Customer Reviews

The Judge

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Being in the legal field, I have fun reading legal thrillers. The Judge is a fast read and enjoyable but realistic it is not. The main character is an attorney, Madriani, who is drawn into defending Judge Acosta in a murder trial. Madriani throughout the story breaks laws, lawyers ethical rules, and attorney client rules. He would be disbarred in the real world. Plus he isn't quick enough to catch a major piece of evidence that is basically dropped in his lap until the very end of the story. The story moves quickly both in the courts and by reading. Suspending any real world legal knowledge made it more enjoyable. I think a little more realistic take on being a lawyer would have worked, maybe Mr. Martinin didn't have the time to figure out others ways to achieve the same end results but without destroying his main character's character.

This was a good book with a lackluster ending. The Judge built up strong momentum and just died at the ending. The character interaction was dynamite and the Plot was okay.

This book was amazing! Every time that I thought I knew what was going to happen, something completely opposite happened. You know when you find yourself playing guess the criminal? Well this book will find you doing that, and you will be wrong 99.9% of the time. On top of that, you cant put it down! If you like trial scenes, this book is definitely for you. It had some exciting trial scenes. Also, the character development was wonderful, as the author almost took you inside the characters' heads and showed you exactly what they were thinking. The dialogue was great, and the book was very easy to read. I would definitely recommend this book to someone that likes legal thrillers and wants a book that doesn't have those rushed courtroom scenes!

This book is a winner!!! This is the third book from Martini that I have read and the second featuring Paul Mandriani - this novel is the best of the three. Martini has spun an impressive legal thriller, with an intriguing cast of characters and plenty of action, suspense and plot twists. The Judge is written from the perspective of Mandriani, a lawyer who somewhat reluctantly finds himself defending a judge he does not particularly care for. As the book progresses, the reader is consistently treated to Mandriani's quick wit, sharp mind, and keen sense of reality in the world. The Judge is a compelling novel that is hard to put down. Read and enjoy!!!!!

Nothing dry about this Martini. Commands attention until probability gives out and Hollywood takes over near the end.

For Martini fans, this one doesn't let down. If you've never read Martini, you should start. "The Judge" creates suspense, plot twists and is very enjoyable. I have not read a bad Martini book yet.

I like Martini's style. He is concise and he wastes few words, which is fine by me. The characters are neatly developed and, despite a couple painful stereotypes, all fit nicely. Martini writes with a dry humor and the book goes by n a hurry.

I was surprised by the ending. Nothing I read would have prepared me for the late action.

This is my first courtroom thriller, so I have no basis for comparison (except for Grisham's The Firm, which sucks). What I liked about The Judge is it has many things going for it: 1. Characters - all the players have personality and presence. 2. Lean narrative, good dialogue, no extraneous details. 3. Excitement. The trial scenes were great. 4. Style. I like how Martini sizes things up.

The book is an easy read. In fact, Martini could have fleshed out the book with more information and twists and the story would still be taught. What he managed to do is only admit critical elements to the story to make it a story and keep it engaging. I hope to read more of his works.

If you are a fan of 'Legal Thriller' books, and have NOT readSteve Martini, NOW is the time to get to know attorney Paul Madriani.Like most people I enjoy Grisham -- however NOBODY writes a better clear-cut legal thriller than Martini. I first caught the bug with 'Compelling Evidence' and I've been hooked. I'm not a big fan of novels written in 'first person' but I don't mind it in this case because of how GOOD Martini's writing style is. And 'The Judge' is Martini at his best. I LOVED THIS BOOK. I can't say it any better than that. And the ending, what a GREAT way to wrap up a story. I DO recommend reading the earlier Paul Madriani novels before getting into this one, however it DOES stand on its own, but one of the characters is developed in the earlier books to the point where you appreciate the situation Paul is in better if you 'know' his relationship with the murder suspect from the other novels. Even though, don't put off reading this story. Legal thrillers don't get any better than this. And Grisham's talent notwithstanding, Martini's least entertaining legal thriller is superior to anything Grisham has written -- and that isn't to say I DISLIKE Grisham, it just shows how MUCH I enjoy Martini. Give it a shot, and thank me later (I KNOW you will). Let me know what you think, e-mail me and tell me what YOU thought of the book. I welcome positive AND negative responses, although I can't IMAGINE someone NOT completely enjoying this book. Enjoy.

I didn't think Martini could outdo the twists and turns that Paul took in Undone Influence, but having him defend Acosta was the best. I enjoyed all of Martini's books. Martini has become my favorite author. I like the books with Paul in them best.