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109 of 112 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
...a rich reading experience..., July 4, 2009
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
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60 of 65 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting Christian legal thriller but I couldn't suspend disbelief, August 23, 2009
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.
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Personal Story, July 2, 2009
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.
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