I had never heard of this case before. The book was very interesting, I found myself rushing to read it every night and hoping for what I believed to be the correct outcome.

Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom was a great book to read based on true events. I could not help to continually to find out more about it and thought the author did a great deal research to write this book. Five stars.

A gripping true story of justice , friendship, and redemption. Poston is a master storyteller.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington books for an ARC copy of Zenith Man by McCracken Poston, Jr. I truly enjoyed this book. It is based on a true story in which Mr. Alvin Ridley is accused of murdering his wife. I loved Mr. Poston's relationship with Alvin and how it progressed throughout the trial. I loved hearing about the trial and the testimony. Some parts made me laugh, some parts made me angry, and some parts warmed my heart. I found the whole book engaging. It was hard to put down, but easy to pick back up.

Attorney McCracken Poston Jr. in his book Zenith Man tells the story of a small town murder in Georgia and the man, Alvin Ridley, who was accused of the crime. I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this well-written story of how Poston pieces together his defense of the Zenith Man. Great read!

The year is 1997 in small town Ringgold, GA.. A loner by nature, Alvin Ridley is a simple man living his life and taking care of his wife, until she is found dead in their decrepit house. Realizing he can't wake her up, he drives to a pay phone to ask for an ambulance. What ensues is Alvin being charged with her murder, as well as keeping her locked up for 20+ years, since the town had no idea he even had a wife. Alvin is a hard person to know - not only does he keep to himself, but his hygiene leaves much to be desired. He's been bullied and avoided all his life, so it's no surprise he keeps to himself. The one thing he excelled at - repairing Zenith TVs, has been taken away from him. He is also paranoid, which makes representing him a real challenge. Written by Alvin's attorney, McCracken Boston, Jr., this book is well written, and is told from his best recollection. His writing reminds me of Rick Bragg; the characters are well-described and the reader can easily imagine them and the events. I felt so invested in Alvin and his story - it moved me to tears at the end of the book, and that doesn't happen often. This isn't my usual genre, but it's written with such quirky characters (more than just Alvin!), that I couldn't put this one down. I highly recommend this book!
Thanks to Kensington Books for a copy of this book to read and review; all opinions expressed are my own.
#zenithman
#kensingtonbooks
#Realzennithman
#kensingtonhousebooks

McCracken Poston Jr., a seasoned attorney, finds himself thrust into the midst of a perplexing case when he is tasked with defending Alvin, who stands accused of murdering his wife. Charged with clearing Alvin's name on three counts, McCracken's perspective offers a unique insight into the intricacies of the legal process.

Set against the backdrop of a small community in Ringgold, Georgia, the story unfolds amidst the pervasive influence of social media and local gossip. When a woman's body is discovered in Alvin's home, the narrative delves into the complexities of the case from McCracken's point of view.

Having thoroughly enjoyed "Zenith Man," my inaugural foray into true crime literature, I found McCracken's storytelling to be both engaging and accessible. His adept use of layman's terms in describing court proceedings made the legal aspects of the story easily understandable.

The dynamic between attorney and client is particularly compelling, as McCracken navigates the challenges presented by Alvin's reluctance to cooperate. Despite Alvin's complicated nature, the relationship between them evolves, offering glimpses of humor amidst the seriousness of the situation.

As the narrative unfolds, it serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of judgment, assumptions, and first impressions. The story sheds light on the inherent biases within the justice system and the impact of external influences, such as social media and media coverage, on the outcome of a case.

Moreover, "McCracken Poston Jr." explores the unexpected connections that can form between individuals from different walks of life, highlighting the importance of empathy and understanding in navigating complex legal matters. Ultimately, the story serves as a thought-provoking exploration of justice, perception, and human relationships.

This is a true story, a very bizarre murdercase.
Alvin has been accused of murdering his wife, a wife no one knew he had, he has also been accused of keeping her captive for many years.
Alvin is a character, with some unique traits, one can’t help but be on his side. He is a bit of an outcast, he is definitely not a people person, but while Postan has been working with him, as his defence lawyer they have developed a friendship of sorts. Postan goes out of his way to accommodate Alvin and his strange traits.
Zenith man is very cleverly written, the story combines true crime, courtroom drama and lots more. The cockroaches crawling out of Alvin’s suitcases which contained evidence, I could nearly hear the crunch when Postan stepped on them.
An entertaining, educational and a very compelling read which I thoroughly enjoyed.
We learn at the end of the book that Alvin was diagnosed as autistic and this was not a surprise.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
4.5 stars

First off a big thanks to the publisher Kensington as well as to the author McCracken Poston Jr, for sending me a copy of Zenith Man, and to my friend for reading this with me as a buddy read . Two of the main. Reason I said yes was 1: it's true crime ( and I love reading true crime) and 2nd : I've never even heard anything about this case until now. And I kept wondering why. So I guess you can say I went into this book blind since I knew nothing at all about this case. Which I'm glad I did because I actually enjoyed it and loved talking about with my friend, from how hard working McCracken was, to how Alvin Ridley acted, how reading the parts of the Trial actually made both of us feel like we was actually there, how I was so glad Alivn's sister in law got put in her place , and I especially enjoyed how the medical talk was wrote in a way that not only explained it but also to the point where I could understand it . Other win for this book besides the black and white photos that init , you get to see the people themselves as actual people and not fictional ones , you see their lives come to life right off the page, and of course there was a few funny parts to it but even they didn't take away from the story.

McCracken Poston Jr. attorney to Alvin who is charged with the murder of his wife. In an effort to clear Alvin’s name under 3 charged accounts. This story is McCracken’s POV during the case of this odd case. This story is immediately immersed in social media and the influence of the small community they live in. A Women’s body is found in the home of Alvin located in Ringgold Georgia.

I really enjoyed Zenith Man, my first true crime read. Very well done with layman's terms used for the court proceedings. The character development and relationship between attorney and client. I couldn’t help but feel bad for McCracken as I was reading this. Alvin was a complicated client who did not seem to want to cooperate in an effort to clear his name. There was surprisingly a lot of funny moments in this read.

This story was a great reminder of judging, assumptions, and first impressions. The dangers of bias and pre–judgment in our justice system. Influence of social media, media, etc on a case. Relationships found in between unlikely people and the reality of judging someone that lives differently then oneself.

Thank you to Netgalley and Citadel for this digital copy.

Truth is indeed stranger than fiction!

Zenith Man takes us to a small town in Northern Georgia in the late 1990s. A woman people claim hasn't been seen in thirty years is dead. Her husband, known for his bizarre behavior, is accused of killing her.

But this is already the middle of one of the strangest true crime stories I’ve ever read. Unraveling it all means going back to the ‘60s.

The author was “the Zenith Man’s” lawyer, so we get personal insight into this complex case. The writing is engaging, unfolding much like the best fictional courtroom drama.

We have lots of comic relief within a sad story of prejudice and prejudgment, showing the gaping cracks in our legal system. Once again, I’m left wondering how we have the audacity to call this system fair.

Written with a charm only a real southerner can McCracken poster Junior tells a story of Alvin Ridley a.k.a. Zenith Man, who’s wifeVirginia died he was soon arrested for murder. The problem no one knew he had a wife they accused him of keeping her captive for 30 years and then killing her.. Alvin was a popular man around town in McCracken was well aware of who he was. They called Alvin the zenith man because he owned a TV repair shop it was 1997 and McCracken recently came off of a big loss in the Georgia race for Congress and with the recent Amicable divorce to his first wife Reba he heard of Alvin‘s arrest but despite knowing him for decades never knew he had a wife. When he takes on the case it is an uphill battle he wants to redeem himself after the big loss but also believes in his heart that despite Alvins strangeness and awkward demeanor he is not a killer. This doesn’t stop the police and newspapers from passing judgment long before the trial begins even calling into question his long deceased mother’s death. This is a great book and a great narrative it is witty intelligent entertaining and definitely in mostly intriguing. Anyone who likes True Crime and the great story will love the book, I certainly did. I want to thank Kensington Books and NetGalley for my free arc copy.

4.5 stars

I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would!

This was such an interesting book! McCracken Poston Jr. has a way with words and tells this story of Alvin Ridley in such a way that it was easy to get lost in the story for hours on end. It is insightful, thought provoking, funny, sad, and it left me feeling so disappointed in the way human beings sometimes treat each other, especially if they are 'different' or 'quirky'. How quickly the gossips gather and make up their own story, or pass judgement based on that gossip. It also shows what many of us know, that the media will omit words and change the context of a conversation completely.

I was sent an advanced copy of this book by the publisher, and I am so grateful they reached out as it's not a book that I would have gone looking for - I haven't read true crime books for many years! This one isn't written as a factual account as such, it's more like you're having a conversation with the author reminiscing about the case, it was very easy to read and there were some very humourous scenes in the courtroom. I often forgot that it was a true crime book as it felt like I was reading a novel. I'll be thinking about this story for a long time - well worth the read!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced e-book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Zenith Man
by: McCracken Poston Jr.
Kensington Books, Citadel

Defense attorney McCracken Poston's book is a riveting account of a famous murder trial in the small town of Ringgold, Georgia. It is the story of the case of Alvin Ridley's trial for the 1997 murder of his wife.
McCracken presents the time line and detailed narrative of the events surrounding the murder and trial. He also presents readers with insight into his own career and personal life. This is compelling reading for those who like to read true crime books.

Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Books, Citadel for an advance reader's copy. My review is my own.

In this true-life courtroom drama, Alvin Ridley was accused of murdering his wife Virginia in 1997, at a time when the author McCracken Posten, had just recently lost his bid for US congress and was trying to rebuild his law practice. Known locally as the Zenith man owing to his previous job as a seller and excellent repairer of Zenith TVs, Alvin was a reclusive outcast in the small town of Ringgold in Georgia, reviled for his eccentricity, paranoia and litigious nature. People didn’t understand his literal ways of answering questions and interpreting information given to him.

No one in town, including Posten, had even known that Alvin was married and rumours soon spread that Alvin had been keeping his wife a prisoner in his house. Alvin told police Virginia died from an epileptic seizure, something she had a long history of, and he had tried unsuccessfully to revive her before leaving the house to find a phone to call for help. However, his unusual behaviour at the time and the fact that no one knew he had a wife caused suspicion and the DA’s office proceeded with a murder trial.

Posten writes a captivating and often humorous account of the courtroom drama of Alvin’s trial. Alvin would prove to be a very challenging defendant to work with and Posten had his work cut out trying to collect evidence for the trial. Posten needed all the patience in the world just to get Alvin into court each day, along with his suitcase of cockroach infested evidence.

As well as being a captivating read, this is a heartbreaking depiction of a man poorly tolerated in his home town at a time when people had little understanding of neurodiversity. However, it was heartening to see people eventually warming to him and developing more compassion for him and his wife as the trial progressed. What really shines through is how Posten doggedly believed in Alvin’s innocence and love for his wife and how deeply he cared about clearing Alvin’s name. As the saying goes truth is often stranger than fiction and this blend of true crime, courtroom drama and great story telling will appeal to most readers of good mysteries and suspense.

Zenith Man is death, love and redemption in a Georgia courtroom and is a legal thriller and an amazing true crime novel. The author did a great job writing this book and did a good job balancing the emotional side of topics with the technical aspects. Zenith Man was a page turner from beginning to end for me and one that I highly enjoyed reading. I would recommend this book to any readers who like true crime. Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this book in exchange of my honest review.

“Zenith Man,” the latest nonfiction work by McCracken Poston, reads like a John Grisham thriller, imbued with the emotional resonance of “Just Mercy” and the quirky charm of “Rainman.” Set against the backdrop of a small, close-knit Southern town, this true story delivers a powerful narrative of legal drama, human connection, and the often-misunderstood world of neurodiversity.

The book plunges readers into the heart of Ringgold, Georgia, where the discovery of a reclusive woman’s body in the home of Alvin Ridley, a local TV repairman with a penchant for Zenith televisions, sends shockwaves through the community. The subsequent murder accusation against Alvin, a man whose marriage was unknown to even his closest neighbors, sets the stage for a gripping exploration of justice and prejudice.

Poston, a former state representative turned defense attorney, is our guide through this labyrinth of small-town intrigue and legal strategy. His narrative is both candid and compassionate, painting a vivid picture of his client, a man who at first glance seems to be an enigma wrapped in eccentricity. As the case unfolds, we’re treated to a tale that is at times humorous, at times heartbreaking, but always humanizing.

The storytelling is masterful, mixing the tension of a courtroom thriller with the poignant beats of a character study. Poston’s quest to exonerate Alvin is fraught with challenges, from a cockroach-infested suitcase filled with key evidence to the frustrating, yet fascinating, dynamics of attorney-client interaction. The narrative never shies away from the complexities of the legal system, nor does it overlook the profound impact of an attorney’s work on his own life.

With echoes of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” “Zenith Man” also serves as a potent reminder of the South’s ability to charm and chill in equal measure. Poston’s prose brings Ringgold to life, weaving in the town’s rich tapestry of personality and place, ensuring that the setting becomes as much a character as the people inhabiting it.

The revelation of Alvin’s autism spectrum disorder offers a retrospective lens through which readers can understand his past actions and the societal quickness to judge those who deviate from the norm. This diagnosis becomes a critical piece of the narrative, inviting readers to reflect on the ease with which the neurodivergent can be marginalized and misunderstood.

“Zenith Man” is more than just a true crime account or a legal diary; it’s a story about the redemptive power of empathy. The friendship that blossoms between Poston and his client is as unexpected as it is profound, highlighting the transformative potential of human connection.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

"Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom" by McCracken Poston Jr. is a riveting and deeply moving exploration of the American legal system, human resilience, and the quest for justice. Poston, drawing from his extensive experience as a lawyer, crafts a narrative that is both a gripping legal drama and a profound study of the human condition. The story centers around a high-stakes case in a Georgia courtroom, where themes of death, love, and redemption intertwine to create a compelling tapestry of human experiences.

The brilliance of "Zenith Man" lies in Poston's ability to humanize the legal process, presenting it not just as a series of procedural steps, but as a dramatic stage where the fates of individuals are decided. The book delves deep into the emotional landscapes of its characters, from the accused to the attorneys, and the families involved, offering a nuanced perspective on the impact of the legal system on human lives.

Poston's narrative is enriched by his keen observations and detailed descriptions of the courtroom dynamics, the strategies employed by defense and prosecution, and the complex interplay of legal ethics, personal morality, and the pursuit of justice. His writing style combines the suspense of a thriller with the emotional depth of a novel, making "Zenith Man" a page-turner that also prompts reflection on larger ethical and philosophical questions.

The heart of the book is its exploration of redemption, a theme that runs through the narrative as a beacon of hope in the often murky waters of legal battles. Poston presents a powerful argument for the capacity of individuals to change and for the legal system to recognize and foster this potential. The story of "Zenith Man" is a testament to the belief in the possibility of redemption, even in the most challenging circumstances.

"Zenith Man" is not only a captivating legal drama but also a profound commentary on love's power to sustain individuals through the darkest times. The personal relationships depicted in the book, with their complexities and challenges, add a rich layer of emotional depth, highlighting the importance of human connection in the face of adversity.

In summary, "Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom" by McCracken Poston Jr. is an exceptional book that offers an insider's view into the workings of the legal system while engaging with universal themes of justice, resilience, and redemption. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the law, human psychology, or simply a compelling story that captures the highs and lows of the human experience. Poston's work is a powerful reminder of the impact of the legal profession on real lives and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

This is a story not only about a legal case told in the greatest of detail, but also the unexpected friendship between two very different men.
I must admit I wondered why the publisher recommended this book to me, as it was a bit of a stretch of my usual genre which is historical fiction. "Zenith Man" revolves around the 1997 Georgia legal case of Alvin Ridley, accused of killing his wife, who he allegedly kept housebound for 30 years.....modern'ish day historical non fiction.
However, by the end the book I was fully invested in the outcome of the trial, and felt I had grown to know and like Alvin so well...my fingers and toes were crossed for the right outcome.
Having a stepson with Asperger's, I early on diagnosed the condition that drove Alvin's behavior. His habits, his obsessions, the way he communicated in a matter of fact non-emotive way.
I live in a small town myself so am well aware how people's prejudices can flow through and taint a community.
The author McCracken Poston Jnr is Alvin's defence lawyer, and the detailed re-telling of their interactions in and out of court is amazing...I felt like I was riding shotgun the entire book.
"Zenith Man" is an emotional true crime book which may take a bit of getting into but rewards the more invested you let yourself become in the rollercoaster of defending Alvin. True life is often more bizarre and brutal than anything you can make up. And the love shown by Alvin and Virginia is the best love.....unwaivering, accepting and the best friendship anyone can have.
Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books and McCracken Poston Jnr for my copy.

A man was accused of murdering his wife and keeping her captive in the basement before killing her. No one knew about her. His lawyer was determined to free his name from the false accusation being made. Author has shared about Virginia and Alvin's marriage and Virginia’s cause of death. I liked reading about the small southern town and the insight of the Virginia’s case. So many false accusations were made on Alvin and the insightful court procedures gave me insight of his life, this is a book about true crime and courtroom drama. The author has shared about the Alvin and Virginia’s personal life and unexpected friendships. The book is gripping and unputdownable.

Many Thanks to the Author, Publisher and Netgalley.