Scan barcode
sleightoffeet's review against another edition
3.0
I sure do love a good courtroom drama!
This one had a lot of tried and true aspects: conspiracy, past grudges and realizing true callings in life. Of course, the courtroom parts were the best. Who doesn't love a good cross examination the sticks to the "bad guys" and chalks one up for the good?
The rest of the book, was interesting, but at times I got lost. I think this is partly due to the fact that I don't really understand the British legal system. There are some things that are very much like ours in the US and others things that are legal here but are unethical there. Also, I think their discovery is much different over there (at least their fictional depiction of it is different as I'm not a lawyer but just love the novels, tv shows and movies.)
Overall it was good and I liked it.
This one had a lot of tried and true aspects: conspiracy, past grudges and realizing true callings in life. Of course, the courtroom parts were the best. Who doesn't love a good cross examination the sticks to the "bad guys" and chalks one up for the good?
The rest of the book, was interesting, but at times I got lost. I think this is partly due to the fact that I don't really understand the British legal system. There are some things that are very much like ours in the US and others things that are legal here but are unethical there. Also, I think their discovery is much different over there (at least their fictional depiction of it is different as I'm not a lawyer but just love the novels, tv shows and movies.)
Overall it was good and I liked it.
suvata's review against another edition
4.0
I read that Nick Stone is London's John Grisham. His books have been called fantastic, unforgettable, tense, vivid, energetic, and a whole host of other great adjectives. That was enough for me to decide to try this almost 600 page novel. I totally adored John Grisham's early work – not so much his latest efforts.
Guess what? It's true what they've said. I'm pretty sure I'll be reading much more written by Nick Stone in the future.
The Verdict stars Terry Flynt, a struggling legal clerk. Terry's law firm is hired to defend a millionaire who is accused of murder and they want Terry on the case. He can barely believe his good fortune until he realizes that this alleged murderer is an old friend of his, Vernon James. In fact, Terry and Vernon have been friends for many years and even attended Columbia University together. At Columbia, things changed and the two became bitter enemies. They haven't seen each other for about 18 years. What a quandary. How can Terry defend someone he loathes?
Yes, this book is packed full of twists and turns. And the gripping trial scene is not to be easily forgotten.
mkhaas29's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook version of this book, and while it did take me a bit longer than usual to finish, I did enjoy it. A law clerk in London with an untraditional and somewhat troubled past finds himself placed on a high-profile murder case defending the man who over 20 years ago was his best friend as well as tied to the reason his life went a bit off the rails.
Told from Terry Flint's perspective, the story follows the accused, Vernon James, through the investigation and trial of a murdered woman following James's receipt of the "Ethics Person of the Year" award. Throughout, we meet many characters involved in the case all working to find the truth.
Though a bit long at times, with scenes that in hindsight probably weren't necessary, it did have a an intriguing and exciting pace. The ending may have been somewhat lackluster, but still good all the same.
Told from Terry Flint's perspective, the story follows the accused, Vernon James, through the investigation and trial of a murdered woman following James's receipt of the "Ethics Person of the Year" award. Throughout, we meet many characters involved in the case all working to find the truth.
Though a bit long at times, with scenes that in hindsight probably weren't necessary, it did have a an intriguing and exciting pace. The ending may have been somewhat lackluster, but still good all the same.
kbaird's review against another edition
4.0
This book had so many twists and turns that I almost couldn't keep up.
"The Verdict" is a thrilling book about 2 old friends reunited by fate. Terry blames VJ for how his life turned out; VJ is on trial for murder. Terry is chosen to help on VJ's case and they finally are face to face after almost twenty years. Terry struggles with karma and whether or not to do his full duty in trying to defend VJ- the man who almost ruined his life. Terry wanted VJ to have a similar fate but couldn't go through with it. Terry did everything he could to resist doing his best, but ultimately he got wrapped up in VJ's case.
I had no idea where this book was heading most of the time- the law firm! VJ's sex life! So many juicy details kept getting revealed and made you want for more. This book is a very good legal drama set in London. The characters are rich and the plot is thick. Highly recommend for avid legal readers and readers who enjoy a nice, juicy legal story.
"The Verdict" is a thrilling book about 2 old friends reunited by fate. Terry blames VJ for how his life turned out; VJ is on trial for murder. Terry is chosen to help on VJ's case and they finally are face to face after almost twenty years. Terry struggles with karma and whether or not to do his full duty in trying to defend VJ- the man who almost ruined his life. Terry wanted VJ to have a similar fate but couldn't go through with it. Terry did everything he could to resist doing his best, but ultimately he got wrapped up in VJ's case.
I had no idea where this book was heading most of the time- the law firm! VJ's sex life! So many juicy details kept getting revealed and made you want for more. This book is a very good legal drama set in London. The characters are rich and the plot is thick. Highly recommend for avid legal readers and readers who enjoy a nice, juicy legal story.
melissakuzma's review against another edition
3.0
Now I remember why I don't read legal thrillers. I blame the Library Journal review that said "Fans of the BBC's numerous popular crime series can now curl up with similar sophisticated fare in book form" which led me to read this, and which I totally disagree with. This book doesn't hold a candle to Broadchurch, Happy Valley, The Fall, or any other excellent BBC series I've ever seen. It was ok, but I didn't care about any of the characters, nor did I find the mystery very mysterious or compelling.
jajorgen's review against another edition
5.0
My review posted to MADreads: http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/madreads/what-would-you-do-your-worst-enemy
I had few expectations of The Verdict when I began reading. I knew it was a legal mystery (always a draw for me) and that the protagonist was going to be part of the defense team for a man he hates (that was the hook in the description). But I'd read nothing else by the author or any reviews of the book, so other than knowing those things, it was a total mystery (ha! sorry for the pun). Turns out it's going to be one of my best of the year. Don't you love when that happens?
So here's the deal: Terry Flynt works as a legal clerk in a large London firm. He's relatively new and so far the hardest thing about his job is dealing with Arabella (aka Adolf), a fellow clerk and office bully. That relationship gets worse when Terry is asked to assist on a huge criminal case. A millionaire has been arrested for the murder of a woman found in his hotel suite and he's hired Terry's law firm. If Terry does a good job on the case, he has a shot at a paralegal position and to have his law school tuition paid for by the firm. A no brainer, right?
But here's the kicker: The defendent is Vernon James. Terry grew up with Vernon in a working-class neighborhood and until college, the two were best friends. Then Vernon betrayed him and Terry's life went to hell. So how does he help defend a man he loathes? A man he's pretty convinced is guilty? And if he does, how does he keep his bosses from knowing his connection to Vernon?
I flew through reading this one and though it's a long one (~500 pgs.), I wished it didn't have to end. As Terry is drawn deeper into Vernon's troubles he has to deal with office politics, hidden schemes and perhaps danger to his own life. This one worked for me in every way. I'll consider it an early Christmas gift to myself.
I had few expectations of The Verdict when I began reading. I knew it was a legal mystery (always a draw for me) and that the protagonist was going to be part of the defense team for a man he hates (that was the hook in the description). But I'd read nothing else by the author or any reviews of the book, so other than knowing those things, it was a total mystery (ha! sorry for the pun). Turns out it's going to be one of my best of the year. Don't you love when that happens?
So here's the deal: Terry Flynt works as a legal clerk in a large London firm. He's relatively new and so far the hardest thing about his job is dealing with Arabella (aka Adolf), a fellow clerk and office bully. That relationship gets worse when Terry is asked to assist on a huge criminal case. A millionaire has been arrested for the murder of a woman found in his hotel suite and he's hired Terry's law firm. If Terry does a good job on the case, he has a shot at a paralegal position and to have his law school tuition paid for by the firm. A no brainer, right?
But here's the kicker: The defendent is Vernon James. Terry grew up with Vernon in a working-class neighborhood and until college, the two were best friends. Then Vernon betrayed him and Terry's life went to hell. So how does he help defend a man he loathes? A man he's pretty convinced is guilty? And if he does, how does he keep his bosses from knowing his connection to Vernon?
I flew through reading this one and though it's a long one (~500 pgs.), I wished it didn't have to end. As Terry is drawn deeper into Vernon's troubles he has to deal with office politics, hidden schemes and perhaps danger to his own life. This one worked for me in every way. I'll consider it an early Christmas gift to myself.
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
A 2015 staff favorite recommended by Andrea and Haley.
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sthe%20verdict%20nick%20stone__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sthe%20verdict%20nick%20stone__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
sonybacker's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first legal book and I really liked it. Even though it was quite long book I enjoyed every second of it. Nice dialogue and story and with that couple new words in my vocabulary. Great job, Nick Stone.
myrdyr's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/5 stars. I don't usually read legal thrillers as I find they tend to get a bit too bogged down with all the legal/court procedures, but this one generally managed to avoid it. I found Terry to be a bit annoying at times, and his character didn't completely ring true for me. For instance, he got into Cambridge because he wanted to study law but seems to know shockingly little about it while he is working as a clerk - a job he only got by accident. His innocence also seems a bit unlikely, given his dark period, his upbringing, and his past run-ins with the law. In spite of it's flaws, it was a page turner, and I would try another if it becomes a series.