Former state and federal prosecutor, congressman, and Fox News Contributor — and full disclosure, a friend and colleague — Trey Gowdy now adds perhaps the one credential he didn’t have: novelist.
The Color of Death marks an immersive, emotionally powerful debut for Gowdy. Co-authored with seasoned thriller writer Christopher Greyson, this 288‑page legal mystery delivers on its promise of murder procedural with a hint of southern gothic added for spice (think: Elmore Leonard meets John Grisham).
Set in South Carolina, the novel introduces Assistant District Attorney Colm Truesdale, a man reeling from losing his wife and daughter. The key to this book is Gowdy’s insider’s lens, drawn from his years prosecuting serious crimes. One gets the sense that Gowdy lived through a case — or cases — very much like the one described here. All that experience gives the character’s grief and legal drive a raw authenticity. Readers are drawn convincingly into Truesdale’s mental and emotional journey as he returns to the courtroom while still emotionally wounded.
The novel’s inciting incident—a murder of a young woman who ran a beauty salon—unfolds with the precision of a true-crime documentary. When evidence vanishes and the crime scene comes under suspicion, the stakes rise sharply. (Note that I’m doing all I can to avoid spoilers).
Gradually, slowly, the stakes rise as the investigation confronts the local power structure, weaving legal intrigue and small-town corruption in a way that is both immersive and believable.
But what makes The Color of Death particularly compelling is its psychological dimension. It’s not just a whodunit—it is a who hurt, who suffered and who is still suffering kind of story. Gowdy has described the book as "a window into how the pursuit of justice doesn’t end with the verdict; it lingers long after the courtroom lights have dimmed," and that viewpoint shapes every page, giving readers a visceral sense of what being close to death and the judicial system does to actual human beings.
Christopher Greyson’s experience as a bestselling thriller novelist complements Gowdy’s vast legal insight (there are criminal justice-system revelations on practically every page). Together, the authors build a cat-and-mouse dynamic between prosecutor and killer that sustains the tension, with a pacing well-balanced between procedural authenticity and dramatic momentum.
And beyond the procedural and emotional layers, there is the setting. The South Carolina backdrop is beautifully evoked—the hush of rural landscapes, the weight of local power structures, the moral undercurrents running beneath genteel façades. You can feel the humidity coming off the page. Sean Hannity called it “morally complex” and praised its atmospheric richness—and he’s absolutely right.
For fans of legal thrillers and character-driven mysteries, The Color of Death delivers. It’s a rare debut that combines courtroom realism, psychological depth, Southern gothic atmosphere, and moral interrogation. Gowdy’s experiences—handling nearly a hundred jury trials and numerous murder cases—inform the narrative with unmatched credibility. You’ll come away saying to yourself: “If I’m ever accused of a murder, I’m hiring this guy.”
In short, The Color of Death is a terrific debut novel that takes readers deep into the heartache of loss and the pursuit of justice. It’s got suspense, emotional complexity, and yes, a surprise ending you won’t see coming (trust me — I didn’t).
Whether you’re a longtime follower of Gowdy’s career, his current show, or simply looking for a great Summer read: this is your book.
You can get hold of it here, or in bookstores.
And we hope you’re enjoying Summer 2025!
Thanks for the recommendation. Added to my August Kindle list.