I used to read this author a lot back in the day and somehow he fell off my radar. In the acknowledgments, he notes that he hasn’t written a book in 9 years so maybe I’m not that far behind. What really committed me to reading this is insanity the author had to go through to find a publishing house despite his stellar record of books sales. You can google the “controversy “. There is none in my opinion. As to the actual book. RNP is known for lengthy works. Generally I’m okay with that. In this book, however, he could have cut 100 pages as wayyyy too many were spent in dialogue, interior and exterior, that didn’t move the story forward. In brief, a good but too lengthy story. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

"Trial" by Richard North Patterson is a gripping legal thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story unfolds in the courtroom as a high-stakes trial takes center stage. Patterson's writing is intense and suspenseful, with well-developed characters and a plot full of twists and turns. This novel is a masterclass in legal drama, offering a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of justice, morality, and the complexities of the legal system.

I was curious to read this book after reading an OP-ED in the Wall Street Journal decrying how he was turned down from multiple publishers because of the fact that he is a white author writing about black lives. I feel, if done well and with care and empathy, writers should be able to write about others' experiences. Ultimately it is up to the reader decide if it works or not and that was his request in his OP-ED. He also shares at the end of the book, all the research he did, people he talked to, etc. I respect his process. I just was so-so on the writing. Some of the writing dragged and some of the dialogue felt cliched. An interesting topic about racism and criminal justice but I couldn't get past some of the plot. I give it two stars not for the effort but rather for the writing and story that was hard to get through.

Thank you to Netgalley and Post Hill Press for an ARC and I left this review voluntarily.

First book of this author that I’ve read and it sure won’t be the last. Loved the story and the mode of writing. Loved the characters, and felt deeply for the stigmas that white people have put on black people. Great resolution.

Let me start out by saying that I'm a big Richard North Patterson fan! I've devoured everything ever written and liked them all...until Trial. Just absolutely did not get hooked on this. I will also mention I was on an electronic copy that strangely had very small font (possibly related?). I will give this another try later and definitely be awaiting his next book!

I was delighted to see RNP had a new novel. I loved some of his earlier books, read and reread some of them when I was young. The epitome of of smart page turners so I was excited to read this..........and then I began reading. There were elements from the off that just made me uncomfortable. While I believe there should be no limitations on what a person can write about if written with care , I also believe of all the things that RNP could write about and there is enough from the political landscape of recent years for so many books, that this might not have been the avenue to go down. This made me uncomfortable and I could get not past it.

It is great to have the author back writing novels after a long hiatus. This book makes the reader think. Some will reject its ideas outright, some will say it’s impossible for him to understand what goes on in the life of an 18-year old black man, and others will say he’s done a really good job of bringing things to life. During my reading, I’ll admit that I moved through all of those feelings. However, it did have an effect, and it was an excellent novel with amazing characters and a strong storyline.

A recent high-school graduate set to start college in the fall, Malcolm's life is on track until that fateful traffic stop on a deserted highway. He knows that his mother, a voting rights activist, has received threats. His fear is palpable and the chain of events that ensues turns his world upside down. He is easy to identify with.

Star-crossed lovers of a sort who met in college, Allie and Chase are from totally opposite backgrounds, with different prospects and different goals for the future and so they go their separate ways. But Allie has a secret she has divulged to none. Not even to Chase.

Although Allie's and Chases' back story is important to understanding how they got where they are now, and provided in-depth character development, in my opinion it could have been more concise, with a bit more weight given to the trial itself. The trial stage of the book was riveting and well written.

Overall, I found this to be a compelling and thought-provoking read that reflects the often sad reality of life in portions of America's South. In Trial, the author has written an intricate well-woven story against the backdrop of complex, politically loaded topics including voter suppression, racism, and the inequitable enforcement of law.

“Trial,” by Richard North Patterson, Post Hill Press, 560 pages, June 13, 2023.

Malcolm Hill, 18, a Black voting rights worker, is driving in rural Cade County, Georgia when he is stopped by a white sheriff’s deputy.

Allie Hill, his mother, is a leading voting rights advocate. She supervises over 100 people in eight offices across the state. Allie is waiting for her son’s return when police inform her that he was arrested for murdering Deputy George Bullock. She hires attorney Jabari Ford to represent Malcolm.

Congressman Chase Brevard of Massachusetts calls Allie to offer help. They were a couple in college. He tells Jack Raskin, his consultant, that Allie literally saved his life. Brevard goes to Georgia to talk to Allie and Malcolm. Then a radical, right-wing extremist, Congresswoman Dorothy Turner Dark, goes to Georgia to hold a rally.

It is very well-written and the characters are excellent. The topics include racism, voting rights and police. There’s a surprising twist during the trial.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

As much as I can truly say that Richard North Patterson’s punchy style gets the job done, and as much as I’m sympathetic to his recent complaint in the media that it’s wrong to censor a white author who is writing with care and understanding about race, just because he’s white, well, this book is just bad on its own terms. No need to blame any of its lukewarm reception and it’s trouble finding a publisher on publishing politics, beyond acknowledging that publishers are, these days, looking for authenticity, no matter what the author’s race. This book falls down in that regard. It presents the most hackneyed of Black characters, instead of providing authentic, believable characters whom I can believe in as unique individuals. Patterson’s Black characters are sympathetic, but they are caricatures, and that, on its surface, is insulting, no matter how well meaning the author may be.

Richard North Patterson, author of “Trial,” nas never been afraid to address head on, the controversial topics that make current headlines. In the past he has written about the Arab- Israeli conflict , abortion , gun control and capital punishment to name a few. In “Trial” he creates a fast paced, page turner focused on race relations, particularly as it pertains to black American and the police. The characters are believable and so well developed that I could almost see them.

On a dark country road in rural Georgia, Malcolm Hill, son of well known voting rights activist Annie Hill, is confronted by his worst nightmare. He is stopped by a white local sheriff’s deputy with malice in his heart. What ensues without witnesses puts young Malcolm in a court battle for his life. But where can a judge and jury be found that would be willing to defend the rights of and ultimately provide a fair trial for this 18 year old? Who can Malcolm trust?

Enter Chase Brevard, a wealthy white Congressman from Massachusetts who was watching the news at home on television when he saw a photo of prisoner’s face and understood immediately that his life would never be the same. . Chase had known Annie in Harvard years ago but was unaware of a life altering secret she had kept from him when they parted ways. Where does he fit in ? Is there a way for him to provide support both emotionally and for Malcom’s defense?

As the trial approaches, I was reminded of To Kill A Mockingbird and wondered if a fictional Georgia courtroom could once again bring justice to a black man.

Written with passion, this book had the magnetic power to draw me in immediately and keep me awake reading until the wee hours. Trial is an important reflection of the racial tension that continues to divide the USA. It is an unforgettable read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Post Hill Press for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review. This book will be available on June 13, 2023.

There were so many red flags that pointed toward not reviewing this new book. Of my 673 Goodreads friends, not one has read, recommended or shelved this book. A blurb claims that Trial confirms Richard North Patterson's place as "our most important author of popular fiction." Yet I never heard of the guy before now. The final flag wave was that an older white man wrote a book featuring a Black 18-year-old (Malcolm) and his Black single mother who is a voting rights advocate (Allie). Out of curiosity alone, I gave it a try.

How did Patterson prepare to write from the perspective of a life he knows nothing about? Did he try to put himself in Malcolm's shoes? Did he research, wing it or rip from real news headlines? The more I read, the more off the mark it seemed. I began to side-eye something in every single chapter. The only other main character Patterson could possibly relate to was a young white congressman.

Maybe it's my harsh judgment. I don't agree with Malcolm's point of view being written by a polar opposite. Patterson doesn't know the feeling a Black mother gets when her son is driving while Black. When her son should be home and isn't answering the phone. How the son must feel when being pulled over by a white police officer and arrested for murder. How social injustices arise in a trial.

I could go on and on. It all boils down to me not liking the book at all, struggling to finish, wishing the author stayed in his lane. There is no shame in writing what you KNOW.

Happy Early Pub Day, Richard North Patterson! Trial will be available Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Trial is a thought provoking, well written book by Richard North Patterson that will have you fully immersed in the storyline.

Malcolm a black 18 year old boy finds himself being pulled over on a dark country road by a white local police officer in Georgia. Things go horribly wrong and Malcolm finds himself in prison for murdering a police officer and his life is on the line.

Allie Hill is his mother and she is a well known advocate for voting rights.

Chase Brevard a Congressman from Massachusetts and Allie know each other and he puts his career on the line to help Allie out.

Trial has so many aspects: its the story of discrimination, both race and police and the right to vote.

The courtroom scenes had me holding my breath , turning the pages long after the lights should be out.

My review does not do Trial the justice it deserves . Get your copy, clear your calendar and settle in for a thought provoking, disturbing and tense read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Post Hill Press for a book that I wont soon forget.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

I was thrilled to see this book by Richard North Patterson, an author I admire, who hasn't written a book in some time. I guess he has been storing up his talent for this novel, a riveting story in general, this is not a dry account of issues, as the important issues are part of a love story that evolves into a lesson of secrets, chances and time lost.

An important novel, one which addresses concerns vital for an equitable society, racism in general, and specifically in our police departments. I write "our" because things can only be made right when all of us care and working together, regardless of race or skin color.

At the VERY least, this novel opens paths towards open discussion. Start a book club with this novel as your first offering. You could open eyes and souls to the fact that not everyone is judged as equal in our nation, comprised of immigrants.

Thank you Mr. Patterson for this important, entertaining, and timely book.

Until next time, remember color is only skin deep, it is time to embrace our differences, and to learn from them.

A brilliant commentary on the last half dozen years in this country! A compelling story about a politician, an activist, their son, and society at large.
Malcolm is out canvassing for voting applications and is stopped by a police officer. The officer is shot and killed when the two struggle over a gun that Malcolm has in the car.
There are two opposite stories going into the trial. Malcolm is either a cop hating vigilante or the cop is a white nationalist want to be…..as a backdrop the lawyer representing Malcolm is often hand cuffed by the court when he presents motions.
And it seems that Malcolm’s dad is the politician.
Quite a page turner and very well written. I do recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC.

I've read several books by Richard North Patterson and have always found them to be fast paced, interesting and hard to put down. This one was no different. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Another cracking read from this author, one it was worth waiting for.

A slow burn start leading into a riveting trial sequence, once again we have a lot of political and social themes woven into the narrative that really make you think about what you are reading.

Intriguing characters, an unpredictable ending and terrific writing. Couldn't ask for more really.

Trial by Richard North Patterson
I’ve read the review of this book in the Wall Street Journal and saw some discussion of it on CNN, that prompted me to get an early copy from NetGalley. This novel could almost be a documentary, as the news in the last few years is full of the interactions of police and young black men and racism these black men faith not only by police but society in general. In this novel an 18 year old boy, Malcolm is stopped
late at night by police. In the aftermath of this stop, the policeman is accidentally killed as he and Malcolm are fighting for Malcolm’s gun.
Malcolm is arrested for murder, people in his racist town do not believe his version of the events. Malcolm’s mother has been an activist for years for voter rights and helping mostly black folks to register to vote. Malcolm has also started to work for voter rights with his mother. Are the two defense attorneys able to convince the jury of Malcolm’s innocence? You will have to read the book to find out.
Some of the pre publication publicity centered around the fact that how can a white author write a novel about what black youth faces in our society. The author at the end gives the reader ample reassurance of all the research and interviews he has done to write this novel.
Overall, this book is a powerful story and I am glad I had a chance to get an early copy and do a review. I found the book too long, repetitive at times and honestly boring toward the end. For that reason I am only giving 3 stars with the comment, had this novel been about a quarter shorter, it would have deserved 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC. I thought at first I'd just not read a Patterson for a long time because I'd read other genres but it turns out he's not written one for 7 years.

Trial is an extremely well-researched, well-written novel in that distinctive Patterson style. The trial itself is riveting reading and I defy anyone to guess the end accurately. I certainly didn't see it coming.

My only real problem with this book is the two thirds I had to read before we got to the trial. I'm not saying we didn't need a background to the main event but I could have done without the numerous romantic bits - they fell in love, we get it. It felt, at times, like the book was explaining US politics and the issues of race/police/BLM etc to someone who'd been living under a rock since 2016.

There was one part of this story that I laughed at, only to discover that it really is a conspiracy theory- that of the Great Replacement. That even vaguely sane people believe this nonsense utterly befuddled me. As usual it's the Jews and Blacks who get the blame for what? Wanting a fairer society?

Anyway, politics aside I thought (a few pages from the end) that I was going to have to be annoyed but, in fact, the end was okay. We'll, for me at least.

I'd advise anyone who doesn't mind shouting at a book for a while (there's a ton of conspiracy theory and prejudice for you to yell at) then this is the book for you. It is a little too drawn out at times but otherwise I'd highly recommend it. As I said before, the titular trial itself is extremely good.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Richard North Patterson, and Post Hill Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Having read a number of novels by Richard North Patterson, I was eager for his return with a new and powerful legal thriller. Patterson does not disappoint, pulling on a number of key political and social issues that currently plague the United States, encapsulating them into this powerful piece of writing well worth the reader’s attention. Themes emerge that need to be addressed, even when they are less than pleasant, and Patterson handles them with ease and conviction throughout. This was exactly what I hoped for while I waited years for a new thriller into which I could sink my teeth. The wait was well worth it.

It all begins on a rural Georgia road one night. Malcolm Hill is a young voting rights worker, son of a local organizer who is well known to those in political circles. While Malcolm is trying to get home, he is admittedly under the influence, but wants no trouble. When a white sheriff’s deputy pulls him over, Malcom is scared and the routine traffic stop soon turns deadly when the deputy is shot and dies. Fearing for his life, Malcom waits there, trying to shake the blur of drunkenness from his brain and is found buy other deputies, who quickly arrest him and take him into custody. Even though Malcom says the shooting was part of an accidental firing, no one will listen.

Allie Hill knew something would happen, as her son is painted with the same brush as her, all for wanting to ensure the Black vote is not lost in the upcoming 2022 mid-term elections. While Malcolm has legal counsel, the fact that this first-degree murder charge could see her son face the death penalty forces Allie to pull out all the stops. She has a secret she has been harbouring and must act swiftly.

In Washington, DC, a motivated congressman from Massachusetts has his eyes set on the Senate. Chase Brevard is just what the country needs and could be the next big thing. However, as news from Georgia is splashed all over the television, Chase is contacted by Allie, who begs for his help. This opens up old wounds and memories from their shared time at Harvard, when things were a lot different. Allie held ono the secret that their time together led to something monumental, all after she left for Georgia again. Now, Chase is being pulled into the middle of the drama, with Malcom awaiting trial and potentially facing death.

As Chase makes his way to Georgia, he must face not only the past he knew nothing about, but also how he will help Malcolm. What follows is a courtroom battle that is about race, voting rights, and the right to refuse a police officer’s demands. The trial turns eyes all over the country and is sure to be pace-setting for the upcoming election ,with news off George Floyd still fresh in the minds of many. A stunning story that touches on the festering wounds of race and voter suppression, well into the 21st century. Richard North Patterson does a formidable job in addressing all this and keeping the reader hooked on the story at hand.

Readers familiar with Richard North Paterson will know that he does not write fluff. His novels, even the legal thrillers, are full of insight and social commentary that work well for the time at which they are written. Patterson seeks to bridge the divides and offer the reader something that will force them to think and act, rather that sit passively by and simply turn pages. This is one of those books and the narrative direction is precise throughout. The flow keeps the story moving, even when things do not seem to have clear direction. The characters are well-crafted and provide the reader with something onto which they can latch to get the needed direction. The plot developments are well honed and keep the reader involved, even if some of the plot points are easily seen a mile away. Patterson knows what he is doing and has used some of his knowledge of the issues at hand to craft this long-await piece of writing. With 2024 on the horizon, I will have to find a better means to follow his views as we head into another presidential election, sure to be full of vitriol on both sides.

Kudos, Mr. Patterson, for a stunning novel that never disappoints.