This novel gives a behind-the-scenes look at a sequestered jury in the trial of the decade in Los Angeles. Maya Seale, a successful criminal defense attorney, was invited to a 10-year reunion of the jury who issued a fateful verdict that began a chain reaction of events in the lives of the jurors and the victim's family. Maya, who had been the lone holdout on the jury, successfully convinced the other members to issue a not-guilty verdict. At the reunion, one of the jurors who reluctantly agreed to the not-guilty verdict in order to end the sequester was murdered and Maya was implicated as the murderer. As she races to prove her innocence, she finds out that the murdered juror had been obsessively investigating the decade old case in order to prove Maya wrong. In his quest to do so, he uncovered secrets and misdeeds of each of the other jurors, the defendant in the original case, and the victim's family.

Great legal thriller reminiscent of John Grisham's early work (think "The Runaway Jury", and "The Pelican Brief"). Through the storyline, Graham Moore bluntly posits that the our judicial system is severely broken, namely the worst thing an innocent person can do is tell the truth when accused of a crime.

During a tense murder trial, high school teacher Bobby Nock is accused of murdering a wealthy white student. Initially the lone "not guilty" vote, juror Maya Seale swings her fellow jurors to acquit. During a reunion of the jurors ten years later, a fellow juror turns up dead in Maya's room. Now, Maya is the main suspect, and it's her turn to prove her innocence. The Holdout will keep you guessing whodunit, then and now. 

Graham Moore's legal thriller reminded me of John Grisham's early books, combining court room drama with insightful looks at the justice system. The action keeps the narrative moving along at a fast clip while the flashbacks help you understand how Maya was able to sway so many jurors. A quick read, The Holdout is a perfect beach read if you are looking for something to take with you for spring break.

3.5 Stars!

An enjoyable legal thriller that unravels in dual timelines and maintains relevance in both. This was definitely a slow burn in many ways but built up to a fantastic ending.

Wow!!! I loved this book so much more than I expected to, really. This is my first experience with this author and it certainly won't be my last! This title first caught my attention when I heard that it was going to be one of February's Book of the Month Club choices. I have had a lot of good luck with their picks, so I was glad to get my hands on a copy!

I legitimately cannot remember the last time that a book's plot so completely took my by surprise! And multiple times, too! I loved it! Maya's role - from juror to attorney and beyond works so well here! She's a believable character - as are the rest of the cast. The book definitely has cinematic flair, too! I was completely captivated! It's original, fresh and while definitely an exciting mystery, this is a discussion starter, too! There is a lot more depth to some of the book's points and themes. The plotting, fast pace and characters all work so well here - this is truly an excellent book! I really and completely loved this and I can't wait to check out the author's earlier novels - as well as keep my eye out for any in the future!

This book ended up not really being for me and I DNFd it fairly early. That isn't to say it's a bad book - it seemed relatively well-written and I know it will have an audience, but it just wasn't something I was enjoying or felt connected to while reading. Hope to see more from this author in the future.

This book was a slow burn for me in the best possible way. Usually with thrillers or dramas, I fly through them – having to figure out what’s happening ASAP – but for this one I wanted to savor every detail. It has all the twists that you expect in this genre and had me guessing until the very end of the book. It’s hard to talk about without giving away a ton of spoilers, but I promise that you won’t regret picking up this courtroom drama!⁣

4.5 stars! (Which I’m rounding up to 5!)

Hard to put down, well-written, and it has a good plot with a crazy twist ending. I really liked the time jumps between “now” and the trial ten years prior (and how with each time jump to the past, it focused on a specific character from the jury), as it kept me turning page after page to figure out the reason behind it. Definitely enjoyed this thriller!

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

In Holdout, Graham Moore gives us a legal thriller different than any I have read before, and I hated to turn that last page. Protagonist Maya is part of a jury convened to decide on the guilt or innocence of Bobby Nock, a twenty-five year old teacher accused of murdering one of his students. Jessica Silver vanished on her way home from school one day and hasn’t been seen since.

The story alternates between the trial itself and a meeting of the jurors ten years later as they participate in the making of a docuseries about the case. The flashbacks of the trial are told from the viewpoint of each of the jurors as the novel progresses, and when one of the jurors is murdered while making the docuseries, everyone becomes a suspect.

Moore does a masterful job keeping the reader guessing about the original murder as well as the newest one, and each of the jurors pull the reader in with their own life stories told along with their experiences during the trial. When their individual secrets threaten to be revealed during the present day murder investigation, the consequences for all involved could be disastrous.

Moore’s strength in his characterization coupled with his ability to weave together a mesmerizing story make this a book you don’t want to miss.

Honestly, I was a little bit skeptical going into a mystery/thriller about a jury. From my (limited) experience, they tend to be somewhat predictable. And for the first half of The Holdout, I was pretty sure that it was. I genuinely thought I knew what had happened. I’m pleased to say, I was wrong.

This book had so many twists and turns, I might have gotten whiplash. Just when you think you know what’s going on, there’s another twist to shake up the story, all the way to the very end. I really enjoyed that about this book. It was unpredictable, in the best way. If you like thrillers and are tired of seeing what’s coming a mile away, I can almost guarantee you’ll like this one.

The Holdout is told in alternating timelines, ten years apart. The first covers the events surrounding the trial and the other, what happens ten years later. And what happens ten years after the trial is honestly a lot more exciting than the actual trial. Which was a little bit disappointing. I found myself wanting to skim those chapters and get back to the story I was more invested in. But, those chapters did give an excellent background to the story as a whole. So, while I could see that they were necessary, they weren’t the most exciting to read.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It’s exciting and thrilling and an example of great writing. Once I got into it, I had a hard time putting it down.

It’s the most sensational trial in recent memory. A fifteen-year-old girl, daughter of a wealthy real estate businessman, disappears. The subsequent investigation uncovers her relationship with a 25-year-old man who happens to be her English teacher. Even though there is no body, he is arrested and charged with her murder. It appears this will be an open-and-shut case for the prosecution. And, it almost is, until 23-year-old Maya Seale, who believes the defendant to be innocent, convinces the other jurors to vote “not guilty”.

Fast forward ten years. The jurors reassemble for a true crime show. Maya, who is now an attorney, is reluctant but agrees to join them because there is speculation that one of the jurors has proof that the suspect they exonerated is actually guilty of murder. All is good until one of the jurors is found dead in Maya’s hotel room and she is under suspicion.

The Holdout is a compelling story, told from several points of view and moving nearly seamlessly between the original trial and the present-day murder. The story itself is well-conceived and plotted. But the addition of the underlying concerns, including issues of race, class, law enforcement, and the inequalities in our society are what really makes this book a stand-out. The author has done a stellar job in weaving these issues into an entertaining story, making The Holdout an outstanding book that questions our attitudes and beliefs.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

3.5 stars

I want to start by saying, I don't typically read or watch courtroom dramas, I never thought it was something I would enjoy but I really enjoyed reading this book.

I absolutely LOVED the way the author switched back and forth between the trial and ten years later at the reunion and subsequent murder investigation of one of the former jurors. The flashbacks to the trial were from the perspectives of each of the jurors which was a really interesting way to present the trial and what was going through each of their minds during the process.

I also really enjoyed the look into the jury process. I've been called for jury duty but have never been selected to sit on a trial and the process and how it was described was fascinating.

The book was well paced and I definitely didn't feel I was trudging through any parts but there were a few things that sit right and that's why I didn't rate this at 4 or 5 stars.

Spoilers below:
Several times during the trial, Maya (the main character) says something to the effect of 'they'll never really know' so when the "big reveal" happened in the last 5 pages or so, it seemed really forced and kind of a let down. I would've much preferred it going unsaid.

The other thing that bugged me is how much she was involved in her own investigation despite being told by her boss to do nothing. She knowingly could've compromised evidence or witnesses and screwed herself. But I get it, it's a story and how else would we the readers been privy to the investigation if not through the main character.

With those two little issues aside, this was a very enjoyable read and definitely opened my eyes to a new genre of books that I've avoided in the past.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Holdout by Graham Moore.

Maya is a defense lawyer with a passion for justice. But she's hiding from her past. Ten years previous she was on the jury for a high profile case with a very unpopular verdict, a verdict that she was responsible for. Now, all these years later, the jury is being brought together for a docu-series. But what should be a pleasant and emotional reunion becomes dangerous when one of them turns up dead in his room, and all fingers point to Maya.

This is a great read for fans of John Grisham. I do love a great crime drama, and this has everything, romance, betrayal, murder, sex, and a lot of social justice issues. It's quick moving and very readable. I very much enjoyed it.

If you’re looking for an entertaining 2 for 1 mystery with some interesting twists scattered about, this book is for you! As long as you don’t mind suspending disbelief and scratching your head about some ridiculous behavior on the part of someone you’d expect to be much smarter than that, you’ll most likely find this to be as fun a read as I did. The short of the plot- Maya is currently a criminal defense attorney (the previously mentioned “smart” character who does some really dumb things) but 10 years ago she was a college grad who served on a jury. Not just any jury, but a scandalous trial involving the murder of a young wealthy white girl by her older black teacher. Maya was the lone holdout when the jury initially voted and she was able to somehow change their minds - that decision ended up costing her as well as the others in unexpected ways. The story alternates between each jury member then in 2009 and Maya now when a true crime podcast decides to reunite the jury members 10 years later. That’s really all you need to know as the plot unfolds in surprising ways.

While I really enjoyed the first 60% of this book, the remainder began to feel a little convoluted and overly detailed. I admire the author’s ability to craft a cinema like feel with fast paced dialogue and plot twists, however, I was left feeling like the characters were surface level, often behaving in ways that made no sense.. Maybe there were just too many issues that the author was trying to tackle and incorporate but I ended up feeling disconnected from the story on many occasions. As for the ending, I thought it was just ok. I’d recommend this for a easy beach or weekend read

While I am reading a book I usually take notes to remind myself of both positive and negative things that stand out about a book. This time, I didn’t make a single note. I didn’t dislike the book, but it just didn’t make much of an impression on me. It wasn’t suspenseful, the characters weren’t likable, there were huge ethical lapses and the ending didn’t satisfy me at all. So I guess that’s my impression. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

This is entertaining courtroom drama. In a sensational murder trial the jurors are sequestered in a LA hotel during the 4 month trial. Everyone on the jury except for Maya, knows the accused is guilty of the murder of a 15 year old girl. Maya is stubborn though, thus the title THE HOLDOUT. She convinces the others to acquit Bobby Nock of murder. Life is disrupted for the jurors. People hate them. The public has convicted the young teacher for murder. Maya goes on to law school becoming a defense lawyer. At a reunion of the jurors, she finds herself arrested for the murder of one of the jurors. The storyline goes back and forth between the trial and now. Maya’s lawyer wants to have her plead self-defense, but Maya pleads not guilty. She’s determined and when the real culprit is found, it is a shocker as well as how Maya has the charges against her dropped and the real murderer protected. Great read. At times I wondered if that is really how courtrooms and the legal system work, but I don’t have enough knowledge to do more than wonder. Whatever, the book is an interesting escape for the reader.

Moore's twisty suspense novel follows the aftermath of one jury's decision to acquit an alleged murderer. Maya Steele, the jury's one original holdout, manages to convince the other jurors of the accused's innocence in a more modern "12 Angry Men"-esque story. When the jury reconvenes 10 years later for a TV reunion, one of them ends up dead and Maya morphs from juror to defendant. I didn't guess most of the twists in the story (which is always a very good thing!), and I appreciated how Moore tied up every single loose thread by the end of the book. The pacing also really helped to make this ultra-readable and I didn't ever feel bored (even when the chapters switched back and forth in time periods). My only issue was that there were only some brief chapters dedicated to certain juror's experiences in the trial - this ended up leaving me confused sometimes at which one was which. I think the ending would have been a tiny bit more powerful if I had been able to keep these side characters straight. Otherwise, I enjoyed the ride - and I'll definitely be willing to check out other titles from Moore in the future.

Determined to do their best during a murder trial 12 sequestered jurors take a vote. Maya is the only one who thinks the defendant is not guilty. She eventually convinces the others of reasonable doubt and the man walks free. Ten years later, there is a reunion of the jury and Maya reluctantly attends, only to find herself caught up in another murder investigation, this time as the defendant.

I loved this book! It was an interesting look at a jury especially a sequestered jury. The book is told in multiple points of view. I like the way this enables the reader to see things through the eyes of multiple jurors. Each person sees things a little differently and comes from a different perspective. Maya was an enjoyable character and it was interesting to see her strategies as a defense attorney. The story felt very believable about the toll a long sequester and contentious verdict takes on the jurors even after the trial is done. There were several twists that while not unexpected, kept me engaged till the end. This was a page turner and I would especially recommend it to fans of legal dramas and mysteries. Thank you to Random House Publishing and Netgalley for an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Definitely kept my interest all the way through! A murder trial as seen through the eyes of the jury, both during and 10 years later. and how it has affected all of their lives. One woman feels it is not a slam dunk of a case and has to try to convince the others that this is so, as jury trials such as this have to be unanimous. Is she right? Are they? One way or another, they and their families, along with the families of the victim and the alleged murderer are never the same.
Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

Jurors of an old high-profile and controversial murder case have been brought together ten years later to be part of a Netflix docuseries spurred on by one of the jurors, Rick Leonard who previously published a book about the experience, claiming an unjust verdict and has come across some new explosive information. Unfortunately, shortly after rallying together all of the other case jurists, he shows up dead. Mystery ensues with suspicion cast on a number of suspects. A decent mystery with crisp dialogue and plausible insight into human behavior.

The Holdout by Graham Moore. I usually love legal thrillers and thought this premise was so cool. However, I found the main character to be not very believable, she never provided a very strong reason for her belief in the innocence of Bobby Nock. I thought the ending really fell apart and there was a big twist that was extremely unnecessary, solely for the effect of a twist.