Rating: 
Summary: Another dreadful formulaic tabloid thriller
Review: I made the serious mistake of reading this straight after a real novel, James Ellroy's 'The Cold Six Thousand'.I could scarcely believe how bad The Final Judgement was in comparison. I had hoped it would be a lightweight but competent holiday read. Instead it was full of the most tedious and contrived characterisation married to a silly and self-conscious plot. I was very disappointed given the gushing praise on the jacket (who are these people?!). More and more it seems as if there are hardly any excellent thriller writers around today and the publishing industry is pushing books which barely make the readable grade, like this piece of nonsense. I will never again go within 100 yards of a Richard North Patterson book.
Rating: 
Summary: Rather annoying dialog
Review: I read "Degree of Guilt" a couple of years ago, and enjoyed it. I picked up this book a few days ago, and have to say I'm very disappointed. The story, while at first intriguing, soon gets lost with flashbacks that really add little to the central theme. The worst part is Mr. Patterson's writing style. He belongs to the adverb/adjective-every-other-word-school, so much that every conversation is loaded with glances and movements pregnant with hidden and not so hidden meanings, many of which are redundent or a given. Worse, he contradicts the character's thoughts within one or two paragraphs. The only clean, strong writing is during the courtroom scenes. I suggest Mr. Patterson read "The Elements of Style" and learn to edit; his books will only improve.
To sum up, I'll say this: if you like books produced by writers such as Elizabeth George, then you'll like Patterson. If you prefer the clean, startling style of Grafton, Melissa Banks, Hemingway, Sherman Alexie or Eudora Welty, then stay away from this author's books.
Rating: 
Summary: a very enjoyable book
Review: i've not read the other books by this author, but now i will . . . this one was suspenseful, interesting . . . it kept me wanting to find out what would happen next . . . another reviewer, online, did not like the flashback sequences . . . i did . . . now i'm going to have to go back and read the other books by author involving the main character . . . note: i have obviously not read the books in sequence; others might want to?
Rating:
Summary: Non si può interromperne la lettura
Review: Il libro di Patterson è avvincente. Non capita spesso di trovare romanzi che ti "catturano" fin dalle prime pagine e che non si possono più abbandonare fino alla risoluzione finale. L'unico personaggio a mio parere non ben delineato (o da me poco capito) è il vecchio Channing. Leggerò volentieri altri romazi dell'autore
Rating: 
Summary: "Same story, different protagonist"
Review: is the best way to describe this story of Caroline Masters' defense
of a young woman accused of murdering her boyfriend. Patterson
vets will recognize Masters from Patterson's previous works, and
her witty banter and courtroom theatrics remain intact; those elements
make this book a worthy read. The story becomes mired, however,
in flashback scenes that, except for one, do not add much to
(and actually detract from) the tale at hand. Rather than place the
story in context, the flashback scenes interrupt it. This, of course,
is a familiar vehicle for Patterson (does anyone remember Degree of
Guilt and Eyes of a Child), and though some may find it an element
of suspense, in this book it reads like filler.
Rating:
Summary: "Same story, different protagonist"
Review: is the best way to describe this story of Caroline Masters' defenseof a young woman accused of murdering her boyfriend. Pattersonvets will recognize Masters from Patterson's previous works, and her witty banter and courtroom theatrics remain intact; those elements make this book a worthy read. The story becomes mired, however, in flashback scenes that, except for one, do not add much to (and actually detract from) the tale at hand. Rather than place the story in context, the flashback scenes interrupt it. This, of course, is a familiar vehicle for Patterson (does anyone remember Degree of Guilt and Eyes of a Child), and though some may find it an element of suspense, in this book it reads like filler.
Rating:
Summary: IT WORE ME OUT
Review: Just acres and acres of dialogue...she said this and then he said that and she mumbled this... oh Gawd help us. The plot is as thin as gruel. But it does have some merit in htat the court room dialogue does test your concentration, which is a good thing in this era of fast food. I have today given this book to my local charity shop...but am i inflicting it upon some other poor reader out there?
Rating:
Summary: Best book I've read
Review: Just wanted to say how much I loved Patterson's The Final Judgement. This has to be the best book I've ever read - one I couldn't put down. The character development here was tops! Yes, this was a courtroom drama, but more it showed how lives and destinies can be influenced by outside sources, like one's parents. Carolyn Masters was wonderful, dear compassionate, intelligent. I also fell in love with Brett. In fact, I want to read more about those two. I almost sense Patterson has left me hanging. Right now I'm going through withdrawls, and find I'm still thinking about this book weeks after I finished it. I will search out his other books for sure.
Rating:
Summary: Edge of your seat lawyer novel with gripping characters.
Review: Not usually a fan of law concentrated novels, I was completely glued to my chair for the entire reading of this book. Caroline Masters is a fascinating character. Her life and her family are so intriguing that it makes you want more. I wish there was an entire series built around this character - although it is hard to imagine uncovering anything more about her past than already was in this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Ain't so bad
Review: Patterson didn't conceal the murderer's identity well enough in this one. Then again, in EYES OF A CHILD you could pretty much see it coming as well. Still, Patterson's carefully-wrought characters and sharp dialogue made for a satisfying read
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