Book Review: The Justice Game
Was it the ?inspired by actual events?? Or, was it the fact that the issue personally hit home with the author? Or, could it have been that readers actually decided the ending?
I am not sure which of these, perhaps all three, created an anxious desire in me to read Randy Singer?s newest novel ?The Justice Game?.
The story begins with the cold blooded killing of Rachel Crawford, a television news reporter. In a Virginia Beach news studio, just before Rachel can deliver her report on the evening news, a deranged killer, Larry Jamison barges into the studio killing at will on his path to his intended victim, Rachel Crawford. Jamison is killed by the SWAT team that arrives but not before Rachel Crawford dies while the camera?s roll.
What follows is the focus of the novel. Two ambitious attorney?s arguing one of the hottest issues of our day, gun control.
Jason Noble, ambition and audacious at times, defends MD Firearms in a lawsuit brought against them by Rachel Crawford?s husband. The plaintiff?s attorney, Kelly Starling, is equally ambitious. Apart from the competing lawyers positioning themselves to further their careers, much is at stake when the final decision is rendered.
There is the matter of ?shadow juries? such as the multi-million dollar company called ?Justice Inc?, which has a great deal at stake in Crawford v MD Firearms. The questionable history of both attorney?s open the door to black mail, kidnapping, and even murder from the choices they?ve made. All make this a great legal thriller.
Why are legal thrillers so appealing? My answer would be that I simply enjoy a great whodunnit. The novels I?ve enjoyed most were those that present a unique plot with believable characters, uncommon and interesting approaches to the justice system, and the wisdom to overcome to the end. In this novel, Randy Singer has accomplished this and added the aspect of shadow juries to an already polarizing political topic.
Many know Randy Singer to be a Christian and would anticipate (if not expect), a one-sided storyline when dealing with such a volital topic. Not true in this novel. The reader is presented with facts of a case, prompting one to at least consider the opposing viewpoint. It is a very fair account accentuating the appeal of both sides fairly.
Responding to a question of how do you reconcile being a Christian and a lawyer, Randy Singer responded ?I had to trust God to bring the cases to me that I should handle?. With that same wisdom and before he wrote the ending of ?The Justice Game?, Randy Singer prepared a video of closing arguments and allowed his readers to decide the verdict, in effect allowing the ending to be written by his readers. A very interesting and engaging way for a writer to end his novel.
I recommend this work highly for characters, the plot, and the unique engagement of the reader and the sincere faith aspect woven throughout the storyline. A great read for us who enjoy legal thrillers and a blessing as well because the reader does not have to endure profanity or vulgarity.
Keiki Hendrix
Vessel Project Book Reviewer
http://vesselproject.wordpress.com
