Judge Stone

A Novel

#1 New York Times Bestseller!

Read by Academy Award–winning actress Viola Davis.

“Davis is a force of nature, and her performance is riveting.” — Kirkus Reviews

Viola Davis and the world's #1 bestselling author James Patterson’s Judge Stone "delivers first-class courtroom drama, small-town excitement, and strong characters all wrapped in a moral dilemma. Tense, readable, and relevant.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

“Talk about a power combo! ... With Davis’s razor-sharp emotional insight and Patterson’s mastery of rocket-fuel pacing, this is the dream team to deliver an up-all-night read that will keep the group chat buzzing.” —Oprah Daily

“Wonderfully satisfying ... This legal thriller from [a] superstar duo ... demands attention from its opening pages and never lets go.” —Booklist, starred review

All rise... for Judge Stone.

The most respected citizen in Union Springs, Alabama (population 3,314), is Judge Mary Stone. She holds two responsibilities sacred: running her family farm and presiding over her courtroom. It's there she draws the most controversial case in the history of the South.

Criminally, it’s open-and-shut.

Ethically, there is no middle ground. Essentially, it’s a choice between life and death.

No judge can satisfy everyone. It would be dangerous to try. But Judge Stone is willing to fight to bring justice to the people and place she loves.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Twists abound... The Davis-Patterson collaboration delivers first-class courtroom drama, small-town excitement, and strong characters all wrapped in a moral dilemma. Tense, readable, and relevant.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Talk about a power combo! … With Davis’s razor-sharp emotional insight and Patterson’s mastery of rocket-fuel pacing, this is the dream team to deliver an up-all-night read that will keep the group chat buzzing.”—Oprah Daily

"Wonderfully satisfying … This legal thriller from [a] superstar duo … demands attention from its opening pages and never lets go.”—Booklist (starred review)

“A stunning, powerful and incendiary courtroom thriller. Impossible to put down.”—Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of All the Colors of the Dark

“Gripping, tense, heart-wrenching, timely and so, so important. I read it in one sitting. This is a story that everyone will be talking about in 2026, and I can’t wait to see it brought to life on screen.”—Ruth Mancini, bestselling author of The Woman on the Ledge

“Judge Stone is thrilling, compelling. Every character has a story.”—Andy Cohen, SiriusXM Radio

It’s good… But it’s no To Kill a Mockingbird

Let me start with Viola Davis. I don’t know how much of this book Davis actually wrote. And generally, I don’t like authors who read their own books. But Miss Davis did a great job on this book. As to the book itself, the courtroom scenes were excellent, but I’m really having trouble accepting the ending. Can’t go farther without a spoiler.

I love when the author reads!

I love Patterson, but the combined with Davis was wonderful!!! The imagery made me feel like I was living in this town. The audio version had me entranced like I was listening to Davis’ truth.

The narrative performance

I loved this book! Once I started listening I couldn’t stop. It was a thrilling story from beginning to end.

Violas reading made a superb story come to a very believable true life happening.

Nothing to dislike. Very engaging until the last twist is revealed. Highest recommendations to anyone looking for a sure bet good read.

Excellent performance

I liked the story line. I couldn't stop listening. I listened to it twice. A keeper.