Innocence and Villainy

About the Book

School board defendants are poisoned during a courtroom farce and Jim O'Kelly is a suspect. Jim's youth and education are garnished by mostly innocent older girls. He and Pat Wakely honeymoon and join the 'mile high club'. Jim supports racial integration and is fired from his position as school principal in Cobacco County, Virginia. Educators flee from Cobacco County's villainous Ku Klux Klan. Jim and black ex-educator Howard Hammond sue the Cobacco School Board for employment discrimination. Police investigate others suspected of the courtroom murders. The guilty party confesses on a death bed. Cobacco public schools integrate.

About the Author

Author J.J. O'Kelly's early years in Mount Freedom, N.J. were sweetened by his mother's love and humor. He was desolated by her early death. J.J.'s father taught him to like farm animals, but not farming. During high school he met young ladies on his Saturday mail route. He swore and tangoed while in the U.S. Army. After college, Jim and Pat married happily. Lawyers, school administrators and other charlatans plagued him. His first novel was "Youth's Fantasy". A third novel is in progress. He plays bridge and tennis. E-mails for the author handled byjohnstalder@att.net.