I haven’t read too many legal proceeding thrillers but I have to say this one was anything but boring. The author has a fantastic way of making any predictions entirely impossible, especially with fast moved pacing and constant twists. The atmosphere was another wonderful thing, you feel like you’re in the jury room while the decisions are unfolding. Ellison Ricard is filing a lawsuit against his former employer, MediMiracle Corporation. And all is most definitely NOT as it seems.

This was a page turner! Ricard is up against a medical corporation for whistle blowing that they were covering up numbers to for being fired because he is Black. This novel has it all. We get to read through the court transcripts, we get an inside look into the lives of each jury member as they fight for what they believe is the truth and who's side they are looking to vote towards. We also get to see a few incidents unfold that has also been brought out showing the good and bad of Ricard as well as the good and bad of those in higher positions at MediMiracle Corp. I really kept going back and forth as I read this novel. But then there was quite the bombshells that dropped and changed the aspect of things for both sides. As the jury is nearing a decision, they are called back in for further evidence. A very unusual event but the jury themselves also have a bombshell they are holding close to the chest that they discovered as they were going back through the thousands of pages of documents. This was a very good court read and I highly recommend for those who love court dramas and a story that will leave you thinking for a while after. Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the complementary ebook and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the tour invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

If you enjoy legal thrillers then you will definitely want to pick this one up. I was hooked! I love a good courtroom drama!! The court case is about a whistleblower and a drug company that has manufactured a drug that can help with opiate addiction, but it could also hurt others who are of different races. The author describes all of the characters, such as the judge and jury, plaintiffs and defendants. I found the case so interesting. There's all kinds of twists and surprises throughout that totally caught me off guard. You'll also get to read the court transcripts which I thought was cool. The ending was a complete shocker for me. Did not expect that. Rotstein is a new to me author, and I cannot wait to read his backlist in the future!

Thank you to the publisher and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

If you enjoy legal thrillers then definitely pick this up. It's fast paced and almost addictive. It kept me glued to the pages and the pace was the way I enjoy my thrillers. I thought the writing was very good and the ending was my favorite part. Looking forward to reading another book by this author!

This book is a race against the clock and will take you to a non stop adventure to fantastic European destinations.
Beleive me when I say that once you start you won’t be able to stop reading, fast-paced, thrilling and epic.

𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝘆 is part of the Buck Reilly Adventure Series but can be read as a standalone.

I LOVED the way this book uses court transcripts and through the eyes of people affiliated with a civil court case. The story is told as the jurors are deliberating. I enjoyed the fact that the jurors are not referred to by their name but by their occupations.

The court case itself is compelling as it is about a whistle blower for a company making a drug that gets rid of drug addictions. The book deals with race, the corporate world, and how jurors bring in their own preconceived notions and baggage into the jury room.

This is also a fast moving legal thriller with some pretty big twists along the way.

Queue ~The Verdict by Joe Jackson
"... Wonder what the jury has to say
Waiting
Waiting
Waiting
Waiting
Waiting..."

Are you a court drama fan? I definitely fit the bill, having watched my fair share of everything: Law and Order (the original!), Bull, The Practice, and Fairly Legal, to Perry Mason Reruns, Ally McBeal, LA Law, and yes, even Night Court (does that count?). So, when I was asked to read an ARC of a court drama, it was a no-brainer. (But, tbh, it was one of my first court drama novels).

I was hooked from the very beginning, as the novel opens as a court document, the stenographer’s notes. I WAS a part of the process. As I read the proceedings, I felt like I was sitting next to each and every juror. I truly loved the way Rotstein not only cinematically set the novel, but also technically and narratively captured the emotions, the dichotomy of every moving piece and person in the court room.

I must admit while I was completely drawn in and devoured over half the book before I looked up, I did get a little lost in the weeds with the court clerk. But without giving away anything, I see how her role was important to the overall outcome, and I look forward to celebrating the release of this novel this Tuesday! As Robert Rothstein is a new-to-me author, I’ve already added his back list (including his co-authorship with James Patterson), and I really hope there will be a new novel in his future for me to read!

Thank you to @robertrotstein and @suzyapprovedbooktours for my electronic copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#Bookstagram #read #JANUARYReads #FreeReview #booktours #BookReview #ATrueVerdict #readingonthebrink

Wow, I didn't see that ending coming!
It's obvious the author knows a thing or two about courtroom proceedings and what happens in jury rooms while deliberating. I was on a jury once and the deliberations were as contentious and my thoughts on some of my fellow jurors were just as baffling as they were in this novel. To say the least it was very relatable. I really enjoyed the way the story was crafted and told through the multiple POV's of the participants. With the back and forth in the deliberations it was a mystery how or if the jury would come to a consensus to reach a verdict which created tension and propelled the story forward. If you enjoy legal thrillers that get into the heads of the characters and have surprising twists asking the way, I recommend this intriguing novel.

This is a masterpiece of a book! The story opens after a trail is given to the jury to deliberate. Each juror has a POV but they are only identified as their juror number and occupation. We also hear from the lawyers and judge from their POV, but a very small amount compared to the jurors. The author includes transcripts of testimony, which I loved reading. As a fan of trial fiction this book was a perfect read. The author did a wonderful job telling the story in a unique and interesting way and throwing in a few twists, especially at the end. I would definitely read more books by this author.

Robert Rotstein, the Author of “A True Verdict” has written an intriguing and riveting Legal Thriller. The genres for the book are: Legal Drama, Crime Thriller, and Suspense. There are secrets, lies, twists and turns and some shocking conclusions. The author vividly describes the dramatic, complex and complicated characters. In detail, the author describes each of the characters in detail, including the plaintiff and the defendent, the jurors, the judge, the court room staff, and the significant others. MeriMiracle Corporation manufactures Sophrosyne. which is a cure for opiate addiction in Caucasions. It is a new “Miracle Drug” that is claimed to save lives, yet there is a debate that it can harm and be deadly to other races. The themes surrounding the trial are racial discrimination, drug use, class differences, sexism, greed and political views. The two opposing attorneys, once worked with each other. The jury members are dysfunctional, and don’t agree on anything. Secrets and lies are discovered, and last minute witnesses are shocking. I promise you won’t get over the shocking ending, which is quite thought-provoking. I recommend that you read this book.

True Verdict by Robert Rotstein is a thrilling legal thriller which I really enjoyed.

This book kept be engaged and on the edge of my seat! The story is about Ellison, who is a black male that is wheelchair bound. He is wheelchair bound due to being part of a civil rights rally many years prior.

He is suing a corporation for a civil rights violation, as he was a former employee and had turned up something very alarming and was terminated (allegedly) for bringing it forward.

It was interesting having the jury perspective in this legal thriller. I really was SHOCKED by the ending, I did not see that coming. Such a great book I really enjoyed.

If you're a fan of legal thrillers, this book is for you!

A True Verdict is a legal thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It follows Ellison Ricard a black man who is wheelchair bound (injured in a civil rights demonstration year back). He is suing MediMiracle Corporation for civil rights violations. Ellison worked as a data research analyst for the pharmaceutical company. He discovered that their drug Sophrosyne caused more lethal side effects in African Americans then any others. Ellison argues he was wrongfully terminated to keep this data hidden and because of his race.

For majority of the book, we are following the jury as they deliberate. In the beginning it is very interesting since jury members are different ages and races and different life experiences. Unfortunately for me, it seemed to become caddy and mostly bickering instead of actual debating the facts.

The ending for me was a little unexpected, and I did enjoy that twist. Overall this was a 3.5 star read for me, but for someone who really enjoys legal thrillers, I think this is a good one for you.

My thanks to Blackstone Publishing, The Author, Robert Rotstein, as well as NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of A True Verdict.

#ATrueVerdict #NetGalley

3.5 Stars. A True Verdict is a suspenseful legal thriller with its end impossible to predict. Its format was unusual for me. Most of the book revolves around the jury with added trial transcripts. The case seems straightforward. A disabled Black man in a wheelchair, Ellison Ricard (injured years before in a civil rights demonstration), is suing MediMiracle corporation for civil rights violations. He worked as a data research analyst for the pharmaceutical company, discovering their drug Sophrosyne caused more lethal side effects in Blacks. He contends he was wrongfully fired to keep this data hidden and because of his race. A defendant for the drug company is its charismatic, business-like CEO, Peyton Burke.

There is tension and some hostility among jury members, as they cannot agree on anything. It looks as if they will never reach a consensus. They vary in age, work, life experiences and attitude. There are accusations of racism, ageism, elitism, misogyny, and cultural stereotyping. There is a rivalry to gain the leadership role, so their opinions will dominate. Others feel less intelligent and too timid to speak up. Members are not above complaining to the judge about the behaviour of jury members. In this stressful atmosphere, they must hurry to reach a consensus.

As the trial nears its end, a video shows MediMiracale's leading members speaking and acting inappropriately. This may cause them to lose jury votes, but it is minor compared to the facts revealed about E. Ricard, which are bound to produce shock and controversy. The verdict is unexpected.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this twisty and intense ARC, which will be published on January 14, 2025. Recommended for readers who enjoy a legal thriller with many twists.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Robert Rotstein, and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

I have enjoyed many novels by Robert Rotstein in the past and hoped to do so once again. A legal thriller of this type can only help to get the blood pumping and keep the reader in the middle of the mix. In a civil case, Ellison Ricard is bringing him employer to court for his dismissal. While he feels that he was fired for speaking out about a troubling medication, MediMiracle blames his poor attitude and disruptive behaviour. In a novel told through the eyes of the jurors who are deliberating, the story gains momentum the longer the group is out, prepared to decide on Ricard’s claim. What happens around the jury table could sway things, though the differing views of the group could make a verdict anything but predictable. Rotstein delivers a great thriller that kept me curious until the very end.

Ellison Ricard works as a research analyst for MediMiracle Corporation, creators of the opiate addiction medication, Sophrosyne. However, Ricard notices some recent studies on its use that show a remarkable spike in fatal outcomes amongst different racial groups. When he brings his findings up to the company CEO, Payton Burke, an explosive conversation turns violent and Ricard is fired on the spot.

Filing a lawsuit against his former employer, Ellison Ricard hopes to gain some notoriety and ensure that the truth comes out about Sophrosyne. After an intense trial, the case has gone to the jury, who must weigh all the evidence and decide whether to side with Ricard or support MediMiracle. However, the case is anything but cut and dry, especially with all the personalities around the table. Weighing the evidence and coming to a decision will be difficult, though the pressure to decide quickly is also part of the sense of tension in the air around the courthouse.

As the story alternates between the jurors’ perspectives and case transcripts, the story meanders and provides many angles as the deliberations move forward. A verdict is likely not far off, though the result is anything but guaranteed or predictable in this California community. Rotstein delivers a stunning legal thriller that entertains and educates in equal measure, leaving the reader as another member of the jury throughout the experience.

I have long enjoyed the legal thrillers that Robert Rotstein creates with his well-paced novels. This was no exception and keeps the reader in the middle of the action. Creating a strong narrative is but one of the many tasks Rotstein needs to juggle in this book. Things follow a clear direction, though there are many offshoots that create unpredictable moments for the attentive reader. Well-built characters keep the reader entertained and provide key questions about how the jury will be able to decide such a case, as no one seems to agree on much of anything. There are many who flavour the story and keep things edgy. Plot twists are key to the story’s success, as legal matters are never black and white, even when they seem to be quite easy to decide. Rotstein keeps the reader wondering until the verdict is in, which creates even more questions and provides a legal result no one could have guessed from the outset.

Kudos, Mr. Rotstein, for this stellar piece of writing!

Let me put it simply: I loved Robert Rotstein's courtroom thriller, A True Verdict. MediMiracle Corp is a pharmaceutical company headed by a charismatic CEO. It sells only one product -- a blockbuster drug that offers a cure for opiate addiction. But a former employee has sued the company for hiding evidence that the drug's side effect disproportionately affects Black users. The book takes us through the lead up to the trial of MediMiracle, the trial itself, the subsequent jury deliberations and the final verdict. But it is not a simple narrative. Rather, interspersed with excerpts from the trial transcript, the story is told from multiple vantage points - those of the jurors, the judge, the judge's clerk and the lead attorneys for the defendant and the plaintiff.

I'm giving nothing away by noting that the author has skillfully described the dynamics of the jury process and how jurors with dramatically different perspectives and backgrounds struggle with each other and with their own biases. The trial is filled with bombshell revelations made plausible through Rotstein's skillful writing and the insights the jurors draw from the record lead to a satisfying surprise ending. Highly recommend this suspenseful read!

In the gripping narrative, Ellison Ricard, a diligent research analyst, stumbles upon alarming data indicating that Sophrosyne, a touted miracle cure for opiate addiction, poses lethal risks to Black individuals. His ethical confrontation with the CEO leads to his unjust termination, prompting Ricard to embark on a legal battle for civil rights infringement. While the story's execution is commendable, it lacks the quintessential elements that resonate with the Young Adult genre, which somewhat diminished my personal enjoyment.

This novel presents a commentary on the workings and interactions of members of a jury during deliberations. The trial itself is extremely interesting (dealing with a pharmaceutical company, race relations, greed, etc.) and the reading of the actual transcripts paints a vivid picture for the reader. However, the backgrounds of each juror and separate stories was somewhat monotonous and detracted from the main story.
I thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the eARC.

The set up of this book was so intriguing. I loved the court transcripts, the case that was being tried, the juror's perspectives. I was fully on board. And then came the twist. It ruined the entire book for me. I am so sad because up until about 90% of the book I was all in. I cannot in good conscience give this more than 1 star.