A Good Way to Wind Up Dead

J. W. Judge

Publisher: Scarlet Oak Press

Available on June 10, 2025


If you're interested in listening to the music behind the novel, check out the playlist I created on Spotify that accompanies the theme, events, or tone of the book.

A contract killer, a true crime podcaster, and a coal country town with dark secrets.

Born into a family of hillbilly hitmen in Walker County, Alabama, Samantha Ray Coleman is minutes removed from killing her father and is prepared to take over the family business. But she has several obstacles to face before she can take her place as the head of the family, her no-account brothers and the rival crime family that is gunning for her.

Chase Williams is a true-crime podcaster who has made his way to Walker County in search of the story behind a prominent missing woman. He gets stonewalled by everyone from local law enforcement to the townsfolk who have made no bones about their lack of interest in answering questions from an outsider.

After Samantha Ray’s and Chase’s lives intersect, he quickly discovers there’s  more going on in this rural county in coal country than he could ever have imagined. When Chase asks one question too many, he finds himself at risk of becoming another in a long line unanswered questions and missing persons.

Order your copy of A Good Way to Wind Up Dead to find out what happens when an inquisitive true crime podcaster unknowingly befriends a hitman who has just killed her father and is at the outset of navigating taking control of the family business and fending off the people who want her dead.


A Good Way to Wind Up Dead is available for purchase from:
Copyright © 2025, Richter Holdings, LLC