The Outsider

by Anthony Franze

“THE OUTSIDER is as authentic and suspenseful as any John Grisham novel—and I like Grisham a lot.”—JAMES PATTERSON

A young law clerk finds himself caught in the crosshairs of a serial killer in this breathtaking thriller set in the high-pressure world of the Supreme Court, from renowned lawyer Anthony Franze.

Things aren’t going well for Grayson Hernandez. He just graduated from a fourth-tier law school, he’s drowning in student debt, and the only job he can find is as a messenger. The position stings the most because it’s at the Supreme Court, where Gray is forced to watch the best and the brightest―the elite group of lawyers who serve as the justices’ law clerks—from the outside.

When Gray intervenes in a violent mugging, he lands in the good graces of the victim: the Chief Justice of the United States. Gray soon finds himself the newest—and unlikeliest—law clerk at the Supreme Court. It’s another world: highbrow debates over justice and the law in the inner sanctum of the nation’s highest court; upscale dinners with his new friends; attention from Lauren Hart, the brilliant and beautiful co-clerk he can’t stop thinking about.

But just as Gray begins to adapt to his new life, the FBI approaches him with unsettling news. The Feds think there’s a killer connected to the Supreme Court. And they want Gray to be their eyes and ears inside One First Street. Little does Gray know that the FBI will soon set its sights on him.

Racing against the clock in a world cloaked in secrecy, Gray must uncover the truth before the murderer strikes again in this thrilling high-stakes story of power and revenge by Washington, D.C. lawyer-turned-author Anthony Franze.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Legal Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

320 pages, Hardcover

First published March 21, 2017

About the author

ANTHONY FRANZE is a bestselling author with St. Martin’s Press, and a lawyer in the Supreme Court practice of a prominent Washington, D.C. law firm. Writing legal thrillers under his own name and commercial fiction under a pen name, his novels have been on numerous "best of the year" lists, translated into twenty-four languages, and four have been optioned or are in development for film and television. His legal thriller THE OUTSIDER is optioned for a major series.

Learn more at http://www.anthonyfranzebooks.com/

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another of Alex Finlay's, writing as Anthony Franze, supreme court thrillers, an exciting and twisted novel. Ambitious Mexican-American Grayson 'Gray' Hernandez comes from a hard working, if impoverished family, from the notorious Hamilton Heights district of Washington DC. With his father's illness, he attended the local university law school, now working as a messenger in the Supreme Court building, observing the elite, privileged, Ivy league law clerks to the Justices on a everyday basis. This is a position he would give his eye teeth for, but knowing it is never going to happen, he just doesn't have the background required, he is the outsider. All this changes when Gray saves the life of Chief Justice Douglas in a mugging, he becomes the 37th law clerk, although his fellow clerks are far from welcoming, not seeing him as one of them.

With the Chief Justice's backing, Gray embraces his new role, working hard, it is the opportunity of a life time, a path towards the affluence and recognition he understandably craves, although his family and friends from childhood, like the photographer Sam, are more sceptical and less starry eyed about the new social and political circles he is now moving in. Being a good guy, Gray finds himself working undercover at work when FBI Special Agent Emma Milstein asks for his help in finding a dangerous killer that she believes is operating from within the building. Milstein is convinced there is a connection between a theatre fire and the death of a reporter, the horrifying Dupont family murders, and the attack on Douglas, all of which occurred on the 5th day of the months they occurred in. As the nightmare killings continue, Gray finds himself a suspect, and the only people he can rely on are his family and childhood friends, like Arturo Alvarez, who are willing to risk their lives to help him.

Finlay uses his insider knowledge to great effect in this legal thriller, lending an authenticity to his depiction of the workings of the Supreme Court and the building. There is a blend of fact and fiction in the historical and current cases that appear in this fast paced, engaging and entertaining read, packed with twists, keeping the interest of the reader easily with its short snappy chapters and with the nail biting build of suspense and tension. Recommended to those who love their legal thrillers. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another powerful legal thriller by Anthony Franze that left me rushing to review it. This novel pulls readers into a story that centres around the U.S. Supreme Court in all its glory. After graduating from a fourth-tier law school and saddled with enormous debts, Grayson 'Gray' Hernandez was lucky enough to secure a job as a Messenger within the U.S. Supreme Court. While he has always aspired to argue before the nine Justices, he finds pleasure in being able to surround himself with the history and regal (as well as legal) nature of the marbled halls. When he stumbles upon an assault in the Court's underground parkade, Gray does all he can to help the victim, who ends up being the Chief Justice Edgar R. Douglas. As a thank you for the heroics, Chief Justice Douglas offers Gray a coveted spot on his staff, as a fifth law clerk. Forced to acclimate to the quick pace of the Court, Gray is shunned by his co-clerks, but soon proves his worth through hard work and dedication to the Court's business. Meanwhile, the FBI is investigating the attack at the Court and a handful of homicides that might be related. Further digging leaves Special Agent Emma Milstein wondering if the perpetrator might come from within the Court, based on random items left around the crime scenes. Milstein approaches Gray to help with their investigation, hoping to crack the case wide open, tapping into his experience working within the hallowed halls. Gray accepts, adding this to the laundry list of things he must accomplish, most notably learning the ropes of his clerkship while not alienating his family and friends. Remembering his roots, Gray tries to live in both worlds and appease everyone. With a serial killer on the loose with a penchant for the Court, Gray is fingered as being a potential culprit, forcing him into hiding. However, Milstein stands by his innocence and scrambles to uncover the vast conspiracy, which might cost someone a reputation, or even a life. Rich with history and a quick-paced narrative, Franze has successfully offered the reader another winner. Perfect for crime fans who enjoy a little history peppered throughout, this is one not to put too far down the 'To Be Read' list!

Franze has the ability to breathe new life in the Court and all that it represents. The reader is not only treated to a wonderful setting on First Street Northeast, but much of its history comes to life as the characters develop throughout the novel. Key cases adjudicated before the Court find themselves mentioned and the reader cannot help but learn from the background provided. Pulling on a number of different personalities, Franze develops strong characters who clash at key moments, only adding to the dramatic effect of the overall reading experience. While the premise, murder, is by no means unique, Franze layers it and keeps the excitement building until the very end, pushing his protagonist to the limits to profess his own innocence. Some have drawn strong parallels between Franze and other authors in the genre, to which I firmly believe there is much merit. Captivating and full of nuances that the non-attentive reader will miss, Franze is sure to be one author many readers will discover and love, given the chance.

Kudos, Mr. Franze for another wonderful Supreme Court thriller. You pull out all the stops and leave the reader with a fabulous story in which they easily become enthralled.

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[John W. Dennehy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting take on a Supreme Court based thriller. Well written, with plenty of action, and strong character development. Highly recommend.

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book about a new lawyer working as a messenger at the Supreme Court, until a mugging happens to a Chief Justice, to which this young man,Grayson Hernandez, responds. This starts a friendship with the Justice that gets him in as a law clerk with new suits and a place to stay. Interesting...At the same time strange murders are happening on the fifth of every month,which date coincides with the attempted mugging. The FBI are trying to figure out what is going on, while Grayson tries to get used to the job of law clerk. Excellent characters and situations,all well-defined. I could not stop turning the pages! I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley,the author Anthony Franze and publisher Minotaur Books, from which I am able to give this review.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legal thriller about a guy who went to a low level law school, and through a fluke becomes law clerk for a Supreme Court justice. There are some mysterious murders going on connected to the building, and the law clerk investigates.

I felt like the book wimps out a bit, not making the hard choice, instead going for the easy out ending.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Outsider, author Anthony Franze utilizes his legal knowledge and position as a Washington D.C. attorney with Appellate and Supreme Court experience, to weave a riveting legal thriller that takes the reader behind the scenes into the inner workings of the United States Supreme Court.

From its gritty dark beginning to climatic ending, The Outsider is an action packed and fast paced gripping tale that follows Supreme Court messenger turned law clerk Grayson Hernandez as he tries to help the FBI uncover the identity of the Supreme Court serial killer who strikes on the fifth of every month.

As a fan of legal thrillers, especially when they revolve around a political and judicial theme, I was eager to read The Outsider, and I wasn't left disappointed! Author Anthony Franze weaves a gripping dark tale that has enough drama, mystery, suspense, intrigue, and surprising twists and turns that easily engages the reader to follow Gray as an outsider investigating the Supreme Court murders, while getting the opportunity of a lifetime working as a Supreme Court law clerk.

I really enjoyed how the author utilized his legal knowledge and experience to transport the reader into the fascinating inner workings of the political and judicial world that is Washington D.C. When you add in the mystery of the murders, the hidden secrets and dark pasts, and the suspense and danger of the investigation, you get an explosive story that takes you on one hell of a thrill ride, and a book that you won't be able to put down!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tour.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first taste of what Mr. Franze offers as an writer. I have to say that I liked what I read. This is an impressive read and Mr. Franze has a new fan in me.

Instantly, I was hooked from the first page until the very last page. What do you get when you mix it with a strong storyline, engaging characters, high stakes, and twists you get the end result that is the Outsider! This book is a top contender for best book for 2017.

Gray may have been set up as the perfect patsy but he was not going to go down without a fight. Gray seemed like the most unlikely of heroes. However, that is what made him so right and likable. He did not fit into the mold of the rest of the pretentious law clerks. He was an every body's man. I kept trying to figure out the case but could not before the reveal. I look forward to reading more books by Mr. Franze.

[Sivvy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve always been slightly confused by authors writing under pseudonyms but this novel (written as Anthony Franze) struck me as noticeably different from Every Last Fear (written as Alex Finlay). While I really enjoyed the latter, I found The Outsider to be a clunky read with one-dimensional characters and a central plot development that couldn’t have been more obvious if it had leapt onto the page with a flashing neon sign on its head reading “here comes the plot twist”. Two stars as it was readable enough, but nowhere near as smart as I’d hoped it would be.

[myreadingescapism · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love legal thrillers, while this wasn't as good as Steve Cavanagh, this was a good runner up!

Also, apparently this is a spoiler but.... Whyyyy did I not know this was Alex Finley??

[Cara Putman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good but I did figure out who it was about halfway through. There were enough twists and turns to keep me engaged with the audiobook.

[Auđur · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfectly OK book that I predict I won't remember in three weeks. For much of the book, I could have sworn I had already read it or seen a movie version. Turns out no -- it's just super predictable and full of mystery novel clichés. Great for the beach or any other time you don't want to have to think too much.

NOTE: After completing this review, I read others and found I'm in the vast minority. Most readers found this book to be all kinds of riveting. Hmmmm. Go figure.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This legal thriller was intellectually stimulating, well-paced, and sufficiently suspenseful to keep me riveted.

There are a number of underlying themes. One is a series of unsolved, ongoing murders that seem tangentially related to the Supreme Court. A second is the book The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, to which there are a number of references. The main character in this book, Grayson “Gray” Hernandez, evokes one of the protagonists of The Outsiders. And on a meta level, there is also the theme of the obvious fondness of and appreciation for the Supreme Court as an institution by the author, who shares with readers much of its culture and lore via the main characters, who work at the Court.

Gray, in his late twenties, graduated from a lower-tier law school, and while he loves the Court and constitutional law, he just serves as a messenger in the Court building; it was the only work he could find. He feels like an outsider there. The Supreme Court has 36 law clerks - four per justice - but they are almost all white, from affluent backgrounds, and graduates of Harvard or Yale, “or institutions that, unlike Gray’s law school, had ivy instead of graffiti on their walls.”

Gray’s luck changes however when he thwarts a murder attempt on the Chief Justice, who then asks Gray to serve on his own team as the “thirty-seventh” clerk. This is not only a fantastic opportunity for Gray to learn and contribute to Court decisions, but a great career move: “It was an internship like no other, promising young lawyers . . . a ticket to any legal job in the country. . .” Gray eagerly accepts, although his four fellow clerks aren’t quite as enthused.

Gray quickly proves his worth; he is hard-working and loves what he does, and tries to go the extra mile to compensate for his less-than-stellar academic background. The Chief Justice seems to take him under his wing too, even arranging for Gray to stay at his fabulous apartment he keeps in Georgetown, and letting him drive the fancy car he keeps there.

But Gray is a natural helper/superhero kind of guy, and one of the FBI agents working on the murders takes advantage of Gray’s desire to save everyone around him by asking for his help with the case. Eventually not only he is in great danger, but so are his two best friends - the rest of “The Outsiders” gang.

Evaluation: I really enjoyed this book, even though the references to famous Supreme Court cases that served as “clues” might be obvious to anyone who has studied constitutional law. And the insights into what goes on inside the Court on a day-to-day basis were very interesting. (The author is a lawyer in the Appellate and Supreme Court practice of a prominent Washington, D.C. law firm.) Gray is a great character - very smart and brave, but human enough to do some really dumb things.

[Zoe Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compelling thriller based around the Supreme Court and the eight justices. It follows Grayson Hernandez working as a clerk for the chief justice, however murders have been happening that centre around the Supreme Court and the FBI want Grey to help them find the culprit.

Secrets from the past are woven into the tale and the book is very well written

[Ariana Fae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthony Franze didn’t disappoint me with his third novel THE OUTSIDER. From the first page he captured my attention and held it to the last sentence in the book.

I resonated with the protagonist Grayson Hernandez, who is not only an outsider but from humble beginnings. Franze did a wonderful job of capturing Grayson trying to chase his dreams, fit into a world he thinks he wants, and showing the obstacles he has to face to achieve them.

The story is full of suspense, mystery, and quite a few twists and surprises. I thought I had figured out who the killer was several times and was thrown for a loop with each new clue and revelation. I have to admit I loved how Franze kept me on my toes guessing.

THE OUTSIDER is a riveting suspense thriller that kept me turning the pages and finishing the book in one afternoon. I’m now a complete fan of Anthony Franze and can’t wait to read his next book.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this well crafted legal thriller. The characters were engaging, the plot was captivating, and the action suspenseful.

The novel centers around Grayson, a young lawyer who, through a quirky experience, saved the life of the Chief Justice. In thanks, the justice has Grayson come on staff as a clerk. He is an outsider, not having gone to a prestigious law school. The attempt on the justice may have been the act of a serial killer and Grayson is asked to work with the FBI. They want his help because he is an outsider.

I was amazed at what Supreme Court clerks experience, the work, the pressure, and the play. I learned some things by reading this book, such as that the Supreme Court takes only about one percent of the cases they are asked to review. I also found out who, talking about the limits of free speech, said one should not yell fire in a crowded theater.

I highly recommend this novel to those who like legal thrillers. It's very informative and entertaining. There is a clever twist when it comes to the resolution of the murders – one I didn't see coming at all.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fast paced thriller book. It's the type of book that once you get started you can't put down.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since he was a little boy growing up in the inner city of DC to working class parents, Grayson Hernandez had always dreamed of arguing before the Supreme Court. But after graduating from a fourth-tier law school and passing the bar exam, he found his job prospects to be few and far between. So, Grayson settled for working inside the Supreme Court . . . as a messenger.

Fate, however, seemed to have other plans for Grayson. When, one night after work, Grayson happened upon the Chief Supreme Court justice being mugged by a masked assailant, the young lawyer heroically intervened, taking a severe beating in the process. For his trouble, Grayson was given an impromptu job offer to become the Chief’s fifth law clerk.

Grayson’s workaday life seemed to have changed overnight. New salary, new suits, a new apartment, a new car . . . doors were opening for the young lawyer left and right, as he immersed himself in the intellectually stimulating, intensely competitive, job of influencing the wheels of justice, alongside some of the smartest, most privileged, minds in the country.

But when the FBI informs Grayson that the mugging that he interrupted may be connected to a series of serial murders taking place throughout D.C. on the fifth of each month, Grayson finds himself playing a key role in the investigation. Can this Outsider solve the case, before he or someone he cares about becomes the serial killer’s next victim?

I LOVED THIS NOVEL, full stop. I read the entire thing in a single day. Anthony Franze (who also writes crime novels under the name Alex Finlay) has worked as a Supreme Court lawyer for an elite DC firm, and it shows! The case histories in this novel, are impeccably researched. The inner workings of the Supreme Court and the descriptions of what it’s like to work as a law clerk, are described in fascinatingly accurate detail here. And amazingly enough, it’s all done in a way that’s accessible to any reader, whether or not they have a legal background, or any interest in the law.

Grayson is a relatable, smart, and highly empathetic protagonist (even when his sudden successes, and the morally grey people who take him under their wing, threaten to turn him into a bit of a pompous asshat). The side characters in The Outsider were equally intriguing; from the fictional Supreme Court justices, with their own inner lives and respective axes to grind, to the law clerks, whose privileged upbringings and pristine appearances bely some fairly juicy secrets, to Grayson’s warm working class family, and VERY COOL childhood friends: the unassumingly sexy artist and the charming crime lord (the latter of whom definitely deserves his own book)!

Having read Night Shift (which was written by this author under the Finlay pseudonym) I already knew that this was a writer who knew how to craft an intricate and intriguing mystery. The mystery portion of The Outsider had me rapidly turning pages from beginning to end, eager to put all the initially disparate seeming puzzle pieces together.

Though I was certain I had this one figured out, fairly early on in the novel, the author inserted some clever twists and sneaky red herrings throughout the book. These had me consistently doubling back, and second guessing myself, right up until the novel’s highly cinematic and thrillingly explosive climax.

And the Epilogue? Pure perfection. The absolute best way to end this tale!

For both legal thriller and mystery lovers, I can’t recommend this highly enough.

[iamnotabookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this 4.5/5 envelopes.

It has been quite a while since I last read a legal thriller. I enjoy the works of John Grisham, Scott Turrow and Grif Stockley. This is my first time to read a work of Anthony Franze. So far, it has been very engrossing just like the works of the three authors I have mentioned. Franze is a lawyer himself, so it's just obvious and to be expected that his expertise and experiences as a lawyer are very imminent in his writing.

The plot is intricately planned and laid out. As it unravels, it still remains to be seen as to who the perpetrator is in the series of murders in this story. A lot of angles and theories has been explored that would throw the readers doubts as to who has done it. A very well-played move that will leave the readers guessing until the very end. I have thoroughly enjoyed this chase for the killer and for wrecking havoc and chaos in the highest court of the land. The story intimately described the inner workings of the Supreme Court. It gave the readers a picture of how the Supreme Court justices functions and how the clerks serve as a fundamental part of the whole system to work. I also liked the legal trivia on the most notable decisions ever made by the highest court. For those who love buildings and architecture, it is fascinating to know the distinguishing features of the structure and design of the Supreme Court building that are not known by most people.

Honestly, I had an idea of who the killer might be but I was not so sure. I think at some point, the author did throw some very very subtle clue which made me suspect. But it was so subtle that it was negligible. In the end, I was still a little surprised to find who it was.
What I liked most about the story was how the character of Grey was made. I like protagonists who are underdogs. I root for them. Grey here is the same and how his character was shaped, his background and where he grew up made him a close image of someone in real life. And giving him a Mexican-American background tops it all. It made his character even more perfect to this story. Aside from the usual protagonist that we mostly encounter, Grey absolutely represented and conveyed the message of the author across to the audiences as intended.

I give this 4.5/5 envelopes. Definitely, my frustrated inner lawyer was so absorbed in this legal thriller. I will not be surprised if more stories of Grey's law practice would be made. I am actually looking forward to more of them. More of Grey, please Mr. Franze!


Your argument is akin to the man who kills his parents and then pleads for mercy on the grounds that he's an orphan.
- Anthony Franze, The Outsider -


Thank you PICT for the copy.

[Alex Carbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 star
This is your classic Whodunnit novel. Franze doesn't reinvent the wheel here but he does a good job at keeping the reader on edge. Although there are a few clichés and the novel stays comfortably in the "Mystery-Crime-Legal thriller" box, I did enjoy that novel.
It's also, like its predecessor, the kind of legal thriller that isn't, thanks to John Grisham who leads a pack of talented legal thriller writers who now only give their protagonists a job as a lawyer. End of the legal part of the novel.
It is crystal clear that Franze's knowledge of the office of the Solicitor General and the Supreme Court could have been exploited better here. I would like to see him write a courtroom novel at one point. I think Franze could be right up there with Michael Connelly and The Lincoln Lawyer series. The dude can write a good piece of mystery, that's for sure.
I feel like my 3.75 is a bit low because it did keep me awake so I could finish it. It is indeed a page turner, but i can't round it up to a 4 star rating .... or meh...the hell with it!

[Ariana Fae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthony Franze didn’t disappoint me with his third novel THE OUTSIDER. From the first page he captured my attention and held it to the last sentence in the book.

I resonated with the protagonist Grayson Hernandez, who is not only an outsider but from humble beginnings. Franze did a wonderful job of capturing Grayson trying to chase his dreams, fit into a world he thinks he wants, and showing the obstacles he has to face to achieve them.

The story is full of suspense, mystery, and quite a few twists and surprises. I thought I had figured out who the killer was several times and was thrown for a loop with each new clue and revelation. I have to admit I loved how Franze kept me on my toes guessing.

THE OUTSIDER is a riveting suspense thriller that kept me turning the pages and finishing the book in one afternoon. I’m now a complete fan of Anthony Franze and can’t wait to read his next book.

[Ms. Just One More Book (Kris Miller) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look out, Grisham and Turow. There’s a new master of legal thrills in town!

Grayson Hernandez, Gray, a recent graduate of law school––an outsider of Hispanic heritage from the rough side of DC and resented by his Ivy League peers––is offered his dream job as a Supreme Court law clerk after saving the life of a Chief Justice. Just as Gray settles into his new life, the FBI come knocking. They believe there's a serial killer connected with the Supreme Court, and they want Gray to be their inside man. But little does he know, the Feds––and the murderer––are about to set their sights on him. Anthony Franze's background in law grants him a rare authenticity. Add in stellar writing skills, and you have a mesmerizing legal thriller that sets an incredibly high bar for all who follow. A heart pounding train of consequences, packed with twists and turns, and a derailment that will shock you. Look out, Grisham and Turow. There’s a new master of legal thrills in town!

~ Kris Miller, certified TopShelf Reviewer. TopShelf Magazine does not offer 'paid review services’ and TopShelf Reviewers are not compensated for their reviews.

[Sandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grayson Hernadez has come a long way but not as far as he dreams of. Born in a poor neighborhood, he has fought his way out and become a lawyer. Not an Ivy League lawyer, but a graduate of a city university with no prestige. Instead of job offers at big-name law firms, the best job he could find was as a messenger in the Supreme Court. Gray is thrilled to be there as he always idolized everything about the Court, but it hurts to be in a menial position while others his same age are chosen to work as clerks to the justices. They are smarter or harder working, but they have the background and education expected of high flyers.

One day after work Gray steps in and stops a mugging in the Court's parking garage. After the intruder escapes, he goes to help the victim and realizes it is the Court's Chief Justice. The Justice takes notice of Gray and promotes him to clerk. Gray is overjoyed and is determined to work so hard that the fact of his unorthodox entry won't matter. The other clerks are less than happy to have him join the team but Gray is used to not fitting in and settles down to work. Then the police who investigated the mugging ask for a meeting.

There have been several incidents and there are signs linking the crimes to the Supreme Court. The police want Gray to be their eyes and ears inside the Court and report back anything suspicious he might see. Gray is not happy with this plan but feels compelled to help. There have been several murders each of which have occurred on the fifth of a month. The next date is coming up and the police are determined to close the case before that date rolls around. Can Gray help or will he get entangled in the murderer's plans and be executed himself?

Franze has written a thriller that educates the reader to the back scene procedures of the Supreme Court while unfolding a mystery. Gray is a likeable protagonist although naive and too easily led by those around him. As the mystery unfolds, he reconnects with his past and finds a way to merge his background and his future plans. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

[Sharman Bingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Anthony Franze book, and I’m very impressed. He’s definitely an inside-the-Beltway guy, who seems to know DC environs very well. I really appreciated his appendix with all his sources. I will take him up on his insistence that every citizen visit the Supreme Court when in Washington DC.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read! Couldn't put it down.

[John Ready Reader One · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably 3.5 rounded up.

[Maggie Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I'm on vacation, so I read this book really quickly. Also, I'm a bit of a Supreme Court junkie. Sitting in on a session at the Supreme Court was the highlight of my fall trip to DC.
This is a legal thriller in only a small part: Lawyers are involved, the crimes wouldn't have happened if an original criminal hadn't gotten away on a technicality, and you learn about SC clerks.
Really this is a serial killer thriller/mystery. The killer leaves clues for whoever is looking -- and the fact that different groups had jurisdiction meant no one organization had all the clues. But the reader does!
Franze plays fair with the clues and the real killer could be deduced fairly early on, but there were several red herrings.
My only problem with the story is that the protagonist, Grey Hernandez, was attacked so often he really should be dead. But that's a problem in the Leonid McGill stories I read, the Longmire books, and most thrillers.
This seems to a one off book, not the start of a series. I would have liked to learn more about Hernandez's family. And Sam and Arturo are great secondary characters.
Pace: fast (short chapters, lots of action)
Characters: several well developed and complicated ones
Setting: Supreme Court, yay!
Tone: not too dark considering the body count was pretty high.

[James Hong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good read, at some points, I'm earger to know what would happen to Gray. However, some of the plot twists are unnecessary, and sometimes I think Gray is way too stupid to act the way that I don't think a smart clerk should have.

[Katherine "Kj" Joslin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book, not only was it a solid mystery/thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat but I LOVE all the Supreme Court info/story lines.

Can't wait to pick up the next book!

[Pat Malon]

I enjoyed this book, hope to read more from this author.