Today I am reviewing The Alligator Man by James Sheehan for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): Roy Johnson, the former CEO of Dynatron, preyed on smaller companies, swallowing them whole and spitting them out after taking huge profits. He left Dynatron with a one hundred million dollar golden parachute before the company took a nose dive, wiping out the jobs and benefits for all its employees. When Johnson goes missing and pieces of his clothing are discovered in alligator-infested waters, it is assumed he was murdered, and he’s dubbed the Alligator Man by a New York Times columnist. Billy Fuller, a former Dynatron employee who lost everything, including his wife, is just one of many who have a motive to murder Johnson.
Kevin Wylie, a lawyer in Miami, learns that his father, legendary trial lawyer Tom Wylie who he hasn’t spoken to in 28 years, is having surgery for cancer and may not survive. Kevin decides to visit his father in St. Albans, and hopefully, get some answers on why his father abandoned him. While there, Kevin learns that his childhood friend Billy is the chief suspect in Roy Johnson’s murder. All the evidence points to Fuller’s guilt, but both Kevin and his father believe in Billy’s innocence. They decide to reunite to fight the courtroom battle for Billy’s life.
My review: The Alligator Man is a thoroughly engaging story and one that I got hooked on immediately. Sheehan, a former trial attorney, knows his subject. He also knows Florida and his descriptions of Miami and the fictional towns of St. Albans and Gladestown are full of the kind of details that create a vivid picture of the novel’s world. Kevin Wylie is at a crossroads in his life after having worked for a law firm that tends to defend drug dealers. He’s also in a long-term relationship with a woman that just might be on its last legs, so he is more than ready to leave town and see his father once again. And that’s where the story begins.
The cast of characters, including some quirky eccentrics, is fully drawn. Using his words with care, Sheehan sometimes simply gives a few well-written details that manage to make the characters spring to life. Kevin is the protagonist, but we also hear the story from the point of view of the supporting cast, which I love because it creates a multi-layered story. The book is well plotted with rather short chapters that keep the action moving. Sheehan manages to do something gracefully that I often see other writers do clumsily; he weaves all the ‘legalese’ into the story naturally. You aren’t even aware that you’re getting valuable and necessary plot points about the law, the courtroom, judges, clients, briefs because Sheehan does it all so artfully. Often I see that kind of information presented as a kind of lecture that is tiresome and has the effect of taking me out of the story. Not with Sheehan.
Comparisons are not always helpful, but in this case, I think they are. Sheehan’s book reminds me of the best of John Grisham. They are both writers who write legal thrillers with compelling characters; the plot is always character driven. And back to the world of the novel: Sheehan has written it so deftly, so completely, that you can’t imagine the plot taking place anywhere else but in Florida.
I really enjoyed this book. I was throughly caught up in its pages right from the start. I think you’ll enjoy it, too.
About the author: Born and raised in New York City, Sheehan moved to St. Petersburg, Florida to attend Stetson Law School and was a practicing trial attorney in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area for 30 years. He is now the Director of the Tampa Law Center at Stetson University College of Law and is also a Visiting Professor of Law. Stetson is the author of three acclaimed legal thrillers, the best selling Mayor of Lexington Avenue, The Law of Second Chances and The Lawyer’s Lawyer.
Good news! One of you will win a copy of The Alligator Man. Simply leave a comment on this post and I will draw the winner’s name on Thursday evening. Good luck!
Happy Monday.
Love it that you are giving away another book. Hope I win. Thank you.
I love reading your posts and I would dearly love to read this book!! Because of your posts about the Lousie Penny books, I ordered the first one on my Kindle and couldn’t put it down……now I need to get the rest of them. From your review on The Alligator Man, I am sure I will like it too. Thank you.
Lorinda in Indiana
Sounds like a great book!
I read all your posts — your everyday look at your life is down-to-earth and real which makes for great reading. This book sounds like it would be a great one to cozy up with my fuzzy throw on the couch and with a nice cup of hot tea and get lost for a few hours in Kevin and Billie’s story.
Count me in for the drawing. I’m a native Floridian and this sounds like a good read. Good review! Jen
I always find your reviews do interesting! Count me in! ;)
Sounds like another winner..How lucky you are to have this reviewing job Claudia..it’s a wonderful thing for a book lover like yourself!
I do like you book reviews and also enjoy reading your post every day. I don’t think I would have the skill necessary to do a doll house like you are decorating, but it is sure fun to watch the progress. I have not heard of this author, but if he is similar to John Grisham, I would probably like it and I definitely like legal thrillers. Hope I win.
This sounds like my kind of book. I would love to win it. Thank you so much for giving me the chance. Blessings
Somehow I never get to read these types of novels, never a John Grisham that’s for sure. Now, after reading your review (how could I not when alligators and crocodiles have been in my life a lot these past few years!), I think I might find this really enjoyable. Please add my name Claudia – I would like a chance to win thanks.
Hope you are staying snug and warm up there. We’re cold too and a lot of rain forecast but hopefully will be over by Thurs.
Hugs – Mary
Well thanks to you I am now reading all the Louise Penny books so would love to read another of your choices, Thanks for the review, I will add this author to my ever growing list of new authors Trish
Please enter my name in the drawing. Thank you!
Throw my name in the hat, Claudia. I’ve always liked Grisham and will give his author a try.
This book would go nicely with my Louise Penny book I found at the thrift shop:)
I just finished HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN a few minutes ago. This time of year, I’m adding books to my Christmas wish list, as we tend to give each other books in our family. Thanks for the suggestion of another writer to try.
I am still looking for a good book to read and lead in March for my book club – maybe this can be the one.
Thanks for the giveaway Claudia! And thanks for giving us your thoughts on the book. This is a new author for me, I would love to win it!
Count me in! “The Alligator Man” sounds like a good read! As always, loved your review!
There’s always room on my bookshelf for one more good read!
This sounds like my kind of book. The book title wouldn’t draw me in but your review did. Please enter me in your drawing. Thank you.
Sounds like an interesting read, Claudia.
As always, Claudia, I trust your reviews. Would love to win this book. I was just thinking this morning about how much I love to read and have since early teen years. Now my oldest granddaughter’s (12 years) would rather read than most anything. She’s been that way for several years. It’s nice to see inherent traits passing through the generations!
Happy Thanksgiving with Don and Scout. I’m sure it will be special.
Thanks Claudia..Sounds like a book I would love…I’ll add it to my list..I’ll see if I can get it for my Kindle..
You make nearly every book sound like something I must read.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. Sounds like a great read.
Great review! This book sounds like my kind of read and I would enjoy it. Please enter me. Thanks!
Thanks for being a part of the tour!