Whimpulsive: Judge & Jury by James Patterson and Andrew Gross

Judge & Jury by James Patterson and Andrew Gross

Genre: Suspense Fiction
Publisher: Warner Vision
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 416
Source: Purchased Used

The Short Version:
What starts out as a legal thriller becomes the story of a vigilante mission for revenge.

Why I Read It:
I had read several excellent books in a row but they were all rather sedately paced. I was in the mood for something fast-paced that I would breeze through quickly without having to think much. That’s the kind of mood that sends me upstairs to see what I have by James Patterson.

The Book:
From the publisher:

Failing to escape jury duty, aspiring actress Andie DeGrasse ends up as Juror #11 in a landmark case. In this new Trial of the Century, a Mafia don known as the Electrician is linked to hundreds of gruesome crimes. Tracking this ruthless killer for years, senior FBI agent Nick Pellisante fears that the defendant's power reaches far beyond the courtroom, even if the FBI's evidence is ironclad. Just as the jury finishes deliberations, the Electrician makes a devastating move that shocks the entire nation - and shatters Andie's world. Now she and Pellisante must hunt for the Electrician before he executes his most horrifying endgame.

My Thoughts:
This was exactly what I needed at just the right time. “Mental Popcorn” is a term I first saw on the Books on the Nightstand Goodreads Group. James Patterson’s books fit right into that category for me. They’re not something I want a steady diet of but when I’m in the right mood they’re exactly what I need.

This one is deceptively billed as a legal thriller. It starts out that way but most of the book doesn’t take place anywhere near a courtroom. It’s still a fun and fast-paced read. In typical Patterson plug and play style, the action is more interesting than the characters.

The good guys are easy enough to root for despite their detours from legalities. There are plenty of villains in this one and some are worse than others. It’s not hard to want the revenge seekers to succeed. Sure there are plenty of unbelievable coincidences but it was a fun break just when I needed it.