By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET – The “murderous” mind of Jack Partridge is at it again. The prominent local attorney and civic leader has just published his second novel featuring the sharp-witted, pool playing, general counsel protagonist named Algy Temple.

Called “Straight Pool,” the book is a sequel to Partridge’s well-received 2005 novel “Carom Shot,” which was a suspense story about a serial rapist. Both books feature plenty of local color and landscapes, from the fictitious Ivy League Carter University and settings in the East Side and Watch Hill, to characters like Sonny Russo, the capitol city’s mayor, and Nadie Winokur, the lovely psychologist who is Temple’s love interest.
In Partridge’s second murder mystery, Algy Temple becomes involved in an investigation of a burned body that is found at the swank Haversham Golf Club in Westerly. As with the Rhode Island scene itself, a swirl of side issues abound, as the mayor clashes with college administrators over campus skirmishes, a local Indian tribe tries to start a casino, and various class hatreds and dirty politics are put into play.
As in “Carom Shot,” the hero of “Straight Pool” utilizes his deft skills at the game to try and cue in on some challenging and sometimes dangerous “players” and sink the key to the crime in the corner pocket.
In 40 years as an attorney, Partridge has focused primarily on civil law, leaving the criminal; side to his fellow barristers. However, his experience has given him a first-hand insight into the workings og colleges and universities, many types of businesses, and, of course, courtrooms and local politics. Plus, since he was born in Central Falls, grew up in Pawtucket, and now has homes in both Providence and Westerly, he describes people and places with the keen eye of a native son.
“To me, these characters have real life,” said Partridge. “They didn’t, necessarily, when I started, but now they do. I know how they think, and what they would do or wouldn’t do,” he said.
Partridge said he purposely made his Algey Temple mysteries part of a series centered around the game of pool. He explained that a “carom shot” is a type of shot (in which the object ball strikes another ball and rebounds into a pocket) while “straight pool” refers to a particular game of pool. The first book featured a yellow number one ball on the cover, and the second has a blue number two ball. Yet, when asked if he will be racking up six more novels, Partridge hedged his bets by replying, “we’ll see...”
While busy practicing law with the firm he founded, Partridge, Snow & Hahn, LLP, Partridge is also involved in numerous civic and charitable organizations, including serving as co-chairman of the Pawtucket Foundation, vice-chairman of the President’s Council at Providence College, and trustee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Pawtucket.
Partridge said he fits in writing “when I have the time,” which is often on the weekends or during early morning hours. “I find it relaxing, to tell you the truth, to get the plot out,” he said. “I find that once you get the plot, the characters take over, and I can usually feel when it doesn’t work,” he said.
Partridge said he has a “very simple philosophy” that he employs when writing his murder mysteries. “I start with a murder, and then find someone who would have the opportunity, motive and ability to commit it. And then I have a sleuth who gets into it, and, hopefully, a convincing ending,” he said, breezily.
As he did with the debut of “Carom Shot,” Partridge took part in a book signing event for Straight Pool that benefits the Children’s Friend and Service of Providence, an agency he has long supported.
Both “Carom Shot” and “Straight Pool” by J.J. Partridge are published by Chukar Books.