Judge Stone

by Viola Davis, James Patterson

Brought to you by Penguin.

Viola Davis and James Patterson have written an incredible courtroom drama and created the most unforgettable character in years.

All rise …for Judge Stone.

The most respected citizen in Union Springs, Alabama (population 3,314), is Judge Mary Stone. She holds two responsibilities running her family farm and presiding over her courtroom. Everything changes when she draws the most controversial case in the history of the South.

Criminally, it’s open-and-shut.

Ethically, there is no middle ground.

Essentially, it’s a choice between life and death.

No judge can satisfy everyone. It would be dangerous to try. But Judge Stone is willing to fight to bring justice to the people and place she loves.

An explosive legal thriller that will keep you turning pages until the stunning conclusion.

James Patterson is 'the master storyteller of our times' - HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

Viola Davis is 'one of the greats' - TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET

James Patterson and Viola Davis 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Adult Fiction

Audible Audio

Expected publication March 9, 2026

About the author

VIOLA DAVIS is an internationally acclaimed actress and producer, known for her exceptional performances in television shows like 'How to Get Away with Murder' and movies like 'Fences' and 'The Help.' She is the winner of an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, and two Tony Awards, and in 2021 she won a Screen Actors Guild award for her role in 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'. In both 2012 and 2017, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Davis is also the founder and CEO of JuVee Productions, an artist driven production company that develops and produces independent film, theater, television, and digital content.

source: Amazon

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[MagretFume · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's be honest, I mostly picked up this audiobook because of Viola Davis, with little regard for the story. 

Both were exceptionally great. 

This is a fantastic character study of incredibly strong women, taking place in the unforgiving setting of rural Alabama. It is gripping with tension and and it made me both rage and hope. 

I can not recommend this book enough. It is clearly on par with S.A. Cosby's work and probably the best courtroom thriller we will see this year. 
Viola Davis is just as an amazing narrator as she is an actress.

Thank you Hachette Audio for this ARC.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

JUDGE STONE
By Viola Davis and James Patterson
Narrated by Viola Davis

A courtroom thriller with heart.

I was fully invested in this emotionally gripping courtroom drama, with the honorable Judge Stone presiding over a case that divides the town of Union Springs, Alabama. Judge Stone has a commanding presence in this controversial trial, which draws national attention.

The collaboration between Viola Davis and James Patterson is exceptional. The story plays out in a very visual way—scenes move quickly, dialogue is sharp, and descriptions are clear and direct. The tone is serious, suspenseful, emotional, and empowering. Viola Davis’ narration brings the story to life and gives it real heart.

Judge Stone is a fierce, intelligent, and determined woman who takes her role in the courtroom seriously, yet she is also human and vulnerable. The book explores themes of justice, power, resilience, social inequality, and personal struggle.

I loved every minute of this book, and I’m thrilled to hear it may be adapted into a movie or series. Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC.

[Nae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, thank you sooo much @hachetteaudio @littlebrown @netgalley for allowing me to be an early listener!

Listen, VIOLA DAVIS NARRATES THIS BOOK!!!!!!! Ahhh!! Once I realized that, I was SEATED!!

Immediately, you are snatched into this storyline. It is emotionally gripping from the very beginning and the tensions don’t let up off your neck until the very end. The subject matter is controversial but I feel the authors handled the topic with care.

Judge Mary Stone is one fierce woman and her courtroom is her domain!! You felt her energy in every courtroom scene and it got me so hype. It was reminiscent to her moments on How to Get Away with Murder; that same commanding presence, her super sharp intellect, and “don’t play with me” courtroom energy. 🤏🏾🤏🏾 I’m getting hype all over again just typing this!

This novel makes you consider being in shoes such as a judge and making decisions that are beyond difficult to make.

I’m so happy Viola narrated this dynamite story; she truly was phenomenal. Her emotion, her ability to get into character, to embody these personas that she takes on, my goodness this woman is an icon! Because I know Vi (I love giving a nickname to everyone lol) I could literally see her playing the role of this honorable Judge Stone— this obviously needs to be a movie!!

FIVE STARS! FIVE MARVELOUS, GLORIOUS STARS! WOW!!!

[Laura Lovesreading]

Viola Davis has written a thriller!??!
Give it to me right NEOWWWW!
I just know this is going to read so cinematic!
🧡🧡🧡🧡

Thank you so much to Penguin Random House for sending me an early arc copy of this book

[Karen (kmo.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @jamespattersonbooks @violadavis @littlebrown for the #gifted copy.

Judge Stone is good at her job and there is no BS in her courtroom. She finds herself in the middle of a trial that could send the town’s new Dr to prison for life. Is it worth her job or life?

I devoured this book. It hit all my emotions and made me consider how far I would go to do the right thing. Set in Alabama it explores race, rape, abortion and strong women.

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown & Company, and Hachette Audio for providing me with this outstanding audio ARC!

I would have finished this book in one sitting if I didn’t need sleep. Based on the description alone, I knew this would be a great book. Viola Davis’ narration was the icing on the cake. I could vividly picture her in every scene.

Listening to this book stirred up a range of emotions within me. Judge Scott embodies every Black woman who is educated and excels in her field, yet constantly faces microaggressions and disrespect. The rage I felt at how Brianna was treated and poor Nova, the other victim in the story.

The subject matter is incredibly timely and eerily accurate, reflecting the state of our country today. It was frightening how someone’s tragedy became a cause-celeb, yet they are merely a pawn. I was hooked from the very first chapter, and the suspense never let up. I hope this is the beginning of a new series, and I definitely want to see this adapted into a tv series.

[Nima Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible, fast-paced, and emotionally intense drama. Viola Davis proves once again how powerful she is — not only as an actress and narrator, but now as an author as well. This is easily one of my standout reads for 2026. Highly recommended.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HachetteAudio for this ARC.

[Deanna (she_reads_truth_365) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Best legal thriller I have read this year.

Review to follow soon.

[Stacey Reads It All · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!!

This book was such a gripping, emotionally charged experience. The writing was sharp and propulsive, blending James Patterson’s trademark momentum with Viola Davis’ depth of character that felt intimate and lived-in. The story explored the intersection of race, politics, and the precarious reality of women in power with a clarity that was urgent and deeply human.

Viola Davis’s narration was nothing short of iconic. Her performance elevated every scene—layering authority, vulnerability, and quiet steel into Judge Stone’s voice in a way that made the character feel vividly present. She did not merely read the story; she inhabited it. The emotional cadence she brought to moments of moral conflict and personal reckoning transformed the audiobook into an immersive, almost cinematic experience.

What resonated most was the novel’s unsettling prescience. In an era that has all but erased Roe v. Wade, the themes surrounding bodily autonomy, institutional power, and systemic inequity felt strikingly immediate. The narrative examined how justice can be shaped—and distorted—by those who wield power, particularly when race and gender collide in public life. It was both a thriller and a pointed reflection on contemporary America.

Judge Stone was a compelling, thought-provoking listen anchored by extraordinary narration and purposeful storytelling.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.

[J Kromrie]

Thanks to Hachette Audio and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

This story follows justice in the deep South, prosecuted in a courtroom run by Judge Mary Stone, a beloved member of her rural community.

5 stars and a standing ovation for this addictive story; I am sure I am not the only one who hopes for a series of Judge Stone novels!

In a community where race is a battleground (as are conservative values vs liberal) Judge Stone fights for true justice in this engaging story about a young girl pregnant from a rape who obtained help from her local small town doctor.

In today's stifling social (and relatively hopeless political climate) Judge Mary Stone is a character fighting for justice, even when doing so seems a rather quixotic effort.

This story provides a breath of fresh air that so many of us desperately need right now.

Patterson and Davis wrote a wonderful story, and Viola Davis is the perfect narrator for this tale, she captured the tone of the various characters flawlessly.

[Dwon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgally and @hachetteaudio for an advanced copy of the audio book in exchange for an honest review!
Do yourself a favor and don't start this book at bedtime like I did lol
I went into this book with pretty low expectations because celebrity authors can really be hit or miss. This book, though? I don't remember the last time I devoured an audio book in less than a day. It is so freaking good!
Judge Stone addresses a few current political situations in a rural Alabama town and as someone who lives in Alabama and has family in rural Alabama, it is spot on. In a rural Alabama town with a black female Judge, political and racial tensions tun high.
This book is a must read (or listen!) Viola Davis is the narrator, and she does a fantastic job.

[Fawnia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Just wow!! I didn't want to take any breaks. This one blew me away.

[Melodi | booksandchicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Talya Honebeek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual thing at all but wow, this was absolutely brilliant. I listened to the audiobook and found myself looking for excuses to keep listening!
5⭐️

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The unhinged power move that is Judge Stone. James Patterson, king of the airport thriller industrial complex, casually teaming up with Viola Davis, Academy Award winner, emotional wrecking ball, patron saint of courtroom monologues. And then she narrates it herself. Personally. With that voice. I pressed play and immediately felt like I should stand up and place my right hand over my heart.

This audiobook is not read. It is delivered like a verdict.

We’re in Union Springs, Alabama. Population 3,314. Which means everybody knows your business, your grandma, and what you ordered at Waffle House in 2007. Judge Mary Stone is the most respected woman in town. She runs her ancestral farm and her courtroom with the same steady, no nonsense authority. She’s up for reelection. She has roots deep in that soil. She is not new to this.

And then a case detonates in her courtroom like someone lit a match in a room full of gasoline.

Thirteen year old Nova Jones is pregnant after a rape. She seeks help from Dr. Bria Gaines, a young Black physician trying to serve her community. Bria performs an abortion in a state where it is fully illegal, no exceptions. When Nova suffers complications and ends up in the hospital, Bria is arrested. Criminally, it looks open and shut. Ethically? It is a battlefield.

The town splits down the middle so fast you can hear the crack. Protesters descend. National media circles. Political operatives slither in. Every mediocre white man within a fifty mile radius suddenly discovers he has very passionate opinions about what Judge Stone should do. They politely suggest she recuse herself. They question her neutrality. They underestimate her in that very specific Southern way that smiles while it tries to move you out of the room.

And here’s the thing this book nails with surgical precision. The law is not always justice. And when you are the one in the robe, you do not get to say, this makes me uncomfortable so I will simply opt out. Mary Stone is not written as a saint floating above humanity. She has doubts. She has fear. She has a farm to protect and ancestors buried in that land. But she also has a spine made of steel and a moral clarity that makes powerful men deeply nervous.

I was yelling at my steering wheel. I was pacing my kitchen. I was fully prepared to object on behalf of fictional women.

Nova’s perspective gutted me. She is thirteen. Thirteen. And grown adults are using her trauma as a political chess piece. The book does not sanitize how ugly people can become when they think they are righteous. Watching religion, race, and politics collide around a child is the kind of rage fuel that makes you pause the audiobook and stare at the wall for a second.

And then there’s Bria. A doctor who believed she was helping a child and now faces prison. The quiet panic in her chapters feels real. The exhaustion. The awful math of, did I just ruin my life for doing what I believed was right? The moral dilemma here is not abstract. It is personal. It is suffocating.

Now let us discuss the event of the century. Viola Davis narrating.

She does not simply read this story. She inhabits it. You can hear the authority when Mary is on the bench. The vulnerability when she’s alone on her farm. The tremble in Nova. The controlled fear in Bria. Viola could narrate my grocery list and I would experience character development. Listening to her perform this adds a weight and gravitas that elevates every scene. I genuinely forgot at times that this was fiction.

As someone who gave Along Came a Spider five stars and still side eyes The Christmas Wedding like it personally wronged me, I do not live full time in the Church of Patterson. I visit. Carefully. But this collaboration feels different. The chapters are tight and relentless, classic Patterson pacing, but underneath the rocket fuel is something heavier. Urgent. Timely. Angry in a way that feels earned.

Is it subtle? Not particularly. Is it interested in making everyone comfortable? Absolutely not. It plants its feet. It makes you sit in discomfort. It forces you to ask what justice costs and who is expected to pay for it.

I finished this feeling furious, impressed, hopeful, and slightly emotionally wrung out. Which is honestly the highest compliment I can give a legal thriller. 4.5 stars. I would let Viola Davis narrate my internal monologue while I make every major life decision.

Whodunity Award: For Making Me Want to Stand Up in My Living Room and Object on Behalf of Fictional Women Everywhere

And a dramatic, slightly teary thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. You did not just give me an audiobook. You handed me a full body courtroom experience narrated by Viola Davis herself, and for that I will remain eternally grateful and mildly unwell.

[Bradley Book Bites · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book right here might be my top read of 2026 or one of my top reads. Thank you Hachette Audio for the ALC. The narration and production was chefs kiss.

It’s Southern fiction wrapped in courtroom drama. I feel like it’s one of those books that doesn’t just tell a story, but it exposes a system. So it’s set in Union Springs, Alabama, where it centers around Judge Mary Stone, the most respected circuit court Black judge in a small town where everybody knows everybody. But when she’s handed a controversial case, you start to see how fragile respect becomes when power, race, religion, and politics collide. It was a mess. What stood out to me is how this book proves that history doesn’t really disappear. It just changes outfits. This country doesn’t always evolve the way we think it does. Sometimes it just puts on a mask over the same old mindset.

You’ll also read about Nova Jones, who’s a 13-year-old little girl carrying responsibilities way too heavy for her age. She is the oldest of 5 by a single mother and forced to grow up fast. She’s soft, innocent, and loves nature like trees, plants and flowers. But life doesn’t allow her to stay soft for long. And finally there’s Dr. Bria Gaines, the only family doctor in town. Now that’s sad because you still the struggles of residents living in a small rural area. She’s a woman who worked hard to get to where she is at and chose to serve the people who needed her. But you also witness what happens when she makes a life changing decision.

It highlights how the law and morality are not always on the same side. Reading this book will frustrate you. It will make you so angry and sad. Because for a town of only 3,000+ people, the ignorance, manipulation and hypocrisy was loud. The portrayal of the old school Baptist church in this book is heavy. It shows how Christian spaces, especially in small Southern towns, can become power structures instead of places of healing. When a pastor oversteps his role and becomes untouchable and unquestioned, it starts to feel less like a congregation and more like control. And then the misuse of scripture for personal agendas is something many people can relate to. The legal system portrayal was raw. The district attorney represents everything that’s wrong with weaponizing the law. You see how racism hides behind procedure, how the use of power protects itself and how evidence from your past can be twisted to control your present. And then you have the people that’s trying to actually do right get punished for it. Even the media plays a role in how quickly public opinion can spiral and inflame trauma. Civic trauma. Racial trauma. Childhood trauma. It all layers on top of each other.

One thing Judge Mary Stone said really resonated with me. When she said, I’m tired of being strong, I felt that. Because that line isn’t just about her. It’s about every woman who carries the weight of integrity in spaces that are constantly trying to break her. Criminally, the case may seem like it’s open and shut, but ethically, spiritually and historically, nothing about it is simple. There’s secrets, power dynamics, past harm, and buried truths that make it far more complex than what shows up. There was nothing about this book that I didn’t like. It was real, but uncomfortable and enraging. And it felt honest. Especially about how the South still operates in many ways people don’t want to admit. By the final chapters, I had tears in my eyes. It felt familiar and the kind of story that reminds you that justice is not just about the courtroom. If you’re ready for a book that will stir you emotionally.. like really emotionally and make you think critically about the law, power, faith, and race, this is one to read. Just prepare yourself because it’s heavy, but necessary. You’ll learn that you cannot please everyone. So just make the choice that you think is best.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping, Controversial, and Complex.

In recent years there's been an uptick in celebrities co-authoring novels most of which catch a bit of side eye from me. However, that is NOT the case here. Davis and Patterson have crafted an electric story that is a character study first and a courtroom thriller second. My interest was piqued because I live in the deep south and I'm always interested in how the good, the bad, and the ugly are portrayed. The town that Judge Stone is set in, Union Springs in Bullock County is a real place in Alabama. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Viola Davis her performance was nothing short of spectacular. If this one is on your radar, I highly recommend the audio. I had chills and teary eyes more than once. I also couldn't help but smile at the antics of Judge Stone's rooster. This novel is not a light read. If controversy is a no go in your book selections give this a pass, but if you read to experience a roller coaster of emotions grab it ASAP.

Bria Gaines is a young doctor working in her clinic in Union Springs. Late one night the local school nurse brings in local thirteen-year-old Nova who is pregnant and begging for an abortion. When the girl experiences complications days later and is rushed to the hospital the doctor is arrested because abortion in illegal in the state. The town is in an uproar. Outsiders begin flooding in on both sides of the issue with their own agendas. Judge Stone is to preside over the case. She's born and raised in the area and still calls her ancestral farm home. The contrast between Mary Stone the farmer worrying over her expectant mare and Judge Stone wielding justice in the courtroom gave her dimension making her character feel grounded. There are people in high places who want her to send the hot button trial to a bigger city like Montgomery or Birmingham, but Mary Stone is no nonsense and has the experience to take on the case.

The danger felt palpable like a beating heart behind the story. The book is told through different POVs which worked in its favor. It was riveting to experience the twists and turns through the eyes of these characters. There were moments that I was appalled but not surprised by some of the treatment of Nova. Grown adults spewing hate toward a child whose shoes they can't even begin to walk in is a sad but true fact. I appreciated that the authors provided Nova's POV. This was an immersive listening experience, I was invested not only in the outcome, but in these well drawn characters.

The shades and layers that made the humanity shine through the dark content were applied with expert precision.

All the stars!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⚠️Trigger Warnings (possible spoilers)⚠️
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racism
sexism
rape
murder (lynching)
abortion
arson


Thank you to Hachette Audio for providing an ALC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Juanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Hatchette Audio for sending this audiobook for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

The audiobook version of Judge Stone was very good. Viola Davis did a great job as the narrator; she was easy to understand and differentiated the various character voices very well.

I tend to find courtroom scenarios boring but I wanted to give this book a try because, one, I have read several other James Patterson books and found them to be engaging. And, two, I like Viola Davis as an actress and wanted to see if she could also be a good narrator. Past experience has shown me that a good actor doesn't necessarily make a good narrator. No worries in this case...Davis was SO good!

I really liked and respected the MC Judge Mary Stone. She is smart and firm in her actions. She took her job as circuit court judge very seriously and held the judicial system in high esteem. She expected others to act with the same respect and was known for her strictness in not allowing inappropriate behavior in her courtroom. Yet she had compassion for others in her community where it was needed. I thought the other characters vital to the main storyline were developed very well, also. I came to care about them.

I wanted to like this book (and I did) but before I started listening to it I had my reservations. I don't like reading fiction where the author is overtly pushing their personal political agenda and when I realized the case going to be tried had to do with an abortion, I rolled my eyes, thinking I knew where this was going to go. I was pleasantly surprised.

The case, as expected, got the town riled up. There were the usual ugly protests for both sides of the issue. But to see it through Mary's eyes was handled very well by the author. She observed how both sides had their rude loudmouths. Both sides had people who acted like rules don't apply to them. But Mary also observed that both sides had the quiet protestors...people who believed they were supporting what they thought was right...people who did not care for the actions of their co-protestors and were embarrassed by their rude, lawless behavior. In light of the political climate in our country today(USA) it is helpful to realize that this is how it really is: both sides have both the bad-acting people and the good-acting people; the law-abiding and the lawless. While a reader isn't likely going change their stance on abortion, it may cause them to have empathy for a person who is in a desparate life situation, and extend grace and compassion.

This was a good story, well-told. However, I was extremely disappointed in the ending. It was not realistic at all. I suspect the author wants to write a series around the character of Judge Mary and ending it the way he did leaves it open for that. If the ending had been realistic, it would have been a stand-alone book but a very good one at that.

[Catharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ka-boom 💥

“Judge Stone” is a character-driven legal thriller, and one that immediately separates itself from the pack by telling the story from the judge’s perspective—a choice that proves both refreshing and quietly powerful.

It took me a couple of chapters to fall into the rhythm of the book. Although it’s set in the present day, the setting feels as though it belongs to another era entirely. That sense of temporal dislocation isn’t accidental; it’s fundamental to the story being told.

The subject matter—abortion—is inherently controversial. Place that debate in a small town in Alabama, governed by outdated laws and an entrenched mindset that feels several decades behind the rest of the country, and the tension becomes suffocating. Now add a Black female judge presiding over the most incendiary case the town has ever seen.

That’s the setup.
A powder keg.
And Judge Stone is holding the matches.

Union Springs may be small, but the pressure placed on Judge Mary Stone is immense. Every ruling, every hesitation, every decision is weighed not just against the law, but against public opinion, political ideology, and deeply ingrained prejudice. The courtroom becomes a battleground, and the consequences of missteps feel genuinely dangerous.

Judge Stone herself is a compelling, layered protagonist. She isn’t written as infallible—there are moments of doubt, flashes of vulnerability, and the occasional “shaky hand”—but she never loses her authority. The gradual unspooling of her personal history, her values, and the experiences that shaped her adds real emotional heft to the narrative. This is not simply a legal thriller about a case; it’s a study of the cost of integrity when the world is determined to tear it apart.

The pacing tightens steadily as the stakes rise, and the atmosphere grows increasingly claustrophobic. The tension doesn’t rely on gimmicks or cheap twists; it’s rooted in the very real fear of what happens when justice, morality, and politics collide in a place unwilling to change.

Thought-provoking, timely, and often uncomfortable in the best possible way, “Judge Stone” is a legal thriller that asks difficult questions and refuses to offer easy answers.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the DRC of “Judge Stone” by James Patterson & Viola Davis.
“Judge Stone” is due to be published and available on Amazon on 9 March 2026.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit me on a completely different level, largely because of the current state of our country. The themes are unsettlingly familiar, echoing the alarming backward slide we’re witnessing in real time. Though the story is set in the present day, it often feels like it belongs to another era entirely—one that we fear we’re heading back toward. That disorienting sense of time isn’t accidental; it’s essential to the story being told.

Judge Stone is sharp, no-nonsense, and exceptional at her job. Her courtroom has no room for posturing or excuses—until she finds herself presiding over a case that could send the town’s new doctor to prison for life. The stakes are immense, forcing her to confront an impossible question: how much is she willing to risk—her career, her safety, her life—to do what’s right?
 
I absolutely devoured this book. It pulled at every emotion and challenged me to think deeply about morality, courage, and the cost of integrity. Set in Alabama, it fearlessly tackles race, rape, abortion, and the power—and burden—of strong women navigating systems designed to resist them.
 
The subject matter alone—abortion—is inherently polarizing. Place that debate in a small Alabama town governed by outdated laws and deeply entrenched beliefs, and the tension becomes almost suffocating. Now add a Black female judge overseeing the most explosive case the town has ever seen, and the story becomes impossible to look away from.
 
Thought-provoking, timely, and unflinching, Judge Stone is a legal thriller that asks hard questions and refuses to offer neat or comfortable answers. Viola Davis’s narration elevates the story even further, adding depth, gravity, and emotional intensity that lingers long after the final chapter.
 
This is a book everyone needs to read. It’s packed with political intrigue, the audacity of mediocre white men, the exhausting reality that Black women must be ten times better just to be deemed competent, a heavy dose of hypocrisy, and the deeply polarizing ideas that continue to divide us.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed this book—and I won’t stop thinking about it anytime soon. I would highly recommend listening to the book - THE Ms. Viola Davis brings this story to life.

Thank you to James Patterson, Viola David, Little, Brown and Company, Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judge Mary Stone’s ascent to the bench was not without its challenges, including emotional turmoil. Her latest case involves an ethical dilemma involving a teenager named Nova in Alabama, a state with a strict abortion ban. Consequently, the doctor who assisted the teen is now on trial. Despite repeated pressure from higher authorities to recuse herself from this sensitive case, Judge Stone remains steadfast in her decision to continue.

As a Black judge in the Deep South, Judge Stone faced significant challenges from an early age. The pressure she encounters now extends beyond the courtroom. Her home and farm are also at risk. Stone grapples with her past and its impact on her present. However, her strong moral compass compels her to uphold her principles and rule fairly in the case against the doctor.

Judge Stone goes beyond the letter of the law when it comes to Nova. She considers the circumstances surrounding Nova’s pregnancy, her age, and her home life. This courtroom drama features compelling characters and explores serious themes. For Judge Stone, it is not a popularity contest but a matter of moral, ethical, and social responsibility.

As a long-time James Patterson fan, this book was an auto-read. The fact that Viola Davis co-authored it only sweetened the pot. Her narration of the story was so captivating that I had to pause to check if she had written anything else. Her memoir, Finding Me, was the answer, and I listened to it as an audiobook. Both of these books were brilliantly narrated by Ms. Davis.

What an incredibly profound and sensitive story! Despite Alabama being one of the states that is considered part of the ‘Bible Belt’, Christian values were disregarded in this case. It’s worth noting that my strong faith kept me mindful of my conscience, but as this captivating narrative unfolded, I found myself fully engrossed in the delicate case involving Nova and her doctor, as well as the intricate dynamics at play.

While courtroom drama isn’t typically my preferred genre, this exceptionally powerful story captivated me from the very beginning. I was held in its grip until the final resounding sound of the gavel.

Many thanks to Hachette Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[WellEndowedPenguin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 achingly on the nose stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

James Patterson isn't an author that I read. Working in a bookstore our shelves are filled with numerous books of his, but nothing has stood out to me in the past 3 years. With the help of Penguin Random House and their representative Aamaarah I was able to get my hands on a copy for free, with no obligations.

This book was a soccer punch to my solar plexus. While I am aware of what is happening in the US it's so far away from me and mine that it feels like it's happening through film. Difficult to see coverage of and difficult to connect with.

Judge Mary Stone, Nova Jones & Dr. Bria are three prominent black women whose whole existence is one of the backbones of this book. We are thrown into the deep end at the start of this book wondering how it will unfold.

The vivid imagery and intersectionslity that this book explores is eye opening. We see how these women and this young girl has to deal with the scorn of white men and the sexualisation, along with a plethora of racial bias and discrimination, they face from a young age and how that has made, Judge Stone specifically, into the person(s) she is today.

The trial was a long endeavor that zapped me of any emotional energy I had left to spare, which in this case was such a good thing. Viola Davis and James Patterson forces us as the readers to confront the reality of what's happening in the real world with characters that we come to care for and root for.

This is a book that EVERYONE needs to read. It's filled with political intrigue, the audaciousness of mediocre white men, the unfortunate reality that black women have to be 10x better than their white counterparts to even be considered decent at their job, a sprinkle of religious hypcroasy and good Ole polarizing ideas.

[Roroblu'sMum · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Brutal, sadly all too believable in the orange twat's 2026 USA. Decent storyline; decent, strong females; horrible, racist, hypocritical bandwagon rednecks who're most likely MAGAs.

This book has gone there. It's fiction based on today's USA that's gone backwards in so many ways, bringing out the worst in people who've become emboldened because of that orange twat who's just a mouthpiece for all things horrible, shameful, racist, jealous, wrong and countless other negative adjectives. It's a sad reflection that makes me grateful to be a Brit, although we have a good few twats of our own who're giving Reform acceleration, frighteningly and sadly. But, we at least have backbone and we have courts that will hold people to task.

It's a tale of a Black female judge who's respected by many; hated by many more who're racist, Caucasian, barely disguised MAGAs, including her peers. In one scene where she overhears how her peers describe her, in which she reminds them she's still on the line, if that'd been me, I'd be suing - the beauty of recorded lines.

So there's a court case that no one wants her to oversee. See above for the many reasons, plus the fact that it's about a Black female doctor who carried out an abortion on a raped 13yo who threatened to go find a coat hanger if the doctor didn't help - I kid you not. All the nasties come out of the woodwork. And the DA violates HIPAA to try to scare her and shame her off the case. The worst of humanity is shown, but in the end, the best in people comes through for her. She risks herself, her career and her family to make the right decision.

I loved that the 13yo rape victim seen as expendable and coachable and simply a means to prosecute the doctor, listened so closely to the Bible teachings she'd endured every Sunday. She told the truth, despite being scared and cowed, despite being coached. She showed her strength and her rapists, 2 klan members, were eventually caught. I suspect she could end up the heroine of her own novel one day.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Random House UK/Cornerstone, for my reading pleasure.

[Corinne Mandell · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very beginning of Judge Stone by James Patterson and Viola Davis, you can feel the pressure of Union Springs, Alabama — the kind of small town where everybody knows your business and every decision gets talked about at the dinner table and in the pews on Sunday. Nothing stays quiet for long.

Right at the center of it all is Judge Mary Stone. She’s tough, steady, and completely committed to doing what’s right — whether she’s running her family farm or presiding over her courtroom. I loved that about her. She’s strong without being cold, compassionate without being weak. That balance made her feel real.

The case she takes on? It’s the kind that divides a town instantly. On paper, it might look straightforward. But morally? It’s messy. Complicated. Uncomfortable. And that’s exactly where this story shines. It doesn’t hand you easy answers. It makes you sit with the hard questions and really think about what justice means when the law and personal beliefs collide.

Judge Stone isn’t perfect, and she knows she can’t make everyone happy — especially not in a town this tight-knit and opinionated. But what stands out is her courage. She’s willing to stand firm, even when it costs her personally. The emotional weight of her decisions feels just as heavy as the legal ones.

The writing pulls you in. The courtroom scenes are intense, but the quieter, personal moments hit just as hard. And just when you think you’ve figured out where things are going, the story pushes deeper and challenges you again.

This book will make you think. It might make you uncomfortable. It may even make you angry — at the law, at the church, at certain characters. But it also forces you to see every side and consider outcomes you might not have wanted to. Given the current climate of the world, you do have to go into this one with an open mind. It touches on injustices that feel very real right now, even if society sometimes prefers not to look too closely.

If you love legal dramas that aren’t afraid to tackle tough moral dilemmas and leave you thinking long after you’ve finished, Judge Stone is absolutely worth reading.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of James Patterson’s works, especially the Alex Cross series. I am also a fan of Viola Davis’ work. When I saw this ARC pop up, I knew I had to read/listen to this work. Especially since this was narrated by Ms. Davis.

What stood out to me first was that this book was being told from a judge’s standpoint. I have read a lot of legal thrillers, all from the standpoint of the lawyers. This was a great way to view a legal thriller. That being said…

The subject matter is provocative and divisive. “Judge Stone” deals with a case where someone has administered an abortion on a young teenager in a state where it is illegal.

Fiction has been used for helping people to understand different viewpoints as long as fiction has been a thing. Fairytales, fables, novels, poems, and parables have all been used. IF that is the point of Mr. Patterson and Ms. Davis, they had an incredible opportunity and, in my opinion, they squandered it.

At no point is there any wrestling with views. There is one view and everyone else is quite evil, manipulative, and fake. Great fiction based around morality gives the reader something to wrestle with. There is nothing here. Instead, this novel reads like a social media post. “You are either with me or my enemy.”

To view this as a novel, it is well written, although you must suspend disbelief quite a bit. But this is fiction, so that’s fine. Judge Stone is an amazing character, and I would love to sit down at the dinner table with her. Or better yet, serve breakfast to those in need with her at her farm.

As an audiobook, my goodness. Viola Davis could read the phone book and make it interesting. Such an excellent job, as always, on her part.

IF, however, you want to read fiction that has you wrestle with a moral issue (“They committed a crime, but they think about this…”), go read John Grisham’s “A Time to Kill”.

So, rating this on the audiobook, it is well written and the narration is amazing.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Mateo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will enrage you. Like clenching your jaw so hard you forget you’re listening to fiction enraged. Because from the jump, Judge Mary Stone is doing her actual job as the circuit judge in Union Springs, Alabama, and a parade of powerful people decide what she really needs is a man to explain how judging works.

The case at the center of it all is brutal and infuriating. Thirteen year old Nova Jones wants to terminate a pregnancy, and Dr. Bria Gaines performs the procedure, then gets arrested under a law that allows no exceptions, even for rape or incest, with consequences that are life ruining. As a parent, I was seeing red. Not because this book is trying to hand you a neat argument, but because it forces you to sit in the reality of adults making catastrophic decisions around a child, and without her best interests at the center.

What made me even angrier is how everyone comes for Judge Stone personally. She is up for reelection, and people from every direction pressure her to recuse herself, to pick a side, to be useful. Meanwhile, she is trying to do the one thing nobody seems to want anymore. Run a fair courtroom. She draws a clear line between personal beliefs and legal duty, and I respected her more with every chapter.

And when the town starts spiraling, it spirals. Threats, intimidation, political grandstanding, outside forces stirring the pot. Everything turns volatile fast, and the tension keeps ratcheting up with a twist that genuinely caught me off guard. By the end, I was not just mad. I was sad, fired up, and weirdly emotional about what changes when people actually show up.

Having Viola Davis narrate this is a power move. She brings weight and humanity to Judge Stone in a way that makes the quiet moments hit just as hard as the courtroom ones.

It’s a tough, infuriating, very current read, and it’s excellent. If you like legal thrillers that don’t tiptoe around the ugly parts, this one will have you stressed and invested.

[Ceecee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judge Mary Stone is a circuit judge for Bullock County, Alabama, she’s highly respected, the first black woman to be elected to this position and ranked first in law school at the university of Alabama. She’s as fair and balanced as humanly possible when delivering sentence, however, when local Doctor Bria Gaines is arrested, she is drawn into a very controversial case. It’s the deep south, the laws are clear and Bria has contravened them, but is it right or just? Judge Stone is in an impossible situation and not only will the people of Alabama be watching over The State versus Bria Gaines but potentially it will garner national attention too.

I imagine like many other readers I’m a bit wary of celebrity novels but this one is really, really good, hooking me into the storytelling immediately. It’s a very difficult theme to address, especially if you’re not from the deep south or from a country with very different attitudes and it’s hard not to have a personal opinion. However, Viola Davis does a good job with the pro choice, pro life debate as well as addressing other issues such as race. I like the way it’s written as it’s fast paced and immersive. Although the subject matter is heavy and controversial with the case having horrifying elements to it, there are moments of light relief often courtesy of Judge Stone, which are scattered in amongst the tension and suspense.

The courtroom scenes are electric, the plot at times is positively explosive but for me, the absolute star of the show is Judge Mary Stone. She is an amazing, unforgettable and unique character who I’d love to prop up a bar with and shoot the breeze. Mess with her at your peril.

This is a very good legal thriller which I can recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK/Cornerstone for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judge Stone is an engrossing, sharply drawn courtroom drama that feels both timeless and urgently contemporary. James Patterson and Viola Davis make an exceptional pairing, crafting a story that is as much about moral courage as it is about legal suspense. At its centre stands Judge Mary Stone—one of the most compelling protagonists to appear in the genre in years.

Union Springs, Alabama, may be small, but the case that lands in Judge Stone’s courtroom is anything but. The novel thrives on this contrast: a quiet Southern town suddenly thrust into the spotlight, a judge who values integrity above all else forced to navigate a case where the legal answer is clear but the ethical path is anything but. The tension between those two truths gives the story its pulse.

Mary Stone herself is unforgettable. Grounded, principled, and fiercely committed to both her community and her family farm, she’s a character who feels instantly real. Her internal struggle—balancing the letter of the law with the weight of conscience—adds a depth that elevates the novel beyond a standard legal thriller. You feel every decision, every doubt, every moment where she stands alone against public pressure.

The pacing is tight, the stakes are high, and the writing has a cinematic clarity that makes each courtroom scene crackle. As the case unfolds, the story becomes not just about guilt or innocence, but about justice, responsibility, and the cost of doing what’s right when the world demands something easier.

Explosive, thoughtful, and anchored by a heroine you won’t forget, Judge Stone is a standout addition to the genre—perfect for readers who love legal thrillers with heart, grit, and a moral centre that refuses to waver.

With thanks to James Patterson, Viola Davies, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

The blurb doesn’t give too much away at my time of writing this so I think it's important to include. Whilst this benefits from James Patterson's trademark short and sharp chapters this isn't his usual thriller-mystery. Instead, the story predominantly follows Judge Stone, both personally and in her courtroom as she presides over cases, including one that has the whole state up in arms.

Dr Bria Gaines is on trial for performing an abortion on a 13-year-old girl in Alabama. The novel explores the tumultuous courtroom proceedings alongside the growing turmoil within the community. Tension and suspense build steadily as emotions run high and divisions deepen.

I’m often sceptical of celebrity authors, and while Viola Davis is an exceptional actress, I wasn’t sure how that would translate to fiction. I was pleasantly surprised. Davis and Patterson absolutely knocked it out of the park. The female main characters are compelling and layered - exactly what you’d expect from Davis.

There was a story line I would have liked more resolution on but that's just minor.

For readers passionate about activism, this book tackles highly prevalent and timely issues: pro-choice vs pro-life, the role of religion and personal beliefs in politics, and racism. It’s thought-provoking, tense, and unapologetically bold.

Although it takes place in the present day, the issues at the heart of this novel are so entrenched that it could depressingly have been set decades ago. We take one step forward and all that...
Unfortunately I'm sure there's a host of people who won't like the subjects tackled or messages delivered by this book but I'm not one of them 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Judge Stone
Co Authors: James Patterson and Viola Davis
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Viola Davis
Publisher: Hachette Audio and Little Brown and Company
Genre: Courtroom Drama
Pub Date: March 9, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars!
Pages: 433


Story is set in Union Springs, Alabama -
it explores race, rape, abortion and strong women.
Judge Mary Stone, Nova Jones & Dr. Bria Gaines
are the three main characters.
Judge Mary Stone and Dr. Bria Gaines
are both prominent black women in this small Alabama town.

Story starts when Doctor Bria Gains receives a call from the school nurse regarding a young thirteen year-old Nova Jones. When they arrive at the Doctor’s Office after dark, Dr. Gaines expected the girl’s mother to be with them. Nova explains that she is pregnant and her mother would kill her if she found out. The nurse and Doctor Gains both know abortion is against Alabama law for any reason other than if the life of the mother is at risk.

Although there are other things going in this book the trail of Dr, Bria Gains for taken the life of the baby via abortion is the main courtroom case.

Judge Stone is a fair judge and willing to fight to bring justice to the people and place she loves as she knows - No judge can satisfy everyone- it would be dangerous to try. .

Viola Davis is the audiobook performer and she gave an “Oscar” performance. The story had me but listening to her was an added treat! Her descriptions were so vivid I could easily visualize the characters and the courtroom. – Hmmm surely this will be a movie starring Viola Davis!

Want to thank NetGalley, Hachette Audio and Little Brown & Company for this outstanding audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 9 2026.