Author: James Patterson; Viola Davis
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Format: Audio ALC
Narrator: Viola Davis
No. of Pages: 432
Date of Publication: March 9, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
Viola Davis and James Patterson have written an incredible courtroom drama and created the most unforgettable character in years.
All rise…for Judge Stone.
The most respected citizen in Union Springs, Alabama (population 3,314), is Judge Mary Stone. She holds two responsibilities running her family farm and presiding over her courtroom. It's there she draws the most controversial case in the history of the South.
Criminally, it’s open-and-shut.
Ethically, there is no middle ground.
Essentially, it’s a choice between life and death.
No judge can satisfy everyone. It would be dangerous to try. But Judge Stone is willing to fight to bring justice to the people and place she loves.
All rise…for Judge Stone.
The most respected citizen in Union Springs, Alabama (population 3,314), is Judge Mary Stone. She holds two responsibilities running her family farm and presiding over her courtroom. It's there she draws the most controversial case in the history of the South.
Criminally, it’s open-and-shut.
Ethically, there is no middle ground.
Essentially, it’s a choice between life and death.
No judge can satisfy everyone. It would be dangerous to try. But Judge Stone is willing to fight to bring justice to the people and place she loves.
MY THOUGHTS:
Judge Mary Stone’s ascent to the bench was not without its challenges, including emotional turmoil. Her latest case involves an ethical dilemma involving a teenager named Nova in Alabama, a state with a strict abortion ban. Consequently, the doctor who assisted the teen is now on trial. Despite repeated pressure from higher authorities to recuse herself from this sensitive case, Judge Stone remains steadfast in her decision to continue.
As a Black judge in the Deep South, Judge Stone faced significant challenges from an early age. The pressure she encounters now extends beyond the courtroom. Her home and farm are also at risk. Stone grapples with her past and its impact on her present. However, her strong moral compass compels her to uphold her principles and rule fairly in the case against the doctor.
Judge Stone goes beyond the letter of the law when it comes to Nova. She considers the circumstances surrounding Nova’s pregnancy, her age, and her home life. This courtroom drama features compelling characters and explores serious themes. For Judge Stone, it is not a popularity contest but a matter of moral, ethical, and social responsibility.
As a long-time James Patterson fan, this book was an auto-read. The fact that Viola Davis co-authored it only sweetened the pot. Her narration of the story was so captivating that I had to pause to check if she had written anything else. Her memoir, Finding Me, was the answer, and I listened to it as an audiobook. Both of these books were brilliantly narrated by Ms. Davis.
What an incredibly profound and sensitive story! Despite Alabama being one of the states that is considered part of the ‘Bible Belt’, Christian values were disregarded in this case. It’s worth noting that my strong faith kept me mindful of my conscience, but as this captivating narrative unfolded, I found myself fully engrossed in the delicate case involving Nova and her doctor, as well as the intricate dynamics at play.
While courtroom drama isn’t typically my preferred genre, this exceptionally powerful story captivated me from the very beginning. I was held in its grip until the final resounding sound of the gavel.
Many thanks to Hachette Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
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