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Judgement Day
2-IN-1 THRILLER SET! At long last: the prequel to The Devil’s Advocate—packaged together with that original novel, which Al Pacino, Keanu Reaves, and Charlize Theron turned into a blockbuster movie. Revealing the story of how the law firm of John Milton & Associates came to be, this will change forever how you think of the original The Devil’s Advocate book and the major motion picture that made it a household name.
When the promising young attorney of a prestigious law firm is found dead on the sidewalk twenty stories below his posh New York apartment, everyone rules it as a suicide. Everyone except Lieutenant Matthew Blake—a detective with a legendary track record and a notoriously unorthodox style. Blake sees something more nefarious in the attorney’s death, and he slowly uncovers a murder plot so twisted that it could only have been concocted by the devil himself.
Coincidentally (or perhaps not) John Milton—a handsome, charming, and unflappable defense attorney—strolls into the grieving law firm with a mind to replace the unfortunate attorney. Little does the firm know that Milton’s plan extends far beyond just becoming a partner.
When the promising young attorney of a prestigious law firm is found dead on the sidewalk twenty stories below his posh New York apartment, everyone rules it as a suicide. Everyone except Lieutenant Matthew Blake—a detective with a legendary track record and a notoriously unorthodox style. Blake sees something more nefarious in the attorney’s death, and he slowly uncovers a murder plot so twisted that it could only have been concocted by the devil himself.
Coincidentally (or perhaps not) John Milton—a handsome, charming, and unflappable defense attorney—strolls into the grieving law firm with a mind to replace the unfortunate attorney. Little does the firm know that Milton’s plan extends far beyond just becoming a partner.
526 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2015
18 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Neiderman
74 books392 followersAndrew Neiderman is the author of over 44 thrillers, including six of which have been translated onto film, including the big hit, 'The Devil's Advocate', a story in which he also wrote a libretto for the music-stage adaptation. One of his novels, Tender Loving Care, has been adapted into a CD-Rom interactive movie.
Andrew Neiderman became the ghostwriter for V.C. Andrews following her death in 1986. He was the screenwriter for Rain, a film based on a series of books under Andrews name. Between the novels written under her name and his own, he has published over 100 novels.
Andrew Neiderman became the ghostwriter for V.C. Andrews following her death in 1986. He was the screenwriter for Rain, a film based on a series of books under Andrews name. Between the novels written under her name and his own, he has published over 100 novels.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 27, 2016
“Age is a funny thing. People tend to think it can be measured only by time, but events crowd days into weeks, weeks into months, and months into new years.”
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the Devil's Advocate movie well enough (Pacino is an acting perfection) and I used to read Andrew Neiderman novels as a brooding teenager, so when I saw the 2-1 deal offered at Amazon to not only get the original, but the prequel, I was so in.
At first glance, the writing felt a little awkward and stilted. The opening read like a typical cheesy opening would. It didn't endear me to the book for awhile, but when I finally got through the pacing and accepted the writing style, the story picked up and improved.
The story isn't fully complex, and it still always reads cheesy a bit (what devil doesn't doesn't?). There isn't much creepy or that interesting about backdoor maneuvers to take over a law firm. There aren't any twists and not many surprises either - when deaths happen, it's kind of expected, and no one I was attached to or could give a hoots about anyway.
Characters walked around in stereotypical clothing, but even so, it holds a small charm that cheesy horror books do. By cheese I mean such things as big plot holes and characters that seem to be in the story just to play types - like the detective who used to want to be in seminary and who can supernaturally spot evil somehow. Despite being a plot prop, detective Matthews was probably the best character.
Even if you know it's not award-winning fiction, it can still be a book that's hard to put down. It's like Neiderman struggled to find his footing a bit, but once he did, it was a smooth going walk and the rest of the world just faded away while I sunk into the story.
July 8, 2015
This is my first time reading Neiderman. I have seen and enjoyed the adaptation of The Devil's Advocate with Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves as well as the obscure and excellent Pin with Terry O'Quinn. Judgement Day is the prequel to The Devil's Advocate and I can't say that I enjoyed it. But a story about the devil taking over a NYC law firm that isn't A) scary, B) creepy, C) gory, or D) believable, is going to be a hard sell. Add in the fact, that it actually comes across as a hokey Lifetime movie meets an episode of Law and Order, and you can see the eye rolls from here. The characters were a mess. The execution of the plot was like fast food. Not very interesting and making you wish you'd eaten something else. It was also full of holes. The devil decides he wants to be a lawyer and work his way up from a small town firm to a NYC firm that, oh by the way, he's going to systematically kill off everyone in the firm that stands in his way of taking it over? The detective is a former seminary student that can see evil and the devil and dosn't seem to follow any of the rules any other detective does and NYPD is perfectly fine with that? His newly assigned partner spends the whole book asking him who, what and why he's doing every move he makes and the detective never explains any of it? The new assistant DA is incredibly beautiful, never had time for a guy, falls for the weird detective, insert Harlequin romance scene here, yada, yada, yada. Oh and lets shove a bunch of devil trickery in at the end of the story that no one but the detective can figure out. YAWN. If you're looking for a big chunk of undigestible cheese, here it is. Otherwise, nothing to see here. Move along.
~ I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review ~
2 cheap imitation devil horns out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
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~ I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review ~
2 cheap imitation devil horns out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
TWITTER - @KenMcKinley5
June 14, 2015
A special thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In JUDGEMENT DAY, Andrew Neiderman blows open the doors of The Devil’s Advocate, (1997) his original book, and the explosive major motion picture (amazing), starring Al Pacino (Satan), Keanu Reeves (attorney), and Charlize Theron (wife), with a riveting and twisted prequel, starring an impressive lineup of characters.
Satan (John Milton), is disguised as a good-looking, charming, intelligent attorney, taking over a New York law firm, representing only "the guilty" —and never loses a case. Ironically, with the help of his thugs, an ex-dirty FBI agent, sexy women, and a few supernatural resurrections; he destroys any person who gets in his way, with a devilish smile. Now he is faced with Matthew Blake, a determined clever detective, deeply philosophical, with a religious background, and unusual spiritual insights, determined to bring him down, while saving the beautiful ADA and NYC.
Warner Murphy, GQ, attorney, father and husband; young and driven, is about to become a partner at one of the most prestigious law firms in New York City – Simon and James. He has waited his entire life for this day. He had become something of a New York Star as a trial attorney, and even the DA was trying to get him to change sides. With celebration plans made for the evening, his wife and young daughter leave the twentieth floor Manhattan Upper East Side apartment for the day. However, a few minutes later, a disguised deliveryman has a forty-five turned on him, forcing him on the patio to jump, making it appear as a suicide.
John Milton has a plan in mind, and quickly takes over the dead Murphy’s spot and works his devilish ways into the law firm and the courtroom. He rides around in his black limo with the driver, Charon, always lurking with death in the city, with an array of low life criminals to assist in his evil deeds.
Matthew Blake (what a character), is mysterious, highly intelligent, with legendary track record and a notoriously unorthodox style. He is paired with Detective John Fish (not the sharpest tool in the shed), amazed by Blake’s style and continuously shaking his head, wondering who is this guy, like no other he has ever met. This guy is too well traveled and cultured to be a cop.
Feeding on crime day and night, age thirty-four, handsome, Matthew Blake, is known in the NYPD as the famous Sherlock Holmes when it comes to his determination to solve crimes and bring down the evil in NYC. Matt continued to turn down promotions to take him off the streets; however, Saint Matthew possesses a passion for solving crimes and bringing closure to those who suffers loss. In addition, his religious fervor, left many second guessing his style and his maddening pace. He was like someone who wanted to leave through the fire escape and not the front door. Blake has psychic powers, and lives and breathes his job. Fish is blown away, and continues to question Blake’s line of questioning and thinking.
Matthew knows Warner’s death was no suicide, and shortly thereafter a string of deaths occur, always at the exact time something big is coming down. Warner was the defendant’s attorney of a high profile case about to go to trial. Someone hated Warner for defending the accused killer. Matthew knows John Milton has to be Satan himself and he will not stop until he is destroyed.
In the meantime, ADA, Michele Armstrong has only been on the team for more than three weeks with some impressive convictions under her belt. Her driving ambition was supported by her parents; however, when she moved to the big city she decided to move in with her aunt Eve, her mother’s eccentric older sister. Widowed with no children, she owned a loft apartment in SoHo and she was quite entertaining. Ever since she and her husband had been in a horrendous car accident, which took her husband’s life and left her in a coma for nearly two weeks, she had been quite spiritual, and for the last four years she had been a practicing psychic. Michele loves living with her as she was always full of positive energy to ward off evil.
When Michelle goes up against the new attorney John Milton, he destroys everything she has done to build a case. She turns to Matthew for help and strategy. However, when an inside source at the law firm winds up dead, the same funeral parlor handles all the cremations and some mysterious person is picking up the urns, and Michelle takes off in a limo with the devil himself, Matthew will not stop until he gets to the bottom of the mystery and murders. There is a dark spirit lurking and Eve and Matthew seem to be the only one on the right track.
Will Milton’s sadistic ways, get to Michelle, before he destroys her and will Matthew arrive in time to stop an assignation? Everything Milton does in one way or another is a mockery of scripture. Does everyone think Matthew is paranoid and cynical when he continues to reiterate: “The devil’s greatest asset is the fact that so many don’t believe he literally exists?”
JUDGEMENT DAY, a psychological crime thriller of good versus evil, leaving you dying to see this spine curling scene, played out on the big screen--a thriller you will never forget. Matthew, a dynamic new character will be an exciting new addition for the upcoming TV series for NBC. Looking forward to seeing the cast of stars.
Fans of legal, crime, psycho, mystery, horror, and the supernatural will enjoy the suspenseful prequel, as well as fans of The Devil’s Advocate and The Godfather. Look forward to reading The Terrorist’s Holiday 3/10/15.
JDC Must Read Books
In JUDGEMENT DAY, Andrew Neiderman blows open the doors of The Devil’s Advocate, (1997) his original book, and the explosive major motion picture (amazing), starring Al Pacino (Satan), Keanu Reeves (attorney), and Charlize Theron (wife), with a riveting and twisted prequel, starring an impressive lineup of characters.
Satan (John Milton), is disguised as a good-looking, charming, intelligent attorney, taking over a New York law firm, representing only "the guilty" —and never loses a case. Ironically, with the help of his thugs, an ex-dirty FBI agent, sexy women, and a few supernatural resurrections; he destroys any person who gets in his way, with a devilish smile. Now he is faced with Matthew Blake, a determined clever detective, deeply philosophical, with a religious background, and unusual spiritual insights, determined to bring him down, while saving the beautiful ADA and NYC.
Warner Murphy, GQ, attorney, father and husband; young and driven, is about to become a partner at one of the most prestigious law firms in New York City – Simon and James. He has waited his entire life for this day. He had become something of a New York Star as a trial attorney, and even the DA was trying to get him to change sides. With celebration plans made for the evening, his wife and young daughter leave the twentieth floor Manhattan Upper East Side apartment for the day. However, a few minutes later, a disguised deliveryman has a forty-five turned on him, forcing him on the patio to jump, making it appear as a suicide.
John Milton has a plan in mind, and quickly takes over the dead Murphy’s spot and works his devilish ways into the law firm and the courtroom. He rides around in his black limo with the driver, Charon, always lurking with death in the city, with an array of low life criminals to assist in his evil deeds.
Matthew Blake (what a character), is mysterious, highly intelligent, with legendary track record and a notoriously unorthodox style. He is paired with Detective John Fish (not the sharpest tool in the shed), amazed by Blake’s style and continuously shaking his head, wondering who is this guy, like no other he has ever met. This guy is too well traveled and cultured to be a cop.
Feeding on crime day and night, age thirty-four, handsome, Matthew Blake, is known in the NYPD as the famous Sherlock Holmes when it comes to his determination to solve crimes and bring down the evil in NYC. Matt continued to turn down promotions to take him off the streets; however, Saint Matthew possesses a passion for solving crimes and bringing closure to those who suffers loss. In addition, his religious fervor, left many second guessing his style and his maddening pace. He was like someone who wanted to leave through the fire escape and not the front door. Blake has psychic powers, and lives and breathes his job. Fish is blown away, and continues to question Blake’s line of questioning and thinking.
Matthew knows Warner’s death was no suicide, and shortly thereafter a string of deaths occur, always at the exact time something big is coming down. Warner was the defendant’s attorney of a high profile case about to go to trial. Someone hated Warner for defending the accused killer. Matthew knows John Milton has to be Satan himself and he will not stop until he is destroyed.
In the meantime, ADA, Michele Armstrong has only been on the team for more than three weeks with some impressive convictions under her belt. Her driving ambition was supported by her parents; however, when she moved to the big city she decided to move in with her aunt Eve, her mother’s eccentric older sister. Widowed with no children, she owned a loft apartment in SoHo and she was quite entertaining. Ever since she and her husband had been in a horrendous car accident, which took her husband’s life and left her in a coma for nearly two weeks, she had been quite spiritual, and for the last four years she had been a practicing psychic. Michele loves living with her as she was always full of positive energy to ward off evil.
When Michelle goes up against the new attorney John Milton, he destroys everything she has done to build a case. She turns to Matthew for help and strategy. However, when an inside source at the law firm winds up dead, the same funeral parlor handles all the cremations and some mysterious person is picking up the urns, and Michelle takes off in a limo with the devil himself, Matthew will not stop until he gets to the bottom of the mystery and murders. There is a dark spirit lurking and Eve and Matthew seem to be the only one on the right track.
Will Milton’s sadistic ways, get to Michelle, before he destroys her and will Matthew arrive in time to stop an assignation? Everything Milton does in one way or another is a mockery of scripture. Does everyone think Matthew is paranoid and cynical when he continues to reiterate: “The devil’s greatest asset is the fact that so many don’t believe he literally exists?”
JUDGEMENT DAY, a psychological crime thriller of good versus evil, leaving you dying to see this spine curling scene, played out on the big screen--a thriller you will never forget. Matthew, a dynamic new character will be an exciting new addition for the upcoming TV series for NBC. Looking forward to seeing the cast of stars.
Fans of legal, crime, psycho, mystery, horror, and the supernatural will enjoy the suspenseful prequel, as well as fans of The Devil’s Advocate and The Godfather. Look forward to reading The Terrorist’s Holiday 3/10/15.
JDC Must Read Books
January 26, 2023
I hope Neiderman was paid well for this because it reads as though $$$ are the only reason it was written. The characters are flat and the plot predictable. All in all, it feels forced.
August 4, 2015
In a universe designed with natural and supernatural laws, there is no such thing as a coincidence…
Detective Blake has a special gift that benefits him in seeing what others may not see. A feeling, an intuition, knowledge of the dark side. Called to an apparent suicide, he strongly suspects something more sinister. The victim, an upcoming lawyer who has everything to live for has fallen to his death. Digging further, he uncovers that the victim a defense lawyer is representing a killer; does this client have something to do with his death? Another lawyer John Milton is brought into the firm and seamlessly takes over the victim’s caseload and seems to know deeper issues of the case than was first realized. With the help of the prosecuting attorney, Blake goes deeper; he uncovers a satanic plot that is bigger and more ominous than first believed. Realizing that a satanic realm is at play, he warns his partner and prosecuting attorney Michelle what is at stake. As Milton manipulates all those he comes into contact with, no one is quick to believe that Milton is the devil himself and evil continues to run its course.
I have to say the author gives a good take on evil. He gives the devil great power but is quick to point out that Satan deceives by imitating the truth The ending was disconnected for me. However, overall, it was edge of your seat read .
A Special Thank You to Gallery, Threshold Pocket Books and Netgalley for ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Detective Blake has a special gift that benefits him in seeing what others may not see. A feeling, an intuition, knowledge of the dark side. Called to an apparent suicide, he strongly suspects something more sinister. The victim, an upcoming lawyer who has everything to live for has fallen to his death. Digging further, he uncovers that the victim a defense lawyer is representing a killer; does this client have something to do with his death? Another lawyer John Milton is brought into the firm and seamlessly takes over the victim’s caseload and seems to know deeper issues of the case than was first realized. With the help of the prosecuting attorney, Blake goes deeper; he uncovers a satanic plot that is bigger and more ominous than first believed. Realizing that a satanic realm is at play, he warns his partner and prosecuting attorney Michelle what is at stake. As Milton manipulates all those he comes into contact with, no one is quick to believe that Milton is the devil himself and evil continues to run its course.
I have to say the author gives a good take on evil. He gives the devil great power but is quick to point out that Satan deceives by imitating the truth The ending was disconnected for me. However, overall, it was edge of your seat read .
A Special Thank You to Gallery, Threshold Pocket Books and Netgalley for ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
September 26, 2022
Enjoyed but in need of a sequel
Characters were really placeholders for good and evil. Conflict was dual: superpowers and lack of belief in the presence of personification of evil in ordinary life. Conflict within certain characters to give them depth.
Characters were really placeholders for good and evil. Conflict was dual: superpowers and lack of belief in the presence of personification of evil in ordinary life. Conflict within certain characters to give them depth.
September 29, 2022
Another page turner!
Andrew Neiderman always has me on the edge of my seat… I just couldn’t put Judgement Day down. A prequel to one of my favorite stories, Devil’s Advocate, I am thrilled to know there is so much more to come.
Andrew Neiderman always has me on the edge of my seat… I just couldn’t put Judgement Day down. A prequel to one of my favorite stories, Devil’s Advocate, I am thrilled to know there is so much more to come.
July 1, 2015
Our protagonist, Lt. Matthew Blake, is someone that most readers will love, he’s honest, intelligent and has a good insight, that lets him know that is ideas are more than a hunch and it is this combination that make him a good detective. His methods are somewhat unorthodox, which can cause difficulties with coworkers and superiors, but his results are unquestionable. When Warner Murphy, a young, successful attorney is found dead Blake knows that it is not a suicide as everyone assumes and he’s determined to solve the murder. This is a fast paced psychological mystery with supernatural aspects and fans of The Devil’s Advocate will enjoy this prequel novel. The question is who can play a younger John Milton and do the role as well as Al Pacino? Since he is Satan it doesn’t matter if they look the same, after all the devil can change his appearance, but Pacino really made you believe he was Satan and the actor that plays him if this movie is made must be able to make us believe that he’s the same demon.
4.25/5 STARS: **I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**
4.25/5 STARS: **I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**
June 8, 2015
I would like to thank Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and NetGalley for providing me with an electronic copy of this book to review. When a young attorney poised to be a full partner after only seven years is found dead on the sidewalk far below his apartment, it is soon surmised that all is not what it appears to be. In the tradition of the television series Law and Order, Judgement Day takes the reader on the journey from discovery to punishment. By far and away, the best thing about this book is the main character, Lieutenant Matthew Blake. His intelligence, integrity, and insight make him an ideal detective and his compassion for his fellow man is boundless. His instincts are more than just hunches - Matthew seems to be plugged into something that the rest of his coworkers cannot see. The biggest problem that I had with this book is that John Milton seems to be evil for evil's sake. It seems like he has no motivation for his actions, beyond the pleasure that he derives from it. With an unexpected twist at the ending, Judgement Day reaches an exciting conclusion. Although this is the first Andrew Neiderman book that I have read, it most certainly will not be my last.
November 11, 2022
Not as good as The Devil's Advocate, but still a decent read. It became a little unhinged towards the end which was a bit frustrating. Good and/or truth can be just as powerful...if not more powerful than evil and deceit. But by the end of this story, good/truth almost resembles a manic episode...which was a bit frustrating...but still a good read.
November 30, 2015
Pretty good book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews