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While Justice Sleeps

Stacey Abrams

3.83 · Rating details · 115 ratings · 56 reviews

While Justice Sleeps is a gripping, complexly plotted thriller set within the halls of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Avery Keene, a brilliant young law clerk for the legendary Justice Howard Wynn, is doing her best to hold her life together--excelling in an arduous job with the court while also dealing with a troubled family. When the shocking news breaks that Justice Wynn--the c ...more

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Hardcover, 384 pages

Expected publication: May 25th 2021 by Doubleday (first published May 11th 2021)

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Nov 06, 2020 Matt Chisling (MattyandtheBooks) rated it it was amazing

A Stacey Abrams novel? It could be the word “vote” for 80,000 words and it gets five stars from me.

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Apr 11, 2021 Paromjit rated it it was amazing

Shelves: crime-fiction, mystery, netgalley, thriller

Stacey Abrams, lawyer and Georgia Democratic political rockstar when it comes to voting rights, showcases her ability to write a complex, taut and riveting legal thriller, featuring the extraordinary Avery Keene, a protagonist in the vein of Grisham's Darby Shaw in The Pelican Brief, memorably played by Julia Roberts in the movie. Avery is the law clerk, with an eidetic memory, to the brilliant if cantankerous, Justice Howard Wynn, so often the critical swing vote in the Supreme Court. Her life Stacey Abrams, lawyer and Georgia Democratic political rockstar when it comes to voting rights, showcases her ability to write a complex, taut and riveting legal thriller, featuring the extraordinary Avery Keene, a protagonist in the vein of Grisham's Darby Shaw in The Pelican Brief, memorably played by Julia Roberts in the movie. Avery is the law clerk, with an eidetic memory, to the brilliant if cantankerous, Justice Howard Wynn, so often the critical swing vote in the Supreme Court. Her life becomes a deadly and challenging nightmare when Wynn slides into a coma, apparently he is a sufferer of Boursin's Syndrome, and shockingly he has appointed her his legal guardian with power of attorney. This is an act that enrages the President, Brandon Stokes, and Celeste, Wynn's wife who wants to switch off his life support.

The suspicions of Homeland Security's Major Will Vance and the FBI are aroused, whilst the intense media scrutiny is behind the public shredding of her reputation, discrediting her professionalism, and questioning her integrity, nothing and no-one is off limits, including Avery's drug addict mother, Rita. Aided by Jared, Wynn's estranged son, Noah Fox, Wynn's lawyer, and Dr Ling Yun, her best friend, roommate, and medic, Avery tries to solve the cryptic clues left behind for her by Wynn under the format of a strategic chess match. This leads her to Avtar, a Indian biotech company, and its proposed acquisiton of the American GenWorks that is being virulently opposed by the President, amoral, unethical and deadly genetic experimentation, and political corruption at the highest levels. Furthermore, Avery faces powerfully ruthless political players intent on removing Wynn from the Supreme Court, who are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve this, including murder, and threatening the lives of anyone close to Avery.

Abrams utilises her political and legal background to great effect in this fast paced, compulsive and suspenseful thriller that had me turning the pages as fast as I could to find out how it all ends. I must admit, prior to reading this, I was apprehensive as to whether Abrams would be able to deliver a well written and exciting thriller, I need not have worried in the slightest, this is the work of a able writer. It seems there is no end to the talents of the author, and I loved her capacity to come up with several well plotted, and complex storylines in this enthralling read. This is one I am sure many crime, mystery and thriller readers will love. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC. ...more

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Nov 16, 2020 Max is currently reading it

Shelves: most-anticipated-2021

Even if it wasn't the legend Stacey Abrams writing this book, it still sounds really good. A murder mystery on the Supreme Court? I mean, who wouldn't want to read this? ...more

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Jan 11, 2021 Wendy'sThoughts marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Stacey Abrams Fans, Thriller/Mystery/Suspense

January 11, 2021
Avery Keene Worked...
To Be The One...
To Become The Coveted Law Clerk...
For The Legendary Justice Howard Wynn...

He Was Iconic...
The Cantankerous Swing Vote...
Making His Own Independent Decisions...
On Current High-Profile Cases...

Avery's Position Was Demanding...
And When Justice Wynn Slips Into A Coma...
She Is Stunned To Learn...
He Named Her As...
His Legal Guardian And Power Of Attorney...

Now Avery Is His Only Protector...
She Must Stand Strong Against All...

The Judge Has Left Aver ...more

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Nov 18, 2020 Josh Hedgepeth marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2021-anticipated, thriller-mystery, 2021-most-anticipated

I did not think this was real at first. OMG a thriller from the epic Stacey Abrams. I AM EXCITED!

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Oct 17, 2020 Joyce marked it as to-read

Yes, this is THAT Stacey Abrams! I am looking forward to reading this!

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Nov 13, 2020 Dawn rated it it was amazing

I will be impatiently waiting on this one. THE Stacey Abrams? I can’t wait to read it!

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Jan 26, 2021 Nabila added it

As if the last week wasn’t amazing enough, I received an advanced copy of Stacey Abram’s upcoming release on Inauguration Day. To say that I was SCREAMING would be an understatement. This is a book that I have been anticipating from a woman that can literally do anything.

Stacey Abrams is the kind of inspiration I will carry with me for a lifetime. From celebrated national leader to best-selling author — she makes us all believe we really can do anything. Thank you, for all that you’ve done and n As if the last week wasn’t amazing enough, I received an advanced copy of Stacey Abram’s upcoming release on Inauguration Day. To say that I was SCREAMING would be an understatement. This is a book that I have been anticipating from a woman that can literally do anything.

Stacey Abrams is the kind of inspiration I will carry with me for a lifetime. From celebrated national leader to best-selling author — she makes us all believe we really can do anything. Thank you, for all that you’ve done and now for this book.

In While Justice Sleeps, Abrams brings us an intricately weaved thriller set within the walls of the U.S. Supreme Court. A plot rich, tangled story that literally had me on the edge of my seat.

The story centers around legendary Supreme Court Justice Howard Wynn and a sudden turn of events which leaves his law clerk, Avery Keene, in the center of it all.

This was a fast-paced book that gave me a lot more than what was expected, and I mean this in the best way possible. As a protagonist, Avery is intriguing and also relatable. Abrams has an innate ability to draw a reader into a character’s feelings even if the they are a relatively private. I found this style of writing to be extremely organic and engrossing. With each twist and turn, Avery’s feelings were palpable and also realistic. There were moments that I had to remind myself that this was fiction.

When I say there was a little bit of everything - I mean it. Whether it be the intricacies of a child-parent relationship, loyalties to colleagues, attraction, court room drama, murder, attraction, even chess references...it was ALL there.

The same kind of style flowed with the setting as well. A true D.C. experience with every page turned. I found myself delighted while imagining the inside of the Oval Office, as well as the genuine familiarity of a late night meet-up at Kramer’s.

In addition, there was a big connection to India which I was NOT expecting. As a Desi myself, I was elated about this surprise that wasn’t mentioned in any synopsis or press release that I had read. Oh Stacey Abrams, you knew exactly what this reader was looking for!

This book was absolutely PERFECT for the moment. It gives you an ultimate thriller with a plethora of dimensions and human emotion at the center of it all. I guarantee you will be thinking about it long after you read the last page.

Thank you @doubledaybooks, @penguinrandomhouse, @netgalley, and @staceyabrams for the opportunity to read and review this title to be released on May 11th, 2021 ⚖️🇺🇸 ...more

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Feb 07, 2021 Lucy rated it it was amazing

So good. Could not put it down

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Apr 06, 2021 Mike Hunt rated it did not like it

While justice sleeps we keep counting suitcases.

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Apr 05, 2021 Stephanie rated it really liked it

Stacey Abrams, well-known for her political work in Georgia and an experienced tax attorney IRL, has written When Justice Sleeps, a legal thriller that is complex, clever, and revelatory of the high-stakes political maneuverings in Washington DC (particularly the Supreme Court). The protagonist of this fast-paced thriller is Avery Keene, a brilliant young law clerk working for Justice Howard Wynn, a curmudgeon who is in failing health. Avery is doing her best to hold her life together, working l Stacey Abrams, well-known for her political work in Georgia and an experienced tax attorney IRL, has written When Justice Sleeps, a legal thriller that is complex, clever, and revelatory of the high-stakes political maneuverings in Washington DC (particularly the Supreme Court). The protagonist of this fast-paced thriller is Avery Keene, a brilliant young law clerk working for Justice Howard Wynn, a curmudgeon who is in failing health. Avery is doing her best to hold her life together, working long hours in a demanding job, while dealing with a messy family situation featuring her drug addict mother.

For some reason unknown to Avery, Judge Wynn names her his legal guardian and gives her his power of attorney, so when he falls into a coma, her life gets very messy very quickly. Avery soon discovers that Justice Wynn had been secretly researching a controversial case involving a proposed merger between an American biotech company and a genetics firm in India. The woman representing the Indian firm is an astute observer of US politics: “Despite years in American schools, she still barely understood the deep divisions between the left and right in a country with so little to argue over.” President Stokes is a “shrill xenophobe,” who reveals that to “…maintain the peace, I cater to the far right and cavil to the farther right and pretend to have patience with the weak-willed left. I’ve denounced what I know to be true, all in the name of patriotism and bipartisanship.” (did I mention the author REALLY knows politics?) Stokes is itching to replace Justice Wynn on the bench, but he can’t do that until the Justice resigns or dies.

There is a ton of intrigue as the political wrangling to potentially replace Wynn, and he has entrusted Avery with an incredibly complex puzzle that is designed to lead her to the secrets that he fears will destroy democracy. As Avery unravels the chess-related clues that are the key to finding out what is going on, she realizes that the stakes are even higher than she thought: the medical condition afflicting Wynn might be helped by the results of the merger. The technology and its potential impact are fascinating. The “Science Directorate reveled in developing the type of technology that would have made Bond’s Q envious and a bit intrigued.” Creepily, the research “attempted to manufacture a genetic virus to kill Muslims,” and the interactions between and among both nations and agencies make for a fascinating look at current political intrigue: as one of her potential allies tells her, “I worked for Homeland Security, Avery. We watch everything. Usually, though, no one watches us.”

While Justice Sleeps is a complicated plot, with twists and turns involving interesting characters. Stacey Abrams clearly knows her way around DC, the Court, and chess strategy. TBH, I’m not sure if it was my lack of knowledge about chess that made me think perhaps there was a requirement for occasional willing suspension of disbelief as Avery and Justice Wynn’s son work frantically to unravel the puzzle and unearth the real reasons for the proposed merger and the role played by the President and various representatives of alphabet agencies that are numerous in Washington.

For fans of legal thrillers, puzzles, political intrigue, and intricate plotting, this will be a big hit. I can’t help but wonder when Ms. Abrams finds time to sleep, but this made me admire her even more that I did. Four stars. Very well written and I suspect my rating of fewer than five stars is due to my own lack of knowledge of chess! Many thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for this honest review. Four stars, and I expect we will see more outstanding fiction from Ms. Abrams. ...more

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Mar 23, 2021 Eva rated it really liked it

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m in awe of Stacey Abrams for a multitude of reasons. (Seriously, she’s just the coolest.) I was super excited to hear that she was a fiction writer, and even more excited to get my hands on an ARC of her newest book.

Avery Keene is a young lawyer who beat the odds and worked her way up to a coveted clerkship in the U.S. Supreme Court. She’s very good at her job, although her boss, Justice Wynn, doesn’t seem to thin I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m in awe of Stacey Abrams for a multitude of reasons. (Seriously, she’s just the coolest.) I was super excited to hear that she was a fiction writer, and even more excited to get my hands on an ARC of her newest book.

Avery Keene is a young lawyer who beat the odds and worked her way up to a coveted clerkship in the U.S. Supreme Court. She’s very good at her job, although her boss, Justice Wynn, doesn’t seem to think much of her – or of anyone, really. But one day, when Justice Wynn suddenly falls into a coma under mysterious circumstances, Avery finds out that he has entrusted her not only with his medical power of attorney, but with solving the mystery behind his sudden illness as well. With the possibility of a Supreme Court seat coming into play, and a ruling on high-profile case against a Presidential decision hanging in the balance, Avery quickly finds herself embroiled in a high-stakes game of chess with more than one life on the line.

Abrams excels at not only at plotting a clever story, but also in creating characters that the audience is interested in following, something which legal thrillers too often lack in my opinion. Avery is smart, likeable, and very human. Wynn, for all his cantankerous behavior and many flaws, is someone the audience wants to know more about. Many of the secondary characters are just as complex and interesting. Meanwhile, the plot has enough twists, turns, and brain-teasing mysteries to keep you guessing.

One criticism of something minor that I can’t let slide (sorry, Stacey): The 3rd person omniscient POV is mostly limited to a handful of characters, and usually only one per scene, but occasionally there are random jumps to other characters, for as little as a sentence or two, and these little jaunts into another character’s mind sometimes give too much away. I’d prefer if these little glimpses into what a character is thinking, or what their motivations are, would be conveyed in a more subtle way, or even just left to the imagination. I didn’t feel like I got much of value out of these tiny little POV jumps, and often felt like the story and the writing would have been tighter if I hadn’t known what that person was thinking.

Overall, though the writing lacks the subtlety of a master of the genre, the result is still a tense, intriguing, puzzle-solving thrill ride with high stakes and interesting characters. Plus, I always like to find a book about a badass woman of color, particularly one that’s written by a badass woman of color. Definitely worth a read! ...more

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Mar 12, 2021 ElphaReads rated it really liked it

Shelves: thrillers-adventure-and-suspense, reading-list-2021, mystery

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this novel!

Complex, intricate, and well crafted, WHILE JUSTICE SLEEPS is a legal and political thriller that hits a lot of themes while keeping the action going at a good pace. Although at times I could get confused in some of the more serpentine points of the vast and all encompassing clues and conspiracy, I think that has more to do with me than it does with the plot. I could very easily see a fan of political and legal thrillers with the ...more

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Apr 12, 2021 Patti Murin rated it it was amazing

"While Justice Sleeps" is an absolutely fantastic read. A political thriller (with wrongdoing on both sides of the aisle) and crime mystery all in one, from the very beginning, I was hooked and couldn't put it down until I was finished. Not only is the story fascinating, it's incredibly well written.

Avery is a law clerk to the swing vote of the Supreme Court, who falls into a coma just before deciding on a massive case involving genetic theory and medical science and the merging of two massive ...more

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Apr 12, 2021 Britt added it

Shelves: important-issues, reader-s-advisory, political, mystery, feminist, diversity, thriller, arc, courtroom-dramz

What you need to know going into this book is that it's a legal/political thriller written by Stacey Abrams YES THAT STACEY ABRAMS and no, I don't know when she sleeps. Basically a Supreme Court justice falls into a coma and Avery Keene, his law clerk, is pulled in as the Supreme Court Justice's guardian, which is strange as the Justice had both a living wife and son. So the questions at first are twofold: did someone put him a coma, and why did he put Avery in charge?

Ok, so thrillers are not r ...more

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Feb 15, 2021 Ryann Uden rated it really liked it

Coming May 11, 2021

You might pick up this legal/medical thriller because it’s written by Stacey Abrams, champion for voting rights in Georgia and across the nation. You’ll continue reading, however, once the story draws you in and won’t let you go.

Avery Keene is a law clerk for the demanding Supreme Court Justice Howard Wynn. Justice Wynn is the deciding vote on a case involving a merger between an American biotech company and an Indian genetics company. Before the vote, Wynn is rushed to the ho ...more

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Apr 22, 2021 Alysa rated it it was amazing

Thank you to Doubleday Books for my gifted copy!

When the legendary Justice Howard Wynn falls into a sudden coma, the Supreme Court is left without their critical swing vote ahead of one of the country’s most important biomedical cases. Wynn’s brilliant young law clerk, Avery Keene, is the only one he trusted to unravel the mystery that is slowly revealed to be at the center of it all. As Avery begins to uncover clue after clue, she realizes that Wynn’s carefully constructed game of chess involve ...more

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Mar 21, 2021 Kaye rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, legal-or-thriller, netgalley, spy-or-gov-agency

While Just Sleeps is a twisting, turning complex political and legal thriller. Avery Keene is a law clerk for Justice Howard Wynn. She is brilliant, loyal and has an eidetic memory. Justice Wynn is the swing vote on a controversial case involving merging companies. When he is found collapsed in a coma, no one is more surprised that Avery to find she is his guardian and has his power of attorney. This starts off a series of twists and turns that involves the White House, Homeland Security and the ...more

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Mar 23, 2021 Julie rated it liked it

Well-plotted, plot-driven legal/political thriller with puzzles to be solved, a la Dan Brown or early John Grisham. A Supreme Court justice falls into a coma right before the end of term, leaving a huge case to be heard. Gazillions of dollars are riding on the outcome of this case. Although he has a wife and son, they are not close, and he leaves his power of attorney with one of his law clerks, a young woman who barely knows him and is baffled as to why she was chosen.

Immediately the young law ...more

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Mar 24, 2021 Jane rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, legal-fiction, thriller

While Justice Sleeps is an intricately plotted thriller. Sharp and fast paced, it covers a lot of ground. The author clearly knows her way around DC, the federal government, and the Supreme Court. Main character Avery Keene is biracial and has a drug addict mother, allowing Abrams to touch on issues of race and family, addiction and loss. Avery is smart and capable, and she is surrounded by a small cast of interesting side characters.

I did not feel character development was a great strength of t ...more

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Apr 25, 2021 Kate rated it it was amazing

I received a temporary digital advanced copy of While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams from NetGalley, HarperCollins, and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Justice Howard Wynn falls into a coma and to her and America's astonishment, leaves Power of Attorney to his law clerk, Avery Keene. Justice Wynn leaves behind a trail of clues to assist Keene into finding and exposing the truth of a conspiracy involving the highest officials i ...more

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Feb 03, 2021 Jenn rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc

Avery is one of two clerks for the slightly unhinged Supreme Court Justice Wynn, who is often the tie-breakibg vote. When Wynn's nurse discovers him in distress and he soon slips into a coma, Avery is shocked to discover that he has given her his Power if Attorney. Avery thought he barely tolerated her. But soon she finds out that Wynn has set her on a scavenger hunt for a truth that could upset everything.

Legal thrillers aren't really my thing. I used to read Grisham back in high school, but I' ...more

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Mar 29, 2021 Viccy rated it liked it

Shelves: crime-fiction

Avery Keene is a law clerk for the most irascible judge on the Supreme Court's bench, Justice Howard Wynn. When Justice Wynn falls into a coma, Avery is horrified to learn he appointed her as his guardian, rather than his soon-to-be ex-wife or his estranged son. As Avery tries every legal trick she can muster to get out of this onerous duty, she begins to uncover a conspiracy so vast, it encompasses governments in two countries and the president of the United States. Justice Wynn was the swing v ...more

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Mar 13, 2021 Jill Nathanson rated it really liked it

I'm a huge fan of Stacey Abrams, so I was excited to read a legal thriller by her, and fortunately, she does not disappoint. Avery Keene is a brilliant law clerk for a supreme court justice after an unconventional path to law school. She is a heroine for our times and I hope we see her again in future books. In this one, she is following a political, medical, legal plot, and I loved every part that involved the Supreme Court. She is also smarter than us, think Dan Brown books, so don't expect to ...more

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Mar 14, 2021 Garrett rated it liked it

Liked this, but found it more of a jewel to be examined and passed along than a bauble to be kept and cherished; Stacey Abrams, one of the most intelligent people currently functioning in American political life, has been writing fiction for a while, but those other books were under a pseduonym, and were a completely different kind of this from this. This is more of like, "If Baldacci were a political insider," as it has the same tight narrative and tension of one of those books, but the conspir ...more

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Apr 10, 2021 Tibbi rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2021, advance-reader-copy, arc, thriller, murder, politics, fiction, legal, suspense, genetics

I’m up and down on this one. I love political and legal thrillers and Abrams has a very good handle on the workings and intricacies of the government branches. I accept that it’s quite common to have rather one dimensional characters at the expense of accelerated plot. Avery Keene makes for an interesting protagonist, with plenty of room to develop her character (is this a possible series?). But when we live in a world where the wildest story lines are actually ripped from the headlines and beli ...more

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Apr 25, 2021 Maggie Harris rated it it was amazing

While Justice Sleeps is a cracking on the edge of your seat thriller. Avery a law clerk with an eidetic memory is suddenly thrust into the limelight when Judge Justice Wynn falls into a coma and has named Avery as his legal guardian with power of attorney.
Many are conspiring against this outspoken Judge including his ex wife and the President of the USA. Political corruption, unethical genetic research and murder all come into play in this rollercoaster of a story. Averys life is on the line and ...more

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Mar 25, 2021 Kim McGee rated it really liked it

How well Avery knows her boss will determine the fate of both of them. Avery's boss is a Supreme Court Justice and he is currently in a coma after naming Avery (instead of his wife) as his guardian.
This situation is made more precarious by the fact that the judge is a swing vote in a very important decision before the court. Avery is whip smart and that helps but she gets entangled with bad guys from all sides of the political fence who will stop at nothing to get at the judge through her. Some ...more

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Apr 17, 2021 Carol Ann rated it it was amazing

I was delighted to receive an Advanced Review Copy from NetGalley for this legal/political thriller from Stacey Abrams (yes, that Stacey Abrams). I knew Ms. Abrams had written several romance novels under a nom de plume and had read her non-fiction work but was still pleasantly surprised to discover that her writing in this genre is also excellent. If you like family drama, chess references, bio-tech, and wonkish plots involving the Exon-Florio amendment you will enjoy this book about a young la ...more

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Mar 23, 2021 nihaarika rated it really liked it

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC!

Stacey Abrams is a truly inspirational and remarkable woman and when I heard that she had written a novel (and saw an ARC on NetGalley), I had to request it. And I'm so glad I was granted the copy. While Justice Sleeps is a political thriller; it's not a genre I read a lot of, but this book was certainly enjoyable. At certain points, I felt it was more of an info-dump and had lots of exposition which sort of slowed down the book, but right arou ...more

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About Stacey Abrams

Stacey Abrams

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Stacey Abrams is an American politician, lawyer, author, and businesswoman who was the house minority leader for the Georgia General Assembly and state representative for the 89th House District. She is a Democrat. Abrams is a candidate in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election.

If elected, Abrams will be Georgia's first female governor and the first black female governor in the United States.

Abra Stacey Abrams is an American politician, lawyer, author, and businesswoman who was the house minority leader for the Georgia General Assembly and state representative for the 89th House District. She is a Democrat. Abrams is a candidate in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election.

If elected, Abrams will be Georgia's first female governor and the first black female governor in the United States.

Abrams, one of six siblings, was born to Robert and Carolyn Abrams in Madison, Wisconsin and raised in Gulfport, Mississippi. The family moved to Atlanta where her parents pursued graduate school and later became Methodist ministers. She attended Avondale High School and was the school's first African-American valedictorian. While in high school, she was hired as a typist for a congressional campaign and was later hired as a speechwriter at age 17 based on the edits she made while typing.

In 1995, Abrams earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Political Science, Economics and Sociology) from Spelman College, magna cum laude. While in college, Abrams worked in the youth services department in the office of Atlanta mayor Maynard Jackson. She later interned at the Environmental Protection Agency. As a Harry S. Truman Scholar, she studied public policy at the University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs and went on to earn her J.D. from Yale Law School.

Abrams worked as a tax attorney at the Sutherland Asbill & Brennan law firm in Atlanta, with a focus on tax-exempt organizations, health care and public finance. She was appointed the Deputy City Attorney for Atlanta at age 29.

Abrams co-founded and served as the senior vice president of NOW Corp. (formerly NOWaccount Network Corporation), a financial services firm. She co-founded Nourish, Inc., a beverage company with a focus on infants and toddlers, and is CEO of Sage Works, a legal consulting firm, that has represented clients including the Atlanta Dream of the WNBA.

Abrams has had an extensive writing career, penning several best-selling novels under the nom de plume of Selina Montgomery. Abrams is also the author of 'Minority Leader', a book of leadership advice to be published by Henry Holt & Co. in April 2018. ...more