Coach’s Corner

publication day 10/14/25

Things don’t happen where Charlie lives. A rural town with 1,500 residents and one stoplight, no one even locks their front doors. But this summer is frighteningly different.

Charlie watches his friend Barry Ray be taken away in handcuffs as the primary suspect of a local murder. Unable to believe that his buddy could be capable of such a crime, Charlie embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to seek justice on his friend’s behalf. The more he uncovers, the more certain he is of Barry Ray’s innocence and more in danger his own life becomes.

Set in 1997, Charlie navigates his perilous journey the old-fashioned way. The fact-finding mission starts out innocently enough, but as the truth begins to coalesce, his naïve perception of right and wrong is shattered.

The frightening reality emerges that black and white may merely be a matter of perspective and that exposing the truth could endanger the lives of everyone around him. His harrowing quest begs one question:

What would you do?

Rave Reviews

  • “J. Lee is a must-read new talent.”

    - Mike Lawson, Edgar Award Nominated author of the Joe DeMarco series.

  • “A great read that fans of Kyle Mills and Michael Connelly won’t want to miss.”

    — Ward Larsen, USA Today bestselling author of Assassin’s Run

  • “Coach’s Corner is a mystery that adds elements of suspense and thriller writing into its plot, grounding action, characters, and outcomes in a maze of thought-provoking events to draw readers into a whirlwind of intrigue. Finding the killer becomes half the battle, under Lee’s hand. The rest of the mystery is a powerful focus on a summer of simmering deception that proves nearly impossible to put down. "

    — Midwest Books Review

  • “J. Lee is especially adept at framing lives and events in the context of bigger-picture thinking and decision-making impacts…libraries seeking a murder mystery which reaches well beyond the whodunit audience to consider “why do it?” will especially appreciate the broader implications and themes in Coach’s Corner, which will also lend to book club recommendation.”

    —Donovan’s Bookshelf Recommended Reading

  • "Small-town crime…and flawed justice systems are just a few of the many themes that flow seamlessly through this gripping story of social and personal impact and discovery. Replete with satisfying twists based on powerful character-building and clashes readers won’t see coming, Coach’s Corner is very highly recommended for mystery fans who look for broader perspectives, social inspections, and thought-provoking moments from their reading.”

    — Midwest Books Review

In The News

  • “With Coach’s Corner, J. Lee crafts a gripping, detailed and engaging murder mystery that has readers wondering not only who the killer is, but if the victim had it coming.”

    - Citywide Blackout

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Read More of
J. Lee

Want to experience the award-winning thrillers of J. Lee? Click here to explore his books, including The Hubley Case (winner of the New York City Big Book Award®), The Silent Cardinal and The Deadly Deal (finalist of the Global Thrillers Chantieler International Book Awards and winner of The Best Book Award for Best Thriller).