ZENITH MAN: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom by McCracken Poston Jr. is Rain Man meets Just Mercy, a legal thriller, courtroom drama, and an unusual buddy story. It’s Georgia’s quirkiest true crime case, so unusual that it made national headlines, garnering coverage in People, Forensic Files, The Washington Post, and Wired.

When Alvin Ridley’s wife was discovered dead in her home, residents of the small town of Ringgold, GA assumed the recluse, hoarder, and odd figure naturally murdered her. Idealistic young defense attorney Poston, stinging from a failed congressional run, had already encountered the eccentric Ridley – dubbed “Zenith Man” for his work repairing televisions - and took the case. His client proved to be challenging, incomprehensible, reticent, unwashed, holding back evidence, a puzzle for his lawyer.

Alvin's late-life diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and his wife’s long history of epilepsy would explain the couple’s reclusiveness, their past difficulties, and the ongoing challenges between lawyer and client. Improbably, the death of the fastest woman alive, Florence Griffith Joyner (“Flo-Jo”) would be key to the mystery. The case would create a bond between these two dramatically different men, giving rise to an unlikely friendship.

AUTHOR MCCRACKEN POSTON JR. WILL JOIN CRIMEHQ FOR A LIVE Q&A ON TUESDAY, APRIL 2 AT 8P ET!