Publication
New York : Doubleday, 2021.
Collection
Call number
Fiction G
Physical description
357 p.; 25 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
As an investigator for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct, Lacy Stoltz sees plenty of corruption among the men and women elected to the bench. Stoltz took on a crime syndicate that was paying millions to a crooked judge. Now, the crimes are even worse. The man hiding behind the black robe is not taking bribes - but he may be taking lives.
Series
Genres
Media reviews
A shiny bauble of mayhem sure to please Grisham’s many fans.
User reviews
LibraryThing member ZachMontana
Grisham presents another legal related drama of amazing depth and difference from all his others. We find the main character to be a high tech villain using all the devious tracking and hacking of top secret police data and use of computer viruses that are a real threat to our society to accomplish
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his murders so they are almost perfect. Only one obsessed woman, whose father was a victim, and who spends 20 years of her life learning everything about this Judge and his murder victims keeps him from total ability to murder at will with no consequences. As usual, Grisham is making a statement about the state of our current legal and justice systems to show how vulnerable they are and how easy a smart person can overcome them. Show Less
LibraryThing member thewanderingjew
John Grisham has written his latest novel but it does not seem to be up to his usual or former standards. The genre of this book is pretty much chick lit with a murder mystery thrown in for good measure. The title pretty much gives away the book’s plot and there are no real surprises once a woman
For two decades she has been stalking the man she believes murdered her father and many others, a Judge from the Pensacola area, Ross Bannick. She has absolutely no proof, but her gut tells her that Judge Bannick is a serial killer. She insists that Lacy take the case even after Lacy explains that the appropriate place for Betty to go, is the police or the FBI. Lacey explains it is not in the purview of her agency to investigate the judge without a formal complaint.. Also, she does not make the decisions about gathering evidence about an accused corrupt judge. Her boss does. Still, Betty insists that she looks into the Judge’s background. Eventually, getting a promise that everything would be done to protect her identity, she files a formal complaint. She begs Lacy to believe her and insists he is very dangerous. Lacey does believe her, but the interim chief is not at all interested in the charges and refuses to investigate him.
When a new boss is needed, Lacy is brought in as the next interim chief. She opens the case up and eventually the FBI gets involved. They believe Betty. An effort to find Bennett and bring him to justice ensues with a few surprises. Using a diverse set of characters, representing all social justice issues from skin color to sexual preference, to ethnicity, the mystery is explored and solved.
I found the book to be a bit slow and tedious, sometimes because of the trite dialogue which is what made the book chick lit or one made for a TV movie, and sometimes it was simply very repetitious. It often felt like Grisham was just trying to fill up pages. The narrator over emoted and read too slowly, making herself a character of the book instead of interpreting the characters and the narrative. Perhaps it would be better as a print version.
One further comment involves the character Rafe, an expert hacker who helps the Judge find his victims. His part in the crimes is never fully fleshed out. We never discover if he is brought in for questioning or charged with any crime or even discovered. Perhaps Grisham will bring him back in another novel, as he brought Lacey back for this one.
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using the alias of Betty Rowe, approaches Lacy Stoltz, of the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct, and tells her a story about several murders. For two decades she has been stalking the man she believes murdered her father and many others, a Judge from the Pensacola area, Ross Bannick. She has absolutely no proof, but her gut tells her that Judge Bannick is a serial killer. She insists that Lacy take the case even after Lacy explains that the appropriate place for Betty to go, is the police or the FBI. Lacey explains it is not in the purview of her agency to investigate the judge without a formal complaint.. Also, she does not make the decisions about gathering evidence about an accused corrupt judge. Her boss does. Still, Betty insists that she looks into the Judge’s background. Eventually, getting a promise that everything would be done to protect her identity, she files a formal complaint. She begs Lacy to believe her and insists he is very dangerous. Lacey does believe her, but the interim chief is not at all interested in the charges and refuses to investigate him.
When a new boss is needed, Lacy is brought in as the next interim chief. She opens the case up and eventually the FBI gets involved. They believe Betty. An effort to find Bennett and bring him to justice ensues with a few surprises. Using a diverse set of characters, representing all social justice issues from skin color to sexual preference, to ethnicity, the mystery is explored and solved.
I found the book to be a bit slow and tedious, sometimes because of the trite dialogue which is what made the book chick lit or one made for a TV movie, and sometimes it was simply very repetitious. It often felt like Grisham was just trying to fill up pages. The narrator over emoted and read too slowly, making herself a character of the book instead of interpreting the characters and the narrative. Perhaps it would be better as a print version.
One further comment involves the character Rafe, an expert hacker who helps the Judge find his victims. His part in the crimes is never fully fleshed out. We never discover if he is brought in for questioning or charged with any crime or even discovered. Perhaps Grisham will bring him back in another novel, as he brought Lacey back for this one.
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LibraryThing member Twink
John Grisham brings back Investigator Lucy Stolz in his newest release, The Judge's List.
Lucy works for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct, investigating complaints involving judges. A woman who hides behind a number of aliases brings a case to Lucy's attention regarding a sitting judge and some
What a neat concept. I had no idea there was such an overseer of judicial conduct - but there is. Who better than John Grisham to write about a legal process?
You'll be astounded at the perpetrator's motives and methods and fascinated with how he has covered his track for so many years. Quite chilling. Jeri was difficult to like for me - she's pushy, single minded and at first I thought she was overreacting with her precautions. (She's not) I liked Lucy in The Whistler and was quite happy to see her in another book. Her team is an eclectic bunch and add to the story.
Though mostly told through Lucy's viewpoint, Jeri and the judge also have chapters of their own.
We do know who the culprit is, but it's the race to capture him before he commits additional crimes that is the story. I'm not sure if I was 100% on board with the judge's actions at the end, but I quite enjoyed the journey. And I'd be very happy to see Lucy again.
I chose to listen to The Judge's List. Grisham has an author's note in the beginning and it's a nice opener to the book. The narrator was Mary-Louise Parker. She speaks clearly, is easy to understand. Her speaking speed is at measured pace. The voices for Lucy and Jeri are very similar and you'll have to keep track of who is speaking. A great tale and a good listen.
Lucy works for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct, investigating complaints involving judges. A woman who hides behind a number of aliases brings a case to Lucy's attention regarding a sitting judge and some
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heinous crimes. Jeri has been looking into this judge for over twenty years. She is terrified of the man and wants Lucy to take it from there. What a neat concept. I had no idea there was such an overseer of judicial conduct - but there is. Who better than John Grisham to write about a legal process?
You'll be astounded at the perpetrator's motives and methods and fascinated with how he has covered his track for so many years. Quite chilling. Jeri was difficult to like for me - she's pushy, single minded and at first I thought she was overreacting with her precautions. (She's not) I liked Lucy in The Whistler and was quite happy to see her in another book. Her team is an eclectic bunch and add to the story.
Though mostly told through Lucy's viewpoint, Jeri and the judge also have chapters of their own.
We do know who the culprit is, but it's the race to capture him before he commits additional crimes that is the story. I'm not sure if I was 100% on board with the judge's actions at the end, but I quite enjoyed the journey. And I'd be very happy to see Lucy again.
I chose to listen to The Judge's List. Grisham has an author's note in the beginning and it's a nice opener to the book. The narrator was Mary-Louise Parker. She speaks clearly, is easy to understand. Her speaking speed is at measured pace. The voices for Lucy and Jeri are very similar and you'll have to keep track of who is speaking. A great tale and a good listen.
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LibraryThing member lamb521
Title: The Judge’s List (The Whistler #2)
Author: John Grisham
Pages: 368
Year: 2021
Publisher: Doubleday
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Lacy Stoltz works for the Bureau on Judicial Conduct in the state of Florida. She is the senior lawyer working there because turnover is high. Her office investigates
Lacy’s life is about to be challenged when she receives a request to meet from a woman who may be filing a very unusual complaint against a sitting judge. When Lacy meets with Jeri, she isn’t quite sure what to expect, but the complaint that a judge is committing murder is the last thing Lacy expected. Jeri has been on the judge’s track for two decades once she realized her father was murdered. As Jeri sets out to look for answers, she uncovers what might possible be a serial killer!
Now the course is set, and Lacy must follow the leads where there is only possible motive and maybes. There is not one shred of physical proof for her or the police to collect and study. The judge is thought to have committed murder over a couple of decades but never has a sitting judge been investigated let alone found guilty of such a heinous crime.
Judge Bannick learns he is being investigated not through Lacy but using his vast resources that are safely hidden away in what he calls “The Vault.” Time is of the essence as the judge feels his craftly constructed world of hidden secrets and crimes is about to be exposed for the world to see.
I read the novel in just a couple days. I was captivated by the hunt of capturing the man responsible for so many deaths. It has been a while since I read a John Grisham novel, and I was hoping this would be equal to his earlier works that I thought were excellent. I wasn’t disappointed. The novel has a strong plot, interesting characters, and suspense from beginning to end. I hope other readers enjoy the book, and I will keep an eye out for future books by Grisham. In the meantime, I plan on going to read about Lacy Stoltz’s adventures in The Whistler.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
Author: John Grisham
Pages: 368
Year: 2021
Publisher: Doubleday
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Lacy Stoltz works for the Bureau on Judicial Conduct in the state of Florida. She is the senior lawyer working there because turnover is high. Her office investigates
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complaints and then decides the next step in the process that includes letting a judge know of the complaint. Lacy is in a relationship with an FBI Agent which may or may not lead to marriage.Lacy’s life is about to be challenged when she receives a request to meet from a woman who may be filing a very unusual complaint against a sitting judge. When Lacy meets with Jeri, she isn’t quite sure what to expect, but the complaint that a judge is committing murder is the last thing Lacy expected. Jeri has been on the judge’s track for two decades once she realized her father was murdered. As Jeri sets out to look for answers, she uncovers what might possible be a serial killer!
Now the course is set, and Lacy must follow the leads where there is only possible motive and maybes. There is not one shred of physical proof for her or the police to collect and study. The judge is thought to have committed murder over a couple of decades but never has a sitting judge been investigated let alone found guilty of such a heinous crime.
Judge Bannick learns he is being investigated not through Lacy but using his vast resources that are safely hidden away in what he calls “The Vault.” Time is of the essence as the judge feels his craftly constructed world of hidden secrets and crimes is about to be exposed for the world to see.
I read the novel in just a couple days. I was captivated by the hunt of capturing the man responsible for so many deaths. It has been a while since I read a John Grisham novel, and I was hoping this would be equal to his earlier works that I thought were excellent. I wasn’t disappointed. The novel has a strong plot, interesting characters, and suspense from beginning to end. I hope other readers enjoy the book, and I will keep an eye out for future books by Grisham. In the meantime, I plan on going to read about Lacy Stoltz’s adventures in The Whistler.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
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LibraryThing member Clara53
For me, this book ended up to be just a much needed distraction from intense worries about the war in Ukraine. For that, I am somewhat grateful - it was a page-turner. But on its own merit, it was a bit tepid. Jeri, one of the two protagonists, didn't feel real, didn't behave in a way her mission
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would mean her to behave: it was as if she was the one in charge - making Lacy (the other protagonist) guess and maneuver around her. The plot was good, Lacy's mental monologue was believable, but general dialogue was very artificial throughout. Show Less
LibraryThing member waldhaus1
I found the wedding less satisfying than Grisham usual.
LibraryThing member Doondeck
One of his better thrillers. Interesting plot and good characters. Kept me on the edge of my seat.
LibraryThing member brangwinn
I made the mistake of stopping right at the crucial point three-fourths of the way through the book, and it filled my grisly dreams. Lacy Stolz, who has appeared in one other Grisham book, is still working at the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct, becomes involved in a case where a well-respected
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judge is accused of being a serial killer. Way beyond the scope of most of their investigations into judicial misconduct, she, along with the 20 years of research done by one of the victims’ daughters, plunges into a very dangerous investigation. Like all Grisham books, its easy to become enmeshed in the storyline and it won’t disappoint his legion of fans. Show Less
LibraryThing member susannelson
A satisfying conclusion to the saga of Lacy and Allie book ended by an exciting quest to catch a serial killer. A thoroughly enjoyable read in the John Grisham tradition.
LibraryThing member DrApple
Grisham is such a good writer that all of his books are enjoyable. This novel, however, focuses on an attorney who investigates charges against judges, a woman who has been researching the man she believes killed her father, and a judge. There is a great deal of tension, but it's hard to be
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terribly involved since none of the characters are totally likable. Show Less
LibraryThing member bblum
Grisham doesn’t again, another readable lawyer who-done-it. Lacy in a dead-in job investigating complaints against Florida judges gets a cryptic client who will eventually level a complaint of murder against a judge in Pensacola. No hard evidence but a series of murders across 7 states over 20
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years. Only a rope and asphyxiation connect all these murder scenes and the police have nothing else to go on. Another good read but it’s not going to improve your knowledge much. Show Less
LibraryThing member maryreinert
Lacy is a employee of the Florida Bureau of Judicial Conduct, a rather bureaucratic office that investigates judges in the state. When Jeri C comes to claim that a sitting federal judge is a mass murder, she is very skeptical, but when evidence is presented, agrees to an investigation.
That leads to
A bit of a stretch at times, but a good mystery.
That leads to
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more murders committee by Judge Ross Bannick, a smart, evil man who has made a list of individuals who have shunned him or otherwise crossed him in the past beginning with a scoutmaster who assaulted him as a child. The murders took over twenty some years always with the same type of killing.A bit of a stretch at times, but a good mystery.
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LibraryThing member JenniferRobb
This book was on the sale shelf at the library. Knowing that Grisham often writes legal fiction, I thought "The Judge's List" might be about choosing a nominee for the bench or what a nominee would go through to become a judge. Boy, was I wrong!
This novel brings back Lacy Stoltz, a character from
Overall, it was an intriguing read that kept drawing me back to it.
WARNING: SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW. READ ON AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION:
*****
The story really begins with the murder of a law school professor and his daughter who can't let it go and devotes her life to finding her father's killer (while still holding down a job). Somehow, she identifies a suspect from the few people who were "enemies" of her father and tracks down other murders with a similar MO and their connections to her suspect.
At this point, she contacts Lacy because Lacy's department must investigate complaints against judges in Florida.
Why she takes this tack vs. going to an agency like the FBI who could investigate multi-state murders? Who knows? Maybe she thinks the FBI will listen to Lacy and not dismiss her as a crazy woman with a theory but no proof. Maybe she's done her homework and knows Lacy is dating an FBI agent and figures Lacy will tell him and he'll convince his colleagues.
Another question: Jeri (the daughter of the law professor) begins the book timid, almost paranoid. Trying to leave no traces of her research or surveillance. Convinced that the judge could come after her. So why, after she turns the case over to Lacy, does she inform the judge that he's being investigated? Why does she taunt him with poems sent by mail? Seems like quite a change in her character.
I suppose she didn't realize just how tech savvy he is--though she seems to be aware that he has cameras everywhere and a well-secured home and office. (She could probably take a few pages from the judge's book since when she runs away from her house after he drops the letters she sent at her door, she doesn't think to change cars, only to watch for tails.)
The ending was a bit disappointing in that we don't get justice. One reviewer speculates that perhaps the judge isn't really dead (and plans to get his assets back from his secretary? One would think that the families could sue the judge's estate--at least the families of the two victims they could prove he was involved in killing--and the others might have cases too based on the similarities of the crimes--so I wonder if the secretary really will get anything. If I was her, I think I'd turn it all over to the authorities and let them sort out his estate if that were possible.)
We seem to see the end of Lacy's and Allie's current careers, though there's no inkling of what they're going to do moving forward, so I guess we could still see more of them in a future Grisham book.
This novel brings back Lacy Stoltz, a character from
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Grisham's "The Whistler". Overall, it was an intriguing read that kept drawing me back to it.
WARNING: SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW. READ ON AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION:
*****
The story really begins with the murder of a law school professor and his daughter who can't let it go and devotes her life to finding her father's killer (while still holding down a job). Somehow, she identifies a suspect from the few people who were "enemies" of her father and tracks down other murders with a similar MO and their connections to her suspect.
At this point, she contacts Lacy because Lacy's department must investigate complaints against judges in Florida.
Why she takes this tack vs. going to an agency like the FBI who could investigate multi-state murders? Who knows? Maybe she thinks the FBI will listen to Lacy and not dismiss her as a crazy woman with a theory but no proof. Maybe she's done her homework and knows Lacy is dating an FBI agent and figures Lacy will tell him and he'll convince his colleagues.
Another question: Jeri (the daughter of the law professor) begins the book timid, almost paranoid. Trying to leave no traces of her research or surveillance. Convinced that the judge could come after her. So why, after she turns the case over to Lacy, does she inform the judge that he's being investigated? Why does she taunt him with poems sent by mail? Seems like quite a change in her character.
I suppose she didn't realize just how tech savvy he is--though she seems to be aware that he has cameras everywhere and a well-secured home and office. (She could probably take a few pages from the judge's book since when she runs away from her house after he drops the letters she sent at her door, she doesn't think to change cars, only to watch for tails.)
The ending was a bit disappointing in that we don't get justice. One reviewer speculates that perhaps the judge isn't really dead (and plans to get his assets back from his secretary? One would think that the families could sue the judge's estate--at least the families of the two victims they could prove he was involved in killing--and the others might have cases too based on the similarities of the crimes--so I wonder if the secretary really will get anything. If I was her, I think I'd turn it all over to the authorities and let them sort out his estate if that were possible.)
We seem to see the end of Lacy's and Allie's current careers, though there's no inkling of what they're going to do moving forward, so I guess we could still see more of them in a future Grisham book.
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LibraryThing member therestlessmouse
I prefer courtroom drama, but it was a good read.
LibraryThing member buffalogr
This was a great book. Lots of action and some very plunky characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the characters. Two women chase a serial killer, who happens to be a sitting judge...takes all kinds, I guess. Jeri, the complainant, seemed a little bit skittish for the role she played. Lucy,
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is a masterful maneuver-er in the bureaucracy. I enjoyed the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member beckyhaase
THE JUDGE’S LIST by John Grisham
This one grabs you on the first page and doesn’t let go until the end. A sitting judge may be a serial killer. The daughter of one of his victims is sure of it and informs Lacy Stolz still working for the Board on Judicial Conduct. Although not an investigative
Grisham is at or near his best here. There are a few spots where the action drags a bit, but you may need the breather. Lacy and Allie’s on again, off again romance is also front and center. A fun and scary way to spend a few afternoons or evenings.
5 of 5 stars
This one grabs you on the first page and doesn’t let go until the end. A sitting judge may be a serial killer. The daughter of one of his victims is sure of it and informs Lacy Stolz still working for the Board on Judicial Conduct. Although not an investigative
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body, the BJC decides they will “look into” the allegation. That is when the fun begins. Grisham is at or near his best here. There are a few spots where the action drags a bit, but you may need the breather. Lacy and Allie’s on again, off again romance is also front and center. A fun and scary way to spend a few afternoons or evenings.
5 of 5 stars
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LibraryThing member Bauernfeind
Certainly not his best work. A bit stilted. Hard to keep entertained
LibraryThing member Judiex
Lacy Stoltz had worked for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct for more than a decade. Staff morale was very low because of continuous budget reductions and an administrator who doesn’t really care. Seriously injured in an automobile accident three years earlier, Lacy was ready to move on.
Then
Lacy was reluctant to help because her department was not set up to investigate cold crimes. But Margie was persistent and managed to get Lacy more involved.
The killer was brilliant, knew all about criminal investigation, and was able to set up a method to hack computers and phones to monitor and/or damage sites that might be closing in on him.
Gathering proof would be very difficult. The crimes were committed in different states over more than a decade and the killer left absolutely no clues except for his method of murdering the victims, bashing their skull, then strangling them with a double clove hitch, a common macrame knot..
Even though the killer is identified early on, THE JUDGE’S LIST keeps the reader’s interest as obstacles arise and one wonders how they are going to be overcome. Unlike Grisham’s previous books, this is not a courtroom drama.
Off notes:
At a formal country club dinner, John Grisham describes the older women as dressing to “exhibit as much aging flesh as possible to prove they could still turn it on. The younger women...seemed content with their figures and felt no need to flaunt things.” A look at the clothing worn by younger women in both everyday and formal events, covering their bodies is not a high priority for many wealthy, attractive younger women.
“She had read somewhere that we often grow to admire, even love, the very thing we so obsessively hate. It can become a part of our life, and we grow to rely on it, to need it. It defines us.”
Then
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she got a phone call from a woman who did not want to provide her name or any personal details but insisted that they meet. Her father, a law professor, had been murdered more than twenty years previously. The murder remained unsolved, but the woman, using the name of Margie, had been investigating the case on her own ever since. She had found several other unsolved murders, all committed with the same pattern, and discovered a consistent motive. She was convinced that the killer was a well-liked sitting judge. Margie wanted Lacy’s help in bringing him to justice but did not want her identity to be made public and didn’t want to involve the police or the FBI.Lacy was reluctant to help because her department was not set up to investigate cold crimes. But Margie was persistent and managed to get Lacy more involved.
The killer was brilliant, knew all about criminal investigation, and was able to set up a method to hack computers and phones to monitor and/or damage sites that might be closing in on him.
Gathering proof would be very difficult. The crimes were committed in different states over more than a decade and the killer left absolutely no clues except for his method of murdering the victims, bashing their skull, then strangling them with a double clove hitch, a common macrame knot..
Even though the killer is identified early on, THE JUDGE’S LIST keeps the reader’s interest as obstacles arise and one wonders how they are going to be overcome. Unlike Grisham’s previous books, this is not a courtroom drama.
Off notes:
At a formal country club dinner, John Grisham describes the older women as dressing to “exhibit as much aging flesh as possible to prove they could still turn it on. The younger women...seemed content with their figures and felt no need to flaunt things.” A look at the clothing worn by younger women in both everyday and formal events, covering their bodies is not a high priority for many wealthy, attractive younger women.
“She had read somewhere that we often grow to admire, even love, the very thing we so obsessively hate. It can become a part of our life, and we grow to rely on it, to need it. It defines us.”
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LibraryThing member flourgirl49
Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read - John Grisham never disappoints!
LibraryThing member VashonJim
Solid, but not spectacular.
LibraryThing member imyknott
An excellent book by John Grisham, full of excitement and a great plot. I really enjoyed the story line which, whilst extraordinary, could possibly occur. We perhaps assume all of our judges are above reproach but you can never be totally certain. The story tracks a woman who believes that a judge
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murdered her father but when it is examined there are many more. Show Less
LibraryThing member LivelyLady
A couples decades of mysterious unsolved murders are being followed by one woman....she has an idea of who, how, and why. Not Grisham's best. Seemed to lack some color, seemed to drag. The story and plot were good, just maybe needed better editing.
LibraryThing member Dianekeenoy
I didn't read the first book in this Whistler series but still really enjoyed this book. Two women are chasing a serial killer who happens to be a sitting judge! I feel like I'm reconnecting with John Grisham!
LibraryThing member dara85
Jeri has been tracking a serial killer for years. Her father was one of his first victims. She has since found a number of other victims, each killed in the same manner linking the deaths. The killer is a judge, killing people he believes have wronged him. Jeri finally goes to the Board of Judicial
Laci Stoltz takes the case, but is reluctant to believe a judge could be involved. There is no physical evidence and he seems to be extremely careful and organized. Could she really come up with compelling evidence when the police can't?
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Conduct to report the misdeeds, but begs to remain anonymous, due to fear of revenge. Laci Stoltz takes the case, but is reluctant to believe a judge could be involved. There is no physical evidence and he seems to be extremely careful and organized. Could she really come up with compelling evidence when the police can't?
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LibraryThing member phyllis.shepherd
I was ready for a completely different kind of book, and this one was certainly a change of pace from WWII fiction. I definitely enjoyed the legal intrigue and the mystery. It's been years since I've read a John Grisham book, and The Judge's List held my interest without requiring me to think too
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much or to become entangled in any deep philosophical or ethical questions. I may go back and try another of his books that I've missed! Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2021 (Engels)
2021 (Nederlands)
ISBN
9780385546027
Other editions
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