Rascal on the Run

By: Howard Tate Scott

Narrated by: Jon Lindstrom

Drawn into a web of small-town secrets, family drama, and the rusted tentacles of the Dixie Mafia, a young lawyer is forced to confront his own notions of justice, freedom, love, and sobriety.

Athens, Georgia, 1988: Attorney August “Critter” Stillwell dreams of a life on the open sea, but he’s stuck juggling a crushing caseload after the sudden departure of his defense attorney father, Guy Stillwell. When an episode of Unsolved Mysteries leads to the capture of a murder suspect who’s been on the run for 25 years, the ominous pattern of facts drags Critter into a hidden corner of Guy’s past.

In 1963, To Kill a Mockingbird was playing in local theaters, and Guy Stillwell was a lot like Atticus Finch - if Atticus had been a charming two-timer and burgeoning alcoholic. For 15-year-old Critter, working at his father’s law firm was a master class in the art of good-ol’-boy litigating and congenial backroom deals. Guy took on the trial of the decade that summer: defending a Black woman charged with the murder of a KKK thug. By the time it was over, Critter’s world and the sleepy town of Athens were in flames.

As an older, wiser Critter looks back on that fateful season, he discovers stunning connections between Guy’s case and his own defense of the runaway murderer. Now, he must choose between his duty to the law and an unwavering loyalty to his flawed but charismatic father.

©2021 Howard Tate Scott (P)2021 Howard Tate Scott

LOVED this book!

Exceptional writing, a thrilling murder mystery and the complex race relations of the South in the 60’s come together in glorious combination in this book. When I finished it the first time, I immediately listened to it again, relishing in the descriptions and details.

I love that it’s set in one of my favorite towns; Athens, GA. The courtroom scenes are some of the finest examples of oratory skill, bravado, and outright shenanigans. The characters are richly complex and imperfect, as we all are.

Highly recommend this book. I even bought a few hard copies to send to friends! 👍

Page Turner!

I got this book hoping it would help me sleep. That was an unmitigated disaster as it kept me up all night; I couldn't put it down!

Phenomenal book, fast-paced story, good characters

This is a very interesting book that is enjoyable to read and is one that you wouldn't find hard to finish. Lindstrom's read is perfect, and the prose doesn't fail to keep you gripped even while it goes into detail. Unlike most legal fiction, if feels like the author actually based this on legal realities as opposed lawyer TV tropes.

Totally engaging!

I will start with a minor critical comment: this story drips more than necessary in southern cliches. It doesn’t need them and perhaps might limit its appeal to a broader audience. But you will notice I still gave it straight fives - listen to it anyway! The story is exceptionally well structured and compelling. It strikes a rare balance of providing solid social commentary and FUN. It’s a total ‘page-turner’ and even though I loved the ending, I was sorry that it was over. This author is a gifted storyteller and the narrator is excellent.