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The Hanging Judge
Based on the experience of the author, a federal judge who in 2000 presided over the first capital case in Massachusetts in more than fifty years, this extraordinary debut thriller offers an unprecedented inside view of a federal death penalty trial
When a drive-by shooting in Holyoke, Massachusetts, claims the lives of a Puerto Rican drug dealer and a nurse at a neighborhood clinic, the police arrest a black drug dealer. With no death penalty in Massachusetts, the US attorney shifts the double homicide out of state jurisdiction into federal court so that he can pursue the death penalty.
The Honorable David S. Norcross, who has been on the federal bench only two years, now presides overthe first death penalty case in the state in fifty years. He must contend not only with an ambitious female prosecutor and a brilliant veteran defense attorney, but with a citizenry outraged at the senseless killing of a white hockey mom—not to mention the pressures of the media, anti-death penalty protesters, vengeful gang members, and the million other things that can go wrong in a capital trial.
Michael A. Ponsor takes readers into the courtroom and beyond, presenting with great sensitivity the points of view of the defendant and his wife; the victims’ families; law enforcement officers; witnesses; and the judge who, while still coming to terms with the death of his wife, begins a relationship with a woman he is not sure he can trust.
When a drive-by shooting in Holyoke, Massachusetts, claims the lives of a Puerto Rican drug dealer and a nurse at a neighborhood clinic, the police arrest a black drug dealer. With no death penalty in Massachusetts, the US attorney shifts the double homicide out of state jurisdiction into federal court so that he can pursue the death penalty.
The Honorable David S. Norcross, who has been on the federal bench only two years, now presides overthe first death penalty case in the state in fifty years. He must contend not only with an ambitious female prosecutor and a brilliant veteran defense attorney, but with a citizenry outraged at the senseless killing of a white hockey mom—not to mention the pressures of the media, anti-death penalty protesters, vengeful gang members, and the million other things that can go wrong in a capital trial.
Michael A. Ponsor takes readers into the courtroom and beyond, presenting with great sensitivity the points of view of the defendant and his wife; the victims’ families; law enforcement officers; witnesses; and the judge who, while still coming to terms with the death of his wife, begins a relationship with a woman he is not sure he can trust.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
565 people are currently reading
1949 people want to read
About the author
Michael Ponsor
3 books52 followersMichael Ponsor graduated from Harvard, received a Rhodes Scholarship, and studied for two years at Pembroke College, Oxford. As an undergraduate, he spent a year teaching in Kabete, Kenya, just outside Nairobi. After taking his law degree from Yale and clerking in federal court in Boston, he began his legal career, specializing in criminal defense. He moved to Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1978, where he practiced as a trial attorney in his own firm until his appointment in 1984 as a US magistrate judge in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1994, President Bill Clinton appointed him a life-tenured US district judge. From 2000 to 2001, he presided over a five-month death penalty trial, the first in Massachusetts in over fifty years. Judge Ponsor continues to serve as a senior US district judge in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Western Division, with responsibility for federal criminal and civil cases in the four counties of western Massachusetts. The One-Eyed Judge is his second novel featuring Judge Norcross.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
March 18, 2020
This is my first experience with this author and narrator. Apparently, the author is a retired Federal Judge, which adds authenticity to the story.
The book is well written and the characters are realistic and interesting. The plot is well thought out. This legal fiction has a feeling of being real, probably because of the author’s experience in the courtroom. The main theme is the death penalty which is a common issue in recent legal thrillers. I am impressed by the author’s ability and skill. I will be looking for more books by Ponsor.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is twelve hours and fifty minutes. Rich Orlow does a good job narrating the book. Orlow is an Emmy nominated actor and a Golden Earphone Award winner.
The book is well written and the characters are realistic and interesting. The plot is well thought out. This legal fiction has a feeling of being real, probably because of the author’s experience in the courtroom. The main theme is the death penalty which is a common issue in recent legal thrillers. I am impressed by the author’s ability and skill. I will be looking for more books by Ponsor.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is twelve hours and fifty minutes. Rich Orlow does a good job narrating the book. Orlow is an Emmy nominated actor and a Golden Earphone Award winner.
December 4, 2013
There are tons of mysteries and courtroom dramas novel seen in the perspective of the lawyer, the law enforcement officer, and even the indicted. But The Hanging Judge may be the first novel I have read that is mainly in the perspective of the judge. It is because the author, Michael Posner has been a judge since 1984 and is currently a judge in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.. It's nice to see a novel written by someone who knows all the facts, intricacies and problems that abound in our legal system.
Of course, it is even better that Michael Ponsor is an excellent writer and shows an amazing amount of promise in his debut novel. The author takes on the issue of capital punishment in this taut courtroom drama. the main protagonist, David Norcross, is a judge with some deep doubts about the legal system, especially pertaining to capital punishment. He is assigned a case involving a drive-by shooting resulting in the death of a gang member and a respected member of the community. It is clear almost from the beginning who is guilty and who is innocent but that is not really the point. This is more of a drama than a mystery as its main focus is on the actions and emotions of the principles who are caught up in the situation. There are no simple actions or answers throughout this well-developed story. I became very involved in the tale and pretty much read through the night to see what would happen. It has a satisfying climax but this is a story that is too realistic for a Perry Mason "I did it" ending. Various plot diversions come into being and culminate at the end always staying true and realistic to the story with good guys, bad guys but mostly people in between doing things is the best way they know how to.
Yes, I'm being vague. I have to be because there are so many nice touches to this novel that I don't want to spoil them. Anyone who enjoy mysteries, suspense, or courtroom drama should place this on their list as a must-read.
Of course, it is even better that Michael Ponsor is an excellent writer and shows an amazing amount of promise in his debut novel. The author takes on the issue of capital punishment in this taut courtroom drama. the main protagonist, David Norcross, is a judge with some deep doubts about the legal system, especially pertaining to capital punishment. He is assigned a case involving a drive-by shooting resulting in the death of a gang member and a respected member of the community. It is clear almost from the beginning who is guilty and who is innocent but that is not really the point. This is more of a drama than a mystery as its main focus is on the actions and emotions of the principles who are caught up in the situation. There are no simple actions or answers throughout this well-developed story. I became very involved in the tale and pretty much read through the night to see what would happen. It has a satisfying climax but this is a story that is too realistic for a Perry Mason "I did it" ending. Various plot diversions come into being and culminate at the end always staying true and realistic to the story with good guys, bad guys but mostly people in between doing things is the best way they know how to.
Yes, I'm being vague. I have to be because there are so many nice touches to this novel that I don't want to spoil them. Anyone who enjoy mysteries, suspense, or courtroom drama should place this on their list as a must-read.
November 25, 2013
Legal thrillers of any sort are my absolute favorite. There's something about a trial that is just so captivating. The outcome of the trial always has me on the edge of my seat. No matter if it is a good legal based novel, movie, or Law & Order episode, I am hooked. This debut The Hanging Judge by federal judge Michael Posner, was no different for me.
The Hanging Judge begins with the murder of a local gang member, Edgar "Peach" Delgado, and an innocent bystander, pediatric nurse, Ginger Daley O'Connor. It's obvious from the beginning that the intended target is Peach. Sadly, Ginger, a pillar of her community, is killed in the cross-fire. Because of her being a victim in what is viewed as senseless violence by rival gangs, and political implications, the US attorney makes what is a case for the state, a federal case. By making the charges against the defendant federal, the death penalty can be imposed, in a state where there is no capital punishment (ie Massachusetts) if that person is found guilty.
The novel then shifts from the view points of the Honorable David Norcross, who is relatively still a rookie federal judge for the District of Massachusetts, Western Division. He has the privelege of presiding over the first capital murder case in the state in years. Lydia Gomez-Larson and Bill Redpath also share the bulk of the narrative. Lydia is the prosecutor while Bill is the defense counsel.
Michael Ponsor writes an interesting procedural of federal cases and all that can go right or wrong. With most legal thrillers with a defendant fighting for his life, the battle lines will be drawn on the "yay" or "nay" regarding capital punishment. Other than this, the plot isn't thrilling in the sense that one or another character is always concerned that they will torn apart by some random crazed killer but rather the idea that we readers get that the defendant's life is in the hands of 12 people who could decide if he's deserving or not of the death.
What was most astonishing to me is the level of flimsy evidence the federal prosecutor has. There are poor witness accounts of seeing some hooded figure running through an alley. The testimony of the driver who was caught after the massacre is the most damning evidence if we ignore the fact that he's only agreed to testify so long as he has a reduced sentence. It's frightening that someone's life can be uprooted so drastically with circumstantial evidence. There's no smoking gun whatsoever, yet a jury can possibly decide his fate with so little evidence proving his guilt. Ponsor suggests that many trials are all about who's most believeable rathar than what's true.
My one gripe with this novel is that the constant character view shifts make the first half somewhat tedious to get through. It almost felt like a slow moving train and I was only anxious to get to the verdict because I couldn't really rally behind any characters. Thankfully, Ponsor's writing is good enough to keep the train from falling off the tracks and rights the journey for the second half.
Fans of legal thrillers will definitely want to read this debut novel The Hanging Judge by Michael Ponsor. It's an eye-opening reality to what's right and wrong with our judicial system. It's a little disheartening but still, all that matters is what's believeable and not so much what's truth.
Copy provided by Open Road via Netgalley
The Hanging Judge begins with the murder of a local gang member, Edgar "Peach" Delgado, and an innocent bystander, pediatric nurse, Ginger Daley O'Connor. It's obvious from the beginning that the intended target is Peach. Sadly, Ginger, a pillar of her community, is killed in the cross-fire. Because of her being a victim in what is viewed as senseless violence by rival gangs, and political implications, the US attorney makes what is a case for the state, a federal case. By making the charges against the defendant federal, the death penalty can be imposed, in a state where there is no capital punishment (ie Massachusetts) if that person is found guilty.
The novel then shifts from the view points of the Honorable David Norcross, who is relatively still a rookie federal judge for the District of Massachusetts, Western Division. He has the privelege of presiding over the first capital murder case in the state in years. Lydia Gomez-Larson and Bill Redpath also share the bulk of the narrative. Lydia is the prosecutor while Bill is the defense counsel.
Michael Ponsor writes an interesting procedural of federal cases and all that can go right or wrong. With most legal thrillers with a defendant fighting for his life, the battle lines will be drawn on the "yay" or "nay" regarding capital punishment. Other than this, the plot isn't thrilling in the sense that one or another character is always concerned that they will torn apart by some random crazed killer but rather the idea that we readers get that the defendant's life is in the hands of 12 people who could decide if he's deserving or not of the death.
What was most astonishing to me is the level of flimsy evidence the federal prosecutor has. There are poor witness accounts of seeing some hooded figure running through an alley. The testimony of the driver who was caught after the massacre is the most damning evidence if we ignore the fact that he's only agreed to testify so long as he has a reduced sentence. It's frightening that someone's life can be uprooted so drastically with circumstantial evidence. There's no smoking gun whatsoever, yet a jury can possibly decide his fate with so little evidence proving his guilt. Ponsor suggests that many trials are all about who's most believeable rathar than what's true.
My one gripe with this novel is that the constant character view shifts make the first half somewhat tedious to get through. It almost felt like a slow moving train and I was only anxious to get to the verdict because I couldn't really rally behind any characters. Thankfully, Ponsor's writing is good enough to keep the train from falling off the tracks and rights the journey for the second half.
Fans of legal thrillers will definitely want to read this debut novel The Hanging Judge by Michael Ponsor. It's an eye-opening reality to what's right and wrong with our judicial system. It's a little disheartening but still, all that matters is what's believeable and not so much what's truth.
Copy provided by Open Road via Netgalley
January 25, 2014
I selected this book because I enjoy an absorbing legal thriller, and the accolades were mostly positive. Additionally, the premise of the story, as well as the author's academic creds--Yale and Harvard--were heightened by the fact that he is a U.S. district judge in Massachusetts. The story is told mostly through the eyes of the federal judge, David Norcross, presiding over the case. Massachusetts (my original home state) doesn't have the death penalty. But what if a RICO crime, linked to a drive-by murder, allowed the case to be tried in federal court as a capital punishment case? Ponsor's debut novel sets out to probe the ongoing controversy of the death penalty.
The primary problem stems from the alleged controversy. The author, instead of exploring both sides of the death penalty argument, advanced his platform against execution. Characters that regarded the death penalty as acceptable sounded flat, faulty, sinister, or doltish, and emanated from stock, one-dimensional voices. Ponsor did attempt to show inner conflict in the prosecutor, but, as it turns out, it was just another way to articulate his stand against capital punishment.
Instead of a true polemical novel that challenges the reader, it hand-fed me all the (intelligent) answers from one angle. I already agree with Ponsor's views, but I don't want a PC book to reinforce what I already know. It lacked a convincing character with intelligent views that sympathized with the death penalty.
And, speaking of characterizations, the people that populated the novel sounded forced and borrowed. You know when a character feels organic and authentic--he or she inhabits the traits written by the author. Instead, they were either mouthpieces of Ponsor or cut-ups from derivative material. The defendant, "Moon" Hudson, was a black man accused of pulling the trigger, killing a drug dealer and a white woman. Hudson was the poster prototype for the black martyr. The white victim was a volunteer at the clinic and the niece of the police captain. She had bent down to pet a dog when a bullet shot through her carotid artery. She was, of course, almost a saint.
I applaud Ponsor for putting together this novel, and I can see what he was attempting to do. But, his ambition, to tell a suspenseful story and create dialogue about the death penalty, failed to animate the pages with any subtlety. There was a consummate absence of suspense. Also, the judge's bland romance added little to round out his character; again, it felt placed upon him, rather than coming FROM him.
The prose was lackluster and generally pedestrian, lacking nuance and contours of character, although speckled with witty adages that did nothing to buoy the narrative, characters, or story. I did enjoy some of them, like "trying to put pants on the wind," or describing a particularly attractive person as "an orchid in a potato patch" (I may not have the adages word for word, but you get the point). But, beyond looking forward to these witticisms, I was bored.
The pace was adequate, but overall it was a stilted story with a colossal deus ex machina (or three) that would be ludicrous even in genre fiction. It was a lazy wrap-up that even included a stereotyped grieving eleven-year-old boy. Instead of thorny and wise, it was all rather banal. There was also an arbitrary bomb scare, just to show Norcross' chops for making tough decisions, which distracted from the already wobbly narrative.
THE HANGING JUDGE is a telegraphed story that broadcasts its ending. If the author could move himself out of the way, he might be able to write a story that speaks TO me, rather than AT me. I don't recommend this book if you are looking for a suspenseful, complex legal thriller.
The primary problem stems from the alleged controversy. The author, instead of exploring both sides of the death penalty argument, advanced his platform against execution. Characters that regarded the death penalty as acceptable sounded flat, faulty, sinister, or doltish, and emanated from stock, one-dimensional voices. Ponsor did attempt to show inner conflict in the prosecutor, but, as it turns out, it was just another way to articulate his stand against capital punishment.
Instead of a true polemical novel that challenges the reader, it hand-fed me all the (intelligent) answers from one angle. I already agree with Ponsor's views, but I don't want a PC book to reinforce what I already know. It lacked a convincing character with intelligent views that sympathized with the death penalty.
And, speaking of characterizations, the people that populated the novel sounded forced and borrowed. You know when a character feels organic and authentic--he or she inhabits the traits written by the author. Instead, they were either mouthpieces of Ponsor or cut-ups from derivative material. The defendant, "Moon" Hudson, was a black man accused of pulling the trigger, killing a drug dealer and a white woman. Hudson was the poster prototype for the black martyr. The white victim was a volunteer at the clinic and the niece of the police captain. She had bent down to pet a dog when a bullet shot through her carotid artery. She was, of course, almost a saint.
I applaud Ponsor for putting together this novel, and I can see what he was attempting to do. But, his ambition, to tell a suspenseful story and create dialogue about the death penalty, failed to animate the pages with any subtlety. There was a consummate absence of suspense. Also, the judge's bland romance added little to round out his character; again, it felt placed upon him, rather than coming FROM him.
The prose was lackluster and generally pedestrian, lacking nuance and contours of character, although speckled with witty adages that did nothing to buoy the narrative, characters, or story. I did enjoy some of them, like "trying to put pants on the wind," or describing a particularly attractive person as "an orchid in a potato patch" (I may not have the adages word for word, but you get the point). But, beyond looking forward to these witticisms, I was bored.
The pace was adequate, but overall it was a stilted story with a colossal deus ex machina (or three) that would be ludicrous even in genre fiction. It was a lazy wrap-up that even included a stereotyped grieving eleven-year-old boy. Instead of thorny and wise, it was all rather banal. There was also an arbitrary bomb scare, just to show Norcross' chops for making tough decisions, which distracted from the already wobbly narrative.
THE HANGING JUDGE is a telegraphed story that broadcasts its ending. If the author could move himself out of the way, he might be able to write a story that speaks TO me, rather than AT me. I don't recommend this book if you are looking for a suspenseful, complex legal thriller.
September 5, 2013
Excellent legal novel told from a unique perspective: that of a federal judge. The author, a sitting federal judge (although some research revealed he intended to retire soon)*, graphically recreates the events leading up to the trial of a man for a drive-by shooting. There is a lot of doubt in the minds of the read that Moon, a former gang-member, is actually the shooter. A cop coming on duty had seen the alleged shooter leap from a car and had identified him originally as a Hispanic, but the pressure to say it's Moon, a black man, now reformed and living with a wife and child, on the cop is substantial. To make things worse, a bystander, a saintly nurse working in a clinic she had helped to found and related to a police captain, was killed during the incident. It's in Massachusetts, which has no death penalty so the state attorney conspires to get the case moved to federal court so they can ask for the death penalty. The scene is set for a collision between the law, ambition, publicity, and just the little things that can go wrong.
Whether the author intended it or not, "The Hanging Judge" title carries with it some historical baggage that doesn't fit with the book. The sobriquet refers to Judge Isaac Parker who presided over the US District Court for what is now most of Oklahoma in the late 19th century. It was a particularly lawless place and Parker sent 160 men to the gallows. He, certainly, had no compunctions about the death penalty.
Ponsor writes vividly. The scene in which the police barge in on Moon's house based on the identification of the driver of the car, was so realistic I had to stop reading and skip over some of the paragraphs. It scared me, and I wasn't there; the confusion, the terror of the inhabitants. Extraordinary.
I hope Judge Ponsor writes more. I'll be first in line to buy them.
N.B. Ponsor happens to be involved in a current case worth watching: Sexual Minorities Uganda v. Lively. Scott Lively is an attorney, minister, and anti-gay activist who has been sued by an Ugandan civil rights group. You can read Ponsor's most recent judgment in this case denying Lively's motion to dismiss. I'm not a lawyer, but am quite interested in federal cases and this one has interesting ramifications. You can read the judge's memorandum at http://ccrjustice.org/files/SMUG_Orde.... The case caught my interest because the defendant, Lively, has claimed his First Amendment rights and Judge Ponsor cited Snyder v Phelps (which involved tort claims and "hurtful" speech) in his denial of the motion to dismiss. "Plaintiff contends that Defendant’s conduct has
gone far beyond mere expression into the realm not only of
advocacy of imminent criminal conduct, in this case advocacy
of a crime against humanity. . ." Remember, this simply clears the way for a trial.
My thanks to the publisher for making this advance copy available to me. As always, that influenced my review not one whit. (Technically, this book is not available until December. Put it on your to-buy list.)
Whether the author intended it or not, "The Hanging Judge" title carries with it some historical baggage that doesn't fit with the book. The sobriquet refers to Judge Isaac Parker who presided over the US District Court for what is now most of Oklahoma in the late 19th century. It was a particularly lawless place and Parker sent 160 men to the gallows. He, certainly, had no compunctions about the death penalty.
Ponsor writes vividly. The scene in which the police barge in on Moon's house based on the identification of the driver of the car, was so realistic I had to stop reading and skip over some of the paragraphs. It scared me, and I wasn't there; the confusion, the terror of the inhabitants. Extraordinary.
I hope Judge Ponsor writes more. I'll be first in line to buy them.
N.B. Ponsor happens to be involved in a current case worth watching: Sexual Minorities Uganda v. Lively. Scott Lively is an attorney, minister, and anti-gay activist who has been sued by an Ugandan civil rights group. You can read Ponsor's most recent judgment in this case denying Lively's motion to dismiss. I'm not a lawyer, but am quite interested in federal cases and this one has interesting ramifications. You can read the judge's memorandum at http://ccrjustice.org/files/SMUG_Orde.... The case caught my interest because the defendant, Lively, has claimed his First Amendment rights and Judge Ponsor cited Snyder v Phelps (which involved tort claims and "hurtful" speech) in his denial of the motion to dismiss. "Plaintiff contends that Defendant’s conduct has
gone far beyond mere expression into the realm not only of
advocacy of imminent criminal conduct, in this case advocacy
of a crime against humanity. . ." Remember, this simply clears the way for a trial.
My thanks to the publisher for making this advance copy available to me. As always, that influenced my review not one whit. (Technically, this book is not available until December. Put it on your to-buy list.)
December 12, 2013
This is what I would describe as an intelligent crime/legal novel, which makes good sense as the author is a long time senior U.S. district judge in the United States District Court of Massachusetts, Western Division. Ponsor manages the delicate task of balancing all the myriad sides of a major criminal trial from the commission of the crime, through the investigation and the trial. Along the way there are glimpses of the personal lives of all involved.
At first I questioned the level of some of these personal details. Why did we need that level of information? But then there were reasons shown and I came to see that Ponser definitely had methods to the many parts of his story of this death penalty case.
Among the things I take away from this novel is how much we don't know about our fellow man/woman and all the stresses they live under...and how that may affect others.
A very strong 4 to 4.5. I look forward to Judge Ponsor's next book.
An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley for the purpose of review.
At first I questioned the level of some of these personal details. Why did we need that level of information? But then there were reasons shown and I came to see that Ponser definitely had methods to the many parts of his story of this death penalty case.
Among the things I take away from this novel is how much we don't know about our fellow man/woman and all the stresses they live under...and how that may affect others.
A very strong 4 to 4.5. I look forward to Judge Ponsor's next book.
An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley for the purpose of review.
December 13, 2013
The Hanging Judge by Michael Ponsor is a December 2013 Open Road Media publication. I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
David gets assigned to rule over a death penalty case. He has always dreaded this moment. The case is high profile involves a drug dealer, a drive by and an innocent bystander being killed, and a cop being wounded. The media is all over the case.
On a personal note, David meets a delightful teacher when he pulls a bone head move at an ATM. David hasn't been involved with anyone since his wife's death. There is a little trouble in paradise though when it comes to his job and his principles as a judge.
The author treads lightly through the minefield of the death penalty debate. He handles the story is such a way that the reader is able to see the entire drama from every angle. The judge, the defense attorney, the prosecutor, the family of the victim, the jury, and the accused.
Nothing is ever just black and white. Pressures can come from all angles. Family and friends weighing in on how you should testify or how you should rule or handle situations. There are witnesses who may not mean to lie and those that do mean to lie. The media often tries and convicts someone before the trial even starts, leaking pertinent information that the jury could find out about and cause a mistrial or help convict an innocent person.
I was really impressed by the way the story was told. It was one of the most realistic views into a courtroom crime case I have read. There is plenty of food for thought here. It is my understanding that Micheal Ponsor was or is a Federal judge. This would explain the knowledge he has of the inner workings of a trial and the effects all of this has on those involved. Often authors try to glamour up the legal thriller genre with a lot of courtroom banter and numerous twist and turns and maybe even the Perry Mason moment. But, this novel felt like a real life case and did not need all the bells and whistles to keep the reader turning those pages.
David gets assigned to rule over a death penalty case. He has always dreaded this moment. The case is high profile involves a drug dealer, a drive by and an innocent bystander being killed, and a cop being wounded. The media is all over the case.
On a personal note, David meets a delightful teacher when he pulls a bone head move at an ATM. David hasn't been involved with anyone since his wife's death. There is a little trouble in paradise though when it comes to his job and his principles as a judge.
The author treads lightly through the minefield of the death penalty debate. He handles the story is such a way that the reader is able to see the entire drama from every angle. The judge, the defense attorney, the prosecutor, the family of the victim, the jury, and the accused.
Nothing is ever just black and white. Pressures can come from all angles. Family and friends weighing in on how you should testify or how you should rule or handle situations. There are witnesses who may not mean to lie and those that do mean to lie. The media often tries and convicts someone before the trial even starts, leaking pertinent information that the jury could find out about and cause a mistrial or help convict an innocent person.
I was really impressed by the way the story was told. It was one of the most realistic views into a courtroom crime case I have read. There is plenty of food for thought here. It is my understanding that Micheal Ponsor was or is a Federal judge. This would explain the knowledge he has of the inner workings of a trial and the effects all of this has on those involved. Often authors try to glamour up the legal thriller genre with a lot of courtroom banter and numerous twist and turns and maybe even the Perry Mason moment. But, this novel felt like a real life case and did not need all the bells and whistles to keep the reader turning those pages.
June 24, 2025
For a debut writer, this is a really solid start. The characters are well-drawn, the writing is easy to read, and the plot flows at a comfortable pace—not too fast, not too slow. What I enjoyed most is that it’s a legal procedural drama told from a judge’s perspective. I don’t know many books that offer this unique point of view. There are plenty of novels about lawyers, but very few about judges—especially judges presiding over a complex trial. Add the possibility of a capital punishment sentence, and it becomes both compelling and refreshingly original. Solid 4 stars.
September 20, 2013
Coming December from Open Road Media
Thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.
Based on the experience of the author, a federal judge who in 2000 presided over the first capital case in Massachusetts in more than fifty years, this extraordinary debut thriller offers an unprecedented inside view of a federal death penalty trial.
Well what an intriguing and fascinating read this was. Starting with a bang so to speak, as we get an overview of the crime and meet some of the players, this was immediately involving. I loved Judge Norcross instantly as the author cleverly shows us his human side very early on and from that point you are right there with him.
Following the case as it progresses and with a cast of appealing characters, the investigation, case and courtroom scenes all felt highly authentic – to be expected considering that the author is himself a federal judge, but still, very well done. As a behind the scenes look at such a trial and the events leading up to it, I found it captivating throughout.
With a dose of reality when it comes to the very real world we live in (the public outraged at the death of a clean cut Hockey Mom and out for blood, the pragmatic look at gang related culture and of course, those both for and against the Death Penalty) this was a down to earth yet endlessly absorbing bite of real life via fiction.
Overall a terrific first novel and I will be very interested to see what Michael Ponsor brings us next. If you like legal drama’s with a healthy dose of perception, then this one is for you.
Happy Reading Folks!
Thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.
Based on the experience of the author, a federal judge who in 2000 presided over the first capital case in Massachusetts in more than fifty years, this extraordinary debut thriller offers an unprecedented inside view of a federal death penalty trial.
Well what an intriguing and fascinating read this was. Starting with a bang so to speak, as we get an overview of the crime and meet some of the players, this was immediately involving. I loved Judge Norcross instantly as the author cleverly shows us his human side very early on and from that point you are right there with him.
Following the case as it progresses and with a cast of appealing characters, the investigation, case and courtroom scenes all felt highly authentic – to be expected considering that the author is himself a federal judge, but still, very well done. As a behind the scenes look at such a trial and the events leading up to it, I found it captivating throughout.
With a dose of reality when it comes to the very real world we live in (the public outraged at the death of a clean cut Hockey Mom and out for blood, the pragmatic look at gang related culture and of course, those both for and against the Death Penalty) this was a down to earth yet endlessly absorbing bite of real life via fiction.
Overall a terrific first novel and I will be very interested to see what Michael Ponsor brings us next. If you like legal drama’s with a healthy dose of perception, then this one is for you.
Happy Reading Folks!
October 21, 2013
An Unfortunate, Probably Accurate, Look at our Judicial System
A drive-by shooting leaves a drug dealer and a young mother dead. Alex Torricelli, a cop, gives chase. He manages to grab the driver of the car, but the shooter gets away. The police arrest a black drug dealer, but is he guilty?
The US attorney is looking for a capital murder case to impose the death penalty. This is the chosen case and Judge David Norcross is put on the spot. The star witness is the sixteen-year-old driver of the car. He's been in and out of trouble all his life and is strongly connected to the gang responsible for the shooting. The question is whether he's telling the truth. If he's lying, and innocent man could be sentenced to death.
In this highly emotional novel, we see the trial from all points of view: the judge, the attorneys, the cops, the defendant, and some of the witnesses. The author has done an excellent job of bringing these diverse characters to life. It's the highlight of the novel.
The setting is very well done. The author is, after all, a US district judge. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the trial from so many points of view. I do have one criticism, however, the ending, although the author did a good job of foreshadowing, seemed contrived. Still, it's an excellent read. I highly recommend it if you enjoy courtroom drama.
I reviewed this book for Net Galley.
A drive-by shooting leaves a drug dealer and a young mother dead. Alex Torricelli, a cop, gives chase. He manages to grab the driver of the car, but the shooter gets away. The police arrest a black drug dealer, but is he guilty?
The US attorney is looking for a capital murder case to impose the death penalty. This is the chosen case and Judge David Norcross is put on the spot. The star witness is the sixteen-year-old driver of the car. He's been in and out of trouble all his life and is strongly connected to the gang responsible for the shooting. The question is whether he's telling the truth. If he's lying, and innocent man could be sentenced to death.
In this highly emotional novel, we see the trial from all points of view: the judge, the attorneys, the cops, the defendant, and some of the witnesses. The author has done an excellent job of bringing these diverse characters to life. It's the highlight of the novel.
The setting is very well done. The author is, after all, a US district judge. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the trial from so many points of view. I do have one criticism, however, the ending, although the author did a good job of foreshadowing, seemed contrived. Still, it's an excellent read. I highly recommend it if you enjoy courtroom drama.
I reviewed this book for Net Galley.
November 16, 2013
This is an intense story from the first page. There is everything in this book: murder, suspense, romance, and a deep look into the United States justice system. I do have a couple of issues with the story, however.
The inclusion of the story of the unfair trial and execution of two men in 1806 interrupts the flow, overall. It was interesting, especially the quotes from surviving documentation, but I think it would have worked better for me if it were left until the conclusion of the book.
At times, this was also a pretty deep story through which to wade. I read the author's note at the beginning and I understand he's a judge, but there was a lot of detail. It made it a little more difficult for me to get through the book at times.
Those things aside, this is an excellent book. The writing is good, the dialogue is realistic, the characters are developed well. There were plot changes I didn't expect, the narrators couldn't always be trusted to tell the reader what was really going on, and it was steeped in a cloud of uncertainty that had me wondering what would happen until the very last minute.
The inclusion of the story of the unfair trial and execution of two men in 1806 interrupts the flow, overall. It was interesting, especially the quotes from surviving documentation, but I think it would have worked better for me if it were left until the conclusion of the book.
At times, this was also a pretty deep story through which to wade. I read the author's note at the beginning and I understand he's a judge, but there was a lot of detail. It made it a little more difficult for me to get through the book at times.
Those things aside, this is an excellent book. The writing is good, the dialogue is realistic, the characters are developed well. There were plot changes I didn't expect, the narrators couldn't always be trusted to tell the reader what was really going on, and it was steeped in a cloud of uncertainty that had me wondering what would happen until the very last minute.
February 6, 2014
As a disclaimer, I work in the legal profession so I know my way around the court room pretty well. To me this book was typical of someone who is well educated, skilled in a profession, and well read. Those attributes do not make one a skilled writer.
The characters were painfully stereotypical and boring. The writing itself was not bad, albeit pretty boring as well. The ending of the book was just off.
Ponsor spends the majority of the book cramming his own beliefs and agendas down the readers throat. His views on the death penalty, evidentiary rules, social issues, and legal wrangling are quite evident throughout. Despite the fact that I agree with many of his views, I didn't care to have it splayed in front if me in a fictional story the entire time I was reading it.
The characters were painfully stereotypical and boring. The writing itself was not bad, albeit pretty boring as well. The ending of the book was just off.
Ponsor spends the majority of the book cramming his own beliefs and agendas down the readers throat. His views on the death penalty, evidentiary rules, social issues, and legal wrangling are quite evident throughout. Despite the fact that I agree with many of his views, I didn't care to have it splayed in front if me in a fictional story the entire time I was reading it.
August 26, 2014
This murder trial story had so many twists and turns that I felt compelled to thumb pages until I knew the jury's decision, and more importantly, I was completely sure that they were right. This interweaving story of street life, court procedure, justice and the death penalty contains cogent insights from a judge's point of view and its creative descriptive language and offbeat love story added to my reading pleasure.
November 16, 2014
This one held my interest from start to finish. I felt like I was actually in the courtroom, it rang with such authenticity. It's a reminder that "justice for all" is really only justice for some. I felt for the accused, whose fate seems a foregone conclusion at the start. Judge Norcross is equally sympathetic, as is the chain-smoking lawyer for the defense, Mr. Redpath. I highly recommend this for fans of legal dramas. It even has a touch of romance.
September 7, 2015
As ambitious as it is rewarding, Judge Ponsor's debut brings a controversial case to life through his engaging and eloquent prose. His omniscient point of view allows the reader into the minds of the complex yet relatable cast of characters met during the legal process.
April 17, 2023
My advice to the author - don't quit your day job.
June 18, 2018
This story, written by a real life judge, has enough court room drama to satisfy John Grisham fans and enough story for the rest of us.
Two people were killed in a drive by shooting in Massachusetts, one a Hispanic drug dealer and the other a nurse at a nearby clinic. The state of Massachusetts doesn't have the death penalty and since they want to pursue this line, the trial is shifted into the federal court.
The story has a very authentic feel and you find yourself turning pages quickly and hanging onto every word. As an aside throughout, we hear the story of two men who were executed in the early 1800's and in 1984 were exonerated. This really does make you think and wonder how many innocent people have been executed.
An excellent read and I am looking forward to another book from this author.
Two people were killed in a drive by shooting in Massachusetts, one a Hispanic drug dealer and the other a nurse at a nearby clinic. The state of Massachusetts doesn't have the death penalty and since they want to pursue this line, the trial is shifted into the federal court.
The story has a very authentic feel and you find yourself turning pages quickly and hanging onto every word. As an aside throughout, we hear the story of two men who were executed in the early 1800's and in 1984 were exonerated. This really does make you think and wonder how many innocent people have been executed.
An excellent read and I am looking forward to another book from this author.
September 27, 2024
5 Star Gem of a book
Great legal story but so much more. Judge Norcross is unique as a character and a judge. Story and character driven makes this so very interesting and memorable. Even better I discovered to my great pleasure there is a book 2 waiting in the wings just for me. Ahh life is good.
Great legal story but so much more. Judge Norcross is unique as a character and a judge. Story and character driven makes this so very interesting and memorable. Even better I discovered to my great pleasure there is a book 2 waiting in the wings just for me. Ahh life is good.
July 8, 2019
A very interesting look at the death penalty and how cases are handled. It is amazing how many outside influences can affect the judicial process. This is a wake up call for how these cases are adjudicated.
April 19, 2018
Definitely my kind of book. Got the sequel on order.
April 11, 2020
A great story, told from the judge's point of view. Great courtroom drama!
January 9, 2014
Having been a family victim of a murder, I was fascinated in reading this novel that was written by a federal judge who has presided over a capital murder case.
"The Hanging Judge" is the debut thriller by Michael Ponsor. It is excellent in many ways. It gives readers a view and perspective of courtroom drama in a capital murder case, along with what might and sometimes does happen behind the scenes.
Personally, I am a lot like the main charater, David Norcross. I also have a lot of deep doubts about our legal system. Being a crime victim, I resent a clever defense attorney getting a criminal off the hook, when the villain is obviously very guilty. However, I know that both the prosecutor and defense attorney are just doing the best job they can.
Reading this novel was akin to watching a movie and not being able to do anything else until seeing what happens in the end. In a fiction movie or a fiction novel, writers can make their story have a good ending. Truth is, in reality, the bad guys don't always get what is coming to them. However, it could be a different matter when wicked people die - for this is not a free ride - everyone must pay for their deeds - good or bad.
If you want to read a book that has lots of action and one that stirs up emotions, then you should read this excellent and well-written novel.
Jeannie Walker (Award-Winning Author)
Fighting the Devil: A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder
I Saw the Light
Thomas, The Friendly Ghost
The Rain Snake: A True Story of Love, Faith and Trust
"The Hanging Judge" is the debut thriller by Michael Ponsor. It is excellent in many ways. It gives readers a view and perspective of courtroom drama in a capital murder case, along with what might and sometimes does happen behind the scenes.
Personally, I am a lot like the main charater, David Norcross. I also have a lot of deep doubts about our legal system. Being a crime victim, I resent a clever defense attorney getting a criminal off the hook, when the villain is obviously very guilty. However, I know that both the prosecutor and defense attorney are just doing the best job they can.
Reading this novel was akin to watching a movie and not being able to do anything else until seeing what happens in the end. In a fiction movie or a fiction novel, writers can make their story have a good ending. Truth is, in reality, the bad guys don't always get what is coming to them. However, it could be a different matter when wicked people die - for this is not a free ride - everyone must pay for their deeds - good or bad.
If you want to read a book that has lots of action and one that stirs up emotions, then you should read this excellent and well-written novel.
Jeannie Walker (Award-Winning Author)
Fighting the Devil: A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder
I Saw the Light
Thomas, The Friendly Ghost
The Rain Snake: A True Story of Love, Faith and Trust
December 9, 2013
I could not wait to read Michael Ponsor's book The Hanging Judge. The first draw for me was my absolute love for legal thrillers, but the second was the locale. I lived half of my life in New England and any book that will take me back their with any authenticity makes me very happy.
The Hanging Judge brings the reader inside the the courtroom of a death penalty case. It does so in a way that is absolutely flooring. Not only does the reader get to see the case from the side of the judge, the lawyers, and the person being tried, but the police, investigators and victims' families and more are all included. You might think this would be overwhelming, but Ponsor handles it remarkably. Each character is not a shadow but brought completely to life. They have back story and motives that are unique to themselves. The star is the story though each character is living as if they are the center. Michael Ponsor proved that he has a very intricate knowledge of the legal system as well as the human condition. That strength shines through in this novel.
I was floored at how my mind switched gears as I read and grasped the intricate cuts of this mystery thriller. The Hanging Judge had me scratching my head and stretching my mind's muscles as I tried to come up with the conclusion. This excited me all the more. There was no easy out for this story. Well done. I highly recommend it, and certainly do look forward to Michael Ponsor's next work. I hope it comes soon.
This eBook was provided to me for free through the publishers via NetGalley. This had no impact on my opinion. My opinion is all my own.
The Hanging Judge brings the reader inside the the courtroom of a death penalty case. It does so in a way that is absolutely flooring. Not only does the reader get to see the case from the side of the judge, the lawyers, and the person being tried, but the police, investigators and victims' families and more are all included. You might think this would be overwhelming, but Ponsor handles it remarkably. Each character is not a shadow but brought completely to life. They have back story and motives that are unique to themselves. The star is the story though each character is living as if they are the center. Michael Ponsor proved that he has a very intricate knowledge of the legal system as well as the human condition. That strength shines through in this novel.
I was floored at how my mind switched gears as I read and grasped the intricate cuts of this mystery thriller. The Hanging Judge had me scratching my head and stretching my mind's muscles as I tried to come up with the conclusion. This excited me all the more. There was no easy out for this story. Well done. I highly recommend it, and certainly do look forward to Michael Ponsor's next work. I hope it comes soon.
This eBook was provided to me for free through the publishers via NetGalley. This had no impact on my opinion. My opinion is all my own.
September 24, 2013
An engaging story that never gets old because you get the perspectives of almost everyone involved--judge, suspect, the suspect's family, the victim's family, lawyers. The murder trial is the main story that runs through the book and holds everything together, but the subplots and side stories are just as interesting and really help fill out the world of The Hanging Judge. The characters are unique--some likable, some detestable (but that keeps it fun!).
Apparently the debut novel of a real life judge--which makes it even cooler! (And adds authenticity to the details of the court proceedings in the book). This is a thrilling read that combines depth with entertainment!
Apparently the debut novel of a real life judge--which makes it even cooler! (And adds authenticity to the details of the court proceedings in the book). This is a thrilling read that combines depth with entertainment!
June 30, 2017
As a fan of legal thrillers, I enjoyed The Hanging Judge. I enjoyed the portraying of the weaknesses of the legal system. After all, not all witnesses are reliable or truthful, and not all evidence is solid. The court scenes are plentiful--a bonus! The novel is interspersed with short chapters about a court case that took place in the early 1800s. These breaks in the continuity of the story were a great annoyance and did not seem to serve any true purpose. You could skip them altogether and not miss a thing (so feel free to)! Thankfully, they were few and the novel, as a whole, is a very good read for fans of legal thrillers.
December 3, 2013
I really enjoyed "The Hanging Judge!" It was written by a Federal judge and I found the characters believable and interesting. I have served on a rape and double murder case and the stress of being a juror is intense. This book shows the emotional roller coaster ride everyone in the courtroom must endure. Anyone wishing to become a criminal attorney or sitting judge must read this. I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review. No compensation was received. Be sure to add this to your TBR list...
August 12, 2016
I found this a very well written crime novel with the requisite court room tension and unpredictable follow up. The perspective of a judge is somewhat unique in current literature, and gives this narrative a boost beyond the ordinary. While giving the reader insight into the inner workings of a criminal trial, it also highlights the tensions encountered by the judges who sit on the bench. This is more than worthy of a read, especially for fans of court room drama.
This novel was received in e-book format from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This novel was received in e-book format from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2015
HOLY CRAP! This is one the best court room dramas I've ever read! Complex characters, a timely topic, people not being who they appear to be-all tightly wound into a narrative that moves at a whip cracking pace. An original concept from start to finish, that has moments of romance, humor, horror, pity, tenderness...it simply has it all. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!
September 20, 2013
What a great read. This book takes you of the process of a death penalty court case. Gives you the feel of how intense and stressful it can be for all sides in the case. It makes you just stop and Think about the death penalty and weather it is right or wrong.
December 15, 2013
A great crime/legal thriller with enough uncertainty and twists to keep you fully engaged. It includes an accurate portrayal of the legal system and provides good insight into the personalities of the various players. A good read regardless of where you come down on the death penalty.
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