JUDGE STONE

5 stars out of 5

Within minutes of starting to read this book, I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep going. Within a few minutes more, though, I knew I wouldn’t want to stop till I got to the end.

Let me explain. This story takes place in the Deep South – super small town Union Springs, Alabama, in fact. Mary Stone, a Black judge – elected by voters – presides over the local county court, and there’s a trial with more than a hint of To Kill a Mockingbird flavor. Bottom line, then, is that it’s almost a given that the defendant won’t be the only victim in this case. Add the fact that it relates to a woman’s right to control her own body (Alabama, the story notes, has the “toughest abortion law in the country”), and I know from the outset that my own emotions will run strong.

No time is wasted triggering them as 13-year-old Nova Jones is brought to the local doctor’s office during off hours by her school nurse. The girl is pregnant, in pain and showing other symptoms of severe distress that could threaten her life. She begs both women to not tell her mother, who would be, let’s say, less than sympathetic. The doctor, Bria Gaines, sees no other choice than to perform a medical abortion – but given the legal consequences, no one is supposed to know about it.

But luck isn’t in Nova or Bria’s corner; soon thereafter, the first-year teenager develops serious complications from the procedure – not uncommon in girls that young – sending her to the hospital, where doctors learn she’d had an abortion and are obligated to pass that information on to the proper authorities.

Well, surprise – the case lands in front of Judge Stone, who’s got a reputation for following the law, fairness and not putting up with BS from attorneys on either side. For reasons readers will learn, though, this trial will test those qualities to their limits (and then some) as well as turn the whole town on its head and put lives at stake. In short, it’s a don’t-miss story, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read a pre-release copy. Outstanding!

Judge Stone by Viola Davis and James Patterson (Little, Brown and Co., March 2026); 425 pp.

TRUST NO ONE

4 stars out of 5

Boy, what a collection of psychologically damaged and downright dangerous characters! The only two worth saving for another go-round are lead characters, Birmingham, Major Investigation Division detectives Kerri Devlin and her new partner Luke Falco. And to be clear, they've got their own background baggage (plus Kerri is in the midst of fighting with her ex-husband for the love, and custody, of their daughter), so even they don't get a get-out-of-jail-free card.

Needless to say, not all the characters make it past this book except Devlin and Falco - this is, after all, the first book in what I presume will be a series. Despite (or maybe because of) their flaws - I dare you to mention any series character who doesn't have any - I enjoyed my first "meeting" with them both and look forward to their next adventure. This one begins in the middle, sort of, with what I'll call a fatal blunder on Devlin's part. Backpedal to 10 days earlier, when she reluctantly meets Falco, who has a reputation for being incorrigible. Her boss makes it clear she's stuck with him, though - at least for the time being. 

They're called to a grisly murder scene where they find two bodies; a woman known to be living there is missing. Turns out the dead man is filthy rich and from one of the most politically powerful families in Alabama. As the investigation progresses  - with precious little to go on at first - we meet Devlin's sister Diana, her husband and daughter, their mutual friend Jen, and Devlin's daughter (the latter a teenager who's caught up in her parents' divorce and is playing it for all it's worth). We also see what's happening from the perspectives of other rich folks, including the dead man's parents and other of the city's power players. Not surprisingly, at some point, all become suspects.

Eventually, the clues begin to form patterns that lead to the culprit's identity. But as that happens and the bodies pile up, Devlin and Falco encounter unexpected obstacles as well as information that could totally upend - or maybe even end - Devlin's own life. All in all, it's the beginning of a solid series - and a great choice for an Amazon PrimeReads monthly offering.

Trust No One by Debra Webb (Thomas & Mercer, August 2020); 427 pp.