Customer Reviews

The Verdict (Unabridged)

Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy.

Terry Flynt is a struggling legal clerk, desperately trying to get promoted. And then he is given the biggest opportunity of his career: to help defend a millionaire accused of murdering a woman in his hotel suite.

The only problem is that the accused man, Vernon James, turns out to be Terry's sworn enemy - a man who betrayed him and turned all his friends against him at university. This case could potentially make Terry's career, but how can he defend a man that he loathes?

So I love a good legal thriller. I like SOME Grisham, depending on how political it is and I used to adore Steve Martini's Paul Madriani books until they became way too much about government conspiracy theories. About the only legal thrillers I read these days belong to John Lescroart. When I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of "The Verdict" I was very excited, not least because Nick Stone's Mr Clarinet was a wonderful read so I knew the writing standard would be high.

I loved it. Immediately engrossed I could hardly bear to put it down. Vernon James is accused of murder - he claims innocence but the evidence is overwhelming. Terry knows Vernon of old - way back when, Vernon destroyed his life. When he is put on Vernon's case, Terry has to hide this old connection. However the past is about to come back to haunt both of them...

So well written and absolutely moving at a perfect pace, with some really terrific characters (I loved Christine, and absolutely adored Terry himself, he is so beautifully flawed in such a normal way) this was a well drawn and compelling mystery thriller. The courtroom scenes are genuinely exciting - and I do love that this is all set within the British legal system. You may not get a "You can't HANDLE the truth" moment because we British are not nearly so melodramatic, but you do get real sense of urgency and are never sure what is coming.

The resolution is clever and unexpected and I genuinely hope that Nick Stone will write more legal based novels - certainly I would love to see Terry back again to find out how he gets on!

Happy Reading Folks!

Suddenly out of nowhere there is a new kid on the block. Nick Stone has written a stonkingly good book that ticks all the boxes for a successful and enthrallling legal thriller. A sympathetic and flawed leading figure and hero who is well portrayed and credible and hopelessly compromised over his feelings about the accused who he has to help defend. Fast paced action whilst still leaving space for the main characters to develop. Sound knowledge of the legal system and court procedure. Good sub-characters and a series of blind allies and red herrings to further engage and confuse the reader. Oh, and most importantly the author can really write well too.

All in all this is the whole package. Comparisons are already being made - even by the publisher and publicist - to John Grisham. I find the comparison facile. Nick Stone is a far better writer in my opinion and can really tell a tale. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well drawn and it was pacey without being frantic. It wasn't at all obvious hoe the plot was going to unfold which meant the interest was held at all times. I also liked the way the personal relationships were portrayed. Having a cross between a detective story and a courtroom drama made a pleasant change from the old staid format.

I bought this book after reading the first two rave reviews. Firstly, I had a sample sent to my kindle, as it is not always a good idea to rely on other peoples judgment. After reading the sample I could hardly wait to download the full book. I am honestly enjoying every page of this book. There is so much to say about it. The plot is easy to follow, there is much about the legal system which is revealed to the reader, making it informative as well as entertaining. The main characters are well defined and easy to understand. I would like to add, I normally do not read this type of book I am more into historical books or ones about family sagas, but reading this has just caught me. All and all a really wonderful read.

Could not put it down! Really enjoyed this, so much life was put on hold for 24 hours......can't wait for the next one!

One of the best books I've come across. I hope hs others will be as good. A hard act to follow but Grisham did it....

I've read two Nick Stone books before, "Mr Clarinet" and "Voodoo Eyes". I really enjoyed them so I ordered "The Verdict".

Loved it! This is every bit as good as the reviews say it is. Others have summed up the plot really well, so I won't add to that, except to say that there are some very unexpected twists in the tale, and you won't see the ending coming. Most of the reviewers have singled out the courtroom finale in particular for praise. I too give it top marks.

There are some "laugh out loud" moments in "The Verdict", mostly in the way the narrator Terry copes and deals with a horrible work colleague he has nicknamed Adolph, and some of my favourite lines in the book come early when Terry describes his attitude to office life. This is just one of the examples of what makes Nick Stone stand out of the crowd, he does not just write a good story. All the characters are well rounded and the descriptions make you feel like you are actually there, as he has done with his previous books.

I'm a big fan of legal thrillers, especially John Grisham "The Verdict" is every bit as good as the best of his work. It is paced and structured in the style of an American legal thriller, without sacrificing its Britishness – yes Nick Stone is one of our own.

It's fast, furious and very difficult to put down, but it is not a book to discard after reading as you will want to read it again to find all the clues.

I don't know if Nick Stone plans to write another "Terry Flynt" book or more legal thrillers, but I certainly hope so. "The Verdict" is great.

Brilliant!
A gripping and exciting Legal thriller!

I was a bit worried when I was reading the Prologue that this book would be about a person I was already loathing. In another words Vernon James is a Despicable and a disgrace as a human being (as Christine describes him)

But as soon as I started to read part one I fell in love with the book, because it is written in Terry's voice and he is very likable, and all his doubts are the same doubts that the reader is having. He is not a perfect Man, but a perfect "underdog"! And I'm sure some readers will easily see them reflected in him!

This book is very easy to read and fast paced. The writing is tight and compelling.

Even though it is only January, I think I've probably read what is going to be one of my favourite books of the year. This is the first book by Nick Stone I've read and it is absolutely brilliant. I was wary because of all the glowing praise from other authors/press quotes. You often see these `rent a quote' comments plastered on the book description and often, I am left feeling disappointed after reading the book as they don't live up to the hype. This intelligent and complex legal thriller did though!

The premise is intriguing, Terry Flynt, a struggling law clerk helping to defend a childhood friend who he fell out with and who is now accused of murder.

This is a long book but the pace is perfect and, if anything, I wish it could have been longer. Stone's characterisation is spot on. Terry Flynt is wonderfully complex and human. He is flawed and makes mistakes but still comes across in a sympathetic way and you are drawn in to his world. The other main characters are well-drawn also, from a cynical investigator with secrets of his own to a dying barrister for whom the trial of Vernon James will be her final case. The writing is excellent and the book flows beautifully and the court room scenes in particular are gripping. The conclusion feels well thought out and is very satisfying.

I must admit that I usually find that the American authors have the market cornered when it comes to exciting legal thrillers--I've never come across a British one before with the excitement of a Connelly or Grisham... until now. I hope terry Flint may become a recurring character in future Nick Stone books or, at the very least, that he writes more legal thrillers.

Very highly recommended. (Review of the unabridged audio edition)

Wow. I am so glad I took the opportunity to look at this book and its reviews. If it weren't for them I might have passed it by. The story telling flows, the characters become real and in the court room you have a VIP seat, at least that's how I felt reading this. I would love to see another book about Terry, his family and his life after this case, but until or if that happens I will definitely read more by this author.