Synopses & Reviews
In April of 1996, amid the melodies of a jazz orchestra, Lance Herndon stood beneath a magnificent Baccarat crystal chandelier and greeted his guests, among them the mayor and the district attorney of Atlanta. He was celebrating his forty-first birthday with the creme de la creme of Atlanta's Black elite. Four months later, he'd be dead--viciously bludgeoned in his sleep.
Lance Herndon was a poor boy made good: he launched a computer consulting company that made him a millionaire; he was awarded a National Service Award at the White House for his philanthrophy. He was also a ladies' man with a sex addiction and three failed marriages behind him. He had a penchant for expensive cars and 'redbones'--lightskinned black women. At the time of his death, Herndon had at least three women in his life; each would become a prime suspect in his murder.
Exhaustively researched by an award-winning journalist Ron Stodghill, Redbone uncovers the labyrinthine life and lusts of millionaire entrepreneur Lance Herndon, the facts of his mysterious death, and the search for his killer. But beyond the fact gathering and stellar reportage, Redbone is a literary chronicle of Atlanta as the 'black mecca'; a fast-paced story of an elaborate forensics investigation; and a courtroom drama with some unexpected revelations. Stodghill's fluid narrative weaves a colorful tapestry in which fascinating characters, intrigue, and plot twists create a portrait of an elite social circle within Atlanta's black bourgeoisie.
Synopsis
At forty–one, Lance Herndon is at the top of his game. A self–made millionaire, he is the owner of ACCESS, Inc., a thriving information systems consulting company. As a prominent member of Atlanta's young, wealthy, and powerful set, he is surrounded by black Atlanta's "beautiful people" whom he wines and dines with finesse. But when he fails to show up for work one day, friends and family start worrying. Their worry soon turns to horror when he is found murdered in his own home, his head smashed in –– in what appears to be either an act of jealous–fueled rage or a seedier sex crime. Now, with a laundry list of ex–wives and lovers, competitors, critics and admirers in hand, detectives must break through the city's upper crust to discover his killer.
Part investigative thriller, part social commentary in the tradition of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Redbone offers a truly intriguing story that channels insight into one of America's great metropolises.
Synopsis
In April 1996, millionaire Lance Herndon was found dead, viciously bludgeoned in his sleep. Stodghill's fluid narrative is a fast-paced forensics investigation that weaves a colorful tapestry of fascinating characters with unexpected revelations.
Synopsis
< p=""> At forty& ndash; one, Lance Herndon is at the top of his game. A self& ndash; made millionaire, he is the owner of ACCESS, Inc., a thriving information systems consulting company. As a prominent member of Atlanta's young, wealthy, and powerful set, he is surrounded by black Atlanta's beautiful people whom he wines and dines with finesse. But when he fails to show up for work one day, friends and family start worrying. Their worry soon turns to horror when he is found murdered in his own home, his head smashed in & ndash; & ndash; in what appears to be either an act of jealous& ndash; fueled rage or a seedier sex crime. Now, with a laundry list of ex& ndash; wives and lovers, competitors, critics and admirers in hand, detectives must break through the city's upper crust to discover his killer.<> < p=""> Part investigative thriller, part social commentary in the tradition of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Redbone offers a truly intriguing story that channels insight into one of America's great metropolises.<>
About the Author
Ron Stodghill is a staff writer for the New York Times. He was educated at the University of Missouri and Harvard University, where he was a Nieman Fellow. His work has appeared in Time, BusinessWeek, Essence, and several newspapers. A former editor in chief of Savoy magazine, Stodghill divides his time between New York City and Charlotte, North Carolina, where he lives with his wife and three sons.