split between almost parallel events in 1964 and 2014. But the characters are stereotypical – the honorable country lawyer, the corrupt DA, the villainous millionaire who turns out to be misunderstood, the beautiful blonde flawless wife and so on. The plot is convoluted and disjointed. The final revelation/denouncement is so over-the-top that it’s laughable.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review - and it's honest
The Color of Justice was my first foray into the Christian book market. I have long held the view that genre work can be just as good as so-called literary work despite what the majority of my writing professors in my graduate writing program may have thought. I approached The Color of Justice as I would any book in any genre – with expectations that it would at the very least fit within expectations for its genre – that is, that a legal thriller would at a minimum deliver on established conventions – a lawyer protagonist, a legal issue, perhaps a riveting courtroom scene. If a legal thriller delivers more – great character development, insight into a social/legal problem, even a sense of place and time – all the better.
Sadly, The Color of Justice did not deliver even on my minimum expectations. Yes, there was a lawyer-hero. Yes, he accepted a difficult, unpopular case. Yes, there was a courtroom scene. Two, in fact, as the book is split between almost parallel events in 1964 and 2014. But the characters are stereotypical – the honorable country lawyer, the corrupt DA, the villainous millionaire who turns out to be misunderstood, the beautiful blonde flawless wife and so on. The plot is convoluted and disjointed. The final revelation/denouncement is so over-the-top that it’s laughable.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review - and it's honest
August 19, 2015
This was a very good read. I decided to read The Color of Justice because it was a recent award winner and I'm glad that I did. Ace Collins is a new to me author and I'd definitely read his other novels.
The Color of Justice is a bit like To Kill a Mockingbird. 2/3 of the novel takes place in 1964 and this is the part I enjoyed the most. The remainder of the novel takes place 50 years later in 2014. While both time periods were good, it was the story from 1964 and the way it was told that appealed to me most. The current day story had a number of twists and turns and the entire novel kept me turning pages.
While the novel is categorized as suspense, I see it more as a mystery novel.
I recommend The Color of Justice to those who enjoy mystery novels.
The Color of Justice is a bit like To Kill a Mockingbird. 2/3 of the novel takes place in 1964 and this is the part I enjoyed the most. The remainder of the novel takes place 50 years later in 2014. While both time periods were good, it was the story from 1964 and the way it was told that appealed to me most. The current day story had a number of twists and turns and the entire novel kept me turning pages.
While the novel is categorized as suspense, I see it more as a mystery novel.
I recommend The Color of Justice to those who enjoy mystery novels.
September 4, 2014
A very clever story, and in a genre that needs it right now, that of legal thrillers, I’m not sure if this was trying to be a modern version of “To Kill a Mockingbird” but that is kind of what it achieves – with racial tension and the injustice within the justice system at its core yet turned on its head in a tale of two halves.
Coop Lindsay faces a difficult case yet against all odds he wins. Not long afterwards the defendant disappears and Coop is dead. Years later his Grandson takes on a similar case, and with the same pig headed determination as his Grandfather, sets out to discover the truth. But often truth can bring danger…and it most certainly does in this case.
The author manages to get the ambience of the times spot on, showing that both everything and nothing has changed and it is fascinating reading. The feel of the early 60′s morphs into modern day seemlessly, there is some beautiful irony in there and a little twist of fate that was brilliantly achieved.
There are some slow moments to be fair, where things stagnate a little, but overall this was a very good read and one I definitely recommend for fans of courtroom drama, thrillers and mystery.
Happy Reading Folks!
Coop Lindsay faces a difficult case yet against all odds he wins. Not long afterwards the defendant disappears and Coop is dead. Years later his Grandson takes on a similar case, and with the same pig headed determination as his Grandfather, sets out to discover the truth. But often truth can bring danger…and it most certainly does in this case.
The author manages to get the ambience of the times spot on, showing that both everything and nothing has changed and it is fascinating reading. The feel of the early 60′s morphs into modern day seemlessly, there is some beautiful irony in there and a little twist of fate that was brilliantly achieved.
There are some slow moments to be fair, where things stagnate a little, but overall this was a very good read and one I definitely recommend for fans of courtroom drama, thrillers and mystery.
Happy Reading Folks!
May 15, 2018
The Color of Justice is a theologically solid look at racism in the Deep South of 1964. Ace Collins often references to the Biblical story of the Good Samaritan to remind us that no matter what our language, tribe, color or creed, we are all brothers. As Christians are responsible to heed the call of Christ to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Unfortunately, in small community this is not the practice in 1964, when a young woman is murdered and without hesitation the whites in the community decide that a young, well-respected black man is her murderer in response to a public affront made that day by her father when he and she were seen talking to one another. Coop Lindsay, a cross between a young Perry Mason and Atticus Finch decides he will risk all to save an innocent man.
Since the characters are intriguing and interesting; we become invested in the story line rather quickly. This is the story’s only other strong point. The storyline itself is uneven and reaches beyond fiction to near fantasy. Told in two parts, the predominant story focuses on an unmercifully, hot July 1964. The second part takes place in 2014, 50 years later with the mystery wrapped up by Coop's grandson, also known as Coop Lindsay, who is also a practicing attorney following in his grandfather's footsteps by defending a wrongly accused. In 2014 it is a white defendant for the murder of his close friend, who is black. This portion was presented in a hodgepodge manner that leaves the reader baffled and at times a bit incredulous. While the author resolves the story by identifying the murderers of both victims, the lack of cohesive delivery prevents this from being a great read.
The second portion focuses primarily on the courtroom trial concerning the mysterious murder of popular high school student. However, in the midst of this 2014 trial, Coop unveils the murderer of both his grandfather and his black client that occurred in 1964. That this occurs in a courtroom would never happen. In the real world, law enforcement first confronts the guilty party with the damning evidence!
Another serious defect within this novel is the inconsistency in the quality of the dialogue particularly among those in the under-educated black community. One main character, an African American, cleaning woman, named Hattie, often speaks as though she graduated Magna cum laude from an Ivy League college with no southern affectation, yet, at other times her communication is realistic to her era, education and location. Other character's also showed varying degrees of skill or lack thereof in their articulation that was unrelated to their southern dialect or background. This is distracting and challenges the credibility of some of the characterizations. Even more frustrating were the times when the dialogue shifted to narration!
This story may have been enjoyable had it not inundated the reader with a plethora of egregious technical flaws which were both distracting and made other events implausible. In the middle of the second half, my interest flagged so completely I didn’t care to finish. This was a slipshod workmanship. The second portion lacked continuity and sounding as though it was written by someone else entirely. Add to this that the author makes several references to Hawthorne’s “Scarlet Letter” as a clue and the incorporation of aspects from "To Kill a Mockingbird" and this came across as a college exercise for first year writing students. Mr. Collins attempts to write a Christian courtroom drama on par to John Grisham, Steve Martini or Harper Lee but fails to emulate these artists, sadly, leaving some readers dissatisfied.
In conclusion, “The Color of Justice” could have been a great story with many lessons but instead it meandered and misfired multiple times; falling short at delivering a truly shocking coup de grâce.
I received an Advanced Reading Copy in exchange for an honest opinion. 3/15
Since the characters are intriguing and interesting; we become invested in the story line rather quickly. This is the story’s only other strong point. The storyline itself is uneven and reaches beyond fiction to near fantasy. Told in two parts, the predominant story focuses on an unmercifully, hot July 1964. The second part takes place in 2014, 50 years later with the mystery wrapped up by Coop's grandson, also known as Coop Lindsay, who is also a practicing attorney following in his grandfather's footsteps by defending a wrongly accused. In 2014 it is a white defendant for the murder of his close friend, who is black. This portion was presented in a hodgepodge manner that leaves the reader baffled and at times a bit incredulous. While the author resolves the story by identifying the murderers of both victims, the lack of cohesive delivery prevents this from being a great read.
The second portion focuses primarily on the courtroom trial concerning the mysterious murder of popular high school student. However, in the midst of this 2014 trial, Coop unveils the murderer of both his grandfather and his black client that occurred in 1964. That this occurs in a courtroom would never happen. In the real world, law enforcement first confronts the guilty party with the damning evidence!
Another serious defect within this novel is the inconsistency in the quality of the dialogue particularly among those in the under-educated black community. One main character, an African American, cleaning woman, named Hattie, often speaks as though she graduated Magna cum laude from an Ivy League college with no southern affectation, yet, at other times her communication is realistic to her era, education and location. Other character's also showed varying degrees of skill or lack thereof in their articulation that was unrelated to their southern dialect or background. This is distracting and challenges the credibility of some of the characterizations. Even more frustrating were the times when the dialogue shifted to narration!
This story may have been enjoyable had it not inundated the reader with a plethora of egregious technical flaws which were both distracting and made other events implausible. In the middle of the second half, my interest flagged so completely I didn’t care to finish. This was a slipshod workmanship. The second portion lacked continuity and sounding as though it was written by someone else entirely. Add to this that the author makes several references to Hawthorne’s “Scarlet Letter” as a clue and the incorporation of aspects from "To Kill a Mockingbird" and this came across as a college exercise for first year writing students. Mr. Collins attempts to write a Christian courtroom drama on par to John Grisham, Steve Martini or Harper Lee but fails to emulate these artists, sadly, leaving some readers dissatisfied.
In conclusion, “The Color of Justice” could have been a great story with many lessons but instead it meandered and misfired multiple times; falling short at delivering a truly shocking coup de grâce.
I received an Advanced Reading Copy in exchange for an honest opinion. 3/15
September 23, 2014
Procured via: NetGalley
Book Title and Author: “The Color of Justice” by Ace Collins
RELEASE DATE: October 7, 2014
RATING: 5 Stars Excellent! Get your hands on the hardcover and add it to your shelves TODAY!
GENRE: Thriller/Legal/Historical General
AUDIENCE: Fans of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, and “A Time to Kill” will love this book!
SERIES: Standalone
SUMMARY: Justice, Mississippi in 1964 means white is right and black gets a person a prison sentence. Coop Lindsay is hired to defend a black man accused of killing a white teenager. His understanding of justice and of right and wrong will be tested in ways he never thought possible.
Justice, Mississippi in 2014 finds Coop Lindsay’s grandson in town. Fifty years later, the case his grandfather fought still colors his families’ legacy. Now, with another case of black versus white, can he right a terrible wrong?
REVIEW: This book is a hand’s down five star winner. Not only was the writing strong and assured, the storyline hummed right along. Collins takes a tension-filled subject, and brings readers right into his world in Mississippi. I could read a line, close my eyes, and picture the town’s streets and identify each character in my mind. When the trial of 1964 ended, I felt an exciting burst of anticipation knowing that the case of 2014 was going to be written as strongly and heartrendingly.
Collins added bits from the 1964 case into the 2014 case, bringing readers into the tantalizing suspense of the killer’s motivations-revenge, covering secrets, racial injustice and hatred. There were quite a few turns that I didn’t see coming at all, and usually I can predict how the puzzle pieces fit. The end was extremely satisfying, and immediately after reading it, I turned around and read it a second time with a more analytical eye. Hmm, it was still great!
I highly recommend this book for fans of Southern Gothic fiction. Extremely readable and thought-provoking.
FYI: Other works by Ace Collins include:
“A Date with Death” Published 2013
“Darkness Before Dawn” Published 2013
“The Christmas Star” Published 2012
The Lije Evans Mystery Series
Book Title and Author: “The Color of Justice” by Ace Collins
RELEASE DATE: October 7, 2014
RATING: 5 Stars Excellent! Get your hands on the hardcover and add it to your shelves TODAY!
GENRE: Thriller/Legal/Historical General
AUDIENCE: Fans of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, and “A Time to Kill” will love this book!
SERIES: Standalone
SUMMARY: Justice, Mississippi in 1964 means white is right and black gets a person a prison sentence. Coop Lindsay is hired to defend a black man accused of killing a white teenager. His understanding of justice and of right and wrong will be tested in ways he never thought possible.
Justice, Mississippi in 2014 finds Coop Lindsay’s grandson in town. Fifty years later, the case his grandfather fought still colors his families’ legacy. Now, with another case of black versus white, can he right a terrible wrong?
REVIEW: This book is a hand’s down five star winner. Not only was the writing strong and assured, the storyline hummed right along. Collins takes a tension-filled subject, and brings readers right into his world in Mississippi. I could read a line, close my eyes, and picture the town’s streets and identify each character in my mind. When the trial of 1964 ended, I felt an exciting burst of anticipation knowing that the case of 2014 was going to be written as strongly and heartrendingly.
Collins added bits from the 1964 case into the 2014 case, bringing readers into the tantalizing suspense of the killer’s motivations-revenge, covering secrets, racial injustice and hatred. There were quite a few turns that I didn’t see coming at all, and usually I can predict how the puzzle pieces fit. The end was extremely satisfying, and immediately after reading it, I turned around and read it a second time with a more analytical eye. Hmm, it was still great!
I highly recommend this book for fans of Southern Gothic fiction. Extremely readable and thought-provoking.
FYI: Other works by Ace Collins include:
“A Date with Death” Published 2013
“Darkness Before Dawn” Published 2013
“The Christmas Star” Published 2012
The Lije Evans Mystery Series
October 25, 2014
I really liked this book. There are times when we are faced with a decision that forces us to do what is right or do what is popular. This is the type of decision that confronts the attorney when Hattie asks Coop to defend her nephew, Calvin, who has been arrested for the rape and murder of a white teenager.I loved the character Cooper Lindsay. Coop is a man of conviction and character. His father was the pastor of one of the churches in Justice and live the lessons he taught each Sunday. Coop remembers those lessons well. This occurs in 1964 in the small, rural town of Justice, Mississippi. Yes, Calvin is black. Coop agrees to meet with Calvin. He finds a young man full of anger and distrust, but a young man who Coop believes in not guilty. What does he do? If he takes the case, he knows he will have to leave Justice after the trial. Will he or Calvin live to see the trial? Forward to 2014, when Coop's grandson, also an attorney, arrives in Justice to find some answers to questions unanswered in 1964. Again, a young man is on trial for murder, but the roles are reversed. The accused is white and the victim is black. When grandson, Coop is asked to become a part of the accused legal team, he sees a chance to gain insight and possibly answers to the questions that brings him to Justice. But someone wants those questions to remain unanswered.
October 25, 2014
The Color of Justice reminds me of an old movie classic. I could see Jimmy Stewart or Cary Grant as the lead role. The location is the Deep South during the mid-60. The town of Justice is shaken when a white young girl is found brutally murdered. The town is set to hang a young black man for the crime. Coop an upcoming lawyer whose family has deep roots in the town, sets off to defend Calvin Ross. In the process of many deep seeded emotions many do not want the truth; Coop is discovering what the ugliness of racism looks and feels like. Pure Evil. I think that is why I like this book so much; it is very black and white and leads the reader to see how we make the gray.
With many twists and turns, Coop does not know who he can trust. Foes become friends, and friends become foes. It makes for very interesting reading.
Without giving to much away, 50 years later Coop’s grandson ultimately brings Justice to its namesake. The ending was a classic.
A special thank you , Abingdon Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
With many twists and turns, Coop does not know who he can trust. Foes become friends, and friends become foes. It makes for very interesting reading.
Without giving to much away, 50 years later Coop’s grandson ultimately brings Justice to its namesake. The ending was a classic.
A special thank you , Abingdon Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
October 8, 2014
In Justice in 1964 there is still a colored and white areas. The are equal but reality they are not. A Nergo boy is accused of raping and killing a white girl. The tensions are high in the white community and scared in the other side of town. A lawyer from the white side takes the case and proves the boy is innocent. The lawyer and boy disappears as they leave courthouse. The story moves to 2014 and the Grandson of the lawyer returns to Justice to answer the question of what happened to his Grandfather. I recommend this book highly.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from Abingdon Press through Netgalley for an honest review. I wish to thank for the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from Abingdon Press through Netgalley for an honest review. I wish to thank for the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
January 24, 2023
The Color of Justice was a fantastic read! I ended up listening to the audiobook I borrowed from the library instead of reading my e-review copy and it was such a good listen! The narrator was amazing.
I was drawn into the story right away and I loved how it was written. I kept trying to figure out what the truth was and, I've got to say, the ending SHOCKED me!
All in all, The Color of Justice was a great read and I recommend it to fans of mysteries.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
I was drawn into the story right away and I loved how it was written. I kept trying to figure out what the truth was and, I've got to say, the ending SHOCKED me!
All in all, The Color of Justice was a great read and I recommend it to fans of mysteries.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
January 20, 2016
I received a free kindle advance copy of The Color of Justice by Ace Collins from NetGalley for fair review. It is a five star! It is a terse, unpleasant look at a troubled time. There were times, because I lived during it, that I had difficulty reading it. It brought back memories that were better left buried in time.
In 1964 in the south, circumstances were very different. There were separate fountains for whites & non-whites. The schools had not yet been integrated. Churches were separated with the 'coloreds' church usually being across the tracks. When Coop returns to Justice, Mississippi he realizes how things stood. He was in his office when his secretary announced: "'Mrs. Lindsay, there is a Negro woman here to see you'. The sentence's strained tone revealed the woman's discomfort with even voicing the news."
He is deciding whether or not to take a case where a young man has been accused of the brutal murder of a local girl. He visits the Sheriff's office to talk to the young man. "Because you're white & you'd be turning your back on your own kind. Nobody here will cotton to your doing any such thing. They'd call you a...' The Sheriff stopped before finishing his thoughts.
'A what?' Coop demanded.
'You know!' Estes barked back, his eyes aflame.
'Say it!' Coop challenged, sticking his finger at the other man's face. "Say the word. Everybody does. It is said in churches & schools.'
Coop knows what he will face in accepting this case. He'll be shunned & worse. His family will also face the same consequences. It's not an easy decision to make.
If he sold out, he wouldn't like the man he faced in the mirror daily. "His decision, one few would even know about, would define him from this day forth. It would shape who he was & his sense of values."
Maltose, who was rich & ran the town was visited by Frederick, the District Attorney. He mentions Arthur Conan Doyle. "Frederick shook his head. What did the words of a dead English author have to do with anything?'" Maltose explained that Sherlock Holmes would say: 'The game's afoot'.
Coop is talking to Hattie, the Aunt of Martin, the accused. He mentions how difficult it must be to be black in Justice. "If you are like me you just come to accept the way things are & do your best to deal with what you've been given."
In interacting with his client Coop explains the way the law handles things in Justice. "The rules seem to be different for a Negro & a white when it comes to Justice or anywhere else."
As he explored the facts he realized that Martin was innocent. "This frame was much more elaborate than he believed possible. Someone with access to the body has put some thought into this."
"There are times when having integrity is a real pain." Coop explains to the judge of the trial.
Regarding the Maltose family in 2014, the new Chief of police explains people would like to see their family brought down because "...the old scars still seep & the old anger still remains."
"They are God's quilt come to life & stitched together by faith, grace & a bit of courage."
This has twists & turns & a harsh look at an ugly time. Can there be hope in Justice?
Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1426...
In 1964 in the south, circumstances were very different. There were separate fountains for whites & non-whites. The schools had not yet been integrated. Churches were separated with the 'coloreds' church usually being across the tracks. When Coop returns to Justice, Mississippi he realizes how things stood. He was in his office when his secretary announced: "'Mrs. Lindsay, there is a Negro woman here to see you'. The sentence's strained tone revealed the woman's discomfort with even voicing the news."
He is deciding whether or not to take a case where a young man has been accused of the brutal murder of a local girl. He visits the Sheriff's office to talk to the young man. "Because you're white & you'd be turning your back on your own kind. Nobody here will cotton to your doing any such thing. They'd call you a...' The Sheriff stopped before finishing his thoughts.
'A what?' Coop demanded.
'You know!' Estes barked back, his eyes aflame.
'Say it!' Coop challenged, sticking his finger at the other man's face. "Say the word. Everybody does. It is said in churches & schools.'
Coop knows what he will face in accepting this case. He'll be shunned & worse. His family will also face the same consequences. It's not an easy decision to make.
If he sold out, he wouldn't like the man he faced in the mirror daily. "His decision, one few would even know about, would define him from this day forth. It would shape who he was & his sense of values."
Maltose, who was rich & ran the town was visited by Frederick, the District Attorney. He mentions Arthur Conan Doyle. "Frederick shook his head. What did the words of a dead English author have to do with anything?'" Maltose explained that Sherlock Holmes would say: 'The game's afoot'.
Coop is talking to Hattie, the Aunt of Martin, the accused. He mentions how difficult it must be to be black in Justice. "If you are like me you just come to accept the way things are & do your best to deal with what you've been given."
In interacting with his client Coop explains the way the law handles things in Justice. "The rules seem to be different for a Negro & a white when it comes to Justice or anywhere else."
As he explored the facts he realized that Martin was innocent. "This frame was much more elaborate than he believed possible. Someone with access to the body has put some thought into this."
"There are times when having integrity is a real pain." Coop explains to the judge of the trial.
Regarding the Maltose family in 2014, the new Chief of police explains people would like to see their family brought down because "...the old scars still seep & the old anger still remains."
"They are God's quilt come to life & stitched together by faith, grace & a bit of courage."
This has twists & turns & a harsh look at an ugly time. Can there be hope in Justice?
Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1426...
July 14, 2015
It’s 1964; Cooper Lindsay’s has just moved his family back to Justice his hometown. –“…three months of living in the sleepy community where five generations of his family had called home had proven two things…. The first was something he liked: Justice was the same quaint town he remembered from his youth. The second was something he hated: Justice was still the same quaint town he remembered from his youth…“Yet, while on the surface things were seemingly wonderful, beneath the top layers of his new old life there was something troubling Coop more each day. He’d never noticed it growing up. It had never concerned him then. But now, the racial divisions so accepted in Justice ate at him like the cancer that had killed his mother. A generation after Jackie Robinson had integrated baseball, this town still functioned the same way it had for decades. Black and whites co – existed but didn’t mingle…there was an accepted double standard in Justice no one dared challenge. Though it was a part of everyone’s life, no one seemed to notice except him.”
This author does a brilliant job of turning back the clock to 1964; readers feel the racial tension and get a front row seat to the corrupt justice system plaguing this town that is filled with hate and stuck in time. Things boil over when a college aged black man named Calvin is accused of murdering Becky, a young high school girl. Calvin’s mother Hattie goes to Coop’s office begging him to take her son’s case. She knows in her heart of hearts her son didn’t kill Becky, a young white girl she helped raised. Hattie knew that hatred was strong, emotions raw and high, and times were turbulent. Cooper knew this too; “Hate destroys everything it touches, and the Lindsay family will not escape unscathed!” The stakes were high. Coop knew the whole town would turn on him in a heartbeat if and/or when he defended Calvin.
Coop talks it over with his wife and they decide to take this case no matter the cost.
He couldn’t help but remember his father preaching from Luke 10: 25-37about the Good Samaritan; it pulls at his heart strings. Coop asks God to give him and his family the courage and faith to do the right thing. He was blind when he last lived in Justice but now he sees! He can’t turn his back on this young man.
This is Ace Collin at his finest. I found that his characters and situation jumped off the pages and into my heart. This is an engrossing suspenseful story that is filled with mystery, drama and a few plot twists. It was also hard to read in parts because of the racial profiling, bigotry and injustice. This is a riveting, page-turner with a complex layered story set in a small southern town that holds tight to its secrets. This novel won a Christy Award June 2015. You’ll want to add this to your summer reading list! This is a great one for book clubs too!
Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD Sponsor. I received this book free from The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”.
Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blot www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
This author does a brilliant job of turning back the clock to 1964; readers feel the racial tension and get a front row seat to the corrupt justice system plaguing this town that is filled with hate and stuck in time. Things boil over when a college aged black man named Calvin is accused of murdering Becky, a young high school girl. Calvin’s mother Hattie goes to Coop’s office begging him to take her son’s case. She knows in her heart of hearts her son didn’t kill Becky, a young white girl she helped raised. Hattie knew that hatred was strong, emotions raw and high, and times were turbulent. Cooper knew this too; “Hate destroys everything it touches, and the Lindsay family will not escape unscathed!” The stakes were high. Coop knew the whole town would turn on him in a heartbeat if and/or when he defended Calvin.
Coop talks it over with his wife and they decide to take this case no matter the cost.
He couldn’t help but remember his father preaching from Luke 10: 25-37about the Good Samaritan; it pulls at his heart strings. Coop asks God to give him and his family the courage and faith to do the right thing. He was blind when he last lived in Justice but now he sees! He can’t turn his back on this young man.
This is Ace Collin at his finest. I found that his characters and situation jumped off the pages and into my heart. This is an engrossing suspenseful story that is filled with mystery, drama and a few plot twists. It was also hard to read in parts because of the racial profiling, bigotry and injustice. This is a riveting, page-turner with a complex layered story set in a small southern town that holds tight to its secrets. This novel won a Christy Award June 2015. You’ll want to add this to your summer reading list! This is a great one for book clubs too!
Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD Sponsor. I received this book free from The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”.
Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blot www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
June 23, 2020
Really enjoyed the first section in 1964, but the second section in 2014 felt so corny and predictable. 2.5 stars.
January 31, 2015
The Color of Justice is the most exciting, intriguing, fascinating and suspenseful book I can remember reading in a very long time.
This story is told in two segments one is 1964 and the other is 2016
Cooper Lindsay is returning to Justice, Mississippi with his wife and two children. This is the town in which five generations of his family had called home. Now that he is home again Coop notices that Justice has not really changed. The five restaurants in town were never places where people of color ate nor did they attend the Church his father once pastored.
Basically Negroes worked for whites but whites never worked for Negroes. Nobody seems to have challenged it and so life went on.
People of color were confined to their own part of town and although there money was accepted in stores they were never really citizens.
Coop as his friends called him was a minister son and is trying to accept the way the town has not moved on and feels like a stranger in a town he grew up in.
One day a black woman named Hattie Ross comes to visit Coop and asks him to please represent her nephew Calvin who is accused of raping and murdering Rebecca Booth.
Coop is not sure this is something he wants to get involved in for he is fearful for the safety of his wife and children. After some thought, he agrees to visit Calvin in jail to see if he is guilty or innocent.
Coop is extremely surprised at the reception he gets from Calvin, as he is surprised to have a visit from a white lawyer who might be willing to help him. They meet several times and Coop is considering the case but tells his wife that this might be a dangerous situation he is putting the family in and would prefer the children visit there grandparents for the summer while the trial will be taking place.
Coop uncovers evidence that will help possibly prove Calvin is innocent but not without nearly dying in a car accident and having some unexplained accidents suddenly occurring. He is afraid for his wife’s safety but she refuses to leave.
The strong is amazing with the twists and turns and the evidence that Coop is able to uncover. Things seem to be going rather well and everyone is thrilled and then we end the year 1964.
When we return fifty years later Coop’s grandson, Clark Cooper Lindsay who is also called Coop is asked to take on a very different case this is against the murder of LaDerick Jenkins, a Negro teenager who was supposedly murdered by a white boy named David Maltose.
Coop is actually looking for answers to solve some mysteries that were never solved and is using the information he found in his grandfathers journals to accomplish this
What he sees is a town where Negro people now hold most of the offices and David’s dad is afraid he is not going to get a fair trial. Will history repeat itself and have Coop’s grandson get involved? This book is an absolutely fascinating read and I think the author did a wonderful job in telling the story. I recommend it highly.
This story is told in two segments one is 1964 and the other is 2016
Cooper Lindsay is returning to Justice, Mississippi with his wife and two children. This is the town in which five generations of his family had called home. Now that he is home again Coop notices that Justice has not really changed. The five restaurants in town were never places where people of color ate nor did they attend the Church his father once pastored.
Basically Negroes worked for whites but whites never worked for Negroes. Nobody seems to have challenged it and so life went on.
People of color were confined to their own part of town and although there money was accepted in stores they were never really citizens.
Coop as his friends called him was a minister son and is trying to accept the way the town has not moved on and feels like a stranger in a town he grew up in.
One day a black woman named Hattie Ross comes to visit Coop and asks him to please represent her nephew Calvin who is accused of raping and murdering Rebecca Booth.
Coop is not sure this is something he wants to get involved in for he is fearful for the safety of his wife and children. After some thought, he agrees to visit Calvin in jail to see if he is guilty or innocent.
Coop is extremely surprised at the reception he gets from Calvin, as he is surprised to have a visit from a white lawyer who might be willing to help him. They meet several times and Coop is considering the case but tells his wife that this might be a dangerous situation he is putting the family in and would prefer the children visit there grandparents for the summer while the trial will be taking place.
Coop uncovers evidence that will help possibly prove Calvin is innocent but not without nearly dying in a car accident and having some unexplained accidents suddenly occurring. He is afraid for his wife’s safety but she refuses to leave.
The strong is amazing with the twists and turns and the evidence that Coop is able to uncover. Things seem to be going rather well and everyone is thrilled and then we end the year 1964.
When we return fifty years later Coop’s grandson, Clark Cooper Lindsay who is also called Coop is asked to take on a very different case this is against the murder of LaDerick Jenkins, a Negro teenager who was supposedly murdered by a white boy named David Maltose.
Coop is actually looking for answers to solve some mysteries that were never solved and is using the information he found in his grandfathers journals to accomplish this
What he sees is a town where Negro people now hold most of the offices and David’s dad is afraid he is not going to get a fair trial. Will history repeat itself and have Coop’s grandson get involved? This book is an absolutely fascinating read and I think the author did a wonderful job in telling the story. I recommend it highly.
February 26, 2017
This was an enjoyable read with plenty of twists, turns and surprises. I really liked the story line, but the courtroom scene to wrap up the various plot lines was IMO contrived. Nevertheless, I really liked the characters and would recommend the book.
November 24, 2015
I wanted to like The Color of Justice. The premise was excellent. A lawyer returns to his small hometown in 1964 where his father had been a beloved minister, and his family had lived for generations before to open a law office. Content with drawing up wills and contracts for longtime family friends, his world is rocked when a black woman named Hattie appeared in his office and asked him to defend her nephew who had been accused of murdering one of the town's popular teen girls. Coop knows if he takes the case, he'll risk alienating him, his family and career from lifelong friends of the family.
The premise is good. Coop's integrity won't let him turn this case down. He thinks back to his father's sermon on The Good Samaritan and knows in his heart to be a man of worth, he must take this case. His wife, from Ohio, has no problem with him and assures him the family will be fine. In fact, she wouldn't mind relocating above the Mason Dixon Line. Does this remind you slightly of To Kill a Mockingbird?
Sadly, the characters were very one dimensional and stereotypical in nature. Coop was an "honorable man." Judy was a "dutiful wife." With the exception of the sheriff, all the townspeople were united against Coop. People were either all good or all bad and there was no inner conflict. Characters stayed static. There was no description of the town other than clichés such as "our quaint little town." Another cliché was "her skirt was tight and short and her heels were expensive and tall."
There were holes in the plot such as a change of venue was not proposed. Selection of jury was glossed over. Coop found out before hand that the judge was "an honorable person" so he waived the right for a jury trial. Right then you knew how it would end.
After the trial, the book skips forward 50 years where Coop's grandson, also called Coop returns to town to tie up loose ends from this case. This was an interesting twist and if it hadn't been rushed, could have added a lot to the story. The entire book felt rushed.
I read about this book in Library Journal and it was classified as Christian Fiction. We were hammered over and over with the story of the Good Samaritan, and it was "clean" as far as language but I'm not willing to settle for lesser quality of writing just because it is branded Christian. By not showing inner struggle and rounding out characters, Collins missed quite an opportunity to tell a remarkable story.
The premise is good. Coop's integrity won't let him turn this case down. He thinks back to his father's sermon on The Good Samaritan and knows in his heart to be a man of worth, he must take this case. His wife, from Ohio, has no problem with him and assures him the family will be fine. In fact, she wouldn't mind relocating above the Mason Dixon Line. Does this remind you slightly of To Kill a Mockingbird?
Sadly, the characters were very one dimensional and stereotypical in nature. Coop was an "honorable man." Judy was a "dutiful wife." With the exception of the sheriff, all the townspeople were united against Coop. People were either all good or all bad and there was no inner conflict. Characters stayed static. There was no description of the town other than clichés such as "our quaint little town." Another cliché was "her skirt was tight and short and her heels were expensive and tall."
There were holes in the plot such as a change of venue was not proposed. Selection of jury was glossed over. Coop found out before hand that the judge was "an honorable person" so he waived the right for a jury trial. Right then you knew how it would end.
After the trial, the book skips forward 50 years where Coop's grandson, also called Coop returns to town to tie up loose ends from this case. This was an interesting twist and if it hadn't been rushed, could have added a lot to the story. The entire book felt rushed.
I read about this book in Library Journal and it was classified as Christian Fiction. We were hammered over and over with the story of the Good Samaritan, and it was "clean" as far as language but I'm not willing to settle for lesser quality of writing just because it is branded Christian. By not showing inner struggle and rounding out characters, Collins missed quite an opportunity to tell a remarkable story.
August 11, 2014
This is such a scandalous book. After a while you don't really trust any of the truth' that is coming out of justice because most of it gets turned on it's ear not longer after we hear it. The Color of Justice is a slap in the face, a good slap. I promise you won't regret reading this book.
The Color of Justice is exactly what it sounds like it's about racism is the justice system. It starts out with Coop a long term lawyer and a man trying to follow in his fathers footsteps, and the Good Samaritans. He is come to by Hattie an older colored woman who has come pleading for Coop to save her sons life, or at least defend him in the trial. During this trial Coop experiences racism in all of its forms from the silent glares all the way to the KKK having a mild hand in his backyard. The book is a discovery of how unintentional racism can be and is.
While I really enjoyed this books message about life and how you should treat others, it sometimes felt like it was shooting a dead horse. It would continually shove the same message in your face just with different words. However towards the end it stops that and goes on with it's business, but you can still feel it in the undertones.
Most people have to read To Kill A Mockingbird at some points in their lives, either because your school made you or someone shoved the book in your hands. You'll recall Atticus Finch, the famous man who defended the black man in the trial knowing that it could put him and his family in harms way. I think its fair to make a comparison between Coop and Atticus. They both do the same thing with trials, except Coop got his kids out of there. In fact this entire novel kind of felt like a modernization of the novel To Kill A Mockingbird.
I like the twist at the end of the story and honestly it relieved me. There's nothing worse then reading a book where the problems are about be resolved and there's still 100 ages or so left of the book. Besides that, I liked the twist it was very original and I definitely didn't see it coming. Plus it added so much more to the novel then a simple trial of who's right and who's wrong, plus the irony of the ending made me laugh out loud.
The Color of Justice is exactly what it sounds like it's about racism is the justice system. It starts out with Coop a long term lawyer and a man trying to follow in his fathers footsteps, and the Good Samaritans. He is come to by Hattie an older colored woman who has come pleading for Coop to save her sons life, or at least defend him in the trial. During this trial Coop experiences racism in all of its forms from the silent glares all the way to the KKK having a mild hand in his backyard. The book is a discovery of how unintentional racism can be and is.
While I really enjoyed this books message about life and how you should treat others, it sometimes felt like it was shooting a dead horse. It would continually shove the same message in your face just with different words. However towards the end it stops that and goes on with it's business, but you can still feel it in the undertones.
Most people have to read To Kill A Mockingbird at some points in their lives, either because your school made you or someone shoved the book in your hands. You'll recall Atticus Finch, the famous man who defended the black man in the trial knowing that it could put him and his family in harms way. I think its fair to make a comparison between Coop and Atticus. They both do the same thing with trials, except Coop got his kids out of there. In fact this entire novel kind of felt like a modernization of the novel To Kill A Mockingbird.
I like the twist at the end of the story and honestly it relieved me. There's nothing worse then reading a book where the problems are about be resolved and there's still 100 ages or so left of the book. Besides that, I liked the twist it was very original and I definitely didn't see it coming. Plus it added so much more to the novel then a simple trial of who's right and who's wrong, plus the irony of the ending made me laugh out loud.
October 28, 2014
Thank you NetGalley and Abingdon Press for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy of The Color Of Justice by Ace Collins.
What a clever title for a fabulous book. The color of Justice is an engrossing read and the perfect book for a lazy fall day. Once you begin reading this courtroom thriller you will have a hard time putting it down.
Cooper Lindsay, a newly minted attorney, returns to his childhood home of Justice, Mississippi to find that nothing much has changed. An ideal that appeals to his sense of nostalgia but unnerves his hopes for progress. The year is 1964, and racial divide is still very much the forefront in this Mississippi town.A local white girl has been found murdered at Lover's Park and the accused is a young black boy, whose Aunt works for the family. Before the evidence is even presented, Calvin Ross has been tried and marked for execution in the court of public opinion. Cooper believes the boy innocent and must risk the wrath of the townspeople in order to defend Calvin Ross.
At the conclusion of Calvin's trial, the book fast forwards fifty years to 2014, where the reader is introduced to Cooper's grandson Coop, a lawyer himself. Coop has traveled to Justice, Mississippi in order to discover answers to some lingering questions from 1964. A wonderful addition to this novel, which really completed the circle of justice.
I strongly recommend this book. It will leave you wanting more, as I only hope that Mr. Collins will offer his readers another round of Justice!
What a clever title for a fabulous book. The color of Justice is an engrossing read and the perfect book for a lazy fall day. Once you begin reading this courtroom thriller you will have a hard time putting it down.
Cooper Lindsay, a newly minted attorney, returns to his childhood home of Justice, Mississippi to find that nothing much has changed. An ideal that appeals to his sense of nostalgia but unnerves his hopes for progress. The year is 1964, and racial divide is still very much the forefront in this Mississippi town.A local white girl has been found murdered at Lover's Park and the accused is a young black boy, whose Aunt works for the family. Before the evidence is even presented, Calvin Ross has been tried and marked for execution in the court of public opinion. Cooper believes the boy innocent and must risk the wrath of the townspeople in order to defend Calvin Ross.
At the conclusion of Calvin's trial, the book fast forwards fifty years to 2014, where the reader is introduced to Cooper's grandson Coop, a lawyer himself. Coop has traveled to Justice, Mississippi in order to discover answers to some lingering questions from 1964. A wonderful addition to this novel, which really completed the circle of justice.
I strongly recommend this book. It will leave you wanting more, as I only hope that Mr. Collins will offer his readers another round of Justice!
December 27, 2014
Novel received courtesy of Goodreads.com giveaway
I loved that this novel told the story of race relations in a new and different way. The story was set in 1964 and in 2014. In 1964 Cooper Lindsay agreed to represent a black college student who was accused of killing a white teenaged girl in Justice, Mississippi. His reasons for accepting the challenge had everything to do with his conscience and his upbringing. After the trial is over, we are transported to 2014.
"Coop's" grandson who is also named Cooper arrives in Justice to try to find some answers that are still left from that long-ago crime.
I read this novel in one day and was riveted by the first part. Things fell apart a bit for me in the second part of the book. It seemed that the grandson, Cooper, arrived and was able to tidy things up a little too easily and a little too quickly. I would've enjoyed more of a backstory on what happened to the family after the first trial that made him decide to go to Mississippi. I would've stuck with another 200 pages to have that story told.
I would, however, highly recommend the book for the merits of the 1964 story.
I loved that this novel told the story of race relations in a new and different way. The story was set in 1964 and in 2014. In 1964 Cooper Lindsay agreed to represent a black college student who was accused of killing a white teenaged girl in Justice, Mississippi. His reasons for accepting the challenge had everything to do with his conscience and his upbringing. After the trial is over, we are transported to 2014.
"Coop's" grandson who is also named Cooper arrives in Justice to try to find some answers that are still left from that long-ago crime.
I read this novel in one day and was riveted by the first part. Things fell apart a bit for me in the second part of the book. It seemed that the grandson, Cooper, arrived and was able to tidy things up a little too easily and a little too quickly. I would've enjoyed more of a backstory on what happened to the family after the first trial that made him decide to go to Mississippi. I would've stuck with another 200 pages to have that story told.
I would, however, highly recommend the book for the merits of the 1964 story.
October 25, 2015
Synopsis: 60's Southern lawyer, Coop Lindsey, can't stand bigotry and when a black teen is accused of raping and murdering a white girl, he stands up to defend him no matter what it costs. When he and the young man he defended disappear, questions are left unanswered.
Fifty years later, Coop's grandson, a lawyer himself, is bound and determined to find out the answers to those questions.
My rating: 3 Stars
My opinion: I must say that I have mixed feelings about this book. I thought the first half set in the 60's started off strongly and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As I moved into the more modern day setting, the writing became weaker and the story less enjoyable. I found characters to be weaker than expected given the story line. I must say that it had the feeling that the author got tired of writing the story so just threw the rest of the book together.
Source: Publisher for review
Would I recommend? : Yes
Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Stand alone
Fifty years later, Coop's grandson, a lawyer himself, is bound and determined to find out the answers to those questions.
My rating: 3 Stars
My opinion: I must say that I have mixed feelings about this book. I thought the first half set in the 60's started off strongly and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As I moved into the more modern day setting, the writing became weaker and the story less enjoyable. I found characters to be weaker than expected given the story line. I must say that it had the feeling that the author got tired of writing the story so just threw the rest of the book together.
Source: Publisher for review
Would I recommend? : Yes
Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Stand alone
August 26, 2014
Given To Me For An Honest Review
This is about a lawyer with an excellent law practice in Mississippi. A former maid of his family asks him to defend her grandson of rape and murder charges. The attorney takes the case. His decision divided the town. Despite fights and threats on his life. Coop (the lawyer) wins the case. A few weeks later the boy disappears and the lawyer is murdered.
Almost 50 years later Coop's grandson is not the lawyer and tables are reversed. The victim is African American and the suspect is white. The tension in town is high. As he (Clark) digs for evidence he doesn't realize the clues found for this crime will also uncover clues for his grandfather's killing. He just needs to stay alive long enough to prove it.
This is about a lawyer with an excellent law practice in Mississippi. A former maid of his family asks him to defend her grandson of rape and murder charges. The attorney takes the case. His decision divided the town. Despite fights and threats on his life. Coop (the lawyer) wins the case. A few weeks later the boy disappears and the lawyer is murdered.
Almost 50 years later Coop's grandson is not the lawyer and tables are reversed. The victim is African American and the suspect is white. The tension in town is high. As he (Clark) digs for evidence he doesn't realize the clues found for this crime will also uncover clues for his grandfather's killing. He just needs to stay alive long enough to prove it.
October 20, 2014
I really liked this book. The characters are well developed and the plot is good. I have never lived in the south and this is an eye opener about the prejudice that can still reside in hearts. The first trial is in 1964 with a while man defending a black man. He knows it will endanger his family but responds to memories of his father's preaching about the Good Samaritan. It does turn deadly but we do not know the whole story until another trial fifty years later. We learn that prejudice may be based on a lie, yet it still hurts many people. A thought provoking novel.
See my complete review at http://bit.ly/1t5bgM9.
I received a complimentary egalley of this novel from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
See my complete review at http://bit.ly/1t5bgM9.
I received a complimentary egalley of this novel from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
March 23, 2015
These stories are set in Justice, Mississippi -- the first back in the 60's and the second in the present. The first tale has the flavor of "To Kill a Mockingbird" -- black person is guilty or are they? After the trial, the suspect and his lawyer disappear, never to be seen or heard from, again.
Fast forward fifty years to the present. Now, it's the lawyer's grandson's turn to see that justice is served, but this case has a bearing on what happened in the past when his grandfather and Calvin Ross disappeared forever.
Great premise and story, but there are a lot of editorial errors and misspellings. Still, I would recommend this. You just have to school yourself to read past the mistakes.
Fast forward fifty years to the present. Now, it's the lawyer's grandson's turn to see that justice is served, but this case has a bearing on what happened in the past when his grandfather and Calvin Ross disappeared forever.
Great premise and story, but there are a lot of editorial errors and misspellings. Still, I would recommend this. You just have to school yourself to read past the mistakes.
October 7, 2014
The Color of Justice is reminisce of To Kill A Mockingbird. It starts in the deep south in 1964 and concludes there 50 years later. Good character development and descriptions of the scenery. I read this book in one day as I had a difficult time putting it down. I definitely want to read more by Ace Collins. I was given an early copy to review.
March 26, 2020
This book started out good. But then things started getting under my skin as I read. Little things at first, like our main character kept being referred to as the lawyer instead of his name. It was jarring and the first few times I thought another person had walked into the room.
Then a lot of the other townspeople seemed to just exist so that Coop could get in a few righteous zingers about how horrible they are. Everything was very black and white (no pun intended). Everything was leading up to a trial, which was just disappointing. The case was pretty cut and dry, and there was no doubt that the judge would rule in Coop's favor.I felt no tension. Even when his wife was kidnapped.
Maybe the lack of tension was from the very distant third person POV. I never got close to Coop or got to know what he was really thinking. I wasn't *there* with him.
And then, SURPRISE!, we jump from 1964 to 2014. Our new 'hero' lawyer is the grandson of Coop. And....he is also referred to as Coop. I couldn't really distinguish much difference between them, and by then I just wanted the book to be over with.
So many lost opportunities for the back part of the book -We could have relived the town through younger fresh eyes. But nothing felt familiar. Not even the late Coop's office, which hadn't change since he had gone missing (how convenient).
Now we finally get to make some of the connections between the odd conspiracy stuff in the first part, which had always seemed out of place.
And apparently Coop the younger fell in love with someone after knowing her like 2 days (a fact that was repeated a lot) and...this whole scene bugged me - Major spoilers here: - She called to thank him for donuts. I thought 'what donuts?' And Coop had no reaction to her or even to himself. Turns out the donuts were poisoned *gasp* and she was now in a coma. I guess this was an attempt at the tension that the book was still lacking. And to conclude the coma/poison story line - everyone plays a joke on Coop that she had died? W.T.F?
*deep breath*
So anyway, Coop has enough evidence to get whoever he is representing free. And this is pretty much before the trail starts. And for some reason, the jury didn't need to be present? Maybe it made sense to people who read a lot of courtroom books. I didn't and don't care enough to look it up. But again, a trial with no tension because the case was already won at that point.
More spoilers:
They finally find the body of the first Coop. Coop the younger didn't know him so, despite the fact that us readers kiiiiinda knew him, I felt nothing. It was obvious that he was dead and it was a part of a cover up. But I didn't feel an emotional connection to him being found. His wife had shown up for the end of the trial, and I don't recall a reaction from her either.
This book was published in 2014, and the last part took place in 2014, but it felt like it was written much earlier. I found this gem: 'He grinned and pushed the end-call spot on his touch screen'
And I already mentioned that the writer loved calling people by their titles (i.e the lawyer), but a couple of times, the judge was called 'the female jurist'. I did look this one up to see if it was used correctly. It was, but it just sounds odd. And it was used multiple times.
Thinking back on this book, I can't find one thing I enjoyed. Halfway through, it was okay enough to maybe get 2 or 3 stars from me, but I was hate-reading it by the end and I don't finished it because I wanted to see how bad it got.
After reading a few other reviews, I see that it is Christian fiction. Which is....odd to me. There were not a ton of religious themes. The characters did seem to be holding their punches - esp the bad guys. They were never bad bad. They never went as far as some do when dealing with hate crimes. And everything felt very PG. So maybe that is part of the reason why I disliked this so much.
...And I am annoyed that books I dislike end up getting a more detailed review from me than books I loved.
I started a new book, read way past my bedtime, and am enjoying it a lot. I forgot what fun reading felt like!
Then a lot of the other townspeople seemed to just exist so that Coop could get in a few righteous zingers about how horrible they are. Everything was very black and white (no pun intended). Everything was leading up to a trial, which was just disappointing. The case was pretty cut and dry, and there was no doubt that the judge would rule in Coop's favor.I felt no tension. Even when his wife was kidnapped.
Maybe the lack of tension was from the very distant third person POV. I never got close to Coop or got to know what he was really thinking. I wasn't *there* with him.
And then, SURPRISE!, we jump from 1964 to 2014. Our new 'hero' lawyer is the grandson of Coop. And....he is also referred to as Coop. I couldn't really distinguish much difference between them, and by then I just wanted the book to be over with.
So many lost opportunities for the back part of the book -We could have relived the town through younger fresh eyes. But nothing felt familiar. Not even the late Coop's office, which hadn't change since he had gone missing (how convenient).
Now we finally get to make some of the connections between the odd conspiracy stuff in the first part, which had always seemed out of place.
And apparently Coop the younger fell in love with someone after knowing her like 2 days (a fact that was repeated a lot) and...this whole scene bugged me - Major spoilers here: - She called to thank him for donuts. I thought 'what donuts?' And Coop had no reaction to her or even to himself. Turns out the donuts were poisoned *gasp* and she was now in a coma. I guess this was an attempt at the tension that the book was still lacking. And to conclude the coma/poison story line - everyone plays a joke on Coop that she had died? W.T.F?
*deep breath*
So anyway, Coop has enough evidence to get whoever he is representing free. And this is pretty much before the trail starts. And for some reason, the jury didn't need to be present? Maybe it made sense to people who read a lot of courtroom books. I didn't and don't care enough to look it up. But again, a trial with no tension because the case was already won at that point.
More spoilers:
They finally find the body of the first Coop. Coop the younger didn't know him so, despite the fact that us readers kiiiiinda knew him, I felt nothing. It was obvious that he was dead and it was a part of a cover up. But I didn't feel an emotional connection to him being found. His wife had shown up for the end of the trial, and I don't recall a reaction from her either.
This book was published in 2014, and the last part took place in 2014, but it felt like it was written much earlier. I found this gem: 'He grinned and pushed the end-call spot on his touch screen'
And I already mentioned that the writer loved calling people by their titles (i.e the lawyer), but a couple of times, the judge was called 'the female jurist'. I did look this one up to see if it was used correctly. It was, but it just sounds odd. And it was used multiple times.
Thinking back on this book, I can't find one thing I enjoyed. Halfway through, it was okay enough to maybe get 2 or 3 stars from me, but I was hate-reading it by the end and I don't finished it because I wanted to see how bad it got.
After reading a few other reviews, I see that it is Christian fiction. Which is....odd to me. There were not a ton of religious themes. The characters did seem to be holding their punches - esp the bad guys. They were never bad bad. They never went as far as some do when dealing with hate crimes. And everything felt very PG. So maybe that is part of the reason why I disliked this so much.
...And I am annoyed that books I dislike end up getting a more detailed review from me than books I loved.
I started a new book, read way past my bedtime, and am enjoying it a lot. I forgot what fun reading felt like!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2024
GIVE.
ME.
A.
BREAK.
I apparently missed the part on the back cover about it being two separate cases in two time periods with two different generations trying these cases.
But can I say that this was the dumbest book I've ever read.
The first part, (and the only reason it got 2*) the first story was so parallel to A Time to Kill that I kept rolling my eyes the whole time. Then get to the last quarter of the book, and it just completely flips to now the grandson of the original lawyer.
The way that this was tied together, was so incredibly unbelievable. I couldn't even imagine it playing out in a courtroom in my head. The way that he kept adding information and stopping the proceedings and then going back and speaking to people in the audience it was just crazy. Did not buy it for a second.
The way that it all wrapped up was so neat and tidy that I find it hard to believe in 50 years since the original crime, no one else could figure it out but him.
And then let's talk about the love story element.. oh my gosh, insert I roll here. She walks into his office and he is love struck immediately. And then after trusting her (someone he has absolutely no idea who she is!!) with facts of this case and to handle matters for him is just so outlandish. But then, of course he just falls head over heels in love with her. And then add tragedy to her life, and that just amplifies the love scale for him. Because Oh My Gosh, he can't lose her!
I could not finish this book fast enough.
So annoying....
*Hurl alert! 🤮
ME.
A.
BREAK.
I apparently missed the part on the back cover about it being two separate cases in two time periods with two different generations trying these cases.
But can I say that this was the dumbest book I've ever read.
The first part, (and the only reason it got 2*) the first story was so parallel to A Time to Kill that I kept rolling my eyes the whole time. Then get to the last quarter of the book, and it just completely flips to now the grandson of the original lawyer.
The way that this was tied together, was so incredibly unbelievable. I couldn't even imagine it playing out in a courtroom in my head. The way that he kept adding information and stopping the proceedings and then going back and speaking to people in the audience it was just crazy. Did not buy it for a second.
The way that it all wrapped up was so neat and tidy that I find it hard to believe in 50 years since the original crime, no one else could figure it out but him.
And then let's talk about the love story element.. oh my gosh, insert I roll here. She walks into his office and he is love struck immediately. And then after trusting her (someone he has absolutely no idea who she is!!) with facts of this case and to handle matters for him is just so outlandish. But then, of course he just falls head over heels in love with her. And then add tragedy to her life, and that just amplifies the love scale for him. Because Oh My Gosh, he can't lose her!
I could not finish this book fast enough.
So annoying....
*Hurl alert! 🤮
April 4, 2018
Well, when I started reading this book, it kind of reminded me of Time To Kill, then all of a sudden the book turned. I loved the way the book went. From 1960's to the early 2014's. Because my husband is from Vicksburg Mississippi, I was telling him about the book, and he looked interested. The only thing I would change in this book is to keep the book real, and what I mean by that is to use the names that they used and still use in today's society. To have a grandson go back to an old town that once was ran by KKK and one side is black folks, and the other side white folks, and everyone knew their place. The ending of this book had me staying up way past my 2am bedtime, and was a great book to read, and maybe a good one for the school system.
July 11, 2020
This has been on my to read list for years and as soon as my library re-opened after the COVID shut down,I knew I wanted to read this book! And what a great mystery it was! Even though it had been on my to read list for quite a while, I was somewhat scared to read it due to what the storyline was about (it’s hard to read stories of unfairness and mistreatment). BUT, this book was even better then I expected- so don’t hesitate to read this! I loved reading the mystery unfold by the upstanding lawyer, Coop in the original story and I loved the continuation of the mystery Coops’ grandson later unfolded in the last part of the book.
I did notice some editing errors in this book, but the story was good enough to not let it bother me.
I did notice some editing errors in this book, but the story was good enough to not let it bother me.
May 23, 2018
Two books in one....
When Coop Lindsay takes a case in 1964, he manages to gather the parts needed to clear his client, but both he and his client mysteriously disappear just as the case is closed. They are never seen again. Fifty years later, another Coop Lindsay comes to the town of Justice MS, finding an altogether different racial situation, facilitated mostly by his grandfather Coop. But mystery still abounds for young Coop to solve and lay to rest old hates and prejudices. I gave a rare (for me) five star rating in spite of some editing errors. The story was just that good.
When Coop Lindsay takes a case in 1964, he manages to gather the parts needed to clear his client, but both he and his client mysteriously disappear just as the case is closed. They are never seen again. Fifty years later, another Coop Lindsay comes to the town of Justice MS, finding an altogether different racial situation, facilitated mostly by his grandfather Coop. But mystery still abounds for young Coop to solve and lay to rest old hates and prejudices. I gave a rare (for me) five star rating in spite of some editing errors. The story was just that good.
March 21, 2017
Wonderful Book
This was an absolutely amazing book. A legal fiction book starting in 1964 and fast forwarding to 2014. The story is set in Justice, MS. I was captured from the first page until the last. The two main lawyers are grandfather and grandson. I do not want to spoil the book for other readers. I will tell you it is fast paced and totally relevant to current times. But the book and read it. You won't regret it!! I liked it so much, I know I will re-read the book in the not to distant future.
This was an absolutely amazing book. A legal fiction book starting in 1964 and fast forwarding to 2014. The story is set in Justice, MS. I was captured from the first page until the last. The two main lawyers are grandfather and grandson. I do not want to spoil the book for other readers. I will tell you it is fast paced and totally relevant to current times. But the book and read it. You won't regret it!! I liked it so much, I know I will re-read the book in the not to distant future.
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