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The Book of Judges: A Novel
For fans of Dan Brown, a debut contemporary thriller about a young lawyer thrust into a deadly search for an ancient secret—one that has the power to steer the course of destiny.
A beloved judge is murdered. His virus-infected laptop holds an ancient secret. Young lawyer Joshua Sutton, together with doctoral candidate Samantha Bollinger and tech wizard Mark Roth, are thrust into a deadly three-day quest for answers—a quest that leads them across millennia.
As Mark extracts clues from the computer, Josh and Sammi are chased around Florida by the hulking murderer and others who desperately want the laptop.
Josh and Sammi realize they’ve both been haunted by dreams about historical judges. In Mongol-ruled China, Imperial Rome, Byzantium, post-Renaissance Venice, Henry VIII’s England, and Charlemagne’s Frankish kingdom, judges heroically seek justice in life-and-death cases that come to define human rights. As they do, they are exposed to a startling secret.
Josh, Sammi, and Mark end up in a pulse-pounding race to New York City to stop the murder of another judge, one who could potentially save humanity.
A beloved judge is murdered. His virus-infected laptop holds an ancient secret. Young lawyer Joshua Sutton, together with doctoral candidate Samantha Bollinger and tech wizard Mark Roth, are thrust into a deadly three-day quest for answers—a quest that leads them across millennia.
As Mark extracts clues from the computer, Josh and Sammi are chased around Florida by the hulking murderer and others who desperately want the laptop.
Josh and Sammi realize they’ve both been haunted by dreams about historical judges. In Mongol-ruled China, Imperial Rome, Byzantium, post-Renaissance Venice, Henry VIII’s England, and Charlemagne’s Frankish kingdom, judges heroically seek justice in life-and-death cases that come to define human rights. As they do, they are exposed to a startling secret.
Josh, Sammi, and Mark end up in a pulse-pounding race to New York City to stop the murder of another judge, one who could potentially save humanity.
- GenresThriller
336 pages, Paperback
Published February 24, 2026
5 people are currently reading
3817 people want to read
About the author
Gary Fields
1 book18 followersGary Fields was born in Brooklyn, raised in Queens, and dreamed of playing centerfield for the Yankees. But music and lyrics were always in his heart. He started writing poetry early on, enamored with meter and rhymes. As an undergraduate at SUNY Albany, he taught himself guitar and wrote a song on the first two chords he learned. Three hundred songs later, he performed professionally for a time as a solo acoustic artist around New York City. But the real world, and the limits on his musical talents, came calling.
He’d hoped to become a lawyer. Again, it was the words. Putting words together convincingly, poetically, passionately, on behalf of his clients. But, as a college freshman, he’d been warned that there were too many lawyers and not enough jobs. So he earned a degree in math/computer science and went on to program and design computer systems for American Express and Ryder Trucks.
Making corporations more efficient, it turned out, didn’t appeal to him. He and the love of his life, his wife, Debbie, decided to put themselves through law school at night at the University of Miami. Three grueling years later, they earned their degrees. It was there, in Coral Gables, where he first was entranced by banyan trees.
Gary and Debbie settled in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where they raised their two sons, David and Dan, and their daughter, Lauren, along with Goldie, their golden retriever. Gary coached youth sports for eighteen years, coaching all three kids in basketball, his boys in Little League, and his daughter in softball.
He built a law practice specializing in community associations and soon found himself pulled into civic activism in the local community. He ended up leading a six-thousand-person volunteer effort to control a major airport planned nearby. After a multi-year battle that included a media campaign, coordination with a roster of aviation experts, and arduous negotiations with county and city governments, Gary’s team succeeded in keeping the airport a small, tightly regulated facility. The experience meshed with Gary’s interest in individual rights. That, along with his passion for historical fiction and thrillers, led him back, again, to the words.
The Book of Judges is Gary’s first novel. He is currently working on a sequel. Gary and Debbie now live in Southern California, close to the rest of their family.
He’d hoped to become a lawyer. Again, it was the words. Putting words together convincingly, poetically, passionately, on behalf of his clients. But, as a college freshman, he’d been warned that there were too many lawyers and not enough jobs. So he earned a degree in math/computer science and went on to program and design computer systems for American Express and Ryder Trucks.
Making corporations more efficient, it turned out, didn’t appeal to him. He and the love of his life, his wife, Debbie, decided to put themselves through law school at night at the University of Miami. Three grueling years later, they earned their degrees. It was there, in Coral Gables, where he first was entranced by banyan trees.
Gary and Debbie settled in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where they raised their two sons, David and Dan, and their daughter, Lauren, along with Goldie, their golden retriever. Gary coached youth sports for eighteen years, coaching all three kids in basketball, his boys in Little League, and his daughter in softball.
He built a law practice specializing in community associations and soon found himself pulled into civic activism in the local community. He ended up leading a six-thousand-person volunteer effort to control a major airport planned nearby. After a multi-year battle that included a media campaign, coordination with a roster of aviation experts, and arduous negotiations with county and city governments, Gary’s team succeeded in keeping the airport a small, tightly regulated facility. The experience meshed with Gary’s interest in individual rights. That, along with his passion for historical fiction and thrillers, led him back, again, to the words.
The Book of Judges is Gary’s first novel. He is currently working on a sequel. Gary and Debbie now live in Southern California, close to the rest of their family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 25, 2026
Thanks to Booksparks for the gifted copy. All opinions below are my own.
Josh is a young lawyer working on a research project with an illustrious judge and when he arrives for their latest meeting, he witnesses the judge murdered. He flees but when he calls the cops, there is no body or evidence. Quite quickly he realizes he’s being pursued for the same secret that led to the judge’s death, but what is it? He’s not quite sure but it seems to be linked to his unusual dreams and a list of judges and their famous decisions throughout history.
This story bills itself as Dan Brown-esque and I agree with that but to me it reminded me more of Glenn Cooper, an author who I’ve been reading a lot of recently. It’s complex, blending action with history, religion and philosophy. The chapters are short and at first quite frenetic as you get to know all the players. There are also interspersed chapters of these historic judges who contemplated ethical quandaries that changed the course of history, those were my favorite. It’s a fun read if you like to keep your brain engaged. My only issue was the ending felt a bit abrupt. The story is resolved but it felt like an ellipses more than a full wrap up.
Josh is a young lawyer working on a research project with an illustrious judge and when he arrives for their latest meeting, he witnesses the judge murdered. He flees but when he calls the cops, there is no body or evidence. Quite quickly he realizes he’s being pursued for the same secret that led to the judge’s death, but what is it? He’s not quite sure but it seems to be linked to his unusual dreams and a list of judges and their famous decisions throughout history.
This story bills itself as Dan Brown-esque and I agree with that but to me it reminded me more of Glenn Cooper, an author who I’ve been reading a lot of recently. It’s complex, blending action with history, religion and philosophy. The chapters are short and at first quite frenetic as you get to know all the players. There are also interspersed chapters of these historic judges who contemplated ethical quandaries that changed the course of history, those were my favorite. It’s a fun read if you like to keep your brain engaged. My only issue was the ending felt a bit abrupt. The story is resolved but it felt like an ellipses more than a full wrap up.
February 25, 2026
This story is fast paced and mixes mystery and suspense and history all together. This is a book that has been meticulously researched and it seems like the author put so much care into the history in this book. The chapters that go back in time as we learn more about the historical judges I thought were fascinating!
Read
January 9, 2026The Book of Judges is an ambitious, fast-paced thriller that blends legal suspense, historical mystery, and contemporary danger with striking confidence. Gary Fields weaves together parallel timelines across centuries, showing how the pursuit of justice has shaped human rights in moments of extreme moral consequence. What elevates this novel beyond a conventional chase thriller is its scope: ancient courts, modern technology, and the fragile line between order and chaos collide in a narrative that feels both urgent and intellectually charged. Fans of Dan Brown–style thrillers will find the momentum addictive, but readers will stay for the deeper questions about power, justice, and destiny that echo across time.
February 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
The Book of Judges is a story based on the biblical Book of Judges that tells the story of judges dying, either murdered or by their own hand, or declared insane. It also tells the modern day story of Josh and Sammi trying to figure who the next judge is supposed to be.
It took me a while to get invested in the story. The book jumps back and forth between the past and the present but the transitions are a little jarring. I had a hard time following the plot because of this. Once the story spends more time in the modern day story line, you become invested in Josh and Sammi's adventure and the cast of characters they encounter. Overall, its a very interesting idea of a story and enjoyable.
The Book of Judges is a story based on the biblical Book of Judges that tells the story of judges dying, either murdered or by their own hand, or declared insane. It also tells the modern day story of Josh and Sammi trying to figure who the next judge is supposed to be.
It took me a while to get invested in the story. The book jumps back and forth between the past and the present but the transitions are a little jarring. I had a hard time following the plot because of this. Once the story spends more time in the modern day story line, you become invested in Josh and Sammi's adventure and the cast of characters they encounter. Overall, its a very interesting idea of a story and enjoyable.
October 23, 2025
Very interesting story based on the biblical Book of Judges that continues the continues the Bible's story into modern times. Throughout history, judges are dying, either murdered or by their own hand, otherwise they are locked up as insane. The timing of the judges rise indicates that another is due now, in fact in days. Is this judge good or bad for humanity? Does this judge have to be destroyed or protected. Josh, Sammi and Mark must work fast to figure out next steps, while their mentors are being slain and they are being chased by Chinese nationalists, church figures and possibly even the FBI. Who is with them and who is against them? A tale that will keep you trying to guess until the end.
February 28, 2026
Book rating: 3/5 ⭐️
Genre: historical mystery
If you are interested in the law and judicial history, this mystery is the one for you. Infused with magical realism and theology, this is a story that crosses history to explore the impact and weight of justice. Add in a religious cult, a secret spiritual society and some sleeper agents and now there is danger added to the mix.
This is a complex narrative that investigates precedent, where laws could be interpreted based on circumstance rather than legislation free of thought and determined by justice according to the current ruling sovereign. The mysticism will lead to judges spanning Mongol China, Imperial Rome, Byzantine, post renaissance Venice, Henry VIII’s England and Charlemagne’s Frankia. It is heavy on the history and the vernacular will certainly appeal to students of the law in any shape or form. It manages to tie in these historical moments with religion, culture at the time and morality.
Synopsis: When Judge Maloch is murdered for uncovering a secret, his research assistants Josh and Sammie will go on the run trying to unearth the mystery while being chased across the state by the murderer. When they team up with tech savvy Mark, the three will embark on a deadly quest for the truth.
This is clearly a well researched novel with a foundation of law and ethics. I found the history to be interesting and the premise novel. The narrative was complex with many moving parts from the mystic believers, religious orders, murders, dreams of the past, and legal components that I sometimes found myself confused. The mystery became a little too farfetched with outlandish correlations, which lost some of the impact from the historical context. It is a fine balance, but I prefer mysteries rooted in reality where the magical realism aids in the storytelling rather than being the story itself.
I also found it hard to connect with any of the characters given that the storyline bounced around so much in time and space. This is the crux of a complex storyline with so many POVs. The thread between the parts needs to be clear enough that an average reader can follow the connections without loosing interest.
I struggled with the academic dissemination and wild connections, but there were a lot of parts I appreciated. Overall an ambitious debut and one erudite mystery readers will enjoy.
Thank you to BookSparks for this Winter Pop Up special. I always enjoy learning while reading and this certainly met the criteria.
Genre: historical mystery
If you are interested in the law and judicial history, this mystery is the one for you. Infused with magical realism and theology, this is a story that crosses history to explore the impact and weight of justice. Add in a religious cult, a secret spiritual society and some sleeper agents and now there is danger added to the mix.
This is a complex narrative that investigates precedent, where laws could be interpreted based on circumstance rather than legislation free of thought and determined by justice according to the current ruling sovereign. The mysticism will lead to judges spanning Mongol China, Imperial Rome, Byzantine, post renaissance Venice, Henry VIII’s England and Charlemagne’s Frankia. It is heavy on the history and the vernacular will certainly appeal to students of the law in any shape or form. It manages to tie in these historical moments with religion, culture at the time and morality.
Synopsis: When Judge Maloch is murdered for uncovering a secret, his research assistants Josh and Sammie will go on the run trying to unearth the mystery while being chased across the state by the murderer. When they team up with tech savvy Mark, the three will embark on a deadly quest for the truth.
This is clearly a well researched novel with a foundation of law and ethics. I found the history to be interesting and the premise novel. The narrative was complex with many moving parts from the mystic believers, religious orders, murders, dreams of the past, and legal components that I sometimes found myself confused. The mystery became a little too farfetched with outlandish correlations, which lost some of the impact from the historical context. It is a fine balance, but I prefer mysteries rooted in reality where the magical realism aids in the storytelling rather than being the story itself.
I also found it hard to connect with any of the characters given that the storyline bounced around so much in time and space. This is the crux of a complex storyline with so many POVs. The thread between the parts needs to be clear enough that an average reader can follow the connections without loosing interest.
I struggled with the academic dissemination and wild connections, but there were a lot of parts I appreciated. Overall an ambitious debut and one erudite mystery readers will enjoy.
Thank you to BookSparks for this Winter Pop Up special. I always enjoy learning while reading and this certainly met the criteria.
February 9, 2026
The Book of Judges is an ambitious debut with big ideas and a globe-spanning scope, but for me, the execution didn’t always match the potential. The story kicks off strongly with the murder of a respected judge and the discovery of his virus-infected laptop, which may contain an ancient secret powerful enough to influence humanity’s future. Young lawyer Joshua Sutton, along with doctoral candidate Samantha Bollinger and tech expert Mark Roth, are suddenly pulled into a frantic, three-day race to uncover the truth while being hunted by people who will kill to get their hands on that laptop. On paper, it’s a great setup.
Where this novel really stands out is its research. Gary Fields clearly put immense thought and care into the historical and theological elements of the story. The chapters that dive into different eras—Imperial Rome, Mongol China, Byzantium, Henry VIII’s England, and beyond—explore pivotal moments where judges shaped justice and human rights. These sections are informative and thoughtful, and readers who enjoy history woven into fiction may find a lot to appreciate here.
Unfortunately, those same chapters are also where the book struggles. The pacing slows considerably as the modern-day thriller plot is repeatedly interrupted by long historical interludes. While interesting on their own, they often felt more like lectures than narrative momentum, causing the central mystery to lose urgency. Instead of heightening tension, the constant detours made the story drag.
Character-wise, Josh and Sammi are likable enough, but much of their time is spent trying to decipher the meaning of the judge’s research—and by the end, the significance of the discovery still felt frustratingly vague. For a story built around a world-altering secret, the conclusion didn’t fully land, leaving me wanting a clearer payoff.
Overall, The Book of Judges is a well-researched and thoughtful debut with an intriguing premise and lofty ambitions. With tighter pacing and a more definitive ending, it could have been far more impactful. As it stands, it’s an interesting read for fans of historical-theological thrillers, just not quite the page-turner it promises to be.
Thank you NetGalley and SparkPress for this eARC!
Where this novel really stands out is its research. Gary Fields clearly put immense thought and care into the historical and theological elements of the story. The chapters that dive into different eras—Imperial Rome, Mongol China, Byzantium, Henry VIII’s England, and beyond—explore pivotal moments where judges shaped justice and human rights. These sections are informative and thoughtful, and readers who enjoy history woven into fiction may find a lot to appreciate here.
Unfortunately, those same chapters are also where the book struggles. The pacing slows considerably as the modern-day thriller plot is repeatedly interrupted by long historical interludes. While interesting on their own, they often felt more like lectures than narrative momentum, causing the central mystery to lose urgency. Instead of heightening tension, the constant detours made the story drag.
Character-wise, Josh and Sammi are likable enough, but much of their time is spent trying to decipher the meaning of the judge’s research—and by the end, the significance of the discovery still felt frustratingly vague. For a story built around a world-altering secret, the conclusion didn’t fully land, leaving me wanting a clearer payoff.
Overall, The Book of Judges is a well-researched and thoughtful debut with an intriguing premise and lofty ambitions. With tighter pacing and a more definitive ending, it could have been far more impactful. As it stands, it’s an interesting read for fans of historical-theological thrillers, just not quite the page-turner it promises to be.
Thank you NetGalley and SparkPress for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with early access to this novel.
'The Book of Judges' is the ambitious debut novel from Gary Fields that follows Josh and Sammi, two college students, who get caught up in a world of politics and religion following the murder of their professor. Josh unfortunately witnesses the murder while at Judge Maloch's house for a meeting and is subsequently forced to discover what it is that the Judge is working on that ultimately cost him his life, while trying to keep that information from getting into the wrong people's hands.
The book has a interesting premise and it is clear that Fields took immense care in researching the historical and theological aspects of the novel. I did feel that the pacing of the novel was a bit slow- as the plot following Josh and Sammi's investigation is often broken up by chapters that explore historical cases of judges making critical judgements that are influential to the development of human rights as we know them today. While these chapters are insightful, they do however feel tedious at times and really caused the book to drag at times.
The characters also spend a large portion of time trying to understand the meaning and subsequent outcome of the Judge's research and ultimate by the end of the novel, I could not say what the significance of the discovery is.
Overall, a well researched novel, that just needed a bit of help pacing wise and a more definitive conclusion.
'The Book of Judges' is the ambitious debut novel from Gary Fields that follows Josh and Sammi, two college students, who get caught up in a world of politics and religion following the murder of their professor. Josh unfortunately witnesses the murder while at Judge Maloch's house for a meeting and is subsequently forced to discover what it is that the Judge is working on that ultimately cost him his life, while trying to keep that information from getting into the wrong people's hands.
The book has a interesting premise and it is clear that Fields took immense care in researching the historical and theological aspects of the novel. I did feel that the pacing of the novel was a bit slow- as the plot following Josh and Sammi's investigation is often broken up by chapters that explore historical cases of judges making critical judgements that are influential to the development of human rights as we know them today. While these chapters are insightful, they do however feel tedious at times and really caused the book to drag at times.
The characters also spend a large portion of time trying to understand the meaning and subsequent outcome of the Judge's research and ultimate by the end of the novel, I could not say what the significance of the discovery is.
Overall, a well researched novel, that just needed a bit of help pacing wise and a more definitive conclusion.
March 1, 2026
⚖️ After witnessing the murder of his mentor, a young lawyer, Josh, goes on the run to find answers to a potentially life altering event of catastrophic proportions his mentor was researching.
In the authors own words, this is a book that asks “how do our major ‘truths’—those moments of staggering significance—come into our lives.”
Complete with an oversized goon hunting down our main characters, an elite Society seeking enlightenment, and marginalized factions grasping for power, this shared similar trappings to Dan Brown’s 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘝𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪 𝘊𝘰𝘥𝘦, but lacked a bit of the wow factor for me. Told from various POV with dreamlike flashback sequences of judges of the past at pivotal moments of enlightenment that defined the outcome of life or death scenarios, our characters are attempting to determine the next human rights judge to be targeted for assassination. Though enjoyable overall, I found the work occasionally lacked clarity, “𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴” themselves were confusing and the motivation for all involved parties still eludes me. It read a bit like an action film, with quick escapes, chase scenes, and shootouts so there’s plenty of appeal in that regard, though the pacing was a bit slow at times. I did like Josh’s sidekicks—doctoral candidate, Sammi, and quirky tech guy, Mark— and the insight they provided to his hunt, but all in all nothing about this one knocked my socks off.
✅ Check this one out if you like an action packed thriller centered around ancient secrets, the apocalypse, and altering destiny. Pairs well with protein bars and bottled water in case you have to make a run for it.
In the authors own words, this is a book that asks “how do our major ‘truths’—those moments of staggering significance—come into our lives.”
Complete with an oversized goon hunting down our main characters, an elite Society seeking enlightenment, and marginalized factions grasping for power, this shared similar trappings to Dan Brown’s 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘝𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪 𝘊𝘰𝘥𝘦, but lacked a bit of the wow factor for me. Told from various POV with dreamlike flashback sequences of judges of the past at pivotal moments of enlightenment that defined the outcome of life or death scenarios, our characters are attempting to determine the next human rights judge to be targeted for assassination. Though enjoyable overall, I found the work occasionally lacked clarity, “𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴” themselves were confusing and the motivation for all involved parties still eludes me. It read a bit like an action film, with quick escapes, chase scenes, and shootouts so there’s plenty of appeal in that regard, though the pacing was a bit slow at times. I did like Josh’s sidekicks—doctoral candidate, Sammi, and quirky tech guy, Mark— and the insight they provided to his hunt, but all in all nothing about this one knocked my socks off.
✅ Check this one out if you like an action packed thriller centered around ancient secrets, the apocalypse, and altering destiny. Pairs well with protein bars and bottled water in case you have to make a run for it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This read came courtesy of @Booksparks and the author Gary Fields as part of the #WECC2026 #WinterPopUp in the Hibernation Season collection.
When I read the synopsis, I knew immediately that I was going to enjoy this book. I’m a big fan of Dan Brown, so it’s a bold comparison for a debut author, but he more than lived up to my expectations.
📘 INSIDE THE PAGES
Fledgling lawyer Josh and doctoral candidate Sammi are racing to piece together the clues behind their professor’s murder, the secrets he uncovered, and the reason a deadly assassin is now after them. Haunted by dreams tied to historic human rights cases, they have just three days to solve the puzzle before another judge is killed, a judge whose survival could potentially save humanity.
🌟 MY THOUGHTS
This fast-paced thriller masterfully weaves historical events together with legal theory and biblical themes. The inclusion of old-world elements and modern-day tension worked beautifully to completely immerse me into the story. As the plot unraveled it forced me to consider the consequences of either side being triumphant.
If you are looking for a high-stakes intellectual puzzle that balances heart-pounding action with deep moral questions then this is your book. This is an amazing debut and I cannot wait to read another by this talented author.
When I read the synopsis, I knew immediately that I was going to enjoy this book. I’m a big fan of Dan Brown, so it’s a bold comparison for a debut author, but he more than lived up to my expectations.
📘 INSIDE THE PAGES
Fledgling lawyer Josh and doctoral candidate Sammi are racing to piece together the clues behind their professor’s murder, the secrets he uncovered, and the reason a deadly assassin is now after them. Haunted by dreams tied to historic human rights cases, they have just three days to solve the puzzle before another judge is killed, a judge whose survival could potentially save humanity.
🌟 MY THOUGHTS
This fast-paced thriller masterfully weaves historical events together with legal theory and biblical themes. The inclusion of old-world elements and modern-day tension worked beautifully to completely immerse me into the story. As the plot unraveled it forced me to consider the consequences of either side being triumphant.
If you are looking for a high-stakes intellectual puzzle that balances heart-pounding action with deep moral questions then this is your book. This is an amazing debut and I cannot wait to read another by this talented author.
Review of advance copy
Book Rating:⭐ 4/5
The Book of Judges was such an interesting read. I went into this one not fully knowing what to expect, and I ended up really appreciating the blend of modern thriller elements with deep historical and biblical context. The premise alone pulled me in, and once the story got moving, I was invested in uncovering the mystery alongside Josh, Sammi, and Mark.
What stood out most to me was the research and the historical perspectives. The chapters that explored judges across different eras, though long, were immersive and thought-provoking. You can tell the author put a lot of care into weaving real historical and theological themes into the narrative, and I found those sections especially interesting.
There were moments where I had to slow down and really think through how everything connected, but overall, I enjoyed the complexity and how it allowed me to use my mind to work out the plot points. It is the kind of book that makes you reflect on justice, power, and how history shapes the present. While I would have loved a bit more clarity in certain areas, I still found the journey engaging and unique.
If you enjoy thrillers with STRONG historical depth and big ideas, this is definitely one to check out. I am curious to see what Gary Fields is going to do next!
The Book of Judges was such an interesting read. I went into this one not fully knowing what to expect, and I ended up really appreciating the blend of modern thriller elements with deep historical and biblical context. The premise alone pulled me in, and once the story got moving, I was invested in uncovering the mystery alongside Josh, Sammi, and Mark.
What stood out most to me was the research and the historical perspectives. The chapters that explored judges across different eras, though long, were immersive and thought-provoking. You can tell the author put a lot of care into weaving real historical and theological themes into the narrative, and I found those sections especially interesting.
There were moments where I had to slow down and really think through how everything connected, but overall, I enjoyed the complexity and how it allowed me to use my mind to work out the plot points. It is the kind of book that makes you reflect on justice, power, and how history shapes the present. While I would have loved a bit more clarity in certain areas, I still found the journey engaging and unique.
If you enjoy thrillers with STRONG historical depth and big ideas, this is definitely one to check out. I am curious to see what Gary Fields is going to do next!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its seamless blend of history, mystery, and high-stakes action. It weaves together past and present through the characters’ shared dreams of former judges, creating an eerie, almost prophetic thread that deepens the suspense. These visions don’t just add intrigue—they raise compelling questions about justice, legacy, and the far-reaching consequences of judicial decisions. The story thoughtfully explores how rulings made decades ago can ripple across time, shaping lives and even altering the course of events in unexpected ways.
The pacing is brisk and cinematic, with relentless chases, shocking revelations, and mounting tension that keep the pages turning. Each new clue pulls the reader further into the puzzle, making it difficult to put down. While the central secret at the heart of the story is fascinating, a few aspects could have been fleshed out more clearly to give the final twists even greater impact. Even so, the novel delivers an engaging and thought-provoking thriller—one that skillfully bridges historical legacy with modern-day urgency, and leaves readers reflecting on the true weight of justice long after the final chapter.
Thanks BookSparks for my copy in exchange for a honest review.
The pacing is brisk and cinematic, with relentless chases, shocking revelations, and mounting tension that keep the pages turning. Each new clue pulls the reader further into the puzzle, making it difficult to put down. While the central secret at the heart of the story is fascinating, a few aspects could have been fleshed out more clearly to give the final twists even greater impact. Even so, the novel delivers an engaging and thought-provoking thriller—one that skillfully bridges historical legacy with modern-day urgency, and leaves readers reflecting on the true weight of justice long after the final chapter.
Thanks BookSparks for my copy in exchange for a honest review.
January 6, 2026
Firstly, I would like to thank the publishers of Spark Press for sending me this arc. Where do I begin, I had no idea what I was really getting myself into when I started reading this book. After finishing it now I am still a little bit confused. To be honest though I really liked the premise of it and the plot was good. However I found myself asking at multiple times how does this all connect. Even towards the end, I still struggled to understand the motives. I will say though this book often made me think with the biblical context it provided and the historical POV’s of the judges. My favorite part was probably reading the judges POV’s, I felt very immersed in the story whenever I was reading those chapters. All this book was good but it definitely could use some improvements to make it even better. I hope the next book in series works on connecting the motives better and offering more insight into what kind of changes the next judge will bring. I would recommend reading this book but I suggest you go in expecting the unexpected. Thank you again to the publishers of Spark Press for sending me this arc, I enjoyed reading it.
November 2, 2025
The book of Judges was a great read about a law student who falls across historical information going back centuries and millennia while witnessing the murder of his mentor, Neville Maloch. His adventures start with the murderer pursuing Josh across Florida but soon Josh gets Sammi, another research assistant of Maloch’s, involved and with the help of Mark, a techie friend, they attempt to decipher the meaning behind the list of names of judges that Maloch protected and ultimately died for. The storyline brimmed with suspense and drama keeping the reader at the edge of their seat with twists and turns of the plot as it thickened in the evolving narrative. The author craftily weaves scenarios of biblical import into the novel and highlights the historical significance of the judges from past centuries to the actual Bible of today. Reading this thriller certainly kept me entertained and engaged with the characters all the way through the end of the novel and I hope to read more from this author with a possible sequel. The book was well researched, well paced, and well written.
November 20, 2025
"The Book of Judges" by Gary Fields is an exciting thriller about a young lawyer named Josh who finds himself in a dangerous adventure after a judge he knows is killed. The judge had a laptop that holds a big secret about important judges from history. Josh, along with a student named Sammi and a tech expert named Mark, try to figure out the secret while being chased by bad guys. They learn that the secret could change the future and have to stop another judge from being killed in just three days. The story also shows flashbacks of judges from different times and places like ancient Rome and medieval England, making it interesting and full of history.
The book's speciality is its mix of history, mystery, and fast action. The characters share dreams about past judges, and the book explores important ideas about justice and how decisions affect the world. The story keeps you hooked with its exciting chase and reveals, even though some parts about the secret could have been explained better. Overall, it’s a thrilling read that mixes old and new stories about judges and justice.
The book's speciality is its mix of history, mystery, and fast action. The characters share dreams about past judges, and the book explores important ideas about justice and how decisions affect the world. The story keeps you hooked with its exciting chase and reveals, even though some parts about the secret could have been explained better. Overall, it’s a thrilling read that mixes old and new stories about judges and justice.
March 2, 2026
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
A beloved judge is murdered. His virus-infected laptop holds an ancient secret. Young lawyer Joshua Sutton, together with doctoral candidate Samantha Bollinger and tech wizard Mark Roth, are thrust into a deadly three-day quest for answers—a quest that leads them across millennia.
This book is really unique. I liked the chapters focused on judges from history that faced ethical questions of justice and how creative some of them got to reach the conclusions they thought best. Judicial decisions carry a legacy and have far-reaching consequences for decades to come.
The story is fast-paced and gradually builds to explain answers to the mysteries presented. I like books that switch back and forth between time periods, but it took me awhile to get into the switches because initially I didn’t see the connections to the modern story. This got better throughout the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Book Sparks. All opinions are my own.
A beloved judge is murdered. His virus-infected laptop holds an ancient secret. Young lawyer Joshua Sutton, together with doctoral candidate Samantha Bollinger and tech wizard Mark Roth, are thrust into a deadly three-day quest for answers—a quest that leads them across millennia.
This book is really unique. I liked the chapters focused on judges from history that faced ethical questions of justice and how creative some of them got to reach the conclusions they thought best. Judicial decisions carry a legacy and have far-reaching consequences for decades to come.
The story is fast-paced and gradually builds to explain answers to the mysteries presented. I like books that switch back and forth between time periods, but it took me awhile to get into the switches because initially I didn’t see the connections to the modern story. This got better throughout the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Book Sparks. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
This is a debut thriller that to me gives off the same action mixed with history plots as authors like Steve Berry, Brad Meltzer (these are both favorites of mine), and Dan Brown.
Most of the book is told in short chapters which I liked. The longer chapters are back in time where we learn about seven judges that have seen words which gives them clarity on decision making.
The main characters are a law student named Josh, a PhD student named Sammi with some help from a computer hacker named Mark.
Josh and Sammi work for the same judge who is murdered. These two go on the run with the judges laptop to try to figure out why he was murdered and the significance of an event happening a few days away.
It was hard for me to put this one down because I love the thriller aspects as well as the higher power of the words throughout history. The connection that Josh and Sammi have to the words added and extra layer of interest for me as well.
Most of the book is told in short chapters which I liked. The longer chapters are back in time where we learn about seven judges that have seen words which gives them clarity on decision making.
The main characters are a law student named Josh, a PhD student named Sammi with some help from a computer hacker named Mark.
Josh and Sammi work for the same judge who is murdered. These two go on the run with the judges laptop to try to figure out why he was murdered and the significance of an event happening a few days away.
It was hard for me to put this one down because I love the thriller aspects as well as the higher power of the words throughout history. The connection that Josh and Sammi have to the words added and extra layer of interest for me as well.
February 28, 2026
The Book of Judges by Gary Fields is a fast-paced thriller that follows a young lawyer pulled into a deadly mystery after a prominent judge is murdered, leaving behind a laptop containing a dangerous ancient secret. As he teams up with unlikely allies to uncover the truth, their search reveals a hidden connection between judges across history and a powerful force willing to kill to protect it. Blending legal suspense, historical mystery, and high-stakes action, the story explores justice, power, and the consequences of secrets buried across centuries.
5 reasons to pick this up High-concept thriller —
Legal drama meets historical mystery and global conspiracy.
Fast pacing — quick chapters and constant tension keep the story moving.
Big “hidden history” vibes — perfect if you liked The Da Vinci Code–style secrets.
Smart themes — explores justice, morality, and power across time.
Series potential — the first book in a larger story with room to grow
5 reasons to pick this up High-concept thriller —
Legal drama meets historical mystery and global conspiracy.
Fast pacing — quick chapters and constant tension keep the story moving.
Big “hidden history” vibes — perfect if you liked The Da Vinci Code–style secrets.
Smart themes — explores justice, morality, and power across time.
Series potential — the first book in a larger story with room to grow
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Good thriller seeking to unravel a world-shattering secret associated with historical judges over the millennia. The book has an original concept and includes time travel.
Josh Sutton arrives at his former mentor, Judge Maloch, who’s working on a book about historical judges and their human rights cases. An assassin arrives and kills the judge in front of Josh and begins looking for the evidence the judge has found about the secret. Josh is able to evade the killer taking the judge’s computer (where the information is hidden) with him. With m the help of his friends, Sammi and Mark the three work to unravel the secret before another judge can be killed as well as trying to evade the killer, Billy Ray, too. Lots of near misses - making one wonder if Billy Ray is any good at his job. Meanwhile Josh and Sammi have dreams taking them back in time to Rome, Byzantium, Henry VIII, and China under the Mongol rule. Each of these are very well presented and accurate historically- I liked learning about legal systems of those times.
My criticism of the book is that the conspiracy isn’t fully developed and the book ended earlier than I would have liked.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Spark Press for allowing me to read this ARC.
Josh Sutton arrives at his former mentor, Judge Maloch, who’s working on a book about historical judges and their human rights cases. An assassin arrives and kills the judge in front of Josh and begins looking for the evidence the judge has found about the secret. Josh is able to evade the killer taking the judge’s computer (where the information is hidden) with him. With m the help of his friends, Sammi and Mark the three work to unravel the secret before another judge can be killed as well as trying to evade the killer, Billy Ray, too. Lots of near misses - making one wonder if Billy Ray is any good at his job. Meanwhile Josh and Sammi have dreams taking them back in time to Rome, Byzantium, Henry VIII, and China under the Mongol rule. Each of these are very well presented and accurate historically- I liked learning about legal systems of those times.
My criticism of the book is that the conspiracy isn’t fully developed and the book ended earlier than I would have liked.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Spark Press for allowing me to read this ARC.
March 1, 2026
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. That alone should tell you everything.
This story blends the legal world with biblical themes and a murder mystery/ thriller, and it was done so well. The legal elements felt sharp and authentic, which I really appreciated, and the biblical connections added so much depth and weight to the story.
The mystery kept me completely hooked. Every chapter made me want to keep going, and the pacing was strong from start to finish. It felt smart, intentional, and incredibly well written.
If you love legal thrillers but want something layered and thought provoking, this one absolutely delivers. I already want more.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#legalthriller #murdermystery #bookstagram #TheBookOfJudges #winterpopup
This story blends the legal world with biblical themes and a murder mystery/ thriller, and it was done so well. The legal elements felt sharp and authentic, which I really appreciated, and the biblical connections added so much depth and weight to the story.
The mystery kept me completely hooked. Every chapter made me want to keep going, and the pacing was strong from start to finish. It felt smart, intentional, and incredibly well written.
If you love legal thrillers but want something layered and thought provoking, this one absolutely delivers. I already want more.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#legalthriller #murdermystery #bookstagram #TheBookOfJudges #winterpopup
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Book of Judges is an absolutely gripping read that blends suspense, history, and biblical themes into a story I couldn’t put down. The writing is sharp and immersive, pulling you into a world filled with intrigue, moral complexity, and moments that linger long after you turn the last page. It makes you question…Are there truly any coincidences in life??
If you love intelligent thrillers with substance, atmosphere, and beautifully crafted storytelling, The Book of Judges is a must-read. I was hooked from start to finish.
ARC provided by NetGalley/SparkPress in exchange for my honest review.
If you love intelligent thrillers with substance, atmosphere, and beautifully crafted storytelling, The Book of Judges is a must-read. I was hooked from start to finish.
ARC provided by NetGalley/SparkPress in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Warning: You will want to read this book in one sitting so put everything else aside and strap yourself in for a wild ride! This fast-paced thriller is everything in one- a heart stopping chase through history to find the true meaning of justice, a romantic comedy, and a race against time to save prominent judges from evil-minded foes. The historical stories within the story added increased understanding and depth to a fascinating journey of legal discovery and a quest for truth and justice. Don't miss this amazing, thought-provoking and well written new release from a great new literary mind. Cannot wait to see what's in store next! Pick up this book Tuesday February 24th!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. The Book of Judges is clearly well-researched and thoughtfully written, and I appreciated the ambition behind the premise. There’s a lot here that should work, and on paper it’s really interesting. But for me, it never fully clicked. I struggled to connect with the characters, and the pacing felt uneven, especially toward the end, which left the story feeling a bit unresolved. While the ideas are compelling, the execution ultimately fell short for me. I can see this working for readers who love historical-theological thrillers, but it wasn’t the page-turner I hoped it would be. Publication date of February 24, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found The Book of Judges to be an interesting mystery. As the book went on I was more and more interested in how everything was connected. I enjoyed the race against time to dolve the puzzle, and once all the pieces were laid out I was appreciative of the work that went into creating it. I did feel that that were a few too many perspective shifts, but they did add overall flavor to the different parts that others played in the main plot. The judges stories were quite interesting and I enjoyed getting to hear them.
Thank you SparkPress for providing me with this ARC
Thank you SparkPress for providing me with this ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First and foremost, I’d like to thank the publishers of Spark Press for sending me this arc. The premise of this book is really interesting and I enjoyed reading it so much. Sometimes I felt a little lost and need to reread previous part but overall it was a very good one. Honestly I loved the “dreams” (the judges’ stories) even more than the main story.
Looking forward to read the next book. Can’t wait to see how the story continues.
Looking forward to read the next book. Can’t wait to see how the story continues.
January 11, 2026
3-3.5. An interesting debut book. A single day read. Engaging tale with lots of intertwined threads, but the shifts in time became aggravating at moments (felt more of an interruption rather than an addition to the main story). Also has an abrupt ending, which the author note indicating a sequel might address.
February 26, 2026
The Book of Judges has an intriguing premise and impressively researched historical and theological detail, but the jumps between the present‑day plot and the historical chapters disrupted the flow for me. The pacing felt uneven, and the ending came abruptly, making it hard to stay fully connected to the story despite its ambitious scope.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a deeper read than I anticipated. The story started very slowly for me and about 40 percent in I started to enjoy the story. Part mystery and part biblical, this was overall a decent read. Thank you to NetGalley and SparkPress for providing me an ARC of this novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hopefully, the next book will be better. This one had lots of good ideas, but the research and the plot weren’t up to the standards of a bestseller. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
March 3, 2026
Thank you to Book Sparks for a Physical copy to review! I am giving this a 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars. I had to skip the history chapters because I just couldn't push through them and by the end of the book I was honestly confused. Maybe this just wasn't the book for me.
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