Alex Quaid, a public defender, is representing Paul Morrelli, who has been accused of attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and burglary. As Quaid works the case, he encounters obstacles due to corruption; before readers meet Quaid, however, the novel opens with a few scenes that set up what’s to come. “Independent Man,” a statue on top of the Rhode Island capitol dome, surveys all. …this is a good read—the dialogue flows smoothly and believably, and funny little quips provide a welcome lighthearted tone that is effectively juxtaposed against the brutal beatings depicted in the murder scenes: “The office on Saturday is like finding your old football buddy sitting next to you at the bar, in drag. It’s tough to get used to.” The inclusion of the perspective of the Independent Man allows O’Neill to engagingly explore themes of surveillance (the “statue’s eyes never close to the ebbing and flowing of human tides beneath his feet”). …Readers are in for a captivating narrative; the novel is fast-paced and contains complexity and depth. — Kirkus Review
Christopher O’Neill was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the third of four boys. Educationally he has a B.S. in Psychology, an M,Ed. in counseling, and a J.D. In the six years he worked as an Assistant Public Defender for the state of Rhode Island he was the attorney of record in numerous bail and violation hearings and tried four murders, three sexual assaults, a burglary and other assorted felonies to juries.
Before and after the years as a public defender he has worked as a sailing program director, stained glass craftsman, journeyman carpenter, high school ski coach, elementary school guidance counselor, handyman, substitute teacher, bartender, and furniture craftsman. He has been a husband, father of two, stay at home dad, divorcé and now a novelist. This is his first novel. He continues to reside in the fixer-upper he fixed up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
