#1 Lawyer is definitely my favorite James Patterson book in a LONG time! The story kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t stand to put the book down. This was a thrilled whodunit and I could figure out the person(s) responsible.
However, I absolutely hated the main character’s name. Stafford Lee is definitely an out of the box name and it just annoyed me so badly.
Luckily the book was good enough to sort of distract me from the awful name. But I really did enjoy it.

Read this on a train trip - thank you NetGalley for the ARC to read and review!

James Patterson is very consistent enjoyable author for me, and I think co-author Nancy Allen added a great deal of legal authenticity to the book. The book is pretty much as described - a talented southern attorney goes through a personal misfortune, career tanks, he rebuilds only to face a massive challenge to his career and personal future. Ok, we all know Patterson books resolve plotlines - this will end up ok, but how will he and his co-writer take the reader to that finish line?

This book has good characters and a relatively satisfying plot twist/resolution. But why does it need to be set in Biloxi, Mississippi? It is toooo close to John Grisham's base of Memphis and haven't we read enough about southern law firms? Can't it be based in Chicago or Montana or Indiana? I did feel Stafford Lee's trajectory was a bit depressing and not quite believable- I thought he would have a better way to handle his personal and legal troubles, but I'll suspend those thoughts to read Patterson. I did think the flip-flop angle was kind of weird and out of any realm of normal attorney character. Be a lifeguard, fine (slightly odd choice IMO)! But no flip flops in the courtroom. I felt they were borrowing from Michael Connelly's (The Lincoln Lawyer) main character having the 'defining quirk' of driving in the Lincoln car. But flip flops don't really make us think of legal powerhouses, and that's what we all really want to read about, isn't it?

My last gripe has to do with the book summary from the publisher. Why does the reader need to be told Stafford Lee's wife is killed??? Are there not enough readers willing to read a book by this major author without being spoon fed major plot elements before they even open the book? Please, I beg publishers to stop doing this and let us readers be surprised by something!

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to seeing where Patterson goes with this new series. AND I will seek out Nancy Allen's writing to try it out. 4-stars.

I love James Patterson books. He is the only author I read before I found bookstagram. I did really like this one but about 30% through I felt like it wasn’t matching the synopsis. It eventually all came together nicely.

The #1 Lawyer by James Patterson and Nancy Allen is an entertaining legal thriller. I've read many James Patterson books, but I'm also a fan of the co-author, Nancy Allen. Together, the two authors have created a tense, suspenseful, and sometimes stressful story. I was rooting for the main character, Stafford Lee Penney when he was the "#1 lawyer", and after his fall from grace. Other than that, it was hard to know who to trust in this twisty mystery/thriller. There were a couple of other characters I liked, but since it was clear someone was double-crossing Stafford Lee, I was afraid to get too attached to anyone else!

The story alternates between being hopeful and heartbreaking, but is consistently engaging. The drama is sometimes over-the-top, but I couldn't put it down and I loved the ending. I would love to see additional books with Stafford Lee and those who prove themselves to be his allies. Fans of John Grisham’s courtroom thrillers would enjoy this well-written book. (4.5 stars)

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Little Brown and Company. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

In Patterson's latest book the #1 Lawyer, Stafford Lee Penney is a small-town lawyer with a big-time reputation for winning every case he tries. Penney is Biloxi, Mississippi’s #1 Lawyer and top local celebrity.

Just as Penney wins his latest courtroom victory, his wife is killed. He spirals out of control, damaging his reputation and ruining his career.

Penney makes a bold decision and creates a new persona: lawyer lifeguard. He moonlights at the beach, showing up to court in flip-flops, and mentoring a law student.

When Penney is accused of murder, he decides to defend himself. I loved the small town feel of this book and thought the characters were outstanding.

The highly anticipated legal thriller (to be released in March 2024) has surprised me by earning an unexpected 5-star rating. Mark my words, I never, ever expected to give such praise for a James Patterson novel. An exhilarating ride that kept me on the edge of my seat, the book's fast-paced storyline and captivating characters, from Stafford Lee, Jenny, Mason, the Caros, to Rue and Joey, are lauded for delivering unexpected twists and turns at every corner.

At the heart of the narrative lies Stafford Lee Penney, Biloxi's most renowned criminal defense attorney known for his unbeatable track record in the courtroom. However, Penney's world is turned upside down when his wife is tragically murdered, and he finds himself suddenly thrust into the spotlight as the prime suspect: America's #1 lawyer becomes its #1 suspect. As Penney's personal and professional life unravels, he embarks on a daring transformation, shedding his lawyer persona to adopt a new identity as a lifeguard. Embracing a laid-back lifestyle, complete with flip-flops and beachside mentoring sessions, Penney's unconventional approach to his defense sets the stage for an electrifying courtroom battle. As the stakes escalate, readers are drawn into a gripping tale of legal maneuvering and personal redemption. With the odds stacked against him, Penney's determination to clear his name and uncover the truth will keep readers enthralled until the final page.

Simply brilliant!

Great read a departure from Patterson and Allen as they take on a flawed lawyer and a cast of characters with little redeeming features but the reader is swept along and you can't wait to see where it is going. This could be another series in a long line of great stories from two terrific authors. Twists and turns abound until the final conclusion it will not disappoint.. Book clubs will engage in discussions as so many topics are introduced during this read.

Biloxi’s best criminal defense attorney has never lost a case. Then his client’s beautiful wife is murdered, and America’s #1 lawyer suddenly becomes its #1 suspect. Stafford Lee Penney is a small-town lawyer with a big-time reputation for winning every case he tries. In his sharp suits and polished Oxford shoes, Penney is Biloxi, Mississippi’s #1 Lawyer and top local celebrity. Just as Penney notches his latest courtroom victory, his wife is scandalously killed. He spirals into a legal and personal losing streak, damaging his reputation and ruining his career! I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I'm not usually into legal type genres but this book was really good! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

This book was another wonderful James Patterson book! I love the easy flow of his writing. This one had some unexpected twists and the ending held a great surprise. Patterson never disappoints!.

The #1 Lawyer features Stafford Lee Penney, new character in the James Patterson publishing juggernaut. Penney is a lawyer in a small town whose reputation for winning is well-known throughout the state of Mississippi. In fact, the defense attorney has never lost a trial. 

After his latest win leaves him feeling a little off-kilter, things start going from bad to worse. A murder-suicide knocks his world off of its axis and he falls into a downward spiral that he might not have recovered from, if not for his closest friends. While Stafford Lee starts to slowly put his life back together, the hits just keep on coming.

I enjoyed the fast pace of the story, which is by now almost a standard in any James Patterson storyline. I struggled a bit staying engaged in the middle of the novel, but once the action picked back up, I was very interested to learn what exactly was going on and who was really behind all of the damage being done in Biloxi. Learning who was behind the last murder was a shocker, but it felt rushed, and was worthy of many more pages than it got. The #1 Lawyer reminds readers of the racial disparities still occurring throughout much of the country, and how differently murder victim cases can be treated based on the race of the victim. This is an important reminder that not all is equal, especially in certain states. It would have added another degree of interest to do more with this storyline in the novel; it felt like a missed opportunity that it was not explored in more detail.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5/5)

This was a great legal thriller, that felt like I was reading a John Grisham courtroom saga. It reminded me of A Time to Kill, because of the storyline and racial tension. Thanks for the ARC.

It's been a while since I've read a good murder mystery/legal thriller/courtroom drama, all of which I highly enjoy. This Southern tale takes place in Biloxi where a highly regarded doctor is on trial for murder although the crimes and mysteries hardly stop there. Stafford Lee Penney, the attorney defending the doctor soon finds himself struggling to maintain his winning reputation and keep his head above water as more crimes come to light and more mysteries unfold. This book was reminiscent of Grisham in his earlier years. I hope this is not the last we see of Stafford Lee as I really enjoyed this character. My thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I’ve been a James Patterson fan for years and this has to go in my top ten of favorites ever! A startling new set of characters and a storyline that kept me thinking even what I wasn’t reading. I turned the pages so fast it was crazy! Loved it and hoping maybe it becomes a series! Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this early copy for read and review

I’m a lawyer, and I approve this book. Exciting, twisty, turbulent. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. It’s been a while since I picked up a James Patterson book, now I’m excited to go back and read some of his collabs from the past few years.

The #1 Lawyer by James Patterson and Nancy Allen has characters that are quick to become your new acquaintances. Their journey through solving this mystery pulls you into the story.

If asked whether I was a fan of James Patterson’s books, my first response would be “no.” I, was happy to give his #1 Lawyer a try, especially since it was offered to me in exchange for my honest review. (Thank you Little Brown and NetGalley!)

No Alex Cross this time…instead it is Stafford Lee Penney, flashy attorney in Mississippi. Wait, is this Grisham? Greg Iles? Robert Bailey? All have the whole Southern “justice” thing working well for them…how could this be different?

Well, for starters, he is no longer a big flashy guy with a gorgeous wife and gazillion dollar suits. His wife has been killed, and he has decided to become the “lawyer lifeguard.” Sort of like the Lincoln Lawyer goes to the beach, He mentors a law student and struggles to find a way to redeem himself after he sort of self-sabotages his career.

It’s an enjoyable read. Not sure I will seek out any sequels, but it is fine. I might just be a ghost writer bigot, and I definitely like to support original mysteries written by authors who get away from their regular storylines. But Nancy Allen's name is right there on the cover, so she's not much of a "ghost." Three and a half stars, can’t decide whether to round up or down, but since I always had a reputation as an easy grader, I will go four. And good for you, Nancy Allen, for your portion of this work. (Wish I knew how much is yours and how much is JP’s)

This book was just okay. It felt like it drug on and on to me, definitely not as fast paced as other books. The main character isn't very likable. There are a couple of good plot twists that does keep you into it until the end. But, really kind of disappointing.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.

As always James Patterson does not disappoint on this book.
This book grips you from page one and dies t let go till the final word is read.
It’s fast paced and just plain great.
Good characters.
Great writing.
Great story as always with a Patterson book.

Like so many other James Patterson books, this book was un-put-downable ! I devoured the story in less than a day, and loved the twist, and turns along the way!

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an Advanced Digital Copy of The #1 Lawyer by James Patterson and Nancy Allen. I really enjoyed this story of an undefeated lawyer who finds himself down on his luck and works his way back! Great story and really enjoyed it!