Published December 25, 2020
By GAIL LOWE
WAKEFIELD — When most of us hear the word “robes,” we tend to think of a bathrobe or women’s lingerie. But robes are also worn by judges and members of the clergy. Wakeield resident and author Timothy “Tim” O’Leary gave a lot of thought to this truth while he was writing a murder mystery that involves what he calls “crooked judges and clergy.”
Titling it “Robes,” O’Leary said he chose the title because robes “do not make judges just or clergy devout.” Instead, he affirms that robes are garments signifying a profession and often hiding who the wearer is.
“Robes” is a sequel to O’Leary’s first novel, “The Day Job,” a political thriller replete with murder and betrayal. The State House in Massachusetts serves as the backdrop, a location the author is more than familiar with.
O’Leary’s latest novel involving a serial killer came to mind when he used the classic writing prompt “what if?” Since almost all organized serial killers have a day job, he completed the question with “what if the serial killer in ‘Robes’ is the governor of Massachusetts?” That alone would draw readers in and give the book a second look.
The blurb on the cover reads, “More than 30 years ago, Thomas Hands trolled the streets at night, killing prostitutes and the homeless. Today, he’s the governor of Massachusetts.” Anyone who enjoys an edge-of-your-seat story might consider “Robes” a must read.
O’Leary said that the book took about two years to write, as it required a lot of research and several significant redrafts.
Most publishers will not consider a book unless it is represented by a literary agent, and O’Leary spent close to a year trying to find one. While three or four did take the time to read “The Day Job,” none offered representation.
“I was encouraged by early readers of the manuscript to self-publish, which I did,” he said, adding that he has used The Troy Book Makers in New York and Adibooks in Lowell.
He said he has been fortunate in selling both his first and second books, primarily because of his wife Pat’s efforts.
“She is everything I am not: Organized, thorough and relentless,” he said. “I’d be lost without her.”
The author’s bird’s-eye view of crime and the legal system proved to be advantageous in the writing of “Robes.” O’Leary, formerly of Melrose, was once an attorney, served on the Melrose Board of Aldermen (now Town Council) for two terms and was elected State Representative for the 35th Middlesex District (Melrose and two precincts in Stoneham from 1987-1991).
In 1991, he was indicted for misuse of campaign funds, perjury and embezzlement and was sentenced to one year in the Billerica House of Correction. He was released after six months and made full restitution of all funds. After his release, he worked for the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health in Boston and remained on staff as deputy director for 22 years. He retired in 2015.
The Boston College Law School graduate also worked as deputy attorney general in the criminal division of the attorney general’s office in Los Angeles before returning to Massachusetts where he worked as an assistant attorney general for the state and later as assistant general counsel for the University of Massachusetts.
While in prison, O’Leary wrote a manuscript called “O’Sullivan’s Time.”
The factual work detailed all of his wrongdoings and his cross-country journey while trying to find the courage to end his life.
“It also told the story of my wife’s efforts, along with family and friends, who established a ‘boiler room’ to find me by tracking credit card usage and anticipating where my next stop might be,” he said.
“O’Sullivan’s Time” helped O’Leary to understand that the passion he felt for politics had pulled him away from more important responsibilities like family and clients.
“I am a very different man today because of the love I received from Pat, my children and a network of family and friends who refused to give up on me when I was ready to end it all,” he said.
Since his retirement in 2015, he does all of his writing at home in a den he shares with his wife.
Promoting “Robes” has been difficult for O’Leary since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Even so, he and Pat held a drive-by book day at their home in the North Ward a few weeks ago.
“It was successful but not as much fun as the large gatherings like house parties, writing groups, book club presentations and other activities we held when launching ‘The Day Job,’” he said.
The author is now using social media, word of mouth and e-mails to get the word out.
“We’re getting a very good response to ‘Robes,’ which is pleasing to me,” he noted.
A glance toward the future shows that O’Leary is now trying something different. He is currently working on two books at the same time. One is untitled. The other has the working title “The Woman in the Road.” The book, now in the outline stage, will also be a murder mystery.
Meanwhile, there’s an interesting chapter in O’Leary’s own life story. When he and his wife moved to Wakefield after living in Falmouth for two years, the tables turned when they bought a home across the street from John McGonagle, Middlesex County Sheriff and in charge of the Billerica House of Correction when O’Leary was serving his sentence.
O’Leary said about McGonagle, “He’s a wonderful man and turned out to be a great neighbor.” Will Wakefield’s murder mystery writer ponder this twist of fate and come up with a new storyline? His fans will have to wait and see.
“Robes” by Tim O’Leary is available at Amazon.com (Kindle e-book).
