Judge Stone: A Powerful Collaboration from Viola Davis and James Patterson
Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis, renowned for her role in How To Get Away With Murder, has joined forces with legendary author James Patterson to create Judge Stone, a spellbinding legal thriller published by Century at £20. This 432-page novel centers on Mary Stone, a black female judge in Alabama who finds herself presiding over a highly controversial trial that quickly escalates into a national scandal.
The Controversial Case at the Heart of the Story
The plot revolves around Doctor Bria Gaines, who performs an abortion on 13-year-old Nova Jones without obtaining permission from the teenager's mother. When Nova becomes ill and confesses what happened, the situation erupts into chaos. Gaines is arrested for murder, Nova's mother is furious, and the case draws intense public scrutiny, with the ominous presence of the Klan looming in the background.
On the surface, it appears to be an open-and-shut case, but the narrative skillfully explores deeper complexities. In the tradition of classics like To Kill A Mockingbird, this tale is described as elegant, thoughtful, and terrifying—a book that is impossible to put down.
The Hiding Season: A Suspenseful Thriller by A. C. Glass
In another compelling release, The Hiding Season by A. C. Glass (Century, £16.99, 400pp) follows Maya Landry, who seeks refuge in an exclusive gated community in Bozeman, Montana after her marriage collapses. Determined to rebuild her life, her recovery is shattered when she discovers the dead body of an American Senator in one of the houses she oversees.
Maya reports the incident to the police, but upon their return to the isolated property, the body has vanished, the house is spotless, and the authorities do not believe her account. Enter shadowy FBI agent Riley Maguire, who warns Maya to leave Bozeman immediately or face death due to what she knows.
This sets off a gripping journey with Maya on the run, first to Texas and then to Chicago. Featuring an indomitable heroine, the novel is praised for its superb storytelling that tugs at the heartstrings and leaves readers begging for more.
It's Not What You Think: A Twisty Mystery by Clare Mackintosh
Clare Mackintosh's latest work, It's Not What You Think (HarperCollins, £16.99, 400pp), introduces Nadeeka Prasanna, a mother of two young girls who suspects her new partner, Jamie, is having an affair. When she goes to confront him, she finds a detective inspector outside her home and police tape across the front door.
Inside, Jamie lies dead in a pool of blood, murdered in the sitting room. Initially, the police believe Nadeeka is uninvolved, but as DCI Lauren Caldwell and her team investigate, their opinion shifts. They uncover that the detective she met at her door is not a real policeman, deepening the mystery and leaving Nadeeka increasingly alarmed.
Packed with twists and turns, this intricate plot is described as exquisite, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. All three books are available now, offering a diverse range of thrilling narratives for avid readers.
