Nancy Grace Writes Killer Book: “The Eleventh Victim!”
CNN Headline News Star Nancy Grace Debuts First Novel, “The Eleventh Victim”
By Art Harris, The Bald Truth, www.artharris.com, all rights reserved
She splits her time now between New York City and Atlanta, where she hit her hot streak as a Fulton County prosecutor (almost 100 felony cases, no losses at trial), then wound up as the late Johnny Cochran’s sidekick on “Cochran and Grace,” a legal show with a brief run.
But Nancy Grace had legs, and kept running to make her own TV history: from Court TV anchor to CNN Headline News superstar with a loyal 700,000 nightly fan base of true crime afficionados, to author and now gifted novelist.
Recent book signings for her first novel and New York Times bestseller, “The Eleventh Victim,” (Hyperion, $25.99) strongly autobiographical, stretched out the door of an Atlanta book store the other day, as she posed and signed autographs for friends, fans, and locals who thanked her for once keeping their city safe.
Nancy Grace Makes Novel Debut: The Eleventh Victim, (Hyperion, $25.99)
Like Nancy, the protagonist is a steel magnolia prosecutor named Hailey Dean, heartbroken after her fiance is murdered, who pours heart and soul into putting bad guys behind bars and fighting for victims rights–Grace’s own gutsy back story extraordinaire. She’s donating a portion of the proceeds to a favorite charity, a Georgia home for the mentally disabled, and supports too many causes to count, battered women’s shelters at the top of the list after putting the perpetrators of such abuse behind bars for years. Satirized from Saturday Night Live to skewered by MSNBC host Keith Olberman, who she now beats in the ratings, to branded on air promos for CNN sister network, TNT, Nancy Grace is a brand, recognized and stopped for autographs wherever she goes.
Naturally, she longs for moments of peace only anonymity brings, and telling me how she found one the other day in the most unlikely place—the aisle at Target. There, one of her gorgeous celeb twins who will turn two in November, Lucy Elizabeth, does a face down, belly flop protest while shoppers step around gingerly, perhaps wondering what kind of mother could inspire that kind of behaviour, and brother John David looks around wide-eyed, as if ready to disavow blood ties.
“Bye, bye, Lucy,” coos Nancy, hoping that pretending to leave will work. Stunned she might be left behind, Lucy scrambles to her feet to chase Mommy down.
“At least she wasn’t doing her bobcat imitation,” laughs father and husband David Linch, Wharton MBA and managing director in the Atlanta office of investment banking firm Stephens, Inc. over dinner the other night. “Sometimes it sounds like we’ve got a wildcat loose in the house.”
With offices conveniently in New York and Atlanta, and around the world, David may not have imagined a Grace and twins deal, but he’s hands-on and supportive to a fault…Linch and Grace, longtime friends before they married, both Mercer University grads, a fine team off air, and both quick on the draw when it comes to whipping out photos of the twins, on Blackberry and I-phone. We can also report her father is doing fine after a scary collapse at her Atlanta book signing.
“Thank God,” says Nancy, whose parents have always been her biggest fans and help out with the twins as part of her entourage.
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“Aren’t these Nancy Grace’s children?” squeals the Target cashier, giddy over her favorite crime queen’s kiddies who appear to be in her lane at the checkout counter.
“They do look like them,” says Grace, blond, but unrecognizable in baggy t shirt and no make-up.
“She had no idea who I was, which is just fine with me,” says Grace, “how many people do you know who can become invisible by looking like a wreck? It’s a very cheap disguise.”
Grace may be able to go poof, and elude recognition, but the punks, pimps, child molesters, wife beaters and serial killers she’s put away in real life —and Hailey Dean nails in The Eleventh Victim – can run, but cannot hide forever, and in her super page-turner of a novel, sometimes wind up stalking her.
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“Seconds passed; minutes. She could hear movement now in the waiting room she had just left…It was the metal magazine rack, she was sure, that crashed to the tile floor. Then quiet. She strained to hear in the darkness. Nothing more and then…The air moved in the room and she knew. He was here.”
It’s the kind of gripping scene she writes that Nancy Grace has lived. When she worked in the DA’s office, I learned of her little known story from my step-sister and Nancy’s friend, Meg Mantler Roop, a fiesty, fellow prosecutor in family court –and knew I had to write about the workaholic assistant DA driven by a passion to help victims because she’d been one. It was a personal story of courage and redemption that she’d never gone so public with before.
As a young college student, Grace planned to marry the Valdosta State baseball star, then teach English. But, like her alter-ego in the novel, a bullet shattered those dreams, when a convicted criminal out of jail by mistake gunned down the young man she loved on a job site.
Shattered, Grace attended the trial in a heart-broken daze, enrolled in Mercer Law School in Macon, Georgia, then got the assistant DA job in Atlanta and began seeking justice for those whose own pain she knew all too well — and who still touch her as tears well up for the families of the murdered and missing whose killers she now pursues on air.
“In court, prosecuting violent crime…putting away the bad guys one rapist, doper and killer at a time,” the book jacket reads about Nancy’s heroine Hailey Dean, “dedicating her life to justice takes a toll after years of courtroom battles and the endless tide of victims calling out from the crime scene photos and autopsy tables. (Then) just as she grows weary, a serial killer unlike any other she’s encountered begins to stalk the city of Atlanta, targeting young prostitutes, each horrific murder bearing its own unique mark.”
In profiling Nancy the prosecutor, I got to watch her in action in the days when she did her own make-up, dashing on lipstick and racing to get out the door of her small one bedroom apartment near Emory University, after dark, knocking on doors to find a witness in a ‘hood infested with gangs. She went unarmed, and without a cop as backup.
I talked to defense lawyers who trash-talked her for refusing to cut deals, for her high drama theatrics in court, accused her of wearing low cut blouses to win over male jurors. One even called her the “B word.”
“They were just mad because I beat them in court,” she shrugged at the time.
One day, I was in court when she splashed a glass of water on the floor for one jury that convicted an Atlanta millionaire of murder for allegedly dousing the staircase of his house with lighter fluid to set a fire he hoped would cover up killing a wife who was about to leave him.
In another case, she was prosecuting a pimp, but puzzled over how to create empathy for a 15 year old black prostitute spilling out of a low cut dress, as the accused pimp smirked and stared her down. A jury salted with rich white soccer moms looked on with seeming disapproval at the so called victim.
That is, until Grace turned fire-breathing preacher, leaned into the jury box and began a sermon that made them squirm.
“You heard how he beat her! She didn’t have the chance your children were blessed to haveot have,” said Grace, tearing up as she pointed to her victim and star witness. “In the eyes of the law—and the Lord—we are all children of God!”
It took the jury about ten minutes to return a verdict: Guilty.
September 14th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Oh Please!
Does she break during the story line to tell another “Well when I was prosecuting” or “I’m just a lawyer” or “I, I , I, Me, Me, Me” or “I know Ronald?
One of her guest defense attorney’s should write a book “Before I was so Rudely Interrupped” a 4 volume book of questions Nancy asked that I didn’t answer.
Enjoy keeping up with latest crimes. Too bad one can’t get the entire story or professional opinions from her guest.
September 14th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Art, you know my girlfriends only argument with me in 3 years has been about Nancy. She thinks Nancy is the BOMB and sometimes I call her Mrs. Nancy. But I think that this case, when solved will be larger than some of the stories Nancy has reported on, or at least at the top of that list.
I also think Nancy will be shocked at the outcome and it should prove that argument was won by me awhile back…lol Does Nancy know that while she was on the phone with Ronald, he was drinking my tea!
“THE TRUTH FEARS NO QUESTIONS”
Cobra
Cobra–Yes, and I told her it was mighty sweet.
September 15th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Nancy Grace is one of the most rude people I’ve ever seen on t.v. Everything is me, my twins, me, my twins, me, me, me. She must pay her guests a LOT of dough to put up with her nasty crap. She never lets anyone finish a sentence. I don’t really know why she has guests on her show. She runs her big mouth over every one that tries to talk. I’m sure she only took cases she knew she could win when she was a prosecutor.
September 15th, 2009 at 3:32 am
“I Want”…to read Jane’s book, lol!!!
September 15th, 2009 at 3:33 am
No kidding, I really do.
September 15th, 2009 at 8:35 am
I love Nancy Grace. I feel she was unfair to Crystal Sheffield. I know as a mom you yourself would think Crystal would have known Haleighs school time, but this is not a normal situation. I always pay close attention to her expressions and the way she words what she states. Nancy does a wonderful job on these cases and I am glad she has taken Haleighs case to the front.
I like hearing about her twins. I do not understand why people get so upset that she gloats over her children. She went through a lot to have them. She never expected to have one child but to be blessed with two. If all parents showed this much love for their children, we would not have the cases of abuse and murder caused by the parents.
I can’t wait to go out and buy her book. I bet it is going to be great!
September 15th, 2009 at 10:41 am
One of her guest defense attorney’s should write a book “Before I was so Rudely Interrupped” a 4 volume book of questions Nancy asked that I didn’t answer.
lmao that was just too funny not to comment ….. and true. Unfortunately she let’s her love for herself trump her concern for the victim’s. It’s quite nauseauting.
September 15th, 2009 at 11:15 am
After all it is HER show! Regardless if you like her or not, she is out for justice & answers. If you dont like her , don’t watch her, plain and simple! I am so sick of people always attacking the ones who want to help the missing, murdered, etc When anyone can mount up to the work Nancy has done, then you can talk, until then SHUT UR PIE HOLE as Nancy would say, and that my friend is a BOMBSHELL!
September 15th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Thanks Art for the wonderful review of Nancy Grace. I really love her. She seems very self-centered at times but the work she did and her talent far more outweighs her shortcomings. When she has her guests on they know what to expect. Most of them are her personal friends. I am so happy for her and her family re the children and husband. Long live Nancy Grace!!!!!
September 15th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I don’t think Nancy or Cobra is going to find the answer. The answer needed to be looked at early on, looked at honestly. Facing things is not what a family like the Croslins do well. A lot of pressure needed to be placed on all of them from the start failing to do so and targeting Misty only played into the dysfunctional behaviour that caused this tragedy to unfold in the first place. Shifting blame on to one is par for the course in an environment like that, it allows the rest time to regroup and reenergize if you may. Unless her body is found, she turns up years down the road, or a broken marriage, more abuse, some ones child is abused, and it finally drives someone to speak the method the Police is using will continue to yield what it has thus far, nothing.
God Bless Haleigh and all her families
September 16th, 2009 at 1:38 am
RMW
“I am so sick of people always attacking the ones who want to help the missing, murdered, etc When anyone can mount up to the work Nancy has done, then you can talk, until then SHUT UR PIE HOLE as Nancy would say, and that my friend is a BOMBSHELL!”.
Breaking News RMW
There are many people behind the scenes with a make-up artist for an hour waiting for the lines to light up with only the ones that love us.
There are some of us writing letters to our elected officials on the local, state & national level to change the current status of an “Amber Alert”.
There are some of us that receive Amber Alerts & through our profession are appointed at a state level to disseminate information to everyone in our organization regardless of the time it comes in we are at our computer sending immediately.
There are some of us that take children into our homes in the middle of the night during a crisis. There are some of us that are members of local organizations that make sure battered women and children have a roof over their head, food and are safe. There are some of us that put back into our community with funding from our business and our time. There are some of us that talk the talk and walk the walk.
So shutting our pie-holes will never be an option.
September 16th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
I love Nancy Grace. Her heart is in the right place, and she truly cares for the victims, and their families.
She is a great Mom, and I love seeing her twins. I am so happy that she now has a great husband and two precious twins.
She, quiet clearly, wants to JUSTICE for the victims, and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. I wish her continued success.
September 17th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
So, dear Art…
When is your book due out?
I do wonder what ‘the title’ might be…maybe a ‘novelty’ or an ‘auto’ biographical ‘type piece?’
Any chance I might get a free copy of “I Want” for contributing comments to your website these last couple years?
LOL
September 17th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
I could careless about Nancey Grace I am here to read about Haleigh but there she is. She is a very rude person what does she have a crush on Ron or something at first she was pertecting both Misty and Ron now she is only pertecting Ron she asked Crystal on the show and for what to roll her eyes at her and not let her finish a sentence call her names she was cleared to but Nancey is judging her and condemn her and for what not living with her kids She was not there and did not live Crystals life she does not know first had what hell he put her threw all she can do is make judgement against her Haleigh was not living with her when she came up missing she was with Ronald and his little girlfriend Misty so leave Crystal alone and find the real predator for the love of God leave her alone and find Haleigh Nancey you are so conceded you make me sick I just read this for updates on Haleigh.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
That surely is a tiny cross that Nancy wears.
Wunder if she eats waffles.
Greta, on the other hand (or rather ‘station’ or ‘channel’) seems to have clearly made another choice, or niche (reminds me of plastic sergury).
Anyway, I’ve got to admit I can’t stand to watch either, Nancy or Jane, not for very long.
Yet, maybe just long enough…while I continually switch channels trying to avoid commercial breaks.
A few commercials do catch my eye from time to time. Some are very amusing and creative. And, some actually even have a good product to sell…
Most don’t.
Some of those sponsors are down right evil.
Greta chose a career and I respect that.
Nancy has chosen the spotlight, and why not?
And Jane, gosh…what beautiful teeth!!!
October 18th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Got a nice, big newly built jail house down-town (right next door to the pink palace) and and a college just cross Union Street in need of repair.
October 18th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
This neighbor-HOOD…sure could use some good cleaning up.
Got’s a bunch of bankers, and lawyers, and doctors and even a brain surgeon.
Or a nerve-surgeon, or a heart operator…
Doesn’t really matter what for…
We all know the truth.
Money…
Darn near broke.
March 25th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Nancy you are a very sad person. You yell and scream at
your quest when the don’t agree with your lack of knowledge of the law. You want people to beleive you were such a great
trail lawyer,and we both know thats a joke.
January 31st, 2011 at 1:32 am
It would be greatly appreciated if you learn to use punctuation marks! Thank you.
November 2nd, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Casey Anthony is living in Okeechobee, Fl. on 15A