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Judge and Jury

by James Patterson and Andrew Gross



      FBI agent Nick Pellisante has been building a case against Mob boss Dominic Cavello, the Electrician, for years. The case against him is finally coming to trial. Among the jury selected is Andie DeGrasse, an aspiring actress and the single mother of nine-year-old Jarrod.

Several of Cavello's former henchmen are "persuaded" to testify against him with stories of brutal murders and tortures ordered by Cavello. Pellisante takes the stand to describe how two of his colleagues were struck down in Cavello's attempt to escape. All the testimony portrays Cavello as a cold and savage killer. The verdict seems within reach.

Cavello has hired Richard Nordeshenko, a methodical and calculating killer, to make sure the trial never concludes. Nordeshenko carries out his plot by planting a bomb on the bus carrying the jury to lunch. Cavello escapes custody and flees from the country. Andie and Nick resolve to do what the legal system has failed to do. They pursue him to "the end of the world."

Judge and Jury is a quick read with Patterson's usual short chapters. His collaboration with Andrew Gross is a successful one. The action is fast-paced with unexpected twists and a satisfying ending, with a sense of justice served. There are only four main characters whose actions are thoroughly portrayed. The scene of Pellisante's pursuit of Cavello at "the end of the world" is exciting and graphic with a surprise ending.

Judge and Jury is an enjoyable read which I found suspenseful and, as usual with Patterson, well written. But I must admit that enjoyable as it is, it also was forgettable after a few days. Save your $27.95 and find the book in your local library...

The Book

Little, Brown / Hachette Book Group
July 31,2006
Hardcover
0316013935
Suspense
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Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Barbara Buhrer
Reviewed 2006
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© 2006 MyShelf.com