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Paul Madriani takes on the case of Dr. David Crone, a respected geneticist accused of murdering his young colleague. An incriminating note left behind by a dead key witness seems to confirm Crone's innocence. But when Madriani hits upon a scandal from Crone's past, an ethical nightmare dangles in front of his face: the possibility of defending a guilty client ...

319 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 25, 2001

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About the author

Steve Martini

95 books694 followers
Steven Paul "Steve" Martini is an American writer of legal novels.

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5 stars
1,489 (28%)
4 stars
2,086 (40%)
3 stars
1,312 (25%)
2 stars
198 (3%)
1 star
52 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
Profile Image for Paul Weiss.
1,469 reviews549 followers
March 11, 2024
“A major scientific merger, a kind of synergy … of nanotechnology and molecular electronics …” with genetics used as software!

Pretty heady stuff, “new modalities of treating diseases”, “a genetic gold rush” with “hundreds of billions of dollars at stake”! You’d think that technology like this could serve as the basis for a pretty nifty legal or suspense thriller with so much of that prime mover (money, of course) at stake. But the reality is that THE JURY was at best a workmanlike procedural that failed to ignite my interest the way so many of Steve Martini’s past Paul Madriani thrillers did.

When I finished the book, I immediately posted my 3-star rating with no small measure of disappointment. A little over a week later, when I sat down to prepare my detailed review, I was shocked to realize that I recalled virtually nothing about any details of the plot on which I might pass comment. All I’m left with is the realization that my initial rating of THE JURY as nothing more than a moderate passable read must have been right on.

Paul Weiss
Profile Image for Kristen.
804 reviews50 followers
November 6, 2009
This one moved a little slower than usual, so it got 3 stars. But it was still a good read. I was pleased because I *knew* who did it...and then I got to the end and was proven wrong. This is why I like Martini's books so much. I can't always tell who the killer is and I like it because so often I have mysteries figured out in the first couple chapters. That gets boring. So Martini generally keeps me guessing.

Anyway, I thought it was a little slower than usual because there was so very little actual court time. I like the court scenes in Martini's books the best. It's fun to see Madriani really get on a roll. Harry Hinds is, as always, a fun sidekick kind of character, snarky and fiesty.

One thing that did bug me about this book, though--why the frak is it called The Jury? There was hardly any court time, no time at all with the jury or any one specific juror. None of the jurors were even mentioned by name. I just thought it was a weird title for a book that had nothing to do with a jury. Oh well! An anachronism.
Profile Image for Jerry B.
1,489 reviews151 followers
July 22, 2010
Not as dry as some, but still lacks zest and suspense...

We liked Martini's first novel ("Simeon Chamber"), but found another of his non-series books, "The List", as well as "The Attorney", a Paul Madriani story, to be pretty dry going. Before we gave up on the author, we thought we'd try one more in the defense attorney Madriani series. Defending Dr. David Crone, a geneticist, charged with murdering a colleague, the trial scenes which dominate much of the book held our attention reasonably well while further clues and developments unfolded outside the courtroom. The interludes with Madriani and his sidekick Harry Hinds are also mildly entertaining. Finally, when a key witness apparently commits suicide, the prosecution's case is in jeopardy, leading to a rather surprising outcome near the end. (We also agree with numerous other reviewers that the title is a misnomer...)

We wish we could put a finger on what's wrong with Martini's books. While he crafts a good enough plot, either he just can't handle 300+ pages without going bone-dry or he just doesn't have the knack for sustaining suspense for more than a few chapters at a time. Compared to others in this genre, we would be hard pressed to label Martini's books "thrillers"; decent mysteries is about the highest praise we can muster. As our closing argument, we feel we just might be better off uncovering some new lawyers turned writers, and suggest Martini go back to court in real life.

1,253 reviews23 followers
June 14, 2008
I wonder if Martini ever had a client he liked. It seems as if all of the clients that Paul Madriani and Harry Hinds deal with are arrogant snobs of one sort or another. This time, a genetics scientist is accused of murdering a colleague. The mystery advances slowly through the legal wrangling, and the mystery, once resolved make sense. As usual, Martini leaves the reader sitting there saying, "duh.. all the clues were there!" along with the requisite red herrings. This makes for a good reading, but once more, not necessarily anything exceptional.

Martini writes fine legal thrillers-- but his characters lack dimension. Martini has a lot in common with John Lescroart, except Lescroart's characters have life, emotions, feelings, etc.

Once again, this was a good read, but not exceptional.
Profile Image for Roger.
1,068 reviews13 followers
November 7, 2021
The Jury was another exciting Paul Madriani legal thriller. I really enjoy Steve Martini’s writing he knows how to keep a story moving. And he got me with the red herrings this time, I did not figure things out till the big reveal. That was a delight.
1,818 reviews85 followers
December 2, 2022
A good courtroom drama that is a little choppy because, seemingly, every new chapter introduces a new witness or a new aspect to the case. Research scientist is accused of murdering his assistant and is not very forthcoming to his lawyers. I believe the title refers to the fact that Madriani acts as the jury towards his troubled friend at the surprise ending.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
46 reviews2 followers
January 1, 2020
I've been trying to read through the books on my bookshelves, and I found this one that belongs to my husband, before realizing I had read another in this series earlier in the year. I like this Paul Madriani installment much more that the one I previously read. While it was slower paced, I thought the attention to the court process and the manner in which the facts surrounding the murder came to light was intriguing. This was a fairly easy read, but good enough that I would read another (if I happen to stumble across a third in our little library!). Three stars.
Profile Image for Sully (sully.reads).
388 reviews137 followers
January 19, 2020
The Jury by Steve Martini
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“The Jury,” a legal thriller, was the first novel I’ve read by Steve Martini, and I am planning to read more of his works. 😍
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It was oddly titled The Jury despite the fact that it is not about the jury at all - they are barely mentioned). Like John Grisham, Martini needs to work on his "titles." 😂🙊 Regardless, this book is a sharp, tight legal thriller that has a neat little twist in the end. ⚖️ I loved it! ❤️
Profile Image for Ned Hayes.
Author 20 books269 followers
December 13, 2017
Solid legal thriller I know from my days in Bellingham Washington.
Profile Image for Darren Ashley.
111 reviews
October 23, 2013
Today I finished THE JURY by Steve Martini, a legal novel I read in 8 days, sticking with it to the end to learn the final ruling. Paul Martini represents Dr. David Chrone, a professor in molecular electronics at a university, charged with the murder of Dr. Kalista Jordan, a doctor he recently employed, who suffered a painful death by asphyxiation, found dead with cable ties around her neck. Evan Tannery represents Dr. Chrone in Judge Coats courtroom, spends time talking about cable ties, trying to encourage the jury that the candidate who killed Kalista was a doctor since her head stayed on after the killing. Her killing happened shortly after some sensitive papers disappeared from Dr. Chrone's office after crossing several access levels, and the 2 doctors exchanged some unfriendly words after the papers disappeared. Later, the book suggests that Kalista's murder happened to keep her from revealing what she had learned on the job.

Judge Coats lets the counsel know he is aware that they have not revealed all of their secrets. Tannery tells Coats he wants to drop the charges against David Crone who becomes a free man after spending 2 months in jail during the trial.
38 reviews
November 21, 2025
Found this one at a little free library and I am a sucker for legal/courtroom dramas... I was pleasantly surprised by this one. After a suspenseful opening leading to a murder, we are immediately in the middle of trial and spend a majority of the book in the courthouse. The courtroom scenes and discussions in the judge's chambers were very accurate and believable, both procedurally and substantively. I am impressed by the author's understanding of the rules of evidence! I will say that the title however, is misleading because there is nothing about any of the jurors in the case... The plot was interesting and I was surprised by the reveal, but the non-courthouse scenes were dry and felt off and there were some big plot holes that kept this one from being better. I believe if the book were longer it could have cleaned up a few things that seemed like they were rushed through. The ending was fairly good and satisfying.
Profile Image for Nolan.
3,758 reviews38 followers
Read
April 11, 2018
David Crone is accused of murdering a colleague at a southern California university as the book opens, and it’s up to Paul Madriani and his law partner, Harry Hinds, to clear Crone.

Crone was involved in secretive and controversial genetics research, and his lab partner, Kalista Jordan, accused him of sexual harassment. Not long thereafter, Jordan is found strangled to death, and the killer used industrial cable ties. I’m never again going to see those as harmless. Granted, I’ve not used the really big ones, so I had no idea they had a tensile strength of up to 250 pounds. Yikes!

When a key witness apparently commits suicide, the case becomes increasingly murky. You won’t see the end coming.

Profile Image for Johnsergeant.
635 reviews35 followers
November 26, 2007
Downloaded from Audible.com

Narrator: John Slattery
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio, 2001
Length: 5 hours (abridged)

Publisher's Summary
Lawyer Paul Madriani is called on to defend a brilliant research physician - who just may be a killer - in the most daunting capital case of Madriani's career.

Paul Madriani has ample reason to suspect he's representing a guilty man. Dr. David Crone, a respected medical researcher and principal in mapping the human genome, is charged with the murder of a young colleague: Kalista Jordan, an African-American research physician whose dismembered body was found in a nearby bay.

Madriani's defense is hindered by the secrecy surrounding Crone's research - which has involved his controversial use of genetic racial profiling. The murdered woman had filed charges of sexual harassment against Crone. Paul is left to piece together a defense while Crone and his colleagues conceal parts of the puzzle.

When a key witness for the prosecution ends up dead, Crone's acquittal is all but assured. Paul's nagging doubts concerning his client are answered with a stunning revelation and a shattering climax.
Profile Image for Rohit Enghakat.
262 reviews67 followers
July 1, 2017
This was the first Steve Martini book I read. It was a bad choice when I bought it. Would think twice before buying another one. The plot moves so slow that it takes time to get used to it and though the title is "The Jury", there is no jury in this book. Don't know what the author was thinking while naming the book. The entire plot is a bit hard fetched and there is a twist in the climax which is least expected. Was in a bind whether to give two stars or three. Since the book was not so bad as to stop reading, I give it three stars. Some people might like it.
Profile Image for Clifford.
Author 16 books378 followers
February 28, 2013
I don't think I'll read another Steve Martini novel. For one thing, the author's conservative politics shine through in some of the comments made by the protagonist, attorney Paul Madriani. For another, there are plot holes that you could drive a hummer through. And for yet another, much of what is there seems decidedly implausible, especially certain elements of the ending. And all of that is without mentioning the writing, which is full of cliche. So, no more, please.
Profile Image for Clint.
821 reviews4 followers
October 31, 2018
One of an apparent series of novels featuring lawyer Paul Madriani finds him defending a research physician arrested for killing a coworker who apparently stole some important papers from him. Saga also twines around a sick child and her family and their relation to the accused. That's only the beginning.
234 reviews
April 26, 2019
Surprise Ending to this book

I was surprised by the twists. Paul Madriani is defending a brilliant Medical researcher in charges he murdered a young PhD working under him. The secrets his client are keeping him and his superior attitude make it hard to like him. The legal maneuvering keeps you engaged and guessing to the end.
Profile Image for Treshan.
55 reviews
April 18, 2020
Classic "who done it". Will leave you guessing right until the end. I wondered why he titled the book, The Jury as there's very little interaction or story regarding the jury but more about the life and times of a defense attorney in a very high profile case. That aside, I really enjoyed it. Definitely gave me a an appetite for some more mystery...
Profile Image for Wanda Cronauer.
80 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2021
Steve Martini’s Paul Madriani Series are fast paced legal thrillers with well crafted plots which will have you guessing until the end. Attorney Paul Madriani just seems to attract clients who draw him into mysterious situations that in turn draw Madriani into unraveling the threads to help his clients.
Profile Image for Emily Higgins.
1,925 reviews6 followers
October 19, 2017
Attorney Paul Madriani and his colleague Harry Hinds are defending the head of a research program accused of murdering a young researcher in his department. The case is not going well. The defendant does not seem to grasp the seriousness of the evidence against him.
1 review
August 12, 2019
Another Martini masterpiece

Steve Martini delivers yet another skillfully crafted legal work of art, keeping the suspense tight and the villain unknown until the end. Martini never disappoints.
34 reviews
June 25, 2021
This is my second Steve Martini book - I didn’t want to put it down! Great storyline, great characters. I don’t understand why he called it The Jury, though. Maybe that was the greatest twist of the book? I highly recommend this book. Awesome read!
Profile Image for Brent Jones.
Author 24 books20 followers
April 1, 2020
Lawyer Paul Madriani is called upon to defend a brilliant research physician, Dr. David Crone, who just may be guilty. Crone, a respected medical researcher in mapping the human genome and some see a racial overtone in his work. He is charged with the murder of his assistant, twenty-six-year-old Kalista Jordan, an African-American research physician whose strangled and dismembered body washed up on a beach in San Diego Bay.

Several motives suggest Crone as a suspect. Forensic evidence links her murder with material in Crone’s garage. Did he catch her trying to sabotage his research because he previously had conducted controversial studies about the intellectual capacities of the different races. Kalista had recently ended their affair, and may have been deserting him professionally as well, moving on to a rival genetic research facility.

See more on this book and quotes from it at https://connectedeventsmatter.com/blo...

The main witness who can shed light on motive is found dead the day before he is scheduled to testify leaving an incriminating note behind, Crone’s innocence seems confirmed – until Madriani hits upon a potentially damning loose end.”

Author Steve Martini again proves he is the master of the courtroom and this well crafted book.
Profile Image for Olivia Plasencia.
163 reviews42 followers
December 28, 2025
Another great read by Steve Martini. The books starts right away with courtroom action. Paul's client, Dr. Crone, is charged with murdering a young and pretty coworker that was after his job and even his funding. His motive is not only strong, but Dr. Crone is annoyingly secretive. Leaving your lawyer in the dark is never good idea, and I am not sure why trade secrets are cited when courtrooms can be closed to the public for that but whatever. Since the good Dr. refuses to tell Paul or his fellow lawyer Harry what his work really is and why he had a heated argument with the now dead victim they are working blindly. Not only that they have the very slick DA that only seems to share information just hours prior to court days, often claiming that the information was just found. Not only this but Paul meets the doctor before the crime when he was trying hard to help a sick child and her family. It is because the Dr agrees to try and help the family that at first makes Paul believe his client is innocent. But suddenly a sexual harassment charge against the dr by the victim forces Paul and Harry to wonder if they should jump ship. Great story, but the ending was a tad shady since as lawyers they are officers of the court you would think that would require them to call the police, but you understand why they do not. Great read, cannot wait to read the rest I have yet to find.
Profile Image for Avid Series Reader.
1,665 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2024
The Jury by Steve Martini is the sixth book of the Paul Madriani courtroom mystery series, set in contemporary San Diego. Fast-paced and immediately engaging, it starts by describing an intelligent, accomplished scientist and her career, then quickly cuts to the courtroom of her murder trial. From all we learn from the prosecution case, the defendant sounds guilty. But then we learn how defense attorney Paul Madriani first came to meet the defendant. Still, his arrogance and refusal to discuss his research with his defense counsel tell against him.

Almost halfway through the case, the prosecution presents in judge's chambers wholly new evidence that points to a new, sensational motive. The judge will allow the evidence to be introduced in the trial, but only if it can be substantiated. Then another death puts the trial in chaos.

Back in the office to catch up on mail (after weeks totally focused on the trial) Paul and his legal partner Harry are attacked by an intruder. Paul finally intuits the truth, and sets out to confront the killer.

An entertaining page-turner from start to finish.
Profile Image for David Wilding.
41 reviews
January 17, 2019
I have read quite a few books from Steve Martini, but by FAR this one was the least enjoyable.

The story just never got going. Where was the courtroom drama? The excitement of discovering new facts for the case? The action?
Maybe because I broke it into two parts before and after Christmas and this maybe disturbed the "flow" of reading it. I don't know.

And in the end it all petered out into one big, old anticlimax where the victim's killer was discovered ... HOW? Just one small thing that happened at the start of the book we were supposed to have noticed and taken note of which, in the end, proved crucial!

No drama for Madriani, very little for Harry Hinds, and no potential romances of any kind even hinted at.

VERY POOR! But don't let this discourage you because usually Steve Martini writes very well

Also, I have NO IDEA WHATSOEVER why this book was titled, "The Jury", as the jury doesn't even enter into it!
385 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2023
A fairly interesting legal murder mystery in which the protagonist, Paul Madriani, must defend a client unwilling to help himself and whom Paul suspects may be guilty. But all is not as it seems…

It would have earned a solid “3” but for two weaknesses. The author does a fine job of “showing, not telling,” but much of the “showing,” particularly in the early portions of the book, are through the means of courtroom dialogue between lawyers and witnesses, lawyers and each other, and lawyers and judges. This makes the book somewhat plodding as the author weaves the picture for the reader through what seems only an overly long trial transcript.

Also, the title. The jury does not factor into the story and no part of the story addresses or hangs on what the jury does or does not do. I kept waiting for some jury intrigue that never came. It’s a very odd choice of title.
Profile Image for Gene Head.
32 reviews2 followers
November 12, 2019
OK - this is the lowest rating I've given a Martini book. Here's why . . .

Too much courtroom dialogue. Two pages of back and forth fine tuning a single question.
I'm not an attorney but there seemed to be a lot of inconsistency in objections and rulings from the bench.
For me the final reveal was too far a stretch although I considered it earlier in the book.
I suspect Penny's diagnosis might be the driving purpose for the story; maybe Martini knows someone with this diagnosis and created the story to give it some needed and deserved publicity.

I'm looking forward to book seven in the series. I hope Martini gets back to basic creativity and imagination and less promotion of a personal, passionate agenda.
721 reviews2 followers
January 28, 2019
This story was good, I guess. My usual criteria for a mystery is whether I can figure out "whodunnit" before they are revealed, and in this case, I didn't, so it SHOULD have been more satisfying. But somehow, it was just a little flat.

A beautiful and brilliant researcher has been murdered and dismembered and the obvious suspect is her supervisor, with whom she has a troubling relationship. She had charged him with sexual harassment and was trying to take his job, but somehow this just doesn't ring true.

There are several stories going on and when they finally converge, we find the real murderer, but somehow, although everything is tied up in a nice red bow, it just isn't satisfying.
Profile Image for Alyson Miles.
133 reviews
May 9, 2020
This was an ok legal drama book about a guy on trial, accused of murdering his colleague, with the possible notice having something to do with research grant funds and controversial scientific research. The story was a bit too slow, though, and didn't dive into the actual science enough to earn a higher rating. The title also has nothing to do with the book. There was a jury mentioned every now and then, but there were no named jurors, no following their discussion of the case, no argument over the verdict.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews

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