In a courtroom, David Sloane can grab a jury and make it dance. He can read jurors’ expressions, feel their emotions, know their thoughts. With this remarkable ability, Sloane gets juries to believe the unbelievable, excuse the inexcusable, and return the most astonishing verdicts.
The only barrier to Sloane’s professional success is his conscience — until he gets a call from a man later found dead, and his life rockets out of control.
If you’re a regular at my blog, a book review of a legal thriller probably isn’t what you expected to find. This was a book club read.
I was a John Grisham fan years ago, so I’ve read my share of legal thrillers. The Jury Master is billed as a legal thriller – and with that title, it’s exactly what you’d expect. But make no mistake – it’s a thriller, but falls squarely in the political arena. The MC is in a courtroom for roughly ten pages, if that much. I listened to the audio book, so it was difficult to tell.
David Sloane is an easy character to like. After losing his parents at an early age, he grows up in foster homes, enlists in the military, and then puts himself through law school. He also possesses a genius level IQ, takes in a stray cat, and returns an elderly tenant’s rent at the end of every year in the guise of a stock dividend. A super nice guy.
This book held my interest, but be warned – with an extensive character list, it’s easy to get confused. At 496 pages, it’s also a very long read, and the plot could easily have been tightened in some places. I noticed the next book in this series totals around 380 pages – a more reasonable length.
My book club was split as far as continuing with the series, but it spawned some interesting discussions. Overall, a nice selection.
Books with too many characters can be a bit confusing at times. And the length as you mentioned makes it hard to keep the tension going.
Hope you are well.
Stay safe.
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I nearly needed a chart to keep up with these, Drew. With an extensive character list, I’m better reading the book than listening to it. Take care!
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This does sound interesting, Teri.
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I hadn’t read a legal/political thriller for quite a while, so it was a nice change, Robbie.
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I’m not a legal thriller kind of gal, but my book club is usually what gets me reading things I normally wouldn’t as well! It’s more fun to get out of your normal space if you have someone to discuss it with!
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Exactly, Yesha! I’d gotten out of the habit of reading them several years ago, but it was fun to discuss it with the other members. They absolutely get me out of my normal space.
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Wow, the blurb makes it sound really interesting, but I’m not sure I’d have the patience!
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It was a long one and not exactly what I’d expected, but I don’t plan on continuing with the series. A few of the other members had already started the next book.
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Thanks for sharing this review, Teri. I’ll have to weigh in on whether to put it on the TBR pile.
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It was an okay read for me, Mark, but I don’t plan on continuing with the series.
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I struggle a little with the long character lists, Teri. It didn’t bother me when I was younger, so maybe it’s old age. Lol. Sound like a great character though and interesting premise. Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
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So did I, Diana, and several book club members also mentioned it. But I refuse to believe it’s an age thing, lol. Hope you’re doing well!
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It might be a “listening” thing. I tend to remember names better if I’ve seen them in print while hearing them inside my head. 🙂 Age.
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I agree – I’m definitely more visual.
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