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Struggle and Self-reflection
Kelsey’s Crossing follows a man just out of prison for committing election fraud who agrees to help with a voter referendum campaign, where he is given a second chance to make a difference. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I started to think about Kelsey’s Crossing when volunteering at a men’s homeless shelter for a few years. I came to know the residents pretty well and discovered most are men of high character and standards despite their current life conditions. They are proud men. Yet, they live with the sadness that society will not likely provide a break or an opportunity for a “second chance.” I kept asking myself, “What if they could start over? Would their result be different?” I wanted to give them a victory. From there, I created for them a leader, Greg Smith, an ex-convict who also needed a second chance. It was a perfect partnership.
What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I followed on the news a former presidential advisor who was released from prison for several crimes he had committed. I later observed that he defiantly returned to his old ways. I wondered, “What if he put his enormous talents to work for a good cause, like working for the homeless?” So, I rewrote Greg Smith’s story only in a positive way. It was important that Greg Smith’s journey was not void of struggle and self-reflection. He needed to wrestle with the guilt of his old life, self-loathing and all. I also believe that people who truly experience “change” have people in their lives who love them. Greg had plenty of that with his daughter, best friend, and new love interest, Christine. Ultimately, I allowed what was already in Greg’s soul to come out.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The most important theme in Kelsey’s Crossing is that we are all human, which means we will likely make mistakes. The old saying, “I zigged when I should have zagged,” comes to mind. Sometimes, those mistakes can be fatal. But, given the opportunity, “crossing” to another place where honesty and truth prevail is possible? Besides, I’ve always been a sucker for an underdog who fights for truth and justice.
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But when political corruption in the city of Kelsey threatens the good work of the Mission, Greg reluctantly agrees to direct the Mission’s voter referendum campaign to oppose the city’s self-serving leaders. The campaign soon results in unrest, including a tragic shooting. Greg and his army of homeless men work to restore calm to prevent further chaos. Their success leads them to second-chance opportunities none of them imagined. Kelsey’s Crossing reminds us that the past need not define the future, especially when we dare to accept the gift of a second chance and seek redemption.
Kelsey’s Crossing
David Randal’s Kelsey’s Crossing is a whirlwind of political scandal, personal redemption, and the messy gray areas of morality. It follows Greg Smith, a high-powered Washington insider whose world comes crashing down when the FBI raids his home, exposing a plot to rig an election. The book takes us through his fall from grace, prison years, and eventual reentry into society, one that forces him to confront not just his past sins but the kind of man he wants to become. What starts as a political thriller morphs into something deeper, more introspective, and surprisingly heartfelt.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is how it tackles corruption without glamorizing it. Greg isn’t some misunderstood antihero; he’s a man who thought he could outsmart the system and paid the price. The opening chapter is gripping, with the FBI storming his house and Greg realizing, in real-time, that his entire life is over. Randal’s writing is punchy and cinematic here, you can almost hear the battering ram, feel Greg’s pulse spike. But instead of keeping up that high-octane energy, the book takes an unexpected turn. The real story isn’t about political intrigue; it’s about what happens after. What does a man do when the empire he built collapses?
Greg’s prison years are some of the most fascinating parts of the book. Randal avoids clichés about hardened criminals and instead gives us a prison full of white-collar convicts, ex-judges, CEOs, even a priest, all grappling with their own disgrace. The conversations Greg has with his fellow inmates, particularly Judge Worley, add weight to the book’s themes of justice and accountability. The prison scenes don’t just show punishment; they show reflection. Greg’s realization that he’s more ashamed of disappointing his daughter than of breaking the law? That hits hard.
And then there’s the second act: Greg’s attempt at a quiet life in Kelsey, Tennessee. This is where the book surprised me most. His work at the Kelsey Rescue Mission, surrounded by men society has given up on, feels like his first real shot at redemption. The contrast between his old life, where power meant everything, and his new one, where a simple breakfast shift carries meaning, is stark. The writing here is softer, more contemplative, but never slow. Randal makes sure Greg’s past never stops looming. The tension with his old enemies, especially Lamar Goodman, is a constant reminder that Greg’s past isn’t finished with him yet.
Kelsey’s Crossing is for readers who enjoy political dramas with substance, but also for anyone who likes a redemption story with some real grit. It’s for those who want a character study as much as a thriller. If you love stories about second chances, messy, imperfect, but honest ones, this book is worth your time. Greg isn’t easy to like, but by the end, you’ll find yourself rooting for him, flaws and all. Randal doesn’t give him an easy out, and that’s what makes the journey feel real.
Pages: 302 | ASIN : B0DWVDZXKR
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