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Kelsey's Crossing
"A deftly crafted, emotionally engaging novel. Randal's distinctive and narrative-driven storytelling skills have raised his book to an impressive level of literary excellence -- making it especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists.” -Midwest Book Review
A disgraced political power broker. A presidential pardon. A second chance that could
cost him everything.
In his quest for redemption from past sins, disgraced political consultant and ex-convict Greg Smith agrees to assist the men at the Kelsey Rescue Mission in saving their homeless shelter from corrupt city officials determined to shut it down. The resulting acts of revenge and violence, including murder and kidnapping, could not have been anticipated. Nor could his love for the beautiful Christina Culpepper. Together, Greg, Christina, and the homeless men they lead take their thrilling and inspirational fight for justice all the way to the White House, where a shocking political twist determines their fate.
Kelsey’s Crossing is for those who believe that forgiveness and redemption are virtuous, that bad guys can change, and that supporting the underdog against all odds never goes out of style. We are reminded that while we must all live with our past, it does not have to define our future, especially when we have the courage to cross to the other side when a second chance is offered.
A disgraced political power broker. A presidential pardon. A second chance that could
cost him everything.
In his quest for redemption from past sins, disgraced political consultant and ex-convict Greg Smith agrees to assist the men at the Kelsey Rescue Mission in saving their homeless shelter from corrupt city officials determined to shut it down. The resulting acts of revenge and violence, including murder and kidnapping, could not have been anticipated. Nor could his love for the beautiful Christina Culpepper. Together, Greg, Christina, and the homeless men they lead take their thrilling and inspirational fight for justice all the way to the White House, where a shocking political twist determines their fate.
Kelsey’s Crossing is for those who believe that forgiveness and redemption are virtuous, that bad guys can change, and that supporting the underdog against all odds never goes out of style. We are reminded that while we must all live with our past, it does not have to define our future, especially when we have the courage to cross to the other side when a second chance is offered.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2025
3 people are currently reading
1307 people want to read
About the author
David Randal
2 books9 followersDavid Randal is an award-winning author and veteran storyteller, scriptwriter, and producer for award-winning educational films on various social and policy issues. His work includes hundreds of high-quality presentations on such topics as biotechnology, health science, cancer, neuroscience, food insecurity, climate change, artificial intelligence, ocean safety, forest fires, and many more. David has enjoyed the privilege of conducting on-camera interviews with Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, Governors, Members of Congress, and Nobel Prize recipients. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, and a graduate of SJSU, David is an active outdoors enthusiast who enjoys hiking, cycling, boating, skiing, and spending time with his family. He is married to Debbie Camp, whom he calls his Chief Encourager. "Kelsey's Crossing" is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 3, 2025
Book Review: Kelsey’s Crossing by David Randal
Rating: 4/5
Overview & Initial Impressions
Kelsey’s Crossing is a compelling exploration of redemption, justice, and the resilience of the human spirit. David Randal crafts a narrative that balances gritty realism with moments of hope, making it an emotionally engaging read. The novel’s premise—centered on a disgraced political consultant seeking redemption by aiding a homeless shelter—immediately draws readers into a world where moral ambiguity and second chances collide.
Strengths & Emotional Impact
Randal’s greatest achievement lies in his character development. Greg Smith’s transformation from a cynical ex-convict to a reluctant advocate for the marginalized is both believable and moving. His relationship with Christina Culpepper adds emotional depth, though at times their romance feels slightly rushed. The homeless men at the Kelsey Rescue Mission are vividly portrayed, each with distinct voices and backstories that humanize the broader societal issues at play.
The novel’s pacing is brisk, with political intrigue and unexpected violence keeping tension high. The escalation from local corruption to a national-level conflict is ambitious, and while thrilling, it occasionally strains plausibility. Still, the thematic core—forgiveness, systemic injustice, and the power of collective action—resonates strongly.
Constructive Criticism
While the novel excels in emotional engagement, some plot developments lean toward melodrama, particularly in the final act. The White House twist, while shocking, may feel abrupt to readers invested in the grounded struggles of the shelter. Additionally, certain secondary characters (such as the corrupt officials) lack nuance, bordering on caricature.
Stylistically, Randal’s prose is accessible but occasionally leans too heavily on exposition, particularly in political discussions. A tighter focus on showing rather than telling could enhance immersion.
Final Thoughts
Kelsey’s Crossing is a thought-provoking and inspirational novel that succeeds in blending social commentary with a fast-paced narrative. Its flaws—primarily in pacing and character depth—are outweighed by its emotional sincerity and thematic relevance. Readers who appreciate underdog stories or redemption arcs will find much to admire.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for providing a free copy for review. This opportunity allowed for a thorough and unbiased evaluation of Randal’s work.
Recommendation
Recommended for fans of morally complex fiction, political thrillers, and stories of personal transformation. While not without imperfections, Kelsey’s Crossing delivers a powerful message about the possibility of change—both individual and systemic.
Rating: 4/5
Overview & Initial Impressions
Kelsey’s Crossing is a compelling exploration of redemption, justice, and the resilience of the human spirit. David Randal crafts a narrative that balances gritty realism with moments of hope, making it an emotionally engaging read. The novel’s premise—centered on a disgraced political consultant seeking redemption by aiding a homeless shelter—immediately draws readers into a world where moral ambiguity and second chances collide.
Strengths & Emotional Impact
Randal’s greatest achievement lies in his character development. Greg Smith’s transformation from a cynical ex-convict to a reluctant advocate for the marginalized is both believable and moving. His relationship with Christina Culpepper adds emotional depth, though at times their romance feels slightly rushed. The homeless men at the Kelsey Rescue Mission are vividly portrayed, each with distinct voices and backstories that humanize the broader societal issues at play.
The novel’s pacing is brisk, with political intrigue and unexpected violence keeping tension high. The escalation from local corruption to a national-level conflict is ambitious, and while thrilling, it occasionally strains plausibility. Still, the thematic core—forgiveness, systemic injustice, and the power of collective action—resonates strongly.
Constructive Criticism
While the novel excels in emotional engagement, some plot developments lean toward melodrama, particularly in the final act. The White House twist, while shocking, may feel abrupt to readers invested in the grounded struggles of the shelter. Additionally, certain secondary characters (such as the corrupt officials) lack nuance, bordering on caricature.
Stylistically, Randal’s prose is accessible but occasionally leans too heavily on exposition, particularly in political discussions. A tighter focus on showing rather than telling could enhance immersion.
Final Thoughts
Kelsey’s Crossing is a thought-provoking and inspirational novel that succeeds in blending social commentary with a fast-paced narrative. Its flaws—primarily in pacing and character depth—are outweighed by its emotional sincerity and thematic relevance. Readers who appreciate underdog stories or redemption arcs will find much to admire.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for providing a free copy for review. This opportunity allowed for a thorough and unbiased evaluation of Randal’s work.
Recommendation
Recommended for fans of morally complex fiction, political thrillers, and stories of personal transformation. While not without imperfections, Kelsey’s Crossing delivers a powerful message about the possibility of change—both individual and systemic.
April 10, 2025
Kelsey's Crossing by David Randal is a sort of redemption arc with a religious flavor. We follow the life of Greg Smith—once a lawyer by education, a political operative by profession, and an expert dealmaker by genius—who is caught manipulating elections in the country. He is sentenced, brokers a deal by naming his co-conspirators, receives a reduced sentence, and is eventually pardoned. However, all of this serves only as a prelude to the key events of the story.
Even in jail, he is portrayed as a changed man. After his release, he decides to leave his old life behind.
Now, he lives a quiet, secret life on a boat and volunteers at Kelsey Rescue Mission on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The mission is a shelter for the homeless, and the people there don’t know that the friendly stranger serving them food is an ex-con.
I personally found this mission to be a beautiful thing (though I don't know why all the discussion about the mission focused only on men and not also on women and children). The mission doesn’t just offer passive assistance; instead, the people it helps must work toward regaining independence by finding jobs. Those who aren't yet ready for employment must take up responsibilities within the mission. If such missions can help even a single life, isn’t it worth having such places? I think most of us would say yes—though we might also prefer that shelters weren’t located near our own homes. This is the classic NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) syndrome.
And that is exactly the situation here. The city’s rich, affluent, and powerful don’t want the shelter nearby. It reminds me of something I read online the other day: most of us are far closer to homelessness than to being billionaires. The disheartening stories in this book only reinforce that observation. Often, these people didn’t start as homeless but somehow fell through the cracks of society—failing to pay rent for a while, losing a job, etc. And when that happened, they either lacked a support system or the support system failed them. Aren’t these the same risks many of us face?
While I don’t particularly care for the book’s religious undertones, I do believe that caring for the poorest is our collective responsibility:
"This wealthy nation was ignoring one of its most embarrassing flaws, and here, in a small city in Tennessee—part of the old South—we would display to the nation that homelessness was a problem we all owned and had to solve. I thought of the dozens of times I had walked past a homeless person sleeping in the doorway of a building and ignored their pleas for food or money."
Coming back to the story—Greg seems content with his changed persona, but then comes a twist: the mission and its very existence are in danger. He must use his skills as a former political operative and dealmaker to help save it by securing a public referendum in its favor. From being a quiet volunteer, he suddenly finds himself leading the charge. Later, a shooting incident adds another dramatic turn to the events.
In short, Kelsey's Crossing is a powerful story that proves people can change—and change for the better. Greg’s is not the only redemption arc in the book; it also advocates for second chances for those who have gone astray, whether due to a moral failing or an inability to meet the harsh demands of the material world.
I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.
Even in jail, he is portrayed as a changed man. After his release, he decides to leave his old life behind.
Now, he lives a quiet, secret life on a boat and volunteers at Kelsey Rescue Mission on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The mission is a shelter for the homeless, and the people there don’t know that the friendly stranger serving them food is an ex-con.
I personally found this mission to be a beautiful thing (though I don't know why all the discussion about the mission focused only on men and not also on women and children). The mission doesn’t just offer passive assistance; instead, the people it helps must work toward regaining independence by finding jobs. Those who aren't yet ready for employment must take up responsibilities within the mission. If such missions can help even a single life, isn’t it worth having such places? I think most of us would say yes—though we might also prefer that shelters weren’t located near our own homes. This is the classic NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) syndrome.
And that is exactly the situation here. The city’s rich, affluent, and powerful don’t want the shelter nearby. It reminds me of something I read online the other day: most of us are far closer to homelessness than to being billionaires. The disheartening stories in this book only reinforce that observation. Often, these people didn’t start as homeless but somehow fell through the cracks of society—failing to pay rent for a while, losing a job, etc. And when that happened, they either lacked a support system or the support system failed them. Aren’t these the same risks many of us face?
While I don’t particularly care for the book’s religious undertones, I do believe that caring for the poorest is our collective responsibility:
"This wealthy nation was ignoring one of its most embarrassing flaws, and here, in a small city in Tennessee—part of the old South—we would display to the nation that homelessness was a problem we all owned and had to solve. I thought of the dozens of times I had walked past a homeless person sleeping in the doorway of a building and ignored their pleas for food or money."
Coming back to the story—Greg seems content with his changed persona, but then comes a twist: the mission and its very existence are in danger. He must use his skills as a former political operative and dealmaker to help save it by securing a public referendum in its favor. From being a quiet volunteer, he suddenly finds himself leading the charge. Later, a shooting incident adds another dramatic turn to the events.
In short, Kelsey's Crossing is a powerful story that proves people can change—and change for the better. Greg’s is not the only redemption arc in the book; it also advocates for second chances for those who have gone astray, whether due to a moral failing or an inability to meet the harsh demands of the material world.
I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.
March 18, 2025
David Randal’s Kelsey’s Crossing is a whirlwind of political scandal, personal redemption, and the messy gray areas of morality. It follows Greg Smith, a high-powered Washington insider whose world comes crashing down when the FBI raids his home, exposing a plot to rig an election. The book takes us through his fall from grace, prison years, and eventual reentry into society, one that forces him to confront not just his past sins but the kind of man he wants to become. What starts as a political thriller morphs into something deeper, more introspective, and surprisingly heartfelt.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is how it tackles corruption without glamorizing it. Greg isn’t some misunderstood antihero; he’s a man who thought he could outsmart the system and paid the price. The opening chapter is gripping, with the FBI storming his house and Greg realizing, in real-time, that his entire life is over. Randal’s writing is punchy and cinematic here, you can almost hear the battering ram, feel Greg’s pulse spike. But instead of keeping up that high-octane energy, the book takes an unexpected turn. The real story isn’t about political intrigue; it’s about what happens after. What does a man do when the empire he built collapses?
Greg’s prison years are some of the most fascinating parts of the book. Randal avoids clichés about hardened criminals and instead gives us a prison full of white-collar convicts, ex-judges, CEOs, even a priest, all grappling with their own disgrace. The conversations Greg has with his fellow inmates, particularly Judge Worley, add weight to the book’s themes of justice and accountability. The prison scenes don’t just show punishment; they show reflection. Greg’s realization that he’s more ashamed of disappointing his daughter than of breaking the law? That hits hard.
And then there’s the second act: Greg’s attempt at a quiet life in Kelsey, Tennessee. This is where the book surprised me most. His work at the Kelsey Rescue Mission, surrounded by men society has given up on, feels like his first real shot at redemption. The contrast between his old life, where power meant everything, and his new one, where a simple breakfast shift carries meaning, is stark. The writing here is softer, more contemplative, but never slow. Randal makes sure Greg’s past never stops looming. The tension with his old enemies, especially Lamar Goodman, is a constant reminder that Greg’s past isn't finished with him yet.
Kelsey’s Crossing is for readers who enjoy political dramas with substance, but also for anyone who likes a redemption story with some real grit. It’s for those who want a character study as much as a thriller. If you love stories about second chances, messy, imperfect, but honest ones, this book is worth your time. Greg isn’t easy to like, but by the end, you’ll find yourself rooting for him, flaws and all. Randal doesn’t give him an easy out, and that’s what makes the journey feel real.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is how it tackles corruption without glamorizing it. Greg isn’t some misunderstood antihero; he’s a man who thought he could outsmart the system and paid the price. The opening chapter is gripping, with the FBI storming his house and Greg realizing, in real-time, that his entire life is over. Randal’s writing is punchy and cinematic here, you can almost hear the battering ram, feel Greg’s pulse spike. But instead of keeping up that high-octane energy, the book takes an unexpected turn. The real story isn’t about political intrigue; it’s about what happens after. What does a man do when the empire he built collapses?
Greg’s prison years are some of the most fascinating parts of the book. Randal avoids clichés about hardened criminals and instead gives us a prison full of white-collar convicts, ex-judges, CEOs, even a priest, all grappling with their own disgrace. The conversations Greg has with his fellow inmates, particularly Judge Worley, add weight to the book’s themes of justice and accountability. The prison scenes don’t just show punishment; they show reflection. Greg’s realization that he’s more ashamed of disappointing his daughter than of breaking the law? That hits hard.
And then there’s the second act: Greg’s attempt at a quiet life in Kelsey, Tennessee. This is where the book surprised me most. His work at the Kelsey Rescue Mission, surrounded by men society has given up on, feels like his first real shot at redemption. The contrast between his old life, where power meant everything, and his new one, where a simple breakfast shift carries meaning, is stark. The writing here is softer, more contemplative, but never slow. Randal makes sure Greg’s past never stops looming. The tension with his old enemies, especially Lamar Goodman, is a constant reminder that Greg’s past isn't finished with him yet.
Kelsey’s Crossing is for readers who enjoy political dramas with substance, but also for anyone who likes a redemption story with some real grit. It’s for those who want a character study as much as a thriller. If you love stories about second chances, messy, imperfect, but honest ones, this book is worth your time. Greg isn’t easy to like, but by the end, you’ll find yourself rooting for him, flaws and all. Randal doesn’t give him an easy out, and that’s what makes the journey feel real.
September 17, 2025
Feel good book
This book read like a Hollywood movie from the1940s. The hero was a reformed bad guy with a heart of gold. His best friend was a saint. There was the beautiful girl friend, a couple of bad guys who were caught and a shady rich man who financed a giant do good project. There were a couple of things that made it more contemporary. The ex wife was a gay congresswoman, the girl friend was black and the good deed was building a giant homeless shelter for men. I did question the fact that there was never a mention of women being homeless. But I guess it's alright to read a predictable feel good book every once in a while.
This book read like a Hollywood movie from the1940s. The hero was a reformed bad guy with a heart of gold. His best friend was a saint. There was the beautiful girl friend, a couple of bad guys who were caught and a shady rich man who financed a giant do good project. There were a couple of things that made it more contemporary. The ex wife was a gay congresswoman, the girl friend was black and the good deed was building a giant homeless shelter for men. I did question the fact that there was never a mention of women being homeless. But I guess it's alright to read a predictable feel good book every once in a while.
August 4, 2025
A slow paced, religious based politically themed "thriller" with a social consciousness and over done redemptive "second chance" mantra and ethos. Well written, but repetitive and at times jumped around. Overall a bit boring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews