Point of Order

by Michael Ponsor

The trial for a fifty-year-old murder comes with plenty of danger for one judge, in this explosive legal thriller by the author of The Hanging Judge .

Dominic O’Connell is one of Boston’s most prominent businessmen. His rise from poverty to power as a successful contractor is the stuff of local legend. But it may all come to an end after he goes to court—a dying hitman has fingered O’Connell for the long-unsolved murder of a police officer.

The Hon. David S. Norcross reluctantly agrees to preside at the trial as a favor to a colleague. His generosity, unfortunately, draws him into a nightmare. His wife miraculously survives a deadly bombing at Harvard Yard. Then someone sends the judge photos of his infant son, along with an anonymous warning to get off the case . . . or else.

As the trial date approaches, the tension only continues to mount. The FBI believes terrorists are behind the bombing, and one of the suspects is tied to Norcross’s past. But what is their motive? Who is after Norcross’s family? Is O’Connell guilty? And just how many more people will die before all questions are answered?

Drawing on decades of experience as a trial judge, New York Times –bestselling author Michael Ponsor crafts a gripping third Judge Norcross novel. The result is another page-turning mystery brimming with intrigue, fear, and courage, set in the real-life world of a federal court.

“The courtroom seen from the judge’s bench—a legal thriller both entertaining and morally nuanced, filled with telling insider details.” —Joseph Kanon

Praise for the Judge Norcross Novels

“A story that grips the reader even as it teaches some fine points of criminal procedure.” — The Washington Post on The Hanging Judge

“There are plenty of surprises to keep readers turning pages. Ponsor gives readers a unique look into the workings of a courtroom. . . . Ponsor’s debut would make a great movie.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) on The Hanging Judge

“Ponsor brings his rare combination of experience on the bench and flair for storytelling to a timely topic.” —Joseph J. Ellis, National Book Award–winning author of The Quartet on The One-Eyed Judge

Genres: Legal Thriller

404 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2024

About the author

Michael 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.

Reviews

[Efka · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first two books, but in this one Ponsor made some changes and they were definitely for the worse. First, what I liked the most about the previous parts, is that they were a good legal procedural. In Point of Order, my personal impression is that it had been a try to make more of a legal thriller. Shootouts, explosions, terrorism, all that running and gunning. But it did not work for me. The legal part had been left bland and all the secondary characters felt more like cardboard decorations.
All in all, a disappointment. No wonder it took me three weeks to finish instead of 4-5 days like prior parts. A pity, but I can only give 2*.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally enjoyed the book. BUT a couple of ‘holes’ that were not closed for me. Too much over the top swearing. Lazy in this regard. Will give the author another go. Good potential.

[Beverly Carrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the third and I’m guessing final chapter with Judge Norcross. I wasn’t disappointed but it felt like the judge took a backseat and he’s the best part, even though the supporting characters are always very interesting. I enjoyed all three books and I’m already missing the Judge.

[333 Const Ave]

I’m still halfway through this book, but I’m leaving a review anyway because (fingers crossed) it’s already my favorite in the series. I would’ve finished it by now if finals week wasn’t kicking my ass.

I’ll admit, I was hesitant going into this one because some reviews mentioned that Judge Norcross and the courtroom proceedings aren’t the sole focus this time. That would be a bummer because he is my favorite character. And yes, the reviews are right; this one feels more like a legal thriller than a courtroom drama, unlike the previous books. But honestly? It grew on me very quickly.

A good chunk of the focus is still on the judge – it’s just not as courtroom-heavy. The cast is much larger here, but thank goodness they're all linked to Norcross and/or the case - and not just in a passing, arbitrary way. Now, personally, I think it is fun when main characters get thrown into wacky, unpredictable situations that feel unexpected in the context of their daily lives and jobs. That's why I love the shift to legal thriller here. There are also some returning characters from the previous books (but you don't need to read them to follow the plot). And Claire I love you so much ahh!!

As usual, the POV and scene shifts between chapters. It was distracting in the earlier books because the story kept losing focus just as it got to the most interesting parts. But I think the POV shift works well for this one. It doesn’t take away from the momentum of the plot. I still haven’t finished it so I can’t tell you why. Maybe because it keeps me so curious I can’t put it down? I mean, it’s midnight, and I still can’t stop reading, and I am so annoyed about it that I feel compelled to write a review.

And as a self-professed fed court nerd (well, just for the D.C. District Court, but I am hyped up all the same), I started grinning like crazy when we got these glimpses into the court staff, other judges, case assignments, and other silly little things. I could happily read an entire book of the Court Dwellers gossiping by the water cooler and chatting about their families.

The abridged version of my rambling is that, although this book is quite different from the earlier ones, I’m so glad I gave it a try. I’ll write a more coherent review and give it a proper rating once I finish the entire thing. I really hope it stays as good through the end :)

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author continues his captivating storytelling, with an engaging legal thriller intertwined with a growing personal world of the judge at the center of the dramatics. As ever, the writing is poetic, inviting the reader to become deeply engaged in this world of complexity and of compelling characters.

My review drops from five stars to four because the complexity is right at the edge of too much, calling attention to itself by requiring some conscious thought to enter the adventure as I re-oriented myself with the vast cast of characters. It was not effortless reading. Competing unrelated legal storylines didn't help.

If a fourth Judge Norcross novel emerges, I'll give it a try, but not with the same level of blind trust the first two left me with. I'm no longer so sure this author will take me on such a pure journey to another world to learn from and enjoy.

[Neil Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Point of Order is the third Judge Norcross novel written by U.S. Federal Judge Michael Ponsor, which offers an intriguing shift in POV in this series of legal thrillers. The trial at the heart of this story concerns a fifty-year-old murder that has resurfaced via the confession of a dying hitman, but is his story true? A bombing attack at Harvard further muddies the waters as Judge Norcross’s family are threatened. A bombshell family secret also emerges, piling unwanted stress on the judge and those around him. This is a complex story with plenty of twists and turns, populated by strong characters and propelled by solid writing. If you’re a lover of legal thrillers and are not yet familiar with this series, it’s time to dive in.

[linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to a courtroom drama but half way through and no courtroom. So many lawyer stories lately are more detective stories than courtroom drama.
Disappointed.

[Brett Oaten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something of a return to form after a dip in book 2, I think. I like these characters and enjoyed the book

[Caroline O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fun

A good read with real descriptions of cases and of trials. Best of three. Keep the books coming, Judge Posner.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting legal story

I enjoyed reading this story. It was a bit of a challenge keeping track of all the characters and similar names.