The Instant NEW YORK TIMES BestsellerNew York Times bestselling author Joseph Finder returns with an explosive new thriller about a female judge and the one personal misstep that could lead to her—and her family’s—downfall. It was nothing more than a one-night stand. Juliana Brody, a judge in the Superior Court of Massachusetts, is rumored to be in consideration for the federal circuit, maybe … rumored to be in consideration for the federal circuit, maybe someday the highest court in the land. At a conference in a Chicago hotel, she meets a gentle, vulnerable man and has an unforgettable night with him—something she’d never done before. They part with an explicit understanding that this must never happen again.
But back home in Boston, Juliana realizes that this was no random encounter. The man from Chicago proves to have an integral role in a case she’s presiding over–a sex-discrimination case that’s received national attention. Juliana discovers that she’s been entrapped, her night of infidelity captured on video. Strings are being pulled in high places, a terrifying unfolding conspiracy that will turn her life upside down. But soon it becomes clear that personal humiliation, even the possible destruction of her career, are the least of her concerns, as her own life and the lives of her family are put in mortal jeopardy.
In the end, turning the tables on her adversaries will require her to be as ruthless as they are.
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I’ve read all of Joe Finder’s novels and have enjoyed all of them. However, Judgment was a bit “slow.” The premise was certainly believable but the resolution of the problem seemed tedious. The story focused on a circuit court judge in Boston who while at a conference in Chicago had a lapse in judgment that would later come to haunt her. The young, attractive and relativeliy new judge was assigned a sexual discrimination case that was quite controversial. She was contacted quietly and was told that if she didn’t rule on the case as expected by the corporate defendant she would suffer grave consequences. The case resolution evolved around the rules of civil procedure which, even for lawyers, can be somewhat tedious depending on the circumstances. I won’t say anything else about this because that would ruin someone’s enjoyment of this novel which, like all of Finder’s novels, was well-researched and well-written.
The beginning was not believable. During the last 50 pages more new characters were introduced than I can remember. It, too, was not believable. There are a lot more better thrillers out there than this one. Try C. J. Box, Steve Hamilton, William Kent Kruger, or Karin Slaughter for top-notch thrills and good writing, too.
He is a fine writer. I always enjoy the process of reading and getting to know his characters. His story telling is among the best in the business.
The writing was okay. The plot was believable however improbable.
I’ve just found this author and now have read two of his books. Very insightful.
Judgment starts with a moral dilemma and quickly becomes a masterclass in ratcheting up the tension. Just when you think it couldn’t get any pacier, Finder finds another gear. With complex, believable characters, a twisty plot, and well-researched legal background, this is a classy, sophisticated thriller for readers jaded by low-stakes domestic noir.
A brilliantly paced juggernaut of thrills as well as a deeply serious investigation of morality and justice, Judgment shows Finder’s absolute mastery of the genre. Incredibly gripping, trenchant and human, this is one of the best novels I’ve read this year.
When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself. – Wayne Dyer
I liked this book – a lot. It reminded me of some of John Grisham’s books when I first starting reading his work. I can remember marveling at the complexity of his stories yet how easily read they were. Same goes here. I’ve read other books by author Finder and enjoyed them but I think this is my favorite to date.
Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Juliana Brody speaks at a conference and ends up, for the first time in her marriage, sleeping with another man besides her husband. That caused her a lot of regrets but then she finds it was a set-up. She and this man were filmed and she ends up being told how to rule on a sexual harassment case she’s presiding over or the tapes will be released and/or her family could be harmed.
But she doesn’t give in easily and that is the basis of the story.
I liked Juliana’s character. And there were quite a few other ones I liked that the author developed in some depth.
And I appreciated that the author tied everything together and had a firm ending to the story. No cliffhanger, no loose ends.
I recommend this legal thriller highly.
I received this book from Dutton Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
Judgment starts out a little slow for my taste, but it gradually builds in momentum until I felt like I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. If you’re looking for realism in your thriller, this probably isn’t it with its convoluted and high reaching conspiracy. In fact, I lost track of the number of times I caught myself rolling my eyes at the many ways Juliana finds to get into more and more danger, not to mention the number of laws she breaks in the process. Nevertheless, the pacing and writing style kept me turning those pages. I wanted that next bit of crazy that had become this woman’s life, and I had to see how the author was going to get her out of this corner he had painted her into. So, convoluted, yes. Over the top, definitely. But it’s also full of terrific characters, good and bad, and held my interest til the very last page.
Stunning, riveting and emotional read!!
A fresh, uniquely page turner with twists
and turns that will keep you on the edge
of your seat. The tension was very thick
and well sustained throughout the story.
The characters were well developed, very
interesting and very realistic.
A Highly Recommended Read!
I volunteered to read Judgment. Thanks to
Penguin’s First-to-Read Program for the
opportunity. My opinion is my own.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. This was an interesting book that I didn’t see coming. In this book, Judge Juliana Brody has an one night stand while away at a legal conference. She is happily married, but says what the heck. Then she goes home and during the trial she is presiding over, the man steps back into her life. Blackmail is the least of her concerns when It turns out that he recorded their night together, and Russian money is involved and they want it hidden. This is a great book with twists and turns that you don’t see coming and it’s very hard to put down!