A Rainy Night in Georgia: A Lawman's Brutal Murder, a Rogue Southern Sheriff, and a Prosecutor's Quest for Justice

by J. Tom Morgan, John Capouya

"A sheriff-elect was murdered. I was next on the hit list." —J.Tom Morgan 

In December 2000, Derwin Brown, the newly elected sheriff of DeKalb County, Georgia, was ambushed and murdered in his own driveway just days before taking office. He had run on reform—promising to clean up corruption and restore integrity to the sheriff’s department—defeating the powerful incumbent in a bitter runoff.

The case fell to J.Tom Morgan, then the county’s elected District Attorney. Working alongside local, state, and federal law enforcement, Morgan pursued the case through months of dead ends, mounting pressure, and intense public scrutiny. It became a national media sensation, combining political intrigue with revelations of government corruption, murder-for-hire plots, and a never-before-tried legal strategy in the Georgia criminal justice system. Then the case became personal: Morgan learned that his own name was next on the killer's hit list.

In A Rainy Night in Georgia, Morgan gives readers something almost no one else can—a first-person account of power, danger, and integrity from inside the justice system. What began as a baffling, unsolved murder evolved into one of the most extraordinary political assassination cases in modern American history after a shocking discovery.

Part true-crime thriller, part memoir of public service under fire, this gripping book reveals what it truly costs to hold powerful people accountable.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Audiobook, History, Politics, Mystery, Crime

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2026

Reviews

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

A RAINY NIGHT IN GEORGIA by J. Tom Morgan with John Capouya is an engrossing true crime book told in the first person by the then District Attorney of Dekalb County Georgia, J. Tom Morgan who was tasked with bringing the murderers of Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown to justice and proving the corruption in the current Sheriff’s office. This book is written with an excellent balance between personal observations and emotions, investigative facts and deals, and courtroom strategy and drama.

In December 2000, the newly elected sheriff, Derwin Brown, was gunned down in his home driveway. Derwin Brown had run on cleaning up the corruption in the sheriff’s office and accused his successor in public. A corruption investigation had already begun six months previously, but Derwin Brown’s murder brought every alphabet agency into the investigation.

District Attorney J. Tom Morgan worked with local, state, and federal agencies, and while the corruption investigation moved along, the murder investigation hit dead ends at every turn until J. Tom was forced to make a controversial deal and learns his name was next on the hit list.

I love true crime, so I followed this case on the national news, but I lost track of it due to 9/11. While I heard about the verdict later, this book brought me back to that time and filled in all the facts and added the personal views and emotions of J. Tom Morgan. The writing brings this story to life once again with the clear and concise step-by-step retelling of the murder, investigation, and trial. It is a sadly often repeated story that shows how absolute power corrupts and, in this case, results in a senseless murder that results from that corruption.

I highly recommend this captivating true crime book!

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Non-Fiction True Crime. I read this book by listening to the audiobook for this book, and I did like the narrator. I found parts of this book very interesting, but there were parts that were boring. I wanted more about the crime and the trail. There was a lot about the author's feelings on what happened. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Judy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Justice System Fights Back: Inside the DeKalb County Assassination

Intro
When a newly elected official is assassinated on his own driveway, a community is shaken to its core. In A Rainy Night in Georgia, former District Attorney J. Tom Morgan delivers a chilling, first-person account of one of the most shocking political assassination cases in modern American history.

The Hook
"A sheriff-elect was murdered. I was next on the hit list."

Elevator Pitch
In December 2000, newly elected DeKalb County Sheriff Derwin Brown was brutally ambushed and killed just days before taking office. Written by the very District Attorney who prosecuted the case, this book chronicles the grueling investigation into government corruption, murder-for-hire plots, and the terrifying moment the prosecutor realized he was the assassin's next target.

Setting
DeKalb County, Georgia (suburban Atlanta) during the rain-slicked winter of 2000.

Vibe
Gritty, tense, and deeply atmospheric. It balances the procedural precision of a legal thriller with the raw, emotional weight of a personal memoir.

Genre
True Crime / Memoir / Criminology / Murder & Mayhem True Accounts

Themes
~Systemic Corruption: The dangerous lengths entrenched powers will go to protect illicit networks.
~The Cost of Integrity: The heavy personal and professional price of public service under fire.
~Justice and Perseverance: Navigating months of dead ends and intense public scrutiny to uncover the truth.

Standout Characters
~J. Tom Morgan: The author, narrator, and relentless District Attorney driving the prosecution.
~Derwin Brown: The tragic, reform-minded sheriff-elect who paid the ultimate price for promising to clean up the department.
~Sidney Dorsey: The powerful incumbent sheriff whose administration was riddled with corruption allegations.

Author Writing Standout
Morgan's unique perspective provides an unrivaled inside look at the justice system. Rather than a detached journalistic overview, his writing is infused with genuine urgency and emotional depth, making readers feel the claustrophobic dread of a man working a high-stakes case while looking over his own shoulder.

Takeaway
Holding powerful people accountable requires immense courage, a flawless legal strategy, and a willingness to confront absolute danger.

Title Significance
The title refers directly to the fateful, dreary night in December 2000 when Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown arrived home on a quiet street carrying birthday roses for his wife, only to be assassinated in his own driveway before morning.

Metaphor
The "rainy night" serves as a metaphor for the cloud of corruption and uncertainty that rolled over DeKalb County's law enforcement—a darkness that could only be cleared by exposing the truth to the light of the courtroom.

Why You Should Read
This is a rare true-crime saga narrated by the man who actually lived it through every fascinating twist, turn, and legal breakthrough. If you love political intrigue, courtroom drama, and true stories with impossibly high stakes, this is a must-read.

My Thoughts
What makes this book unforgettable is its emotional core. It brilliantly avoids being a dry breakdown of court filings, choosing instead to emphasize the profound impact on the victims' families, the community, and the investigators who risked their lives to secure a conviction.

”A propulsive true-crime standout that transitions flawlessly from a bleak, unsolved mystery into a high-stakes legal showdown. It tracks a massive historical milestone: the first time a Georgia politician was convicted under the anti-corruption RICO Act. A satisfying victory of law over absolute corruption."

Verdict: 4.5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
"A gripping, unputdownable masterpiece of Southern true crime."

Audiobook 🎧 Standout
"The audiobook is a cinematic experience narrated directly by the author, J. Tom Morgan. Hearing the story in Morgan's authentic, gravelly Southern drawl completely transforms the text. When he recounts the chilling moment investigators found his own name on the hitlist, the raw gravity gives you goosebumps."

Recs or read alikes
~Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt 
~The Book of Murder: A Prosecutor's Journey Through Love and Death by Matt Murphy.
~Mr. Prosecutor: 25 Years Fighting Crime in the South: A Memoir: Former Prosecuting Attorney in the 4th Judicial District of Arkansas by Terry Jones.
~Blue Line Rogue: Corruption in Georgia by John Masters
~Peculiar Tribe of People: Murder And Madness In The Heart Of Georgia by Richard Jay Hutto.

Special thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for sharing an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Sept 15, 2026
My Rating. 4.5 Stars
Sept Newsletter
Sept 2026 Must-Read Books

[Robert Alexander Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ True Crime Through a Prosecutor’s Eyes

Rather than reading like a conventional true-crime account, A Rainy Night in Georgia by J. Tom Morgan feels like being invited into a prosecutor’s case file and memory at the same time. Morgan places himself directly inside the story, walking readers through the investigation, the key players, the corruption surrounding the sheriff’s office, and the decisions his team had to make as prosecutors. That perspective gave the book a level of detail that made the case feel much more immediate.

The strongest part of the book for me was Morgan himself. Since he narrates the audiobook, his voice and accent add personality to the story, and the fact that he is recounting his own experience makes the legal side feel especially authentic. We get not only the facts of the case, but also the thinking behind the prosecution and the way his team approached a deeply troubling situation. I also appreciated how carefully he explained court procedure. Some of that material was familiar to me, but it was handled well and should make the legal aspects accessible to a general audience.

The level of corruption was probably the most striking part of the story. The book shows just how deeply public trust can erode when the people responsible for enforcing the law become involved in wrongdoing themselves. Following Morgan and his team as they investigated and pursued those responsible gives the book much of its momentum, while the murder becomes part of a broader examination of justice, corruption, and accountability. There are a few slower sections, but they never became a serious problem for me, and the narrative generally flows well.

A Rainy Night in Georgia is a strong choice for readers interested in true crime, legal nonfiction, Southern politics, and law-enforcement corruption. I would especially recommend it to readers who want to understand how a major case looks from the prosecutor’s side rather than simply following the crime and investigation. For me, that legal memoir perspective is what ultimately made the book stand out.

Thank you to NetGalley, author J. Tom Morgan, and Dreamscape Media for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
#ARainyNightinGeorgia #NetGalley

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, A Rainy Night in Georgia, by J. Tom Morgan, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I think everybody knows a dirty politician, here in Illinois I think we have more politicians who have gone to prison, then those who have not. Corruption runs deep in politicians. This book is written by District Attorney of DeKalb Georgia, J, Tom Morgan, who was involved in trying the case of a dirty sheriff, who killed another sheriff, because he thought he could take his job. This was an intriguing read.

[Beau · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to Prometheus and Dreamscape for a complimentary arc and alc of A Rainy Night in Georgia. All opinions expressed are my own.*

I went into A Rainy Night in Georgia knowing virtually nothing about this case. Just off the bat, it would’ve had my interest peaked quite fast - but it was the prose and setting that immediately was used from the first page that doomed me and left me unable to put this down.

I wasn’t familiar with this case before picking up the book. If I had ever heard about it, it would have been in passing and with so few details that I certainly didn’t remember them. What Morgan and Capouya provide here, however, is an incredibly immersive account that makes you feel like a fly on the wall of the investigation.
True crime told by someone who was involved in investigating the case is often my favourite kind, but this goes even further. Morgan wasn’t simply an insider to the investigation—he knew the victim, and he was someone who could have become the next victim himself. That personal connection adds an entirely different weight to the story.

From the very beginning, Morgan and Capouya’s storytelling pulls you in, and you quickly become utterly invested. Nothing feels like filler from start to finish. Even the details that aren’t directly about the case help build a picture of the tension and intensity surrounding the investigation, the ordeal everyone involved was facing, and the impact it had on the wider community.

What struck me most was just how human the story felt while still being so suspenseful. You feel alongside the Brown family, share the community’s concern, and experience the investigative team’s stress while finding yourself filled with questions of your own. It’s not simply a recounting of a case - it gives you a sense of the people who lived through it in a way most true crime accounts can’t provide.

With the audio narration, there was something special about hearing Morgan narrating his own book. However, there was something about the editing that occasionally made it harder to get into than the written version - the pacing and some of the clipping. Regardless, something about Morgan’s voice just managed to deliver this clang that made it feel more immersive.

The case was featured on the news here in Europe, but I’d just turned 1 when these events took place. In a strange way, I’m grateful for that, because I couldn’t have asked for a better insight into the case than the one Morgan and Capouya have given us here, compared to watching the news. And if Morgan ever decides to give us more stories from his career - even if it’s an investigation into a missing paperclip from the district attorney’s office - I’ll be picking it up immediately.
Just like you should with A Rainy Night in Georgia.

[Cecily - MillennialBookGal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you J. Tom Morgan and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.

There needs to be more people in the law enforcement field like this author. One that is willing to stand up for the innocent decpite race or class to ensure justice is granted to those who deserve it and deaths are not swept under the rug because no one is willing to ruffle the feathers of those in power.

The novel shares all the step to step procedures that went into prosecuting those who need to be brought to justice despite the risk the authors own personal well being. From beginning to end. The RICO case was important but getting justice for the murder more essential for the emotional healing and justice for the family.

A little dry and procedural at times, it was interesting to see all the nuances of the justice system that, at times, works for the guilty instead of those seeking justice.

Decent read.

[Christian Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Rainy Night In Georgia is the first person account of the investigation and trial of DeKalb County, Georgia Sheriff Sidney Dorsey. In early 2000 and investigation was begun into alleged corruption in the sheriff's department. Later that year Dorsey lost his election to Derwin Brown who ran on a platform of ending the corruption and bringing needed reform to the department. Prior to Brown's installation as sheriff he was assassinated in the front yard of his home.

This book tells the story of how an investigation into the murder and corruption was completed and how a case was built in an attempt to prove former Sheriff Dorsey was ultimately responsible for both.

I was not familiar with this case, but found the narrative to be interesting and compelling. My only criticism is that there are places in the book where the writing is somewhat awkward or where unnecessary anecdotes are provided by the author that distract from the main narrative. Fans of true crime stories will enjoy this book.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reading copy of the book.

[Caroline Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.Tom Morgan was next on the hit list to be killed. He prosecuted the case anyway.

On December 15, 2000, Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown was shot twelve times in his own driveway in Decatur, Georgia, just days before he was set to be sworn in. He had campaigned on cleaning up a corrupt sheriff’s department. Someone made sure he never got the chance.

DeKalb County District Attorney J.Tom Morgan refused to let that stand. What makes this book unlike anything else in true crime is that it is told entirely from the inside — by the prosecutor who was there from the first rainy night at the crime scene, through every dead end and breakthrough, all the way to the courtroom. He reveals here for the first time a conspiracy unique in the history of American crime, brought to justice through a prosecutorial approach never before used in the state of Georgia.

He writes with a prosecutor’s precision and a storyteller’s soul. You feel every sleepless night, every moment of doubt, and the full weight of what it costs a man to do the right thing when his own life is on the line.

This is my dad’s book. I am beyond proud. Read it.

[The Calm Chapter Mandi Wiencek · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌧️ A Rainy Night in Georgia 🌧️
(( Spoiler-Free ARC Review ))

Title- A Rainy Night in Georgia
Author- J. Tom Morgan
Genre- True Crime Memoir

Trope City-
🌧️ True Crime Thriller
🌧️ First Hand Investigation
🌧️ Political Corruption
🌧️ Sheriff Shot
🌧️ Murder for Hire

A Rainy Night in Georgia is a memoir that follows the actual murder of DeKalb County Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown. This recounting is told by the then District Attorney and is a beautifully written retelling of the investigation and the political climate during that time. Derwin Brown was shot in his driveway just days before he was to take office as Sheriff. His family was home and discovered their loved one downed in their front yard. Tragically, he died from his gunshot wounds. The investigation in to his murder uncovers the depths of political corruption, racial divide and danger in the law enforcement space for any/ everyone involved in solving crimes. After so much digging, the district attorney himself finds that he too is in danger simply for thoroughly doing his job. I was so enthralled with this book. I’m a huge fan of documentaries and true crime as a whole. I admire those who work tirelessly to solve these crimes every day. There’s a certain confidence and passion in this memoir. I find J.Tom Morgan beyond brave and this story impressive.

Thank you to my Book Sparks Family for sharing this with me! 🌧️💙

[littlefoot_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

In December 2000, Derwin Brown, the newly elected sheriff of DeKalb County, Georgia, was murdered in his own driveway mere days before taking office. J. Tom Morgan was the District Attorney for the county and the case was his to work. He takes readers through every aspect of the investigation, all the players, the government corruption, and the murder for hire plots, one of which included himself. This case couldn’t be more personal for Morgan and that urgency is palpable. Morgan and his team faced months of dead ends, public scrutiny, and incredible stress to solve this case and deliver justice for Brown and his family.

I found the working of the case very compelling and all the nuances of the legal system to be aggravating and fascinating at the same time. I read a good amount of true crime, but I won’t soon forget this story. A Rainy Night in Georgia is a great choice for those interested in legal nonfiction, corruption, Southern politics, and true crime.

[Charlene (pageandplace) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, J.Tom Morgan, Publisher Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.

A powerful true story of the political assassination of Sheriff elect Derwin Brown and the search for justice. Narrated by the author, J. Tom Morgan, who was the DA in charge of prosecuting Brown’s kill3r.

This was not a case I was familiar with and was a very unfortunate story of corruption and murd3r for hire. A campaign promise to investigate the previous Sheriff Administration left the current Dekalb County Sheriff d3ad in his driveway in 2000.

It was very interesting listening to Morgan talk about the case and the devotion of every single person who worked to solve this murd3r and bring the responsible party to justice.

[Cheryl Alley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 4.5! Great audio and story told by the man who made it happen.

Super exciting to know a key person on the author's legal team, grab your 15 minutes, Roz.

[Bookish Feed · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
A Rainy Night in Georgia
By J. Tom Morgan with John Capouya
Release Date: September 15, 2026


Oh man... what a ride.

I love true crime, and I absolutely devoured A Rainy Night in Georgia. I had never heard of the case of Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown before picking up this book, but once I started, I couldn't put it down.

Written by the District Attorney who prosecuted the case, this book takes readers through the shocking political assassination of Derwin Brown, the investigation that followed and the corruption that was uncovered along the way.

Every chapter left me wanting to know what happened next.

What stood out most was the emotion behind the story. You could truly feel what Brown's family, colleagues, and J. Tom Morgan himself endured throughout the investigation and trial. The combination of suspense, courtroom drama, politics, and real life stakes made this a fascinating and unforgettable read.

I also loved that photographs were included throughout the book. It added such a personal touch and made the story feel even more real.

This book is packed with political corruption, a complex murder investigation, courtroom drama, and a firsthand account from the prosecutor who fought to bring justice for Derwin Brown.

I also listened to portions of the audiobook while reading, and having J. Tom Morgan narrate his own story made the experience even more powerful. His firsthand connection to the case brought an authenticity and emotion that pulled me even deeper into the story.

Huge thank you to @booksparks and @jtommorgan for the physical ARC and @negalley for ALC.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very rare that I actually enjoy a nonfiction book, but it's even more rare when I enjoy it so much I'm glued to the page! A Rainy Night in Georgia is a true crime story about corruption and murder in DeKalb county around the end of 2000 when the sheriff-elect is gunned down outside his home just days before taking office. Morgan tells his story of prosecuting the case of murder and the first RICO case against an elected official in Georgia. This riveting story will keep you invested until the very last page!

I was newly married and only 23 years old in 2000 when this happened and I don't remember anything about it at all. I don't live in DeKalb, but I do like reasonably close, but I was rather less informed in those days, so I'm glad I came across this book on Edelweiss. I highly recommend it. And if you're from Georgia, you may recognize Morgan's name from his book Ignorance is No Defense, a book about Georgia laws for teens.

[Candice Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

✍🏾 🅼🆈 🅱🅾🅾🅺🅸🆂🅷 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 ✍🏾

Featured Book: 𝗔 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘆 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮: 𝗔 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝗺𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿, 𝗔 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳, 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗔 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 x J. Tom Morgan

🌟Thank you, partners @BookSparks, @JTomMorgan, @prometheusbooks for these gifted copies. I enjoyed the audio experience through @audible and @dreamscape_media. 🌟

𝗔 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘆 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮 is one of my most unexpected reads of the year because I don’t normally gravitate toward true-crime nonfiction. I should mention that I once aspired to be a defense attorney and even spent a semester in law school, but realized that literature suited me best. I do love the legal peculiarities and complexities of the law and the way it binds us morally and psychologically.

This book is best described as a true-crime thriller and memoir by former DeKalb County, Georgia, district attorney J. Tom Morgan. From the outset, readers quickly grasp the famous maxim from Lord Acton: “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Derwin Brown was murdered in his own driveway just days before taking office as sheriff-elect, and the mastermind behind the ambush was the sitting sheriff. But the drama extends far beyond that plotline because DA Morgan’s name was next on the kill list, and a mountain of corruption lay to be uncovered.

I listened to JTom tell this story. I was captivated from the very beginning. JTom’s style, wit, and charm sold me, but his dedication, passion, and love for justice and others won my heart. That is captured in his dedication: “𝙉𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙞 𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙞𝙨,” which is a Latin phrase that means "not for oneself, but for others.” JTom selflessly puts everything on the line to secure justice for Brown and to right the wrongs in Dekalb County.

Power is an addictive drug that ropes in the best of us. This legal nonfiction drama shows you that up close and personal. If you enjoy true crime mixed in with Southern politics and corruption, this is a great read.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🏷  #ARainyNightInGeorgiaReviewTour #JTomMorgan #BookSparks #TrueCrimeBooks #NonfictionReads #CandiceReads #CandiceListens #CandiceReviews #HaleYeahBooks #wellreadblackgirl #blackgirlsreading

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Power. Ladies and gentlemen, this case is about power.”

Immediately you are placed at the crime scene so buckle up because it is an especially tragic and devastating one. The rest of the book, told by the case’s prosecutor, details the investigation to bring the murderer to justice.

I did not realize that in the south the executive branch was set up in such a way as to give one man the potential for almost exclusive power over a county. There are a lot of names to follow here, many many positions held, and in depth procedural elements which slowed the book down a bit at times. But the search for justice kept me going.

It is never easy to do the right thing or to fight for what is right when facing adversity, but I certainly love reading about the people that do! JTom Morgan is one such man. Even when his own life was threatened. Even when it could have ended his career. Still, he soldiered on and fought the good fight.

If you love to see justice prevail, if you cheer when the wrongs of the world are righted, and if you want some reassurance that there are still good and honorable people in this world then read this story.

“There is no such thing as a slam dunk in criminal cases.”

As I flipped the pages, engrossed in this story, I was not emotionally prepared for the smiling picture of slain sheriff-elect Derwin Brown looking back at me. Reading about a murder takes a different turn when you see the life that was taken. My heart felt that one.

Thank you to @BookSparks and @JTomMorgan for the tour spot and the gifted copy.

[Leena · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review: A Rainy Night in Georgia ✨

Thank you to @booksparks and @jtommorgan for my early copy of this book!

I love a good true crime thriller, despite admittedly 90% of what I read is romance. Because of that, it did take me a little bit to adjust to the more methodical, technical, and crisp writing style, but once I did, the rest is history.

This book takes you into a shocking story of corruption, conspiracy, and murder. Written by the District Attorney, J. Tom Morgan, responsible for leading the investigation and prosecuting the responsible parties, it was so interesting to get this first hand, personal perspective into the case. Especially when he finds out he was also a target for the murderers.

I was so shocked by the level of corruption taking place in the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office. It makes you wonder what’s going on behind the scenes of other law enforcement agencies, especially for how long it went on.

I really enjoyed the pacing of the book and how it followed the investigation and eventually the trials. I also found it very interesting to understand how they crafted their prosecution, prepared for the trial, and prepped their opening and closing statements. There’s definitely a lot more time and effort that goes into it than what you see on TV or in the movies.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this was fiction, there would be a clamour for film rights. It reads like a high octane thriller or perhaps noir. Small town Georgia. Corrupt sheriff abusing what he considers is unlimited power. He is ousted by a reforming newcomer who promises to scour the department and bring accountability. Then, on a rainy night just weeks before he was supposed to take over, he is brutally gunned down on his front lawn.

The author who is also the DA suspects what has happened. As he and his team investigate they are able to put the pieces together but knowing and proving are two entirely different things. And even when they think they have a sure-fire ace in the hole juries will be the wild card. It is the story of courage, persistence, and skill. And no matter how much they may have “right” on their side, they still must play within the rules of the justice system. And if and when it seems that it is all a lost cause, the team keeps fighting to bring closure to the family of the slain man.

It was as much a page turner as any mystery I have read. Not only was it a fascinating story, I learned a lot about both the area and the judicial system. Five purrs and two paws up.

[Simone (mysterypageturners) Ketchum · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤Book Tour of A Rainy Night In Georgia
by J.Tom Morgan 🖤
Thank you so much for including me!

@BookSparks @jtommorgan
#ARainyNightInGeorgiaReviewTour

📚Book: A Rainy Night In Georgia
✍🏻Author: J.Tom Morgan
🌀Genre: Thriller
📃Pages: 250
Publication Date: 2026


💜What I Loved:
👮Police procedural
🫆True Crime
📔Memoir
👩🏼‍⚖️Courtroom Drama
⚖️Corruption
😭Deeply Moving
🫨Gripping
🩸Horrific Crime
🤣Humor

📖 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️( 5/5)

👩🏼‍⚖️Final Word:

🚨🚨 ‼️‼️ 5 Star Alert ‼️‼️🚨🚨

Wow!!! This was very unexpected!!! I don’t usually read this type of book so I wasn’t sure if it was going to be for me. I am so glad that I read it! This book was part true crime and part memoir. It was deeply moving and kept me moving page to page. Despite the horrific crime, the author manages to get his humor in the book and I even laughed. What impressed me the most is that the book reads like fiction. This book is perfect to true crime readers who don’t mind a bit of memoir as well.

[Jacob Berchuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love true crime and legal thrillers, stop scrolling and get this book.

Every chapter throws another twist at you, and I kept having the same reaction: there's no way this is real life. But it is, and that's what makes it so gripping. It reads like a John Grisham novel, tense, fast, impossible to put down, except every bit of it is deeply researched and factually true.

What really sets it apart is how lived-in it feels. This isn't a detached retelling... you feel like you're right there on the journey with the author, in the room for every gut-punch moment. Add to that the fact that it's written by a lawyer, and you get real legal insight woven in so naturally that I came away understanding more about how the law works, without ever feeling like I was being taught.

True crime fans, legal drama fans, memoir fans, this one's for all of you. I couldn't put it down, and I don't think you will either.

[Amy Kaplan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I immediately got sucked into the reader, J. Tom Morgan (who also happens to be the author). He has a very trustworthy voice and an air of authority without being overbearing. I appreciated him setting the scene with thoughtful details and a clear and deliberate timeline. His writing reminds me a lot of my favorite true crime author, Ann Rule. Both he and Rule give ALL the details, even things that might be mundane to the average person. I like to know as much as I can.

I was invested in the story and the reactions of the loved ones finding their husband and friend dead on their doorstep was heartbreaking. I was rooting for them to find the killer and bring justice to the Brown family.

I really hope that J. Tom Morgan writes more true crime books like this as I would read anything he writes now, and the audio version was speculator.

Thank you to the publisher and J.Tom Morgan for allowing me to listen to A Rainy Night In Georgia early in exchange for an honest review.

[Marcia reading past dark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love true crime, and especially since the assassination of Sheriff elect Derwin Brown took place in my home state. I remember following this horrific event and times when I doubted that the case would ever be solved.

A Rainy Night in Georgia brings all the memories flooding back. Author J. Tom Morgan, the DA who led the prosecution, thoroughly fills in details, including personal recollections, many that I never remember hearing from the media. His writing is clear as he methodically recounts the events of that time, beginning with the shooting in Derwin Brown’s front yard, and then explaining the sequence of events, including details of the investigation and the trial.

What a sad story of a senseless loss of life, of a contract assassination, and of political corruption. Thankfully, in the end, justice is served.

[BrownBookNerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Rainy Night in Georgia is a true-crime book about the murder of Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown and the investigation that followed.

I enjoyed it because it was suspenseful, interesting, and showed the importance of courage and justice. I enjoyed how the author gives us a real inside look into the investigation and the risks involved in seeking juice.

If you love true crime thrillers as much as I do, I highly recommend making this your next read.

Thank you to the author, @jtommorgan & @booksparks for sending me a copy of this book 🤎

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is told by the former district attorney in DeKalb County, Georgia (FYI Atlanta is part of that county).

The crime took place in 2000 with the trial happening in 2002. It has a political assassination, local government corruption, conspiracy, a change of venue trial, and a team that is trying to seek justice for the victim.

I enjoyed each aspect of the book. I thought the trial aspect (there are actually 2 trials) were explained in such a manner that someone who has never been involved in the judicial system like me could understand.

[Leona Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit that at the time I applied for this audiobook I had missed the description at the bottom of the page labeling this story as a true-crime/memoir. I applied for this book as I've always had a love for true-crime, having grown up watching true-crime with my mother. Going into this book I was thinking oh, this will be like a James Patterson book. So I am sure you can only imagine my shock when I realized this followed a true case. I cannot say I regret applying though, if anything listening to this book has encouraged me to look for more books like this. It was incredibly insightful to hear about a case such as this from non-other than someone so heavily involved in it. To listen to this case from the beginning, to get inside thoughts on the progression and to follow along with the ups and downs of the trial was riveting. It is one thing to sit in your home and watch a trial like this unfold on TV, only seeing whats happening on the surface level. It was completely different to sit down and listen to it though, to hear from J.Tom himself as he layed everything out, being told in such a personal manner. I feel this format was an amazing way to share this story, as I felt so strongly along with J.Tom as he expressed his frustrations and triumphs with this case. I am not ashamed to say I cried when the verdict finally came, and that should show how impactful this narration has been.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true crime story, part memoir and part thriller, documenting the conspiracy behind the assassination of soon-to-be sheriff of DeKalb County, Derwin Brown, and the first time use of the federal anti-corruption law, RICO - a novel prosecution strategy at the time - to convict the conspirators.

Derwin Brown, a reform-minded policeman, defeated incumbent sheriff, Sydney Dorsey in a run off election. Brown had won on an anti corruption platform accusing Dorsey of misuse of his office. On December 15, 2000, Brown was ambushed in his driveway. DeKalb District Attorney, J. Tom Morgan, was charged to lead the investigation into the murder. Dead ends, public pressure and scrutiny made the investigation tense especially when Morgan learned he had been on the conspirators’ hit list. He tells the very emotional story of the prosecution of the conspirators ending with the trial of Sydney Brown in Morgan’s home town of Albany, Georgia, where the trial had been moved due to media exposure of the case in Atlanta.

The story is filled with details of the great power sheriffs have in Georgia than in other states. After listening to their power, it seemed to me too much has been bestowed on this person which made Dorsey’s abuses of power easy to understand. The ability to bring powerful to justice is not easy as the book bears out.

I gave this book five stars for its exposing a story of corruption at a high political level as a cautionary tale we are living through with our current president; for its detail in telling a story how justice can prevail and for being a true crime book worthy to be read (in my case I listened to it).

My thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for granting me access to this ARC.

[Debbie S]

True account of a murder of a sheriff n Atlanta in 2000. Worth the read IMO if you are local

[Hope Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed A Rainy Night in Georgia. I'm a big fan of true crime, and this book kept me hooked from beginning to end. Knowing that J. Tom Morgan was the prosecutor on the case gave the story an extra level of authenticity. You can tell he knows every detail, but he explains everything in a way that's easy to follow.

The book does a great job of showing how complicated the investigation was without getting bogged down in legal jargon. It reads almost like a crime novel, except you know every twist actually happened. The courtroom scenes were especially interesting, and I found myself wanting to keep reading to see how everything unfolded.

What stayed with me most was the reminder that this wasn't just a sensational crime story. It was about real people, the pursuit of justice, and the impact corruption can have on a community. If you enjoy true crime or legal dramas, I definitely recommend giving this one a read.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I briefly heard of this case but couldn’t tell you a thing about it until I read this book. The writing and details were so thorough and also respectable and factual. I was floored by this case and also terrified at how corruption like this can exist. I felt like I was on the ground investigating everything as I read and when the trial came it was like being in the courtroom watching it firsthand. Some true crime books can be hard to follow but not this one. I think the author did a fantastic job and also does justice to the victim and family. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.