Customer Reviews

The Justice Game

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(45)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Based on a real-life case attorney Randy Singer tried ten years ago, The Justice Game artfully portrays both sides of the gun rights debate. Interestingly, Singer didn't set out to convert anyone. He told me, "I wanted to write a book so balanced that both sides would look at it and say, `That fairly represents our case.'"

The Justice Game opens in TV news reporter Rachel Crawford's point of view. A crazed gunman named Larry Jamison, the subject of a scathing news report, barges into the studio and shoots Rachel dead. The crime is clearly caught on film, but it's not the killer who ends up in court during The Justice Game. Rachel's grieving husband sues the manufacturer of Jamison's assault weapon for her wrongful death. He believes they are responsible since they knew the gun store who sold the weapon was known for illegal straw sales.

But this story isn't about Rachel as much as it's about young and ambitious defense attorney Jason Noble and up-and-coming prosecutor Kelly Starling. Both believe in their clients. Both are on top of their games. And both have pasts worthy of blackmail. Mix in the intriguing concept of a cutting edge company who predicts the outcome of trials for financial gain using shadow juries, and you have a true Randy Singer plot--full of delightful twists and turns you never saw coming.

Pay careful attention during the beginning chapters. Because so many of these concepts are unfamiliar, and many key players aren't introduced until later in the story, there's the potential for confusion. But there's also a great glimpse into the fascinating aspects of shadow juries and we come to understand why gun control is such a visceral issue to so many. At times you'll find yourself nodding in agreement with the defense as they present their case; then you'll empathize with the prosecution as they present theirs. Which just goes to show Singer has succeeded in what he set out to write--a novel that evenly presented both sides.

The Justice Game doesn't feel like an issue novel. We're never pounded over the head with its message. Instead, we're subtly led to our own conclusions as we examine the facts. Should a gun manufacturer be held responsible for a crime committed with one of their guns?

Before Singer finished writing The Justice Game a four minute interactive promotional video was created that presented the closing arguments of his fictional case. Then readers were asked to cast their vote on the verdict, and that would become the ending of the book. Their decision would be final. According to Randy the side that started out ahead stayed ahead.

Randy singer is one of the best Christian legal thriller writers out there in the purest sense. His complex plot spins and colorful, realistic characters combine to bring us a rich reading experience in The Justice Game.

--Reviewed by C.J. Darlington for TitleTrakk

When I start a Christian mystery, particularly a Christian legal thriller, I really want to love it. I want there to be books in the genres I read with a Christian perspective that are every bit as good as -- or even better -- than the secular versions. I thought the subject matter of the book was very interesting and the author made such an effort to be balanced between the sides. That it was based on a case personal to the author made me look forward to reading it.

But the reason I didn't enjoy it as much as the other reviewers all did is the same reason I quit reading Grisham books -- the over-the-top conspiracy aspect and fairly young attorneys doing things that seem to be beyond their experience. Adding Justice Inc. to the plot taxed my ability to suspend disbelief. I also didn't believe a large firm like Kelly Starling's employer would let an associate do such a high profile case alone, even if it was pro bono. Nor did I think a manufacturer would entrust an extremely inexperienced lawyer like Jason to try a case that could bankrupt them. I can usually overlook one or two unbelievable things in a book but this book had too much for me to suspend disbelief and go with the flow. The book would have been more believable if the lawyers had been more experienced and the case had progressed on a more realistic timetable (unless the courts in Virginia are a lot less busy than those in Minnesota, the case would never have moved that quickly).

I will definitely read more of the author's books but I hope he will try to write more believable courtroom dramas and not throw in artificial thrills.

ETA: I got a comment letting me know that cases in Virginia do move that quickly.

After a tragic shooting on the set of a television news station, two lawyers from two different worlds go head to head to try a gun control case with long lasting implications. While both Jason Noble and Kelly Starling hold nothing back in their quest for justice, it seems outside influences will stop at nothing to get their verdict. Both Jason and Kelly must find a way to try a fair case in the midst of deception, conspiracy, and the public eye.

With The Justice Game, Randy Singer wasn't content to just write another compelling legal thriller. This time around he decided to let his fans decided the verdict in an online poll taken months before publication. An author who lets his fans determine the outcome of his novel? Surely Singer has lost his mind. Well, not only has Randy Singer not lost his mind, but he has given his fans one of his most riveting novels to date.

Singer is always at the top of his game with his ability to throw large chunks of information at his audience while somehow making each line interesting and relevant. Gun control has and always will be a hot topic in our society and Singer gives both sides of the argument equal screen time. The characters of Jason Noble and Kelly Starling are masterfully crafted helping the reader see the issue impartially through their eyes. It's not often that you find a legal thriller where you like both the defense and the prosecution, but Singer uses this storytelling device effectively with strong character back story throughout.

In case the gun control issue isn't enough of a catalyst for a strong story, Singer introduces us to the shady and elusive company, Justice Inc. To give too much detail would spoil the story, but let's just say that Randy Singer has potentially thrown a major wrench into the Justice system with the creation of this fictional company. We can only hope that companies like this remain in the realm of make believe. As frightening as the implications are, Justice Inc. adds another welcome level of depth to this story.

The Justice Game is different from Randy Singer's earlier novels because of the personal nature of this story. Early in his own career, Singer tried a very similar case after a young man gunned down a teacher at the school Randy's kids attended. Thankfully they were not in attendance that day. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Randy Singer in this brave endeavor to tackle difficult subject matter while entertaining at the highest level.

This may be Randy Singer's best book yet. Inspired by true events, though story line is different. The author did something unique. He had his readers vote on the verdict on his website, and went with the majority.
A young pregnant woman is killed with an illegally-purchased gun. The grieving husband sues the gun manufacturer, claiming they knew the gun store sold guns illegally.

I am all for the second amendment and against gun control, but the author did such a tremendous job of showing both sides, I didn't know how I wanted the verdict to come out. I felt for the grieving husband, but yet, was it right to sue the gun manufacturer? To add to the mix, the lawyers for both sides were likable in their own way.

There were some unexpected twists and turns. Blackmail of both lawyers, a kidnapping, and attempted murder. Want to know who wins? Read the book.
:-)
If you like John Grisham, check out Randy Singer, especially his new book. He gives Grisham a run for his money, and there is no cursing.

I actually borrowed this book as nothing more than a test. Just a random book to see how the lending system worked. But because the product description intrigued me I started reading, and I had a very hard time putting it down again.
Having been a fan of John Grisham for such a long time, I must admit that I am perhaps favorably predisposed to liking legal dramas in general, but I was truly amazed at how very much I liked Randy Singer's style. I was only about 20% of the way through it when I decided that I would be buying the book no matter the price. Being as frugal as I am, buying something that I can get for free (since I had already borrowed the book) is about the highest compliment that I could give a book. That means I'll want to read it again. When I finished reading it today and went to buy it, however, I discovered that it was actually a free book. Oh well, I'll buy the next one :)

One of the most interesting aspects of this book for me, as an Icelander, was the whole Gun Rights angle. The author freely admits that this book is written precisely AS a Gun Rights issue, and being so very far detached from the whole thing, I believe that the book offers some very good arguments for both sides. It actually manages to be both Pro-Guns AND Anti-Guns. Very well done, Mr. Singer.

I will definitely be checking out some of his other work, and would recommend that since this book is currently free, you should grab a copy and read it. I think you may be pleasantly surprised.

This is a fast paced thriller novel with a typical Christianity angle. Book is very well written. It's gripping for the most part. In the last few pages it becomes terribly boring and unbelievable. Court room scenes and the research are well done. All in all, a recommended read especially when it's free. Even if you are not very big on Christian Fiction, this is a passable read.

This book is a decent read with some interesting characters, but I was less than thrilled when it started preaching a Christian agenda near the end. It's less heavyhanded than some Christian books, but I have yet to see a Christian novel (including this one) where the book wasn't harmed by the author's agenda. I'm a believer myself, but I loathe having Religion with a capital R stuffed down my throat.

Although I am a Christian myself, I avoid "Christian" books because they seem like they're gratuitously religiousfied purposefully in order to make sales among the religious market. However, I found this book to be an enjoyable read, with a good pace, likeable (and purposefully unlikeable) characters, good ol' fashioned courtroom drama, and a mystery thrown in to boot. There are some bible verses shared amongst the characters which may turn a hardcore atheist, but I think it's forgivable as it is less preachy and more about how the charcters feel at the time. Would have earned 5 stars from me if I didn't find it a little gratuitous that the seeming 'good' guys were Christians, and the 'bad' guys not.

I enjoyed this book and have recommended it to several friends. The characters are likeable and it's not hard to suspend disbelief when the author is careful to present a balancing of both sides of the issue. It took me a while to read this but I was able to pick up where I left off each time and there was very little confusion for me in the characters or the plot itself. I am not into the Christian genre per se although I won't disregard a book just because of that label, either. This was not a preachy book and I hope that label won't discourage others of a like mind from reading it. The author did a good job fleshing out the characters and I hope that there are further tales with both of the leads. I subtracted one star for originality but only because I've read a lot of this style of book and some of it was a little too familiar. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This was the first book I read on my new Kindle and it was an amazing experience. The story held my attention to the point that I couldn't put it down. I was totally engrossed until the final page and then was sad that the story had ended. I intend to read all of Randy Singer's books now that I have had a taste of his talent for this genre. If you enjoy legal/mystery/Christian themes, you will love this book. Not at all preachy, just illuminating. For those reviewers that expressed shock, disdain and took offense that this had a Christian theme, what do the words moral, sin and evangelical in the description of the book from Publishers Weekly mean to you?