Rating: 
Summary: Starts off well, but flops at the end...
Review: Meltzer has a fan in me. I'll say that. I enjoyed the Millionaires a good deal. This one? Not so much. True, it was first novel, but the last 1/4 of the book is a mess. Most of the story is interesting and the friendship angle is interesting. The dialogue is funny and often true to life (of young adults). The Supreme Court stuff is nice and interesting. Even the set-up and red herrings are interesting. I read most the book in one day to find out what would happen in the end. The book barrels out of control in the end and seems to include everything possible, even when it borders on the absurd. You can see it as a 2 star hollywood film--indeed, Meltzer even thanks Dick Clark (??) films in the acknowledgements. Also contained in that section we see that many of the names in the book are those of friends--nice touch. Basically, you can see the beginnings of Meltzer's strengths as a writer, but back in '97 he still had aways to go. Read something else by him first.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun quick read.
Review: While Meltzer's writting clearly improved with "The Millionaires," the storytelling here is at its best.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible, amateurish
Review: This book had three problems: the plot, the characters, and the writing. The plotting of this novel was really bad. The reason people are saying "I read it in one night" is not because it's so exciting, but because it's written at about a 7th grade level. There is no reason for us to care about this character, and nothing much is at stake. Only that he might lose his job--but it's unclear how finding Rick will help him with that. He DID what he's accused of; the "struggle" between Ben and Rick is really forced and strained. And the "comaraderie" between the rommmates was painful. Their reactions were completely unrealistic. Ben had one tone: sarcastic. They were constantly having these conversations that would start as teasing and end "serious" yet it was never clear what had been said that was different than the 20 things said before. We know it's more serious because the other person is now angry. This book SHOULD have been about the inner workings of the Supreme Court--yet here it is just Ben's Job. It's only real use is so they can complain about being busy. At the end something truly horrific happens that they all forget about within a couple weeks. This book was severely amateurish. It had no right being published. I've read some real pulp in my time but rarely have I read an author with so little fundamental ability. I'm telling you, bad television is even written better than this.
Rating: 
Summary: Spoilt by annoying hero
Review: This is the second Meltzer novel I read in two weeks - I preferred 'The Millionaires' which has a better structure and some genuinely sympathetic characters. The problem I have with the Tenth Justice is the annoying 'hero' - Ben Addison. He is smug, self satisfied, unethical, arrogant, and is a pretty good example of why most people dislike lawyers. We are expected to sympathise with him while he gives the US Marshalls (admitted one was a 'baddie')plenty of lip yet they are merely investigating HIS dishonesty....His threatening the Marshalls with a harrasment writ was hilarious! Typical preppy big mouth thinking he rules the world - an odious little character. They would have crushed him in reality. Addison harps on about how smart and wonderful and clever he is and by the second half of the novel I found myself rooting for Rick - the villain - which is not a good sign. Aside for the unpalatable Ben and his equally conceited friends the plot is fast paced and I enjoyed the set-up and execution. I dont care if Meltzer took liberties with the realities of the Supreme Court - the story worked for me and held my attention. The one last problem I would mention is that we almost never see Justice Mason Hollis which given the setting is a bit weak. Enjoyable but damaged entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: MELTZER'S BEST
Review: I've read all of Brad Meltzer's books and this was my favorite. I would stick him in with Baldacci and Grisham as far as style, but his niche is DC politics. I raced through this book and looked forward to every sitting. This is set in the Supreme Court with two interns who find themselves manipulated into getting a ruling that favors... the bad guys. An outstanding read. I look forward to BM's next effort.
Rating: 
Summary: My Favorite Book Ever!!
Review: The character development is amazing! in a simple paperback bestsller kind of book like this? well in my opinion, it's true. the plot is also very good but the characters and how real they were to me is what made me realize how good of an author brad meltzer was. i read this book so fast because i couldnt wait to find out what happened but i was so sad when it was over and had to wait for his next book to come out. read it!
Rating:
Summary: juvenile dialog, but excellent plot
Review: I'm starting to get the impression that Mr Meltzer's books (I've read two so far) are full of unmarried, 20-something males who haven't matured, as evidenced by their sophomoric, and annoying banter. Even so, this book is far better than "The Millionaires" in that it has an engaging, and imaginative plot. Our hero, a young court clerk, is trapped after inadvertantly disclosing a Supreme Court verdict to an insider who stood to get financial gain. Afterwards, he is subject to blackmail, and sinks lower and lower, looking desparately for a way out of his quagmire. He thinks he can outsmart the bad guy, only to find out it gets worse the more he tries. About 2/3rds of the way through the book, I was dissappointed to discover which one of his circle of friends betrayed him (thought it would be held out to the end), but this was only the beginning of a series of stunning plot twists. Read past the juvenile dialog, and enjoy this thriller.
Rating:
Summary: The Hardy Boys in D.C.
Review: By page 30 I knew things weren't going to get any better. I wonder how it earned a review at all by Washington Post Book World. It's a real Junior High School BOOK OF THE MONTH. Guess I'll have to go back to the shelves.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I read Meltzer's First Counsel last year. It was good. The same cannot be said for The Tenth Justice. I found it disappointing and finished it only because I paid $$$ for it from a bargain bin.The story was predictable and unrealistic. I clerked for an appellate court judge. The first day you're on the job you are indoctrinated with the rule that everything is secret - - - what you see, what you hear, what you know. This rule looms over your throughout your clerkship. Therefore, from my perspective, Meltzer took an unrealistic route in setting up the plot. No real clerk would have ever done what the clerk in The Tenth Justice did. Also, after the breach in confidentiality took place, why did the clerk's friends become so involved in helping him? The clerk clearly was in the wrong and should have turned himself in immediately. I just didn't buy it. Regarding the ending, it was just too simple and neat. How the main character ended up in the position he did stretches the bounds of incredulity. Finally, I want to know: (1) how, in the midst of all the intrigue and plotting that went on, did the clerks have any time or focus to put into their jobs; and (2) where was the justice the clerks worked for - - - most appellate judges I know work day and night - - - this one apparently never was in the office and had little or no contact with his clerks.
Rating:
Summary: a waste of my brain cells
Review: one of the worst novels i've read in a long time and i read EVERYTHING. the only reason i even finished it was i was annoyed i'd spent 7.99 on it. the four male characters all seemed like the same person with different names. the plot was lame. the writing sophmoric or possibly freshman-level in high school.
they'll probably make it into a movie anyway but it's going to need a lot of work...
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