The Murder Trial

by James Patterson, Nancy Allen

A young woman stands trial for the murder of her adoptive parents, trapped between damning evidence, her own hidden truths, and a justice system ready to condemn her in the gripping new legal thriller from the world's bestselling thriller writer.

‘Patterson is in a class by himself’ GUARDIAN

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The evidence is overwhelming. But what if it hides the truth?

When Janelle Thompson takes the stand accused of murdering her adoptive parents, she already knows how this story ends.

The case against her is airtight, the jury is watching her every move, and every mistake she’s ever made is about to be used to prove she’s a killer.

But Janelle won’t confess to a crime she didn’t commit. As the trial races towards its verdict, she is forced to uncover what really happened the night her parents disappeared.

Because if she loses, the real killer won’t just walk free… they’ll make sure the truth stays buried, along with whoever knows it.

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PRAISE FOR JAMES PATTERSON

‘Nobody does it better' JEFFERY DEAVER

'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades' LEE CHILD

'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind' MICHAEL CONNELLY

'James Patterson is The Boss' IAN RANKIN

'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' PATRICIA CORNWELL

‘Patterson knows where our deepest fears are buried... there's no stopping his imagination’ NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

‘One of the greatest storytellers of our time’ DAILY MAIL

Genres: Mystery, Legal Thriller, Crime, Adult Fiction, Mystery Thriller

Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 19, 2026

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, Michael Crichton, and Viola Davis, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thrill of picking up a new James Patterson book will never get old. Ever since we first met Alex Cross in 1993 he has been one of my favourite authors. His books are just so easy to get caught up in and before you know it you are nearly finished and it is well past bedtime.

The Murder Trial is a collaboration with former lawyer Nancy Allen. I do love a good legal thriller and I flew through this book. It is the story of 18 year old Janelle Thompson who is on trial for the murder of her adoptive parents. She has a public defender pleading her case, the judge appears to have already made up his mind and the jury is very male, old and white. All of her life she has been badly treated by others and it seems like she is destined for prison.

I really did feel for Janelle. She did make some bad decisions but she was so young and vulnerable. She is in a place with other girls who really have done some dreadful things on their lives and she is terrified. She has always claimed her innocence but nobody seems to believe her..

The story is told through the trial and the before, how did she end up here and why? As always we have short chapters that make it so easy to just keep reading. It was emotional and addictive.

Thanks so much to Little, Brown and Company for allowing me to read this one so early. Out on November 23rd.

[Valleri]

Disjointed, unbelievable and horribly depressing.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not inhale this book fast enough. I was hooked immediately. I loved the dual timelines of Janelle’s life. The trial had me so sucked in and I was infuriated by the injustice she was shown. Plus the ending really shocked me. This is a high recommend from me. Couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

[William de_Rham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of mysteries involving murder and other crimes, and of courtroom dramas, may find much to enjoy in James Patterson’s and Nancy Allen’s thriller, “The Murder Trial.”

Janelle Thompson is the Black adopted daughter of Missouri Republican State Senator Ted Thompson and his wife, May. Janelle, who narrates the novel, tells us she loves her strict parents very much and would never do anything to harm them.

But like many high school seniors, Janelle has issues with them, one of which is her boyfriend, Liam, whom Ted and May think is bad news, especially since he’s suspected of dealing drugs. And since Ted is considering running for statewide office, Janelle now finds herself in something of a fishbowl, meaning she has to be very careful how she behaves. So, when she’s caught on camera fighting in school, she knows she’s going to be in trouble when her parents get home. Only, they never do, and ultimately, Janelle is placed on trial for their murder.

Are they dead? Did Janelle kill them? If so, why? If not, who did, and why? Regardless of the answers, will Janelle be found guilty or innocent at a trial in which everything seems stacked against her? The prosecutor has tons of circumstantial evidence. The judge doesn’t like her. Her only champion is an overworked, overburdened public defender who doesn’t seem to have a lot of time for, or faith in, her client.

“The Murder Trial” is well and simply written. The chapters are short. The pages fly by as Janelle narrates along two timelines: the time of the murder and the trial eleven months later. The characters and their relationships are credibly drawn, as are the courtroom scenes. I was particularly impressed with the depiction of the relationship and tensions between Janelle and her public defender. It spotlights the difficulties of the public defender’s job and calls into question whether enough public resources are devoted to them in order to insure that defendants receive a fair trial.

All in all, a solid four-star read. "The Murder Trial" is currently scheduled for publication on November 23, 2026.

My thanks to NetGalley, authors James Patterson and Nancy Allen, and publisher Little, Brown & Company for providing me with a complimentary, electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.

[Savonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read and enjoyed many James Patterson books, both solo and co-authored. They all feature taut suspense and and fast-paced plots. This book with Nancy Allen, however, breaks the mold. Though it’s described as a thriller, it’s more a middling mystery about Janelle Thompson, a black high school girl accused of murdering her adoptive white parents.

Janelle is arrested on thin evidence that flies only because she shades the truth about where she was and who she was with at the time of the murders. The police make negative assumptions because (1) her parents make her clean the house by herself every weekend; and (2) they don't like her boyfriend. Nobody makes the case for an intense, toxic conflict that would provoke a heretofore pampered honor student into killing her parents.

After only a couple of chapters, I was sure this was a young adult book. That opinion did not change once I finished it. Language is relatively tame and violence and sex are suggested and not explicit—important for inclusion in high school libraries.

Before her arrest, Janelle is betrayed and/or abandoned by people she trusts and is close to. During her trial she is represented by a disinterested public defender, harassed by a sadistic police officer, and discriminated against by an apparently racist judge. The book is replete with issues of loyalty, justice, and fairness, things that resonate intensely with teen readers.

All of this adds up to a book that has great appeal to a young adult audience. It didn’t quite do it for me as an adult thriller, but it works just fine as a mystery written for teens.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Murder Trial was fast-paced and undeniably unputdownable; however, I found it to be lacking in some areas that could have inevitably made it a 5-star read. The storyline was interesting and enjoyable. It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat in anticipation for the mic drop moment or shocking reveal, but, unfortunately, that never happened for me. The trial wrapped up too neatly and the final chapters didn't stun me. I would have liked to have more moments of excitement during the trial as well as some possible red herrings. I had absolutely no guesses as to who the culprit would be. It was either Janelle or it wasn't. I would have also liked to have more information and development on the parents. Maybe a few chapters with Janelle interacting with them that would help build up some emotional feelings towards their deaths. I still have some questions about some of the shady characters as well. All in all, it was a really good read. I just wanted more. I would definitely recommend.

3.5 stars rounded up

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Dr. Alan Albarran · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

The Murder Trial centers on Janelle Thompson, an 18-year old African-American high school student who faces trial for the murder of her adoptive parents, a case largely built on circumstantial evidence. The book grabs the reader, and quickly sets up the action in short, pounding chapters that move between the past months when Thompson's parents bodies were found to her stay in juvenile prison and later shifting back to the courtroom.

As the trial begins the speed of events slows considerably. While I'm not a lawyer, the judge in the trial comes across as an outdated jurist with racist overtones. The judge clearly disdains the defendant, and orders her to wear a stun device on her calf and a brace on her other thing to prevent quick movement, as this young girl with no record prior to her arrest is deemed a threat to apparently run out of the courtroom.

Janelle's court-appointed lawyer seems as clueless as the judge is ruthless. Her lawyer is intimidated by the prosecutor and every objection is either overruled or ignored. But part of that is Janelle Thompson, who is not a character that readers may like. A lot of the book details these intensive interactions with herself. Like any young person, Janelle has made terrible choices when it comes to dating and her current boyfriend is dealing drugs and winds up dead midway through the trial.

Aside from Janelle, there is little character development of other principals in the book. The ending in my own opinion is surprising but at the same time confusing.

I've read a few other Patterson novels. This is a quick and easy read but you may find yourself wondering when its over why you picked it up in the first place.

I rate this book 2.5 stars.

I appreciate the opportunity to review an ARC of this new work, and thank the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book and loved every second of it. The book took place during 2 timelines. Present day as Janelle is facing the murder trial of her adoptive parents and 11 months prior leading up to the days that sealed her fate.

This was at times so believable I felt like I was watching a true crime documentary of the wrongfully accused. I was glued to the pages as they flew by. The ending was perfection in so many ways. I really had no idea where the story was going to take us. This is a one sitting read that is sure to leave your mouth on the floor.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Andrea A · Rating 3 out of 5]

My thanks to Net Galley, Little Brown and Company, and the personal invitation i received to review this arc.

This was not one of my favorite Patterson novels. I can see more of the influence of the other writer. Patterson novels are large printed very short chapters and quick to go thru. This was much more detailed.

Janelle Thompson is on trial for the murder of her adopted parents. Thats it. I didn't find Janelle likeable. She kept doing stupid things and digging a deeper hole for herself. The ending was abrupt. Needed more.

[Connie Y. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Murder Trial by James Patterson and Nancy Allen was "just okay". I found the protagonist extremely unlikable. Her internal monologue was 99 percent angry and 1 percent fear. However, if someone were on trial for murder, I would think there would be more fear involved. Also, the protagonist is seems naive to the point of cluelessness. Still, for some reason, I felt compelled to finish the book when usually I would stop reading a book I wasn't enjoying so clearly I still became vested in the plot. I would give it an "average rating", 3/5. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Stacy DeBroff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patterson and Allen’s latest focuses on Janelle Thompson, a black 18-year-old girl on trial for the murder of her adoptive white, politically active parents, Missouri Senator Ted Thompson and his wife campaign strategist Mary. Ted and Mary have gone missing, their bodies never found, and all the evidence points to Janelle. The novels splits into two alternating timelines: the current trial and the events leading up to the night of Janelle’s parents’ disappearance.

Themes of Southern racism insidiously thread themselves throughout the novel- from the current day trial in which Janelle feels hopeless that there’s nothing to do to convince people of her innocence. At the trial, she has an indifferent, overworked public defender mostly going through the motions, a white prejudiced judge who seems already convinced of her guilt, the jury made up of all white with only one black juror, a jailer hellbent on torturing her, and other inmates hoping to turn in supposed guilty jailhouse confessions in order to lighten their own sentences.

In the past scenes of events leading up to the Thompson’s disappearance, Janelle gets relentlessly bullied in school which ends up in a physical fighter, lies to her parents and the police to cover up spending the night with a boyfriend she’s not supposed to see and who might have gotten himself mixed up with drugs, and working on her considerable marksmanship skills at a gun range to release tension. Thinking her parents are on a long political fundraising weekend away Janelle throws a party which grows out of control- all of this making her seem a callous, angry girl gone awry.

With all the odds stacked against her, and her inner anger overwhelming her grief, Janelle makes it tough to be on her side. Thus, even as a reader, you find yourself unsympathetic and making negative judgments against Janelle until the truth leaks out. Which might really be point of this mystery: all the prejudice still stacked up against a young black girl in today’s society.

Thanks to Little Brown and Company and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was invited by the publisher (my thanks to Little, Brown & Company and NetGalley) to read this book. I’m so thankful I was asked because this is a riveting book with quite a surprise ending - the best kind!

This is a dual timeline mystery. It deals with a young Black girl, Janelle Thompson, being accused of the double murder of her adoptive parents. The book shifts between a period eleven months before the murder to the days of the murder trial. In the past Janelle had been raised to be responsible but she snuck out to be with her boyfriend, Liam Campbell, and in defending a girl at her high school got drawn into a very physical alteration - all used as a sign of her unstable character during the trial. When her parents leave her to be away a few days, a house party brings the police and that along with Janelle’s report of missing parents leads to her arrest. During the trial, Janelle faces as a very antagonistic judge and a jury of 11 whites women and 1 Black man. It might not be the trial of the century, but there are plenty of tantalizing clues and red herrings.

It took me a bit to get into the book but once in I was committed. I liked Janelle and her feisty ways. I wished Becca, her attorney, had been fleshed out more - I wanted to know more about her feelings toward Janelle, but this is more of a plot-driven story. I thought the plot was good but I also felt there were holes and some loose ends. The ending was a real surprise - which I must admit fooled me (I liked that); but it was also one of the loose ends I think needed to be fleshed out.

Overall, I had a great time reading this book - it took me away from my housework (always a plus) and held my attention so that it was easy to finish. I consider these to be traits of a book you should read. Lovers of James Patterson and Nancy Allen books will definitely enjoy this one.

[Angie Boyter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read from James Patterson
The opening chapter of The Murder Trial drew me in in several ways. I immediately had sympathy for narrator Janelle Thompson, who is in jail awaiting trial for murdering her parents, and looked forward to getting to know her better. The description of her situation physically as she is taken literally in chains to appear in court was vivid and made me think about how prisoners are treated and what it might be like to be incarcerated. Her background as an adoptee at the age of three by a state senator and his wife was intriguing. The quality of the writing in this chapter made me optimistic that this was a book I would enjoy. As we got into the trial, which is the bulk of the book, I was not disappointed
Janelle narrates the book. She came across as a real person and one that I would like. I was especially impressed by her reaction in a situation where another character was threatening to kill her. She has a gun herself, but she says, “I could not bring myself to pull the trigger….Janelle Thompson was no killer. Detectives, prosecutor, judge---they’d all been wrong about me: I could never kill another person.”
I made a note partway through the book, “This book is different without being weird”. Just what I like to read! There were some interesting surprises, and I certainly do not want to spoil them, so I will not be able to say much more about what you can expect, but I think it is safe to say you will find them enjoyable. The last aspect of the denouement disappointed me, but I suspect many readers will love it!
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and Little, Brown.

[Munevver · Rating 1 out of 5]

James Patterson needs to stop writing Black characters and stop writing from the perspectives of women as though he can fully speak for their experiences. And when it comes to this particular book, writing from the perspective of a young Black woman is especially problematic. In this day and age, we should all understand the importance of authentic representation and the need to make space for voices that have historically been overlooked. Yet Patterson, an older white man with an established platform and privilege, continues to tell stories that are not his to claim as his own. At what point do we acknowledge that having the ability to tell a story doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the right person to tell it? Enough is enough. Make room for the voices of Black women to tell their own stories.
Let me step off my soapbox.
This book was awful. Luckily, like all of his books, it was quick and easy to read. The MC was incredibly one-dimensional, a stereotypical young woman who kept making terrible decisions. Every choice she made was so predictable that you could see exactly what was coming. It felt as though the author had an outline and simply plugged in the right words and situations to fill in the blanks. The result was a predictable, poorly developed story that felt like lazy writing.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for granting me an eARC. Publication date is November 23, 2026.

[Lorraine · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

James Patterson’s The Murder Trail, co-written with Nancy Allen, is a fantastic, fast-paced thriller that kept me turning the pages. I love a suspenseful story that pulls me in, keeps me questioning what I think I know, and leaves me guessing until the very end. This dual-timeline novel did all that and more!

Janelle, an 18-year-old Black girl, is accused of murdering her adoptive parents, a white couple who doted on her and gave her a life of privilege. She is arrested based on evidence that seems convincing, but her credibility is questioned when she isn’t completely truthful about where she was and who she was with at the time of the murders.

The heart of the story is the trial itself, with flashbacks to the past that gradually reveal more about the family and their complicated dynamics. I was eager to discover what really happened to Janelle’s parents, whether Janelle was telling the truth, and how everything would ultimately be resolved. The story kept me guessing, and I truly had no idea where the authors were going to take us. The ending was satisfying and perfect in so many ways!

I would highly recommend The Murder Trail to readers who enjoy fast-paced thrillers filled with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. It was a great read that kept me wondering who really committed the murders right up to the end!

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

[LibraryNinja_Beritk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hand me a James Patterson novel, and I'll devour it like chocolate cake. In this collaboration between Patterson and Brown, we meet Janelle, a lovely young black woman navigating her final year of high school. Janelle's parents are white and wealthy, and her father is a politician. The story is told from two perspectives, one of which is Janelle's account of the 11 months leading up to the trial. One Friday night, Janelle comes home to find her parents have disappeared. Seeing a calendar note on her father's computer, she assumes they are at a weekend event. As we now know, making assumptions is the worst thing you can do in a Patterson novel. Things quickly escalate as a series of clues lead to Janelle's arrest. She swears she's innocent, but there is both bias and 'possible causation'. The question remains: if Janelle didn't do it, then who did? Could it be a political enemy, her washed-up boyfriend, or gangs from school? The twist will absolutely floor you — I never saw it coming!

Thank you to Little, Brown Publishing, James Patterson, and Nancy Brown for giving me the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#TheMurderTrial #JamesPatterson #NancyAllen #bookreccos #libraryninja📚

[Martin Baggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Patterson's latest thriller pairs two timelines—the night of the murders and the trial eleven months later—and the structure is the strongest thing going for it. Watching the two threads close in on each other kept me engaged in a way a straight, linear telling wouldn't have; it's a smart choice for a story built around what Janelle Thompson did or didn't do to her adoptive parents.

Where it lost me was the courtroom itself. The public defender's sloppiness, the way Janelle is treated by the people meant to be on her side, the judge's conduct—none of it read as plausible to me, and once I started questioning the trial's realism I couldn't fully buy into it for the rest of the book.

It's still a fast read—Patterson's rapid-fire chapters do what they always do, and I moved through this one quickly. But the realism issues kept it from being the kind of Patterson thriller I fully sink into, and that's really what brings this down to 3 out of 5. A quick, competent read that fell a little short of what I expect from him.

A big thank you to Little Brown and Company and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

#LittleBrownCompany #NetGalley

[Brandi Conico · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, I would rate it high because it was a quick read and I didn't want to put it down because I was anxious to know what happens next. That said- I didn't like Janelle at all- she was unsympathetic as a character because of decisions she made throughout. And I'm not really sure about her motivations- like is she just entitled, is she a bratty teenager? For someone that is presented as being so smart, skilled and given many opportunities, she leans into the wrong decisions.

Things I specifically don't like as far as tropes go are- unreliable narrator and "shock" without plot buildup. I won't say that those are necessarily here in this book, but I suspected it multiple times, so I had mixed feelings, particularly about the ending of the book. It felt like the end was insufficiently plotted throughout the book to lead to the ending that it did. I don't know how to explain that better without giving any spoilers, so I'll just leave it with- the ending left a bit to be desired, but I was along for the ride.

But at the end of the day- I enjoyed the ride even if I didn't enjoy the landing.

I received this is as an advanced review copy and am providing my unbiased opinion.

[Anne Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eighteen year old Janelle Thompson comes home from school to an empty house — not unusual, given her adoptive parents’ high profile lives. Her father is running for State Senate, her mother is managing his campaign, and their packed schedules often keep them in the public eye. But when days pass with no word and no sign of them, worry turns to dread. The discovery of their body’s shatters Janelle’s world, and in a devastating twist, she becomes the prime suspect.
What follows is a heart wrenching ordeal as Janelle sits in a jail cell, terrified and alone, praying someone will believe her innocence. The courtroom scenes are tense and relentless, each new piece of testimony tightening the noose around her. Patterson’s trademark pacing is on full display here — sharp chapters, escalating stakes, and emotional punches that land hard.
This story is packed with twists, turns, and gut clenching moments. I read it straight through in a single day because I simply couldn’t walk away. It’s a gripping, fast moving thriller that keeps you invested in Janelle’s fate from the first page to the last.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally enjoy James Patterson's collaborative books. The subject matter of this one -- a young woman accused of murdering her parents, her trial and the malicious -- actually, downright sadistic -- treatment she endured from the jailers, prosecutor and even the judge. Like almost every book I've read lately, the story is told in alternating chapters from Janelle's trial and her childhood as the adopted black daughter of white parents (her father is a politician), her high school and social experiences, and the disturbing turn her life takes. The violence against Janelle was very upsetting to read, and I found it difficult to believe a defendant in a trial -- especially a young woman with no prior charges -- would be treated so awfully. So, it was impossible for me to say I "enjoyed" this book. If you like stories that focus on trials and the criminal justice system, you might find it more interesting than I did -- which is why I gave it three stars; the book is well-written and a quick read.

Thanks to NetGalley, the authors and Little Brown and Company for the eARC and the opportunity to read this novel. All opinions are my own.

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to get this book! Is there anything better than a new James Patterson book; I think not. I really enjoyed this book. I loved the pace of it and I couldn’t read it fast enough. I stayed up way too late finishing this book, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Janelle Thompson, is 18 years old; comes from a loving family with two well-known and politically important parents. Janelle is a typical teenage girl, but when her parents go missing, she finds herself in over her head.

Janelle is quickly accused of the crime and must go on trial for her life. I loved the back-and-forth pace of this book between the past and the trial and the ending was really well done. I look forward to every book by James Patterson and can’t wait for my next read by him.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house Lityle, Brown and Company, and the author James Patterson and Nancy Allen for the opportunity to read a complimentary advance reader copy of this book in return for a review, based upon my honest opinion.

[Kelly Faulconer · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a gripping thriller that keeps you guessing until the final page, this book is an absolute must-read!
The plot follows an 18 year old who is charged with the double murder of her parents. Right from the beginning, all the evidence points directly to her, but the story is crafted so cleverly that you never truly know what to believe. You constantly find yourself questioning whether she is an unreliable narrator or if you are being led to believe she might actually be innocent. My mind was racing the whole time, jumping from 1 suspect to another, wondering if she was guilty or completely blameless. The mystery keeps its secrets close, and it is not until the very end that the full truth comes out.
Courtroom and police procedurals are my personal favorites, and as someone with a law enforcement background, I was thoroughly impressed. The authors did a fantastic job with all the details, capturing the realistic flow of police work and legal proceedings. That level of technical accuracy made the story even more engaging.
This was an extremely well done murder mystery and a super quick read. It was so good that I am already eager to explore other mystery books written by Nancy Allen.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars!

[Judy Odom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Murder Trial is a relentless mix of secrets, lies and jaw dropping shocks.

It is a high stakes court room drama with short snappy chapters and twists that are relentless.

The story is told during the trial and before the trial and this works very well.

Janelle Thompson is accused of the murder of both her adoptive parents.

Her lawyer is naive and the judge seems to more than favour the prosecution. The amount of times I yelled at the man was hard to count.

The court room scenes are brutal, the pace is unrelenting and kept me in a chokehold.

James Patterson and Nancy Allen are a formidabe and unbeaten duo in courtroom drama scenes.

Be warned once you start reading you will not put this book down as your hold your breath for the future of Janelle.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for the absolute pleasure of reading and reviewing The Murder Trial.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

For pretty much a quarter of a century, November and a James Patterson novel has gone hand in hand in my life. When I saw that the latest Alex Cross novel was actually coming out in October of 2026, I thought, “What in the world is he up to?” I settled into the obvious fact that Mr. Patterson has something big in store for us in November 2026.

I want my wife to read this next sentence and acknowledge I have actually said it. {ahem} I was wrong.

Have you ever sat in a meeting and thought, “This should have been an email.”? Yeah. I had this same feeling reading this novel.

I love James Patterson books. But this is not it. Now, why the two stars? Why anything over one star? Well, there are some good moments. They are just few and far between.

The story is anti-climactic. I wanted to bang my head against the wall at the ending.

This is the most skippable James Patterson book I have ever read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.

[Howard Davis]

This novel relates the story of Janelle, a black teenager adopted by a white couple, whose father is a prominent political figure. When the parents are found murdered, all the evidence (circumstantial at best to this reader) leads to Janelle on trial for their murders with the somewhat indifferent assistance of a disinterested public defender and a distinctly partial presiding judge. The fascinating story is the trial itself with flashbacks to the past as we get to know the family and their dynamics. The pace of the writing is such that this reader could not put the book down and quickly devoured reading to a startling and unexpected conclusion. I wholeheartedly recommend this novel and thank NetGalley and Little, Brown & Company for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to its publication.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the next book in the Maddie Penrose series, MURDER AT A CHRISTMAS MARKET by Fliss Chester, Maddie Penrose is the protagonist. Maddie is an amateur sleuth. There has been a death at the Folly Farm Festive Fair in Pendragon Creek, and Maddie wants to solve the mystery.

I think the descriptions help take me into the story. I like that the death occurs early in the novel. I think the descriptions help take me into the story. The characters are all interesting, but it is the puzzle that truly captures my attention. I like the inclusion of blurbs that help the reader review highlights of the mystery. The plot continues to a satisfying resolution. I look forward to reading future books in the series. Thank you, Bookouture and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of MURDER AT A CHRISTMAS MARKET.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say I was a bit hesitant on this book. I am a James Patterson fan as of recently. I did not think this book was going to be for me.

Another murder trial book? It’s been done before right?

This book was a quick read and keep me entertained. The portions of the book with the trial made me feel like I was in the court.

I was not too keen on the race portion of the book. I don’t feel like it was needed. And it seemed a bit forced by the author(s).

I enjoyed the dual timeline. It was just enough of each timeline and you were on to the next.

The overall storyline involves an 18 year old female who is still in high school. That may be a make or break for you as to the story telling.

I like the build up of the who did it aspect. It did keep you wondering until the end.

The climax seemed a bit rushed. I’m still not sure if I was glad to have the killer finally revealed or if I felt like it was just dropped in my lap.

Thank you to Little, Brown Publishing for the chance to read this ARC.

[Marissa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fast read and page turner. Imagine being an eighteen year old girl, with a boyfriend and parents that always expect excellence from you. Well that was Janelle’s life until one day it all changed. I loved that this book had a few lessons in it. Lying even a small lie may not hurt the people you lie to, but can possibly hurt you in the end. Even when the lie isn’t intentional, you say it so you won’t get in trouble, but the lie ends up being the reason you end up in trouble. Also, sometimes law enforcement, cops and etc aren’t always good, and don’t always do a thorough investigation.

All I have to say is the end of the book shocked me, I didn’t see it coming.

Amazing writing as always James Patterson. Also, great work from his co-author Nancy Allen.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this eARC in return for my honest review. It was a great read.

[Carolyn Comings · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for inviting me to read and review this book. I like a good legal thriller, and this one does not disappoint. The opinions I offer are strictly my own.

As is usual with my reviews, other reviewers have provided fairly detailed summaries, and I am not going to try to duplicate their efforts.

And also as usual, I did not guess who the killer was.

Finally... as is also pretty normal with my reviews, there's very little I can say that won't take us into spoiler land. I am not fond of spoilers, so I will stop here. If you like legal thrillers mixed in with a whodunit component, put this book on your to-be-read list. You won't be disappointed.

[Eric Cousineau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an edgy, gripping and tightly plotted domestic thriller that raises a number of issues (poverty, class origins, randomness of opportunity, the fragility of a happy life), that will make you stop and think. Wonderfully developed characters, that you will love or otherwise love to hate, and a fast-moving story line leaves you breathless and at the edge of your seat and makes this a riveting read. I couldn’t put it down. This thriller grabs you from the first page and doesn’t give you a moments rest until the last page.
The end had a satisfying, realistic conclusion; but enough justice for everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.