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Paul Madriani #6
The Jury
Paul Madriani takes on the case of Dr. David Crone, a respected geneticist accused of murdering his young colleague. An incriminating note left behind by a dead key witness seems to confirm Crone's innocence. But when Madriani hits upon a scandal from Crone's past, an ethical nightmare dangles in front of his face: the possibility of defending a guilty client ...
319 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 25, 2001
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About the author
Steve Martini
96 books696 followersSteven Paul "Steve" Martini is an American writer of legal novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
February 19, 2026
“A major scientific merger, a kind of synergy … of nanotechnology and molecular electronics …” with genetics used as software!
Pretty heady stuff, “new modalities of treating diseases”, “a genetic gold rush” with “hundreds of billions of dollars at stake”! You’d think that technology like this could serve as the basis for a pretty nifty legal or suspense thriller with so much of that prime mover (money, of course) at stake. But the reality is that THE JURY was at best a workmanlike procedural that failed to ignite my interest the way so many of Steve Martini’s past Paul Madriani thrillers did.
When I finished the book, I immediately posted my 3-star rating with no small measure of disappointment. A little over a week later, when I sat down to prepare my detailed review, I was shocked to realize that I recalled virtually nothing about any details of the plot on which I might pass comment. All I’m left with is the realization that my initial rating of THE JURY as nothing more than a moderate passable read must have been right on.
Paul Weiss
Pretty heady stuff, “new modalities of treating diseases”, “a genetic gold rush” with “hundreds of billions of dollars at stake”! You’d think that technology like this could serve as the basis for a pretty nifty legal or suspense thriller with so much of that prime mover (money, of course) at stake. But the reality is that THE JURY was at best a workmanlike procedural that failed to ignite my interest the way so many of Steve Martini’s past Paul Madriani thrillers did.
When I finished the book, I immediately posted my 3-star rating with no small measure of disappointment. A little over a week later, when I sat down to prepare my detailed review, I was shocked to realize that I recalled virtually nothing about any details of the plot on which I might pass comment. All I’m left with is the realization that my initial rating of THE JURY as nothing more than a moderate passable read must have been right on.
Paul Weiss
November 6, 2009
This one moved a little slower than usual, so it got 3 stars. But it was still a good read. I was pleased because I *knew* who did it...and then I got to the end and was proven wrong. This is why I like Martini's books so much. I can't always tell who the killer is and I like it because so often I have mysteries figured out in the first couple chapters. That gets boring. So Martini generally keeps me guessing.
Anyway, I thought it was a little slower than usual because there was so very little actual court time. I like the court scenes in Martini's books the best. It's fun to see Madriani really get on a roll. Harry Hinds is, as always, a fun sidekick kind of character, snarky and fiesty.
One thing that did bug me about this book, though--why the frak is it called The Jury? There was hardly any court time, no time at all with the jury or any one specific juror. None of the jurors were even mentioned by name. I just thought it was a weird title for a book that had nothing to do with a jury. Oh well! An anachronism.
Anyway, I thought it was a little slower than usual because there was so very little actual court time. I like the court scenes in Martini's books the best. It's fun to see Madriani really get on a roll. Harry Hinds is, as always, a fun sidekick kind of character, snarky and fiesty.
One thing that did bug me about this book, though--why the frak is it called The Jury? There was hardly any court time, no time at all with the jury or any one specific juror. None of the jurors were even mentioned by name. I just thought it was a weird title for a book that had nothing to do with a jury. Oh well! An anachronism.
July 22, 2010
Not as dry as some, but still lacks zest and suspense...
We liked Martini's first novel ("Simeon Chamber"), but found another of his non-series books, "The List", as well as "The Attorney", a Paul Madriani story, to be pretty dry going. Before we gave up on the author, we thought we'd try one more in the defense attorney Madriani series. Defending Dr. David Crone, a geneticist, charged with murdering a colleague, the trial scenes which dominate much of the book held our attention reasonably well while further clues and developments unfolded outside the courtroom. The interludes with Madriani and his sidekick Harry Hinds are also mildly entertaining. Finally, when a key witness apparently commits suicide, the prosecution's case is in jeopardy, leading to a rather surprising outcome near the end. (We also agree with numerous other reviewers that the title is a misnomer...)
We wish we could put a finger on what's wrong with Martini's books. While he crafts a good enough plot, either he just can't handle 300+ pages without going bone-dry or he just doesn't have the knack for sustaining suspense for more than a few chapters at a time. Compared to others in this genre, we would be hard pressed to label Martini's books "thrillers"; decent mysteries is about the highest praise we can muster. As our closing argument, we feel we just might be better off uncovering some new lawyers turned writers, and suggest Martini go back to court in real life.
We liked Martini's first novel ("Simeon Chamber"), but found another of his non-series books, "The List", as well as "The Attorney", a Paul Madriani story, to be pretty dry going. Before we gave up on the author, we thought we'd try one more in the defense attorney Madriani series. Defending Dr. David Crone, a geneticist, charged with murdering a colleague, the trial scenes which dominate much of the book held our attention reasonably well while further clues and developments unfolded outside the courtroom. The interludes with Madriani and his sidekick Harry Hinds are also mildly entertaining. Finally, when a key witness apparently commits suicide, the prosecution's case is in jeopardy, leading to a rather surprising outcome near the end. (We also agree with numerous other reviewers that the title is a misnomer...)
We wish we could put a finger on what's wrong with Martini's books. While he crafts a good enough plot, either he just can't handle 300+ pages without going bone-dry or he just doesn't have the knack for sustaining suspense for more than a few chapters at a time. Compared to others in this genre, we would be hard pressed to label Martini's books "thrillers"; decent mysteries is about the highest praise we can muster. As our closing argument, we feel we just might be better off uncovering some new lawyers turned writers, and suggest Martini go back to court in real life.
June 14, 2008
I wonder if Martini ever had a client he liked. It seems as if all of the clients that Paul Madriani and Harry Hinds deal with are arrogant snobs of one sort or another. This time, a genetics scientist is accused of murdering a colleague. The mystery advances slowly through the legal wrangling, and the mystery, once resolved make sense. As usual, Martini leaves the reader sitting there saying, "duh.. all the clues were there!" along with the requisite red herrings. This makes for a good reading, but once more, not necessarily anything exceptional.
Martini writes fine legal thrillers-- but his characters lack dimension. Martini has a lot in common with John Lescroart, except Lescroart's characters have life, emotions, feelings, etc.
Once again, this was a good read, but not exceptional.
Martini writes fine legal thrillers-- but his characters lack dimension. Martini has a lot in common with John Lescroart, except Lescroart's characters have life, emotions, feelings, etc.
Once again, this was a good read, but not exceptional.
January 1, 2020
I've been trying to read through the books on my bookshelves, and I found this one that belongs to my husband, before realizing I had read another in this series earlier in the year. I like this Paul Madriani installment much more that the one I previously read. While it was slower paced, I thought the attention to the court process and the manner in which the facts surrounding the murder came to light was intriguing. This was a fairly easy read, but good enough that I would read another (if I happen to stumble across a third in our little library!). Three stars.
November 7, 2021
The Jury was another exciting Paul Madriani legal thriller. I really enjoy Steve Martini’s writing he knows how to keep a story moving. And he got me with the red herrings this time, I did not figure things out till the big reveal. That was a delight.
December 2, 2022
A good courtroom drama that is a little choppy because, seemingly, every new chapter introduces a new witness or a new aspect to the case. Research scientist is accused of murdering his assistant and is not very forthcoming to his lawyers. I believe the title refers to the fact that Madriani acts as the jury towards his troubled friend at the surprise ending.
October 23, 2013
Today I finished THE JURY by Steve Martini, a legal novel I read in 8 days, sticking with it to the end to learn the final ruling. Paul Martini represents Dr. David Chrone, a professor in molecular electronics at a university, charged with the murder of Dr. Kalista Jordan, a doctor he recently employed, who suffered a painful death by asphyxiation, found dead with cable ties around her neck. Evan Tannery represents Dr. Chrone in Judge Coats courtroom, spends time talking about cable ties, trying to encourage the jury that the candidate who killed Kalista was a doctor since her head stayed on after the killing. Her killing happened shortly after some sensitive papers disappeared from Dr. Chrone's office after crossing several access levels, and the 2 doctors exchanged some unfriendly words after the papers disappeared. Later, the book suggests that Kalista's murder happened to keep her from revealing what she had learned on the job.
Judge Coats lets the counsel know he is aware that they have not revealed all of their secrets. Tannery tells Coats he wants to drop the charges against David Crone who becomes a free man after spending 2 months in jail during the trial.
Judge Coats lets the counsel know he is aware that they have not revealed all of their secrets. Tannery tells Coats he wants to drop the charges against David Crone who becomes a free man after spending 2 months in jail during the trial.
January 19, 2020
The Jury by Steve Martini
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“The Jury,” a legal thriller, was the first novel I’ve read by Steve Martini, and I am planning to read more of his works. 😍
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It was oddly titled The Jury despite the fact that it is not about the jury at all - they are barely mentioned). Like John Grisham, Martini needs to work on his "titles." 😂🙊 Regardless, this book is a sharp, tight legal thriller that has a neat little twist in the end. ⚖️ I loved it! ❤️
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“The Jury,” a legal thriller, was the first novel I’ve read by Steve Martini, and I am planning to read more of his works. 😍
.
It was oddly titled The Jury despite the fact that it is not about the jury at all - they are barely mentioned). Like John Grisham, Martini needs to work on his "titles." 😂🙊 Regardless, this book is a sharp, tight legal thriller that has a neat little twist in the end. ⚖️ I loved it! ❤️
December 13, 2017
Solid legal thriller I know from my days in Bellingham Washington.
November 21, 2025
Found this one at a little free library and I am a sucker for legal/courtroom dramas... I was pleasantly surprised by this one. After a suspenseful opening leading to a murder, we are immediately in the middle of trial and spend a majority of the book in the courthouse. The courtroom scenes and discussions in the judge's chambers were very accurate and believable, both procedurally and substantively. I am impressed by the author's understanding of the rules of evidence! I will say that the title however, is misleading because there is nothing about any of the jurors in the case... The plot was interesting and I was surprised by the reveal, but the non-courthouse scenes were dry and felt off and there were some big plot holes that kept this one from being better. I believe if the book were longer it could have cleaned up a few things that seemed like they were rushed through. The ending was fairly good and satisfying.
July 1, 2017
This was the first Steve Martini book I read. It was a bad choice when I bought it. Would think twice before buying another one. The plot moves so slow that it takes time to get used to it and though the title is "The Jury", there is no jury in this book. Don't know what the author was thinking while naming the book. The entire plot is a bit hard fetched and there is a twist in the climax which is least expected. Was in a bind whether to give two stars or three. Since the book was not so bad as to stop reading, I give it three stars. Some people might like it.
Read
April 11, 2018David Crone is accused of murdering a colleague at a southern California university as the book opens, and it’s up to Paul Madriani and his law partner, Harry Hinds, to clear Crone.
Crone was involved in secretive and controversial genetics research, and his lab partner, Kalista Jordan, accused him of sexual harassment. Not long thereafter, Jordan is found strangled to death, and the killer used industrial cable ties. I’m never again going to see those as harmless. Granted, I’ve not used the really big ones, so I had no idea they had a tensile strength of up to 250 pounds. Yikes!
When a key witness apparently commits suicide, the case becomes increasingly murky. You won’t see the end coming.
Crone was involved in secretive and controversial genetics research, and his lab partner, Kalista Jordan, accused him of sexual harassment. Not long thereafter, Jordan is found strangled to death, and the killer used industrial cable ties. I’m never again going to see those as harmless. Granted, I’ve not used the really big ones, so I had no idea they had a tensile strength of up to 250 pounds. Yikes!
When a key witness apparently commits suicide, the case becomes increasingly murky. You won’t see the end coming.
March 1, 2026
The Jury’s author was new to me, but he is not Grisham. The story bogged down most of the way with too many courtroom tedious displays. Paul and his partner Harry are defending Crone who’s accused of murdering his co-worker Kalista. A key witness ends up dead and then Paul wonders about his client, doubts answered with a stunning revelation and a shattering climax.
November 26, 2007
Downloaded from Audible.com
Narrator: John Slattery
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio, 2001
Length: 5 hours (abridged)
Publisher's Summary
Lawyer Paul Madriani is called on to defend a brilliant research physician - who just may be a killer - in the most daunting capital case of Madriani's career.
Paul Madriani has ample reason to suspect he's representing a guilty man. Dr. David Crone, a respected medical researcher and principal in mapping the human genome, is charged with the murder of a young colleague: Kalista Jordan, an African-American research physician whose dismembered body was found in a nearby bay.
Madriani's defense is hindered by the secrecy surrounding Crone's research - which has involved his controversial use of genetic racial profiling. The murdered woman had filed charges of sexual harassment against Crone. Paul is left to piece together a defense while Crone and his colleagues conceal parts of the puzzle.
When a key witness for the prosecution ends up dead, Crone's acquittal is all but assured. Paul's nagging doubts concerning his client are answered with a stunning revelation and a shattering climax.
Narrator: John Slattery
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio, 2001
Length: 5 hours (abridged)
Publisher's Summary
Lawyer Paul Madriani is called on to defend a brilliant research physician - who just may be a killer - in the most daunting capital case of Madriani's career.
Paul Madriani has ample reason to suspect he's representing a guilty man. Dr. David Crone, a respected medical researcher and principal in mapping the human genome, is charged with the murder of a young colleague: Kalista Jordan, an African-American research physician whose dismembered body was found in a nearby bay.
Madriani's defense is hindered by the secrecy surrounding Crone's research - which has involved his controversial use of genetic racial profiling. The murdered woman had filed charges of sexual harassment against Crone. Paul is left to piece together a defense while Crone and his colleagues conceal parts of the puzzle.
When a key witness for the prosecution ends up dead, Crone's acquittal is all but assured. Paul's nagging doubts concerning his client are answered with a stunning revelation and a shattering climax.
November 12, 2019
OK - this is the lowest rating I've given a Martini book. Here's why . . .
Too much courtroom dialogue. Two pages of back and forth fine tuning a single question.
I'm not an attorney but there seemed to be a lot of inconsistency in objections and rulings from the bench.
For me the final reveal was too far a stretch although I considered it earlier in the book.
I suspect Penny's diagnosis might be the driving purpose for the story; maybe Martini knows someone with this diagnosis and created the story to give it some needed and deserved publicity.
I'm looking forward to book seven in the series. I hope Martini gets back to basic creativity and imagination and less promotion of a personal, passionate agenda.
Too much courtroom dialogue. Two pages of back and forth fine tuning a single question.
I'm not an attorney but there seemed to be a lot of inconsistency in objections and rulings from the bench.
For me the final reveal was too far a stretch although I considered it earlier in the book.
I suspect Penny's diagnosis might be the driving purpose for the story; maybe Martini knows someone with this diagnosis and created the story to give it some needed and deserved publicity.
I'm looking forward to book seven in the series. I hope Martini gets back to basic creativity and imagination and less promotion of a personal, passionate agenda.
January 28, 2019
This story was good, I guess. My usual criteria for a mystery is whether I can figure out "whodunnit" before they are revealed, and in this case, I didn't, so it SHOULD have been more satisfying. But somehow, it was just a little flat.
A beautiful and brilliant researcher has been murdered and dismembered and the obvious suspect is her supervisor, with whom she has a troubling relationship. She had charged him with sexual harassment and was trying to take his job, but somehow this just doesn't ring true.
There are several stories going on and when they finally converge, we find the real murderer, but somehow, although everything is tied up in a nice red bow, it just isn't satisfying.
A beautiful and brilliant researcher has been murdered and dismembered and the obvious suspect is her supervisor, with whom she has a troubling relationship. She had charged him with sexual harassment and was trying to take his job, but somehow this just doesn't ring true.
There are several stories going on and when they finally converge, we find the real murderer, but somehow, although everything is tied up in a nice red bow, it just isn't satisfying.
May 9, 2020
This was an ok legal drama book about a guy on trial, accused of murdering his colleague, with the possible notice having something to do with research grant funds and controversial scientific research. The story was a bit too slow, though, and didn't dive into the actual science enough to earn a higher rating. The title also has nothing to do with the book. There was a jury mentioned every now and then, but there were no named jurors, no following their discussion of the case, no argument over the verdict.
December 27, 2020
I have liked previous Martini books better than this one. I felt The Jury meandered a bit and did not always hold my attention. It was still a good read and a bit of a surprise at the end. The author clearly researched the field of genetics very thoroughly and taught this reader more about the subject than I cared to learn. But there was a good plot, a good mystery here. Not much concerning a jury, so I'm not sure how well the title applies.
In short, Martini is a good writer but this book was a little uneven, compelling in places, too slow and uninteresting in others. Not his best work.
In short, Martini is a good writer but this book was a little uneven, compelling in places, too slow and uninteresting in others. Not his best work.
February 28, 2013
I don't think I'll read another Steve Martini novel. For one thing, the author's conservative politics shine through in some of the comments made by the protagonist, attorney Paul Madriani. For another, there are plot holes that you could drive a hummer through. And for yet another, much of what is there seems decidedly implausible, especially certain elements of the ending. And all of that is without mentioning the writing, which is full of cliche. So, no more, please.
January 11, 2026
I Have Read Four Out of Six Of The Paul Madriani Series The Jury Did Not Hold The Same Thrill For That The Others Did It Was Too Slow And The Ending Seemed Tacked On And I Have To Say I Really Wish Mr Martini Would Write With A Bigger Font
October 31, 2018
One of an apparent series of novels featuring lawyer Paul Madriani finds him defending a research physician arrested for killing a coworker who apparently stole some important papers from him. Saga also twines around a sick child and her family and their relation to the accused. That's only the beginning.
April 26, 2019
Surprise Ending to this book
I was surprised by the twists. Paul Madriani is defending a brilliant Medical researcher in charges he murdered a young PhD working under him. The secrets his client are keeping him and his superior attitude make it hard to like him. The legal maneuvering keeps you engaged and guessing to the end.
I was surprised by the twists. Paul Madriani is defending a brilliant Medical researcher in charges he murdered a young PhD working under him. The secrets his client are keeping him and his superior attitude make it hard to like him. The legal maneuvering keeps you engaged and guessing to the end.
April 18, 2020
Classic "who done it". Will leave you guessing right until the end. I wondered why he titled the book, The Jury as there's very little interaction or story regarding the jury but more about the life and times of a defense attorney in a very high profile case. That aside, I really enjoyed it. Definitely gave me a an appetite for some more mystery...
December 3, 2021
Steve Martini’s Paul Madriani Series are fast paced legal thrillers with well crafted plots which will have you guessing until the end. Attorney Paul Madriani just seems to attract clients who draw him into mysterious situations that in turn draw Madriani into unraveling the threads to help his clients.
January 7, 2023
Mystery series - Madriani reluctantly decides to defend an acclaimed geneticist for the murder of his associate. Lots of science with even more red herrings. Unlike other books in the series there is a brief reference to a previous book. I found the ending unsatisfying.
No Canadian or pharmacy references.
No Canadian or pharmacy references.
October 19, 2017
Attorney Paul Madriani and his colleague Harry Hinds are defending the head of a research program accused of murdering a young researcher in his department. The case is not going well. The defendant does not seem to grasp the seriousness of the evidence against him.
August 12, 2019
Another Martini masterpiece
Steve Martini delivers yet another skillfully crafted legal work of art, keeping the suspense tight and the villain unknown until the end. Martini never disappoints.
Steve Martini delivers yet another skillfully crafted legal work of art, keeping the suspense tight and the villain unknown until the end. Martini never disappoints.
February 4, 2020
My first Steve martini novel and maybe my last !
The story was a bit boring ... a bit slow ... and missing the reason I picked it up ... courtroom drama ! There was none !
Too bad ! Any suggestions for a thrilling courtroom novels ??
The story was a bit boring ... a bit slow ... and missing the reason I picked it up ... courtroom drama ! There was none !
Too bad ! Any suggestions for a thrilling courtroom novels ??
January 29, 2021
First of all, the plot had almost nothing to do with the jury, so I don't like the title.
Any time I can guess who the murderer is this early, I am disappointed. I've enjoyed other books by this author. In fact, The List was a favorite. Not his best effort.
Any time I can guess who the murderer is this early, I am disappointed. I've enjoyed other books by this author. In fact, The List was a favorite. Not his best effort.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews