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The #1 Lawyer  By  cover art

The #1 Lawyer

By: James Patterson, Nancy Allen
Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
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Publisher's summary

Biloxi’s best criminal defense attorney has never lost a case. Then his client’s beautiful wife is murdered, and America’s #1 lawyer suddenly becomes its #1 suspect.

Stafford Lee Penney is a small-town lawyer with a big-time reputation for winning every case he tries. In his sharp suits and polished Oxford shoes, Penney is Biloxi, Mississippi’s #1 Lawyer and top local celebrity.

Just as Penney notches his latest courtroom victory, his wife is scandalously killed. He spirals into a legal and personal losing streak, damaging his reputation and ruining his career.

That’s when Penney makes a bold decision. He stops trading on his power-lawyer identity and creates a new one: lawyer lifeguard. Moonlighting at the beach, showing up to court in flip-flops, mentoring a law student, the new Penney is at first unrecognizable.

It’s said that a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client. But when Penney is accused of murder, the #1 Lawyer will find a way to triumph.

©2024 James Patterson and Nancy Allen (P)2024 Little, Brown & Company

Critic reviews

“Excellent legal drama… Courtroom scenes are top-notch, and Patterson & Allen have once again hit a home run.”—Red Carpet Crash

"Patterson knows how to entertain readers ... [will] keep your head spinning right up until the end."—Bookreporter

What listeners say about The #1 Lawyer

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

Legal book

A good listen. Was a bit slow, but there were 2 trials and an usual finish

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Mississippi Law has a type

Good story great narration. Succinct story, great plot with lots of plot twists that held my attention. I loved the character arch, just when you thought he was done he was able to pull through and move on to the next level of life’s mayhems.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Finally an excellent “Patterson” lent name book!

Many of the books released in past years with Patterson as a co-author were clearly not written with much, if any input from Patterson. I don’t know if Nancy Allen wrote most of this book , or all of it, but it’s a winner! Interesting plot, great narration ( so glad narrator didn’t use a phony, syrupy Mississippi accent🥖), and a surprise ending. One note, ending was somewhat spoiled by another reviewer who revealed they figured out whodunit, and proceeded to give the name. Shame on them!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Suspense didn’t know who was involved into the end

I loved all of it couldn’t stop listening it keep me guessing right to the very end

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

the whole shoe being on the other foot premise

I Iiked the book and enjoyed the narration. The book was well written and engaging for readers.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Read

I really enjoyed this one at first I thought it was moving slow but then the twist and turns began and the story took off

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Like he used to write.

Like the old Patterson. Compelling story, I couldn’t stop listening. Didn’t love the reader, but he grew on me.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Story good. Narrator not

Listening would be much better if narrator used Southern accent. The story was set in Mississippi and characters were native Mississippi. Narrator sounded like he had never been to Mississippi.

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Don’t Hesitate! Get this now!

This is my first James Patterson book, and holy moly, I’m about to start binging his books! This was a great book! And, the narrator did PHENOMENAL!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Awesome!!!

Plot twists and turns were great! One of Patterson’s best books yet in my opinion. Loved the book!

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