The Judge

by Farin Powell

“Powell opens her novel with a bang, depicting the abduction almost as soon as the narrative begins. The story is impressive in the way it shifts readers’ sympathies … a gem of a legal thriller, full of plot twists and juicy secrets.” —Kirkus Reviews “Powell’s third novel, a legal thriller, reveals the complexities and tragedies of our criminal justice system. It shows how a series of unexpected events can force a law abiding individual to choose a criminal path. The story in this fast-paced novel will stay with the reader forever.” —Focus On Women Magazine From the courtroom to the kidnappers’ lair, Powell keeps the excitement in tune with a pitch-perfect delivery of realistically motivated characters and a nonstop series of powerfully tense situations. There is no lag in the book, from the opening pages depicting the kidnapping to the thrilling conclusion. ROSE GARRETT —Clarion Reviews As Judge Walter McNeil heads home from Washington, DC’s Superior Court, he is preoccupied with the triple-murder case assigned to him. But everything changes when a car pulls up next to him and a man asks for directions. Seconds later, McNeil is pushed into the backseat of the car, knocked unconscious, and whisked away into uncertainty. McNeil’s kidnappers are three ex-convicts whose lives have been ruined by the judge’s harsh sentences. Out for revenge, they feed the judge drugs, repeatedly threaten his life, and then imply they have his teenage daughter, Daphne, who disappeared four years earlier. After they tell him at gunpoint that he must rule favorably on a defense attorney’s motions in the triplemurder case, McNeil has no idea his ordeal is just beginning. Before it is over, the judge’s life will be turned upside down. Now it is up to criminal defense attorney Amanda Perkins and detective Aristo Manfredi to partner together in a race against time to unravel the clues and hopefully save the judge from a fate he never could have imagined. In this legal thriller, a judge is kidnapped and thrust into the midst of a twisted web that intertwines him with the lives of three ex-convicts and the mystery surrounding his missing daughter.

Genres: Crime

332 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2016

About the author

Farin Powell practices law in Washington, DC. In addition to many legal publications, she has published short stories and poems in various literary magazines and poetry anthologies. She is the author of the book of poetry A Piece of Heaven and the novel Two Weddings.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A masterful exploration of humanity.

This is a very interesting read, and one that I found myself enjoying...the story itself is compelling and plausible, despite being unlikely. And within the unique plot, Powell offers an insider's view of the court system -- giving equal weight to the good and bad while highlighting some interesting observations of the human condition, and how every action can be seen in shades of gray. We often feel that certain decisions are isolated, but Powell shows that even the smallest detail can have enormous repercussions decades later. Ultimately, The Judge is a masterful exploration of humanity, our decisions, our motivations, and how our circumstances dictate our future.

[Paula Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome legal novel

This is the first book I have read by this author. The book is a real page Turner. It keeps your interest beginning on page 1 until the end. I look forward to reading more of his books.

[Patti Levenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out strong...

I was not familiar with the author but the title caught my attention. I enjoy reading legal crime thrillers and Mysteries so I thought I would give it a try. The ending was very disappointing in my opinion. I finished one of the last pages thinking that there was another short paragraph at least but there was a page regarding one of the previous characters named Darnell and at the end of that page it was just cut off. You don't know anything about the guy following Darnell or what it means and you know if the judge becomes an arbitrator. And you don't know what haha opens with the judge's daughter. There are too ma any loose ends. Oh, and not forget the letter the sister sent to the police. Is there another book?

[Rose Langill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book, I found it's a realistic story (could see it really happening) Loved that part of the story was a case before a Judge. With all the secrets and relationships I was really into the characters. I can see a second book to make this a series.

[JEAN H MCKILLOP · Rating 5 out of 5]

bizzare!

you may accept life as full and good, but that is from your line of sight. others see from a different angle!

[Trevor M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for the free book that I won at Goodreads. This book started out strong and finished strong. A little slow in the middle, but stay with it because it is well worth the read.

[Joanne Starr · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a waste

I gave up 25% into the book.
The plot had potential but the execution was incredibly sloppy. The book wanders all over the place, skipping around in an incoherent timeline. The reader has to guess when the "action" is taking place.
A quarter of the way in, I sidetracked to the Amazon reviews and discovered many readers said the ending was disappointing. Since I was already disappointed, I decided to pack it in. Far too many good books out there to waste any more time with this one. Too bad.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time I've read this author's book.
I didn't want it to end.
Just enough detail of how the different sizes state's court systems work.
I'll certainly be reading more of his books.

[Jean Mckey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read

Had me from the word go , wide open all the way more twists and turns had to go back a few times to reread a page.

[Lynn Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynnie

Really enjoyed this book. Fast paced, a lot of surprising turn of events. Enjoy the characters and easy reading.
Can’t wait to read more.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fitting in a quick read to get tired and ended up finishing it! Liked this one with it's rollercoaster of emotions.

[lenora crenshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twists and turns

One must assume there is a sequel to this novel as it is left with so many unresolved issues hanging in the wind

[Hamdy Elwany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to read if you have some extra time

The novel is entertaining. However; we can not consider it a well built legal thrillers. It is OK to read.

[martin bradbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent fast moving good story line enjoyed it from page one to the end

New author for me, recommended to me from Amazon you might like and I did. Lawyers, interesting characters beside them middle of story is a court case, very well done, much more too. Again it was very good.Give it a try!!

[GrnEyed · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I started reading The Judge by Farin Powell I had a hard time putting it down. This book had everything. A judge, Walter McNeil, who is hard as nails on the criminals and attorneys, that come before him. He’s also a man suffering from the loss of his wife and the disappearance of his only daughter.

There is also criminal defense attorney Amanda Perkins who loathes judge McNeil. She does her best to help her clients and sometimes her efforts land her in contempt of court when before judge McNeil. Throw into the mix detective Aristo Manfredi. He is often in the courtroom getting cross examined by Amanda Perkins. Despite being on opposite sides in the courtroom, Manfredi is quite taken with Amanda Perkins.

Life for all three of these people changes dramatically when Judge McNeil is kidnapped. His kidnappers are three former defendants brought before him. Each of the kidnappers had been found guilty and ended up serving time. Kidnapping the judge was their way to prevent another young soul from having his life forever altered all while getting revenge.

Through some quick thinking, Judge McNeil is able to leave clues to let people know he was kidnapped. For once, Amanda Perkins and Aristo Manfredi must work together to find the judge and save his life. In the process, the truth will be revealed regarding his daughter’s disappearance. The action in fast paced in this book and the twists were not always something I anticipated.

This book is far more than a legal thriller. It’s about more than a judge getting kidnapped. It’s about friendship, family, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to protect their most valued relationships. It’s also a book about pain, heartache, loss, and doing the unimaginable. I do hope a follow-up book is coming out so I can read more about these fascinating characters.

[andrea wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unbelievable

I think the entire premise that once they discover the accused is a judge and had been kidnapped is not reality. I doubt first degree murder charges would be brought.

[Attila M Antal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Farin Powell is a leach and her book is a bad story!

This is trash! I am very sorry that i paid money for it! I hope she has finished writing books.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read a crime thriller in awhile and found this one to be entertaining. There were times that I found myself a bit lost with the story line. The author did a great job at leaving little tidbits throughout the novel and fully bringing everything together. There is quite a bit of detail and the reader can definitely see not only how the judge has gotten to the point he has, but how things have escalated to his kidnapping. The touch of violence, romance and thrill of finding out what happens kept me wanting to read more. Of course with most books I've read the ending leaves you wanting more and hoping for a sequel. The book overall was well written, but I felt at times that there was so much packed into one novel that it could have been a little more spread out. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys something in the legal-thriller genre.

[roseweininger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring Characters

I had to force myself to finish this book. The characters were too trite & predictable. It's hard to put my finger on what was wrong but it didn't suck me in & I felt no emotional involvement with the book. Sorry Farin, I probably won't be reading anymore of your books, but I did give you a shot.

[Marci Kimball · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book..........but the ending????????? I despise authors who do this "market manipulation" Crap!!!!!

Great book. Well written, but the open ending, without a "sequel" @is unacceptable to me!!!!!!!!kIt am done with this author!

[Kathleen Varga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would definitely recommend this book by Farin Powell. There are many suspenseful twists and turns. It kept me up late until I could reach the ending. Then I wanted more. I am hopeful there will be a sequel. This book was won from Goodreads.

[Den]

What I will say is that this book had more twists and turns then a tornado. Farin Powell, does a great job of keeping you guessing on a few different fronts and lets you in on the truth in due time.

I will be reading more by Powell

[Craig Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Redemption

This is a flawed novel with some charm, but a lot of holes. The legal story is contrived for dramatic effect, the ending is weird. A good story, could have been better.

[Gina Levert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many story lines

I got lost with all the side stories popping up. The author tried to go too far with the book. Stay with one story.

[Bernadine Pruden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This book is a very good read. It had everything excitement, heartache, suspense and in reality you reap what you sew And it's not that easy to live and forget.

[Amena (Nerd in New York) · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I finnaly finished this, and I'm amazed! This was a good read for a crime book. I loved all the action, and little twists, and turns.

[Glenda Bixler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a legal thriller!

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[Steve Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read

Interesting even if a bit hard to follow at times. I would recommend for the casual layer/Judge novel reader and enthusiasts.

[David Berkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Strong plot and twists throughout. Powell keeps the pages turning until the end. Hopefully other books are as exciting to read

[Kathryn Ottele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

This story was very interesting with a great plot. It is well written which kept me engrossed in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this!