Judge Stone
By James Patterson & Viola Davis
- Release Date: 2026-03-09
- Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Description
#1 New York Times Bestseller!
Academy Award winning actress Viola Davis and the world's #1 bestselling author James Patterson’s Judge Stone “delivers first-class courtroom drama, small-town excitement, and strong characters all wrapped in a moral dilemma. Tense, readable, and relevant.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
“Talk about a power combo! ... With Davis’s razor-sharp emotional insight and Patterson’s mastery of rocket-fuel pacing, this is the dream team to deliver an up-all-night read that will keep the group chat buzzing.” —Oprah Daily
“Wonderfully satisfying ... This legal thriller from [a] superstar duo ... demands attention from its opening pages and never lets go.” —Booklist, starred review
All rise... for Judge Stone.
The most respected citizen in Union Springs, Alabama (population 3,314), is Judge Mary Stone. She holds two responsibilities sacred: 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.
Reviews
Awesome
5By Vanessa BoykinAwesome book. I enjoyed every page.Judge Stone
5By Indesign82I loved Judge Stone’s character of standing up for her true beliefs in judgment. What a strong woman, still living in a man’s world.Very good read
4By KRHSissyGood read.Outstanding novel
5By SusanN610Such a great read.We need more Judge Stone
5By Georgia8286Great story. Justice is not always obvious. Judge Stone is awesomeA whole new James Patterson,!
5By Thud1946thanks to Viola Davis! Very well done!!Excellent!
5By Uncle folgerCompelling story, plot lines and characters. Very well done!Great job
5By NessiethefoodieQuick read for me . I enjoyed the references to so many current events today and interwoven with historical events. The character development was entertaining and enjoyable. Twist and turn of plots were fun and not always predictable, I’d recommend it to anyone.Great book
5By amazing album as usualGreat bookEnjoyable
5By Eminem rocks 8mileWell told story that grabs your attention immediately. Highly recommend!Amazing!
5By T. Sanchez732An amazing book. Needs to be made into a television series. I couldn’t put the book down so I also purchased the audiobook to listen to during my commute. I finished reading the book and will still listen to the audiobook until it’s complete. Absolutely loved it.Wonderful Book
4By Luft WaffeI hated for this book to end. Please give Judge Stone another story, or several!!Judge Stone
5By Lady Fannie of OmahaLoved it. Fast paced and thorough. Great ending!!!Judge Stone
5By YayaNetskiGreat book for a fast read . It’s almost like binge watching a really good series . The characters are interesting and well developed -as is the plot. Judge Stone is a strong and articulate main character.Excellent!
5By Averysmom626Captivating read from the start! Great characters, excellent writing with a valuable lesson threaded within the storyline! I truly enjoyed this book!Judge Stone
5By Agh4272Very well written, excellent job.Justice, Choices, and One Powerful Story
5By Diva_materialSummary This novel drops you straight into rural Alabama, where Judge Mary Stone is juggling the emotional, political, and legal fallout of tightening abortion laws. Her choices don’t just shape her courtroom — they ripple through her family, her career, and her entire future. It’s a story that blends personal stakes with big‑picture issues in a way that feels both intimate and urgent. Critique I loved how two authors with different styles managed to create one seamless, powerful voice. The legal explanations were clear without ever talking down to the reader, and the scenes were so vivid I felt like I was right there beside the characters. If I had to nitpick, the plot can feel a bit predictable at times — but honestly, the emotional depth and the subject matter kept me fully locked in. Recommendation No matter where you stand on abortion, this book is absolutely worth reading. It opens a window into how these laws shape real lives and shows the complex pressures Judge Stone faces with honesty and compassion. Beautifully written, deeply human, and absolutely deserving of a full 5‑star rating.Must read
5By Free Run 2Riveting and heartfelt!Judge Stone
5By WorldTraveler72Gripping, bold honesty, unsparing example to what this country needs again in terms of courageous honesty.
