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The Judge's Story
A Superior Court Judge with a passion for social justice as well as the law strives to discover the truth behind the mystery of a robbery-murder in a small California town in 1939.
When the Judge hears testimony against a 14-year-old teenager, he realizes that the boy participated in a robbery-murder. However, the accused did not actually pull the trigger. But unless the boy identifies his partner, the Judge must sentence him as a murderer, which would result in prolonged jail time. The Judge’s investigator, along with the precocious 16-year-old girl who identified the boy as one of the thieves, explore different approaches to uncover the murderer. In the backdrop of escalating war in Europe, the financial scarcities of the Great Depression, and the Judge’s caseload, their attempts to find justice for the accused boy and unmask the killer lure the Judge and his friends into sordid criminal activities.
When the Judge hears testimony against a 14-year-old teenager, he realizes that the boy participated in a robbery-murder. However, the accused did not actually pull the trigger. But unless the boy identifies his partner, the Judge must sentence him as a murderer, which would result in prolonged jail time. The Judge’s investigator, along with the precocious 16-year-old girl who identified the boy as one of the thieves, explore different approaches to uncover the murderer. In the backdrop of escalating war in Europe, the financial scarcities of the Great Depression, and the Judge’s caseload, their attempts to find justice for the accused boy and unmask the killer lure the Judge and his friends into sordid criminal activities.
274 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2015
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Joyce T. Strand
12 books567 followersJoyce Strand, much like her fictional character Jillian Hillcrest, served as head of corporate communications at several biotech and high-tech companies in Silicon Valley for more than 25 years. Unlike Jillian, however, she did not encounter murder in her career. She focused on writing articles and press releases and delivering presentations to publicize her companies. Joyce received her Ph.D. from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and her B.A. from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 29, 2016
The Reporter's Story Emma Matheson is a reporter for the San Francisco Gazette in 1912, when it is rare that a woman is a reporter in the first place. Emma's role in the newspaper to write pieces that pertain to women's interests. She loves what she does but would love to do more than write fluff stories. She wants to be a reporter who not only writes articles but also investigates them.
Emma usually goes to the police station to find cases to write about. One in particular is a burglary of a house where $8,000 worth of jewelry and other items has been stolen. Emma interviews the mistress of the house who is the sister of Alfred Whitecraft and her maid Marjorie regarding the robbery. The maid eventually is to blame for the robbery and when Emma interviews Marjorie's mother and Marjorie again, she realizes something is not right and there is more to investigate.Trying to figure out why Alfred says that there was no robbery is what spurs Emma on.
Emma is told not to investigate further for her own safety but Emma is very tenacious and persistent so she goes against the police orders and continues to investigate. What she finds is corruption, drugs and people who she thought she could trust but can't. Trying to get past the women belong in the home way of thinking she must prove what she thinks happened and try to stay alive at the same time.
Joyce Strand's books are always a pleasure to read and this is another to add to the TBR pile is you like a good mystery and strong female characters, this one is for you!
Emma usually goes to the police station to find cases to write about. One in particular is a burglary of a house where $8,000 worth of jewelry and other items has been stolen. Emma interviews the mistress of the house who is the sister of Alfred Whitecraft and her maid Marjorie regarding the robbery. The maid eventually is to blame for the robbery and when Emma interviews Marjorie's mother and Marjorie again, she realizes something is not right and there is more to investigate.Trying to figure out why Alfred says that there was no robbery is what spurs Emma on.
Emma is told not to investigate further for her own safety but Emma is very tenacious and persistent so she goes against the police orders and continues to investigate. What she finds is corruption, drugs and people who she thought she could trust but can't. Trying to get past the women belong in the home way of thinking she must prove what she thinks happened and try to stay alive at the same time.
Joyce Strand's books are always a pleasure to read and this is another to add to the TBR pile is you like a good mystery and strong female characters, this one is for you!
June 23, 2015
Having already written two growing book series’, author Joyce Strand deftly tries her hand in the historical mystery genre with “The Judge’s Story.” Full of characteristic “Strand-isms,” “The Judge’s Story” uses layers of intrigue, tumult, and deep-seated racism in a small Californian town in 1939.
At the cusp of the Second World War, the climate of “The Judge’s Story” is rife with tension and a sense of dangerous foreboding. The book’s stoic protagonist, the titular ‘Judge’ is faced with yet another violent case to preside over. The case itself is standard enough: a boy is involved in a robbery that ends in bloodshed. However, the Judge soon discovers that the boy, while indeed involved in the fatalistic events ultimately resulting in the loss of a life, is not being completely forthright. His involvement is not so one sided. Seeing this, the Judge attempts to bring justice to the accused boy whilst maintaining his position as a neutral purveyor of justice.
With the help of supporting characters that assist The Judge in his quest for judicature, Strand has created yet another novel with inherent momentum and relevant subject matter. Inspired by the unpublished memoir of a real California Superior Court Judge, the book arises above your typical legal thriller. Strand takes the time needed to flesh out her characters to make them believable and realistic. The plot itself is succinct and fresh, and does not fall victim to melodrama or the genre’s formulaic tendencies. An indicator of what defines a ‘good book’ is originality and hope, two components that drive “The Judge” forward as both an entertaining read but also as a commentary on the justice system itself.
At the cusp of the Second World War, the climate of “The Judge’s Story” is rife with tension and a sense of dangerous foreboding. The book’s stoic protagonist, the titular ‘Judge’ is faced with yet another violent case to preside over. The case itself is standard enough: a boy is involved in a robbery that ends in bloodshed. However, the Judge soon discovers that the boy, while indeed involved in the fatalistic events ultimately resulting in the loss of a life, is not being completely forthright. His involvement is not so one sided. Seeing this, the Judge attempts to bring justice to the accused boy whilst maintaining his position as a neutral purveyor of justice.
With the help of supporting characters that assist The Judge in his quest for judicature, Strand has created yet another novel with inherent momentum and relevant subject matter. Inspired by the unpublished memoir of a real California Superior Court Judge, the book arises above your typical legal thriller. Strand takes the time needed to flesh out her characters to make them believable and realistic. The plot itself is succinct and fresh, and does not fall victim to melodrama or the genre’s formulaic tendencies. An indicator of what defines a ‘good book’ is originality and hope, two components that drive “The Judge” forward as both an entertaining read but also as a commentary on the justice system itself.
June 24, 2015
The author has read the casenotes of a 1930 judge and created an excellent novel. Mark Twain meets Harper Lee is the best way to describe the authors writing and storyline in this book. An excellent read which will touch the hearts of everyone who reads it.
It will make you think about how you treat and make decisions about the people you come into contact with. She uses the judge thoughts to remind us that not everyone has been taught right from wrong by their peers and follow the only way they know. The novel also tries to show us with the right treatment and lessons and someone to believe in them people can be put on the right path and atone for previous misdemeanours.
In times of the papers reporting bad news this book is a timely reminder that if time is given to help people the problems for the future can be solved. A book that will and can inspire you to do more and will have a positive impact on your life.
It will make you think about how you treat and make decisions about the people you come into contact with. She uses the judge thoughts to remind us that not everyone has been taught right from wrong by their peers and follow the only way they know. The novel also tries to show us with the right treatment and lessons and someone to believe in them people can be put on the right path and atone for previous misdemeanours.
In times of the papers reporting bad news this book is a timely reminder that if time is given to help people the problems for the future can be solved. A book that will and can inspire you to do more and will have a positive impact on your life.
July 2, 2015
This murder mystery will keep you guessing until the end! At least it did for me.
I first wrote a review for author Joyce T. Strand just over a year ago for her very first book - On Message, book 1 of the Jillian Hillcrest Mystery series. I became a fan of Ms. Strand with that book.
I love her easy writing style, how situations seem so normal and not at all over-the-top. So relatable. Her books are always a pleasant read even with the backdrop of the murder mystery. Her characters are fully developed and so richly interesting. In fact, I'd love to read more about each one of the main characters of The Judge, especially Clara.
I really enjoyed reading The Judge and highly recommend it to fans of the murder mystery genre.
I first wrote a review for author Joyce T. Strand just over a year ago for her very first book - On Message, book 1 of the Jillian Hillcrest Mystery series. I became a fan of Ms. Strand with that book.
I love her easy writing style, how situations seem so normal and not at all over-the-top. So relatable. Her books are always a pleasant read even with the backdrop of the murder mystery. Her characters are fully developed and so richly interesting. In fact, I'd love to read more about each one of the main characters of The Judge, especially Clara.
I really enjoyed reading The Judge and highly recommend it to fans of the murder mystery genre.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews