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Judge and Jury by James Patterson

A Review of a Bestselling Mystery Novel

Aug 15, 2006 Sandy Mitchell

James Patterson is known for his easy-to-read, fast-paced, engrossing thrillers...and "Judge and Jury," written with Andrew Gross and released in July, is no exception.

Judge and Jury grabs the reader in the first chapter and doesn't let go. On the first page, the reader meets Nick Pellisante, a special agent for the FBI, who is staking off the Montauk wedding of the niece of a New York crime family boss, Dominic Cavello.

Don Cavello

Cavello is no loveable Don; he's ordered over a dozen murders, many of them cruel. Pellisante is sure that he is egotistical enough to try to attend the wedding, even though he knows that the FBI will be watching. Sure enough: Pellisante recognizes him disguised as a little old man in a wheelchair. In a split second, the Don is up out of the chair; shoots and kills an agent dressed as a waiter; and makes his way across the beach to a waiting helicopter. En route, he guns down two of Pellisante's men. Pellisante shoots him in the leg and the crime boss is captured ... at least for now.

The Trial

Trying someone with Cavello's connections is not easy, even for the FBI. The judge is apprehensive and so are the prospective jurors. One of these, Andie DeGrasse, is an aspiring actress and single mom. She's sure that her flippant style will get her excused and she's shocked when she's picked for the panel.

The participants are right to be afraid. Cavello has a terrible trick up his sleeve, one that will shatter both Andie's and Nick's sense of security and one that will draw them together.

Seeking Justice

The trail leads Andie and Nick around the globe and to difficult choices in pursuit of justice.

No one will accuse Patterson of writing a deep, intellectual novel, but his offerings are consistently enjoyable. I can't wait for the next one.

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