Not the biography/memoir I was expecting. It started well, talking about different cases etc but the book was predominantly about the Casey Anthony case. It should be marketed differently for this reason.

This was an amazing being a true crime fanatic, although I have never picked up a memoir before, I loved reading about the inside knowledge. An interesting look into the home and working life of judge. 4.5 Stars

Not quite the book I was expecting, however it was still a great read about the smaller cases that Judge Belvin Perry Jr has been involved with as well as some of the larger more well known cases from the person behind the bench

ARC provided by BooksGoSocial in exchange for an honest review.

The Velvet Hammer is a gripping and insightful memoir that offers a rare glimpse into the mind of Judge Belvin Perry Jr., known for presiding over some of Florida’s most high-profile capital murder cases. Co-authored with Amy Mitchell, this book blends personal anecdotes with professional insights, creating a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of justice and the human experience within the legal system.

Judge Perry’s storytelling is both candid and reflective, revealing the emotional weight carried by those in positions of authority. His portrayal of the courtroom is vivid, providing readers with an understanding of the legal intricacies involved in capital cases while also delving into the moral dilemmas faced by judges. The title, The Velvet Hammer, aptly encapsulates his judicial philosophy: firm yet compassionate, emphasizing the importance of fairness in delivering justice.

Throughout the memoir, Perry recounts pivotal cases that shaped his career and his perspective on the law. Each case is not just a story of crime but a narrative woven with the threads of humanity—detailing the lives affected by violence, the struggles of the accused, and the quest for truth. Perry’s reflections on these cases resonate deeply, inviting readers to contemplate the broader implications of justice, punishment, and redemption.

The collaboration with Amy Mitchell enhances the narrative flow, allowing Perry’s voice to shine through while maintaining an engaging structure that draws readers in. The blend of personal reflection and legal analysis creates a rich tapestry that is both informative and emotionally resonant. Readers gain a profound appreciation for the weight of decisions made in the courtroom and the impact they have on individuals and communities.

The Velvet Hammer is more than just a memoir; it is a poignant examination of the justice system through the eyes of a seasoned judge who has faced the harsh realities of capital cases. This book is a must-read for those interested in true crime, legal affairs, or anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the complexities of justice in America. Judge Belvin Perry Jr.’s insights are as powerful as they are thought-provoking, leaving readers with much to ponder long after the final page.

Fascinating from the beginning until the end. "The Velvet Hammer" was an interesting read, giving insight into the perspective of a judge, something I had so far not encountered.

I have never heard of this judge before I saw this book but it recounts his early life and development into his career. Very interesting

This was an interesting and informative book about Judge Perry. It covers his home life, his upbringing and of course, his working life. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Unfortunately I didn’t finish this. I can see how others may find this more interesting but it seemed repetitive. The authors history from childhood was informative but unnecessarily long which made the book hard to get stuck into. I’m sure others will enjoy this as it was well written.

Former Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr. Leads us from his upbringing in a segregated society, through his career as a prosecutor facing inbuilt racism, to a judge on the 9th circuit.
This journey is accompanied by some of the most important cases of his career. Most famously, the trial of Casey Anthony, a mother who was accused of murdering her young daughter Caylee.
Amy Mitchell and Judge Perry have made this an extremely readable memoir, where the pages will keep turning (seemingly of their own accord) well into the night.

Unfortunately, this memoir wasn’t for me. I I found it quite repetitive and the writing jumps from memoir to case history.

I really do appreciate the advance reader copy and hope other readers continue to enjoy it.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher.

{4.5 stars}

Thanks to BooksGoSocial for gifted access via NetGalley. All opinions below are my own.

I was 100% obsessed with the Casey Anthony trial when it happened. I have always been a Court TV junkie and often have cases on in the background while I am working during the day. Casey’s case was horrific and engrossing and at times completely unbelievable. For me, there were two stars of that case, of course, Jose Baez and Judge Perry. They were both phenomenal characters to watch and be immersed in, but for two totally different reasons. Baez was audacious, creative and in my opinion, lacking morals. Perry, however, what’s the complete opposite; steadfast, practical and amazingly authoritative. I still regularly do an impression of his, “Mr Baez,” when I find a statement unbelievable or out of line.

Anyway, as you’d expect a good portion of this book focuses on that case, his most notorious. He gives us his opinions, how he ended up on the case and the nuts and bolts of the day-to-day and what he thinks could have changed the verdict. Much more compellingly, he tells us of his youth, his choice to go into law, how he became a judge and the rest of his notable death penalty cases. I loved the balance of memoir with true crime. Each case gets so much Dateline-like detail, but also Harry’s opinions on the perpetrator, the victim, and how the case was tried.

If you like law and order or true crime, definitely check this one out.

The Velvet Hammer is partially a memoir and partially a true crime book detailing some of the more heinous cases that Judge Perry presided over.

Learning his life story was interesting and in particular what lead him into law.

I am a lover of true crime so I was interested in learning more about some of these particularly upsetting cases. Some of the cases are quite gruesome and very disturbing. A lot of time is devoted to the Casey Anthony case - which dragged in parts.

What I was very disappointed in is the very biased way that the judge recounts these cases. I was expecting an objective retelling. Instead the judge is very pro the death penalty and uses every opportunity to advocate for it. For ME that detracted from the story of the cases and impacted my reading of the book.

Overall, if you are a lover of true crime there is lots of interesting information in this book. Just be aware that it does come from a prosecutorial, pro death penalty stance. If that is not an issue that is bothersome to you then you will enjoy learning more about these cases.

Really interesting and insightful read. I enjoyed that the author didn’t just focus on the cases he preceded over, but also told his own history and his life. It was inspiring to see how he managed to rise though the ranks despite everything.
Really enjoyed this books.

📱E-Book Review📱

The Velvet Hammer
Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. and Amy Mitchell

🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was such a fascinating book and so much more than I'd been expecting.

Ok, I know it's my own fault - I never read blurbs before reading a book and so this was a 'jusge a book by its cover' pick for me.
Such a striking image with the contrast of the gavel and the blood against that white background - it really stood out to me and I couldn't wait to dive in!

So this was a great introduction to what motivated Perry to want to be involved in the judicial system and I think it's often found that parental careers can often influence us as we grow.
Perry's father being a police officer meant that they must have been exposed to all things law from such an early age.
Plus there's just something about well publicised cases that grab everyone's attention.

Working through the system saw Perry become Chief Judge.
I don't profess to know very much about the legal system, especially not in the US - but this definitely took a lot of motivation, determination and total focus which we saw throughout this book.

On top of this, Perry discusses some of the the most prolific cases that he's been part of and as with many books of this nature, this content can be quite graphic and disturbing to some readers.

Anyone who is obsessed with true crime though will be thoroughly satisfied by these inclusions.

I love how the cases are woven into the memoir parts of the book and this makes everything flow nicely and breaks up each section.
I will say though, that Perry advocates the death penalty throughout his discussions and so there is definitely a bias here - this is not so much a bad thing as it is a personal account - but just be aware if this might be a sensitive topic for you while reading!?

I don't know what I'd expected from this book but I was completely hooked and totally in awe from start to finish.

I have always been drawn to true crime, and the legal system, so this book was a wonderful look inside the life of a judge on not only one of the highest profile murder trials of the century, but also a judge who tried several capital cases in his career.

The book begins by shaping a picture of what it was like growing up as an African American man in the South during segregation. While he spoke of the ever present racial tensions and the horrors that created, Judge Perry focused on the strength he and his family drew on to help silence hate and stereotypes, and rise above the cultural climate to become strong, successful, and give back to their community regardless of the color of its members.

I found his candor insightful, and a refreshing take on that while it is the judges place to be impartial and uphold the law, we often forget that judges are humans, with opinions, and emotions, and face the difficult task of compartmentalizing those to ensure that justice is done.

At times the book was a bit repetitive, with some text being repeated a few times, however the pacing never felt labored or longwinded, and I actually would have read more on several of the cases he spoke of.

Overall, this is definitely a win and will be a top recommendation to all true crime fans this fall!

This was a riveting read, written by a Floridian judge looking back at his career and the cases he oversaw, the most prolific being the Casey Anthony case. I found every case to be incredibly interesting, particularly regarding the death penalty. I thought it was well written, I didn’t feel overloaded with legal jargon. 4 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.

I enjoyed this book to a point. Well written and informative. Unfortunately I found it a little repetitive and wasn't keen to get back in

What an interesting perspective of the law from the judicial bench. One of the most heinous crimes of murder and the subsequent trial.
The career path and family circumstances that led to the law, being a judge and then chief judge.
It's always interesting to see the reality of what happened in the court room.
A readable and interesting book

I really enjoyed this book. It’sa first person retelling of some famous crimes, and why the judge allowed certain things, or made certain decisions. It was particularly interesting to follow the last case along with him as he shows the timeline and evidence, and what was going on behind the scenes. The book really makes you appreciate what jurors go through in their service, and the immense responsibility and pressure judges are under whilst undertaking their duties

Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr prosecuted and sat as judge on some of the most gruesome, evil and unspeakable murderers court cases. Throughout this book you learn all about these horrific cases, and the verdicts the jury’s met.

This is a non-fiction book, so proceed with caution as these are all true crime cases. I was shocked when reading how disgraceful people can be. I found even more respect for those people working in the justice system for what they witness and work through.

I am always watching true crime documentaries, which is what made me read this book, but I must say, watching a programme and reading about true crime are very different. With reading this book, my mind conjured images of what I was reading, and it is another level.

The Chief Judge provides his side of the story and viewpoints, which is interesting to read. I believe although there will be aspects not everyone agrees on, his courage to share his position during his career is so brave.

If you are interested in true crime, or any of the cases this judge has worked on, this is really worth a read.