A riveting justice thriller that packs immense suspense in the execution of law with the energy of kinetic action and engaging confrontations. Stacey Abrams writes an excellent follow up with an even bigger conspiracy,

I love a good mystery/thriller type of book, especially one with a strong female lead. Avery Keene does not disappoint. I loved how bada** she is and how she was able to figure things out before the all-powerful US government. Some of the concepts certainly went over my head but it didn't take away from the story. I'm pretty sure there are more books in this series which I am very excited to read next.

Stacey Abrams truly does it all. This was a sharp, fast-paced thriller that should be a movie. It had all of the elements you would expect in a government thriller: charismatic politicians, well-meaning government agents, a heroine to root for and plenty of intrigue. A really fun read.

Supreme Court clerk Avery Keene is back, trying to get her feet on solid ground after unraveling an international conspiracy in While Justice Sleeps. But as the sparks of Congressional hearings and political skirmishes swirl around her, Avery is approached at a legal conference by Preston Davies, an unassuming young man and fellow law clerk to a federal judge in Idaho. Davies believes his boss, Judge Francesca Whitner, was being blackmailed in the days before she died. Desperate to understand what happened, he gives Avery a file, a burner phone, and a fearful warning that there are highly dangerous people involved. This is the second in the Avery Keene series and every bit as good as the first. It may have been a bit slow to start but more than made up for it with a thrilling end. Looking forward to another in this series.

Rogue Justice by Stacey Abrams is one of the best and most suspenseful books I've read in a long time. It is abundantly clear that Abrams has a background and deeper understanding of politics and the legal system than other writers. The twists and turns in this suspense novel were completely unexpected every time but also reasonable and plausible in a way that made the book more engrossing. This is one that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a political thriller.

Stacey is back with another legal thriller that the reader cannot put down! Abrams has shifted genres beautifully! 4/5 stars

I am not a big thriller fan but I have had the pleasure of meeting Stacey Abrams and am a big fan of hers. This book made me nervous, but hopeful. That there are people out there still working for common good.

Stacey Abrams is the savior of our democracy and an incredible writer to boot. This isn't my normal genre but this was an engaging read. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a political thriller. While I think a lot of them get politics wrong (bc they're usually just writers and not privvy to the inner workings of the federal government) Abrams brings a sharp insight while writing a propulsive narrative. 10/10 will read her next one!

So far, I have always thoroughly enjoyed any books by Stacey Abrams. And it's not that I didn't enjoy Rogue Justice, but it seems like it took me quite awhile to actually become interested in the story at hand. After looking back at my review of book one (While Justice Sleeps), I seemed to have a bit of the same problem with that book. There were parts that absolutely loved, and then parts that felt like were pulling teeth to get me through.

I really like that Stacey Abrams has experience as a Prosecutor and writes with that experience, but I think in some ways the stories are too in depth that the reader gets lost in the shuffle. Who knows...I could completely be off base but I do know that I've struggled through both of the Avery Keene books! I am still interested enough to see where book three might go, should there be a book three!

I absolutely love Avery Keene as a character. She is an incredibly strong female character that wants to save the world all by herself. She has an incredible support system that roots for her at every turn and an impeccable memory...actually she says she wishes she COULD forget some things! So the character development in these books are above par, for sure.

I know that Stacey Abrams has the ability to write an incredible story, because I've read them before! Unfortunately this story just didn't hit incredible level for me!

I would like to take a minute to offer a HUGE thank you to Stacey Abrams, Doubleday Books, and Netgalley for providing me with an Advanced Reader's Copy of Rogue Justice which allowed me to contribute this honest and unbiased review.

Rogue Justice is the second book featuring Avery Keene written by Stacey Abrams. Released 23rd May 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Doubleday imprint, it's 368 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in second quarter 2024. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

It's always fun to see really clever people doing things they're good at. Ms. Abrams is well known as a lawmaker, voting rights advocate, legal professional, and politician. She's perhaps less-well-known as an accomplished author, but certainly no less talented. She writes, and writes very well. This is a well constructed and engaging legal procedural mystery which is fast paced and with a solidly constructed plot. All the parts are engineered well and work to a satisfying denouement and resolution.

There are some difficulties with an overabundance of secondary characters which were sometimes a challenge to keep straight during the read. The ebook format is recommended for the ability to do text searches for that reason. At several places, the narrative felt a little too much like it was taken directly from the headlines and much less like a spy thriller, but here we are.

I cannot imagine that Ms. Abrams has time to sleep, given her schedule and professional commitments. She must be an incredibly gifted time manager, writing and publishing books, speaking publicly, making policy and advocating.

This is the second book of an ongoing series, and especially given the intricacy of the plot and the plethora of characters, the books should be read in order.

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition and potentially for mystery book club discussion or a buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I loved Avery Keene in "While Justice Sleeps," so I was thrilled to dive into another one of her adventures. Just as fast-paced and thrilling as the first book, "Rogue Justice" picks up right where we left off and doesn't look back. Aery is still fighting many of the same monsters and demons as she has been, but there are also some new terrors and possible injustices to contend with. I love that she is such a smart character, but never annoyingly so. We need more female characters like her!

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This beginning was a little drawn out but the pace picked up in just enough time. So far this is a solid series.

While Justice Sleeps was the first book in the series by Stacey Abrams that introduced readers to Avery Keene, a Supreme Court clerk, who was thrown into political intrigue by her boss, Justice Howard Wynn, that rocked America to its core. While I won’t go into much more detail than that, I highly suggest reading that book, not just because it was phenomenal in its own right, but because in order to read this next book in the series, you will have to had read the first in order to follow what is going on in this book. Also, if you haven’t read the first book, then please skip the rest of this review as it will contain spoilers.

In this latest installment, Avery Keene is a pariah embroiled in the middle of the upcoming impeachment trial of President Stokes. She is the one who brought the nation’s attention to President Stokes illegal activities of the highest degree and accused him of murder. She is on leave from her job with the Supreme Court and the media is stalking her every move. Avery is not relishing the attention and she is frustrated that she cannot move on with her life. People are taking sides on the political scandal and saying she is a liar and she made up all of the allegations and her new number one enemy is President Stokes who clearly has a target aimed straight at her back. Will her life ever be the same?

Avery is attending a routine legal conference and trying to keep her head down, when she is approached by Preston Davies, who is the clerk for the now deceased Judge Francesca Whitner. Davies believes that his former boss, a federal judge in Idaho, was being blackmailed and that led to her suicide. He pleads with Avery to investigate and hands her a folder and a burner phone that contains messages and videos from the blackmailer and suddenly flees the scene. Avery is determined to ignore Mr. Davies pleas for help as she doesn’t want to bring more attention to herself; however, she chases after him to learn more information and why he thinks she is the one who can solve the case. While chasing after Mr. Davies, she is shocked when she sees him murdered right in front of her in the middle of the street. Now, Avery is determined to find out what Davies was trying to tell her at any cost as she cannot let an innocent man die for no reason.

Avery soon enlists her tech-savvy boyfriend, her roommate and their lawyer friend, along with FBI agent Robert Lee to assist her with her investigation. The details start pouring out. There are links to the energy grid, the judicial system, and the FISA Court which is responsible for allowing the nation’s investigative bureaus to seek evidence on suspected terrorists secretly. It seems that as Avery continues to unravel the threads of the investigation that there is more going on than what meets the eye.

The twists and turns of this book were enough to keep this reader fully engaged. Avery is a smart character, it is hard not to like her, and she is determined to seek justice at any cost. I will say that Abrams is a phenomenal writer and this series is one that I encourage everyone to read. Not only do you get a thriller of a mystery, you also learn things along the way. I have mentioned previously on this blog that I am a paralegal by day and while I have an advanced knowledge of the judicial system and how it works, I was surprised to learn about the FISA Court. I had never heard of the FISA Court until I read this book and it was interesting to see that this is a real court that operates in America every single day. There are many federal agencies that Ms. Abrams alludes to in this book as well and every single one of them are real agencies that operate in our government. Abrams has done her research and it really shows throughout the pages of this book. I highly recommend this book to all readers and hope that you come to love this series as much as I have.

Overall Rating: 5+ stars
Author: Stacey Abrams

Series: Avery Keene #2

Publisher: Doubleday

Publication Date: May 23, 2023

Pages: 356

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Get It: Amazon

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the publisher, through NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.

Rogue Justice
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Stacey Abrams

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Doubleday Books and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Avery Keene is back, trying to get her feet on solid ground after unraveling a conspiracy that took down the President of the United States in While Justice Sleeps. But as the sparks of impeachment hearings and political skirmishes swirl around her, Avery is approached at a legal conference by Preston Davies, an unassuming young man and fellow law clerk to a federal judge in Idaho. Davies believes his boss, Judge Francesca Whitner, was being blackmailed in the days before she recently took her own life, and he gives Avery a file, a burner phone, and a fearful warning that there are highly dangerous people involved. Moments later, Avery is shocked when she witnesses Davies being murdered.

After breaking the encrypted file Davies gave to her, Avery reveals a list of names--all federal judges--and, alarmingly, all judges on the FISA Court (the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court), also known as America's secret court. It is this body that grants permission to the government to wiretap American individuals or corporations suspected of terrorism. Avery knows Judge Whitner had been extorted, but as she investigates the names and cases associated with other judges on the list she begins to see a frightening pattern--and she worries that something far more sinister may be unfolding.

My Thoughts: This is the second book in the Avery Keene series. The first one was While Justice Sleeps when we were introduced to Avery Keene. While you could read this as a standalone, it would be best to read the first one first to get a true sense of Keene and her allies. Abrams storytelling ability with politics and law and her ability to dramatize these highly sensitive issues is just brilliant. A lot of times, both in movies and books, the sequel is not as good as the original, no matter how hard it tries. This one is different, I would say it’s at least par with the prior novel. This plot was a bit complex and involved government acronyms, high secrecy at the highest level of our government, some international aspects, and of course, greed and power. While complex, it is still understandable. The fact that Abrams picks targeting a power grid is truly brilliant.

This novel takes place four months after the preceding novel. The characters were well fleshed out with depth, mystery, secrecy, and intriguing. Keene has an idyllic memory, very intelligent, and has a knack for investigating; this is further explored in this second installment. The author’s writing style was complex, multifaceted, suspenseful, twisty, and just brilliant. The author’s ability to intricately plot twists in layers, create fictional facts that hit close to home, and just the overall tense vibe that she creates is absolutely astonishing. The pacing and flow that the author creates is perfect.

Political anything is not really my cup of tea but I do love legal thrillers, being in the legal field myself. Abrams just spins a perfect thriller so I would always be interested in what she writes, even if it has a political aspect. This is part legal thriller and part political thriller. This is a gripping, fast paced thriller that will keep you on your toes and the edge of your seat. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good legal or political thriller. I have read other reviews and many state that the audiobook for this was phenomenal.

A follow-up to Stacey Abrams first thriller 'While Justice Sleeps" picks up where "While Justice Sleeps' left off. Avery Keene continues to be an engaging protagonist. The inclusion of the Supreme Court, FBI, President who being impeached by Congress, and so much more is very timely. The story is fast-paced and hard to put down. I am looking forward to the next title in this series.

I was just telling my work wife last week that I really needed a good political thriller. As someone who devoured James Patterson and John Grisham growing up, this was the perfect book to satisfy my craving. (FWIW, those are still two of my auto buy authors.)

Of course I had to read While Justice Sleeps before diving in here, since it sets the stage for the events of Rogue Justice. While I suppose you could read it as a stand alone, I strongly recommend you read While Justice Sleeps before Rogue Justice.

In "Rogue Justice", Stacey Abrams captivates us with her skillful blend of political intrigue, current events, and meticulously researched fiction. A direct sequel to her previous work, "While Justice Sleeps," this novel continues the story of the ballsy Supreme Court clerk Avery Keene, who we've all grown to love.

Abrams effortlessly brings us back into the world she built in the first book. We’ll get reacquainted with the disgraced President, the on-the-run Major Vance, Jared Wynn, Dr. Ling, Noah Fox and Special Agent Robert Lee. Their stories expand as we uncover that the events in the first book were just the tip of the iceberg. And we can’t forget about the new players who will reek havoc of their own.

The story picks up as Avery, attempting to regain stability after exposing an international conspiracy, is drawn into yet another web of secrets and lies. She’s still ensnared in the aftermath of When Justice Sleeps. President stokes has been reinstated and there is a looming impeachment trial. Avery is approached by Preston Davies, a law clerk who suspects that his boss, a federal judge, was being blackmailed before her unexpected demise.

The plot intensifies as Avery uncovers a list of names of all the judges on the FISA Court, America's "secret court" that authorizes wiretapping and spying on suspected terrorists. What follows is a series of alarming revelations that suggest a grave threat to the nation's judicial branch.

As this story is deftly woven with details lifted from today's headlines, I can't help but admire how Abrams has manipulated certain character traits to keep readers on their toes. For instance, while the depiction of the President might echo real-life figures, he's no caricature. This unexpected portrayal challenges readers' preconceived notions, ensuring an engaging read as we sift through truth and deception.

What sets "Rogue Justice" apart is Abrams' detailed exploration of the FISA Court, a topic of growing concern in America. As Avery unravels layers of deceit and power plays, she grapples with threats to her life, her loved ones, and the sanctity of the nation's judicial system.

While the book is undoubtedly thrilling, it's Avery Keene's eidetic memory and relentless pursuit of justice that truly make it shine. She navigates through a complex maze of legal and political challenges with ease, serving as a beacon of truth in a world where power often trumps honesty.

Rogue Justice is a must-read, ensuring you'll be on the edge of your seat from start to finish, eagerly anticipating the next move in this masterful game of chess. Undeniably, Stacey Abrams' second novel in the Avery Keene series has surpassed its predecessor, leaving us wondering where she could possibly take us next. No matter where that is, rest assured, I’ll be eagerly waiting.

Blending suspense, mystery, and political insight, Abrams’ once again proves her talent for storytelling is as potent as her understanding of the real-world political landscape. The scariest part about this legal thriller…it could actually happen.

As always, I encourage you to read Rogue Justice and come to your own conclusions. Thank you to the author Stacey Abrams, the publisher Doubleday Books and NetGalley for providing the ARC copy of this book.

I didn’t enjoy this as much as While Justice Sleeps. It was good to have some familiar characters but then there became too many characters, a confusing plot and a lot of government acronyms. Avery is a very strong character and I look forward to more stories about her.

Stacey Abrams, does it again, bringing a suspense filled political war, thriller before her audience of readers. The main character, Avery Keene, picks up where she left off in the first book, Where Justice Sleeps, holding tight to her loyalties for Justice Wynn. To keep the suspense growing, Avery finds herself in the midst of another conspiracy centered around 11 other judges. While the suspense was a good lead in with a new character extending the conspiracy threat….the storyline grew a bit convoluted. There were many elements , characters to track, leaving the reader a bit…undecided about which line of thinking to follow in hopes of hitting the big THREAT! I’m a fan of a true thriller but I needed a little more fire on this flame to keep me engaged.

Pub date: 5/23/23
Genre: political thriller/suspense
Series: Avery Keene, book 2
Do I need to read book 2 first?: It's not essential, but I'd recommend it so you have the background on Keene's character.
Quick summary: Supreme Court clerk Avery Keene receives a file, a burner phone, and a warning from a desperate fellow law clerk. A few days later, he's dead, and she's about to unravel a massive conspiracy.

I've loved political thrillers ever since I read THE PELICAN BRIEF as a kid. Stacey Abrams did a great job crafting an intriguing storyline involving an area of the government I hadn't heard of - raise your hand if you knew about the FISA Court (United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court). Avery continues to be a great protagonist - thoughtful and intelligent, but reckless enough to keep things interesting. I really liked how narrator Adenrele Ojo brought her to life.

My one complaint about this series is that the books have a bit too much exposition in the middle as Abrams tells the reader about the intricacies of the conspiracy. But I needn't have worried, as the ending had a big payoff. I will continue to follow Avery's adventures!

Thank you to Doubleday Books for my e-ARC and PRHAudio for my audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.