Former Defense Attorney John Rhea Releases Debut Novel ‘Lifer’

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — John Rhea, a former criminal defense attorney, has published his debut novel, ‘Lifer,’ through Redhawk Publications. Released on June 10, the book tells the story of Jack Merritt, a gifted South Carolina trial lawyer sentenced to life in prison for a brutal killing.

Rhea draws on his extensive legal background to craft the narrative, exploring Jack’s life, his crime, and the trial that followed. The author, originally from Rock Hill, S.C., was inspired by his lifelong love of literature and storytelling.

Rhea recalls, “I wrote that book because I had to. It came from the heart and the gut.” After retiring from his law practice, Rhea, along with his wife May, moved to the Asheville area, reigniting his passion for writing.

In a creative breakthrough, Rhea describes how the core ideas for ‘Lifer’ came to him one night. His protagonist, a former lawyer, reflects Rhea’s own experiences as a defense attorney, which provided ample material for the book’s themes.

The novel delves into how a seemingly upstanding citizen can commit a violent crime, shaped by factors like mental health issues and deep family loyalty. Rhea aims to illustrate the complexities of human behavior, explaining, “You should never generalize about inmates… We are, all of us, just a couple of bad decisions away from ruining our lives and the lives of those we love.”

To capture the prison environment authentically, Rhea relied on phrases and dialogue collected over his career, allowing him to draw on real experiences to enhance the realism in his writing.

As part of his book promotion, Rhea held a launch event at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe on June 18 and plans to continue sharing his story through other events across the region. While ‘Lifer’ is not an autobiography, many elements reflect Rhea’s journey and the insights he gained throughout his decades in law.

Rhea believes that the overlaps between the legal profession and storytelling are profound, stating, “Both come down to storytelling: taking the complex realities of life and transforming them into a coherent narrative.”