Rating: 
Summary: An impressive legal thriller
Review: This book is a winner!!! This is the third book from Martini that I have read and the second featuring Paul Mandriani - this novel is the best of the three. Martini has spun an impressive legal thriller, with an intriguing cast of characters and plenty of action, suspense and plot twists. The Judge is written from the perspective of Mandriani, a lawyer who somewhat reluctantly finds himself defending a judge he does not particularly care for. As the book progresses, the reader is consistently treated to Mandriani's quick wit, sharp mind, and keen sense of reality in the world. The Judge is a compelling novel that is hard to put down. Read and enjoy!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: exciting and readable
Review: This is my first courtroom thriller, so I have no basis for comparison (except for Grisham's The Firm, which sucks). What I liked about The Judge is it has many things going for it: 1. Characters - all the players have personality and presence. 2. Lean narrative, good dialogue, no extraneous details. 3. Excitement. The trial scenes were great. 4. Style. I like how Martini sizes things up.The book is an easy read. In fact, Martini could have fleshed out the book with more information and twists and the story would still be taught. What he managed to do is only admit critical elements to the story to make it a story and keep it engaging. I hope to read more of his works.
Rating:
Summary: Now a Made-for-TV movie
Review: When I saw that "The Judge" was going to be a TV movie, I decided to read the book first so I could compare the two. It took me a few chapters to get into this book and get used to Martini's writing style, but once I did I couldn't put it down! Armando Acosta is a judge disliked by nearly everyone-- especially the corrupt police officers who are the subject of a grand jury investigation conducted by Acosta. Acosta is arrested on a phony charge of solicitation and is suspended from the bench. However, when the decoy in the arrest turns up dead, it looks as though Acosta will be vacating the bench permanently. Acosta enlists the help of one of his least favorite attorneys, Paul Madriani, to help him beat the murder charge. In defending the judge, Madriani discovers that the corrupt officers will stop at nothing to protect themselves and their peers. Madriani suspects that the prosecution's case is missing one vital piece of evidence. His search for that missing piece leads him to the murderer and the motive in a surprise twist ending. This is my first Martini book, but it certainly won't be my last. The TV movie was good, but not as riveting as the book. Martini's material is good enough for the big screen and I wonder why some Hollywood producer hasn't discovered this author.
Rating:
Summary: Now a Made-for-TV movie
Review: When I saw that "The Judge" was going to be a TV movie, I decided to read the book first so I could compare the two. It took me a few chapters to get into this book and get used to Martini's writing style, but once I did I couldn't put it down! Armando Acosta is a judge disliked by nearly everyone-- especially the corrupt police officers who are the subject of a grand jury investigation conducted by Acosta. Acosta is arrested on a phony charge of solicitation and is suspended from the bench. However, when the decoy in the arrest turns up dead, it looks as though Acosta will be vacating the bench permanently. Acosta enlists the help of one of his least favorite attorneys, Paul Madriani, to help him beat the murder charge. In defending the judge, Madriani discovers that the corrupt officers will stop at nothing to protect themselves and their peers. Madriani suspects that the prosecution's case is missing one vital piece of evidence. His search for that missing piece leads him to the murderer and the motive in a surprise twist ending. This is my first Martini book, but it certainly won't be my last. The TV movie was good, but not as riveting as the book. Martini's material is good enough for the big screen and I wonder why some Hollywood producer hasn't discovered this author.
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