Book Review: The Jury

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Jury     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Steven Paul Martini
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Legal Setting
Series: Paul Madriani # 6
Putnam, Jul 2001, $25.95, 448 pp.

While floating in the water near San Diego, research scientist Kalista Jordan contemplates what she can do next to get ahead in her profession. The intelligent African-American physicist knows all the angles and is setting in motion her plan to replace her boss Dr. David Crone. However, she runs into her apartment when she hears a frightening noise only to have someone choke her to death.

Attorney Paul Madriani feels frustrated as his stubborn client David, on trial for Kalista’s murder, refuses to cooperate in his own defense. Wondering if he represents a guilty person, Paul concludes that he will do his job in spite of his brilliant clients’ efforts to stubbornly block him and try to win an acquittal from the jury.

THE JURY reads like a modernized and updated Stanley Erle Gardner Perry Mason legal thriller. The novel treats the readers to a daily account of the trial and when court is not in session readers get an insiders’ look into hard to enter legal circles. The story line is very vivid, especially when Steve Martini describes the courtroom scenes. They feel so authentic the audience will feel they sit in the docket. Clearly, this novel is in the running for best legal procedural of the year, sending readers seeking running for more Martinis.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner