A Devil Went Down to Georgia

Race, Power, Privilege, and the Murder of Lita McClinton

By: Deb Miller Landau

Narrated by: Callie Beaulieu

The 1987 murder of Lita McClinton Sullivan sent shock waves through the affluent Atlanta suburb of Buckhead, Georgia like few other crimes before it. The neighborhood, with its stately mansions and top-tier schools, was simply not the kind of place where women were gunned down in broad daylight. How many socialites had enemies so dangerous they would be murdered by a hit man pretending to deliver roses on an early winter morning?

Lita was an intelligent, accomplished, and stunning Black woman from a respected Atlanta family. Her interracial marriage to white millionaire Jim Sullivan was a newsworthy occurrence in 1970s Georgia. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before Jim's roving eye and controlling nature put Lita on edge, leading to a divorce years later. As the legal battle raged and Jim's financial outlook grew precarious, he had a chance encounter with an ex-con who said he could "take care" of Jim's wife problem . . .

Award-winning writer Deb Miller Landau details the shocking events that followed Lita's murder in 1987, including the surprising lack of evidence, racial bias in the justice system, and the international manhunt for Lita's killer. Full of twists and turns, legal battles, and the McClinton family's unrelenting dedication to justice, Landau's investigation is the first complete account of this tragic American crime.

©2024 Deb Miller Landau (P)2025 Tantor Media

Surprised

I picked this book because I have lived around Atlanta for 25 or so years. This happened before I was here, but stretched into recent history. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book! I really liked the narration. It is a true story, well told. I do highly recommend.

Great Book and story

This is by far one of the best books I’ve ever listened to on Audible and in general. The way the story is written, takes the listener through, likely, the same emotions and frustrations that Lita and her family went through. Amazing job to the reader and writer of this book!!

Excellent

Really enjoyed this, even though it was heartbreaking. I can't even imagine how her parents suffered losing their daughter to a monster.

Interesting true crime

This true crime story was a good one. The author did a solid job of painting a picture of the victim. The story grew most engaging after Lita's murder, chronicling the investigation and trials where Lita's wealthy husband was charged. The husband is a despicable human being, and it was satisfying as investigators came closer and closer to bringing Jim Sullivan to justice for the murder of his wife.

Beautifully written

This story has touched me through the years. A beautiful woman brutally murdered who was betrayed by her white devil husband. He will burn in hell for it. I’ve always felt the pain of her parents. They never gave up on seeing him punished. I admire them for it.