The Verdict

By: Nick Stone

Narrated by: David Thorpe

Length: 21 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

When Terry Flynt gets the chance to defend a millionaire accused of murder, he knows the case could make his career - but the accused man is Flynt's greatest enemy. Can he defend a man who ruined his life?

Terry Flynt is a struggling legal clerk desperately trying to get promoted when he is given the biggest opportunity of his career: to help defend a millionaire accused of murdering a woman in his hotel suite. The only problem is that the accused man, Vernon James, is not only someone he knows but someone he loathes. This case could potentially make Terry's career, but how can he defend a former friend who betrayed him?

With the trial date looming, Terry delves deeper into Vernon's life and is forced to confront secrets from their shared past that could have devastating consequences for them both. For years, he has wanted to witness Vernon's downfall, but with so much at stake, how can Terry be sure he is guilty? And what choices must he make to ensure that justice is done?

©2015 Nick Stone (P)2015 ISIS Audio Books

Critic reviews

"David Thorpe dazzles with his performance.... [T]he characters run the gamut from upper-crust Brits to African immigrants, and Thorpe can do it all.... This production is jet-propelled and marvelously entertaining." (AudioFile)

Karma Baby

I have joined the list of happy listeners who gave this book 5 stars plus! Having listened to or read many legal thrillers- many disappoint or have neat endings. This one is different. The plot is full of interesting twists and turns, the characters are multidimensional and the ending is not trite. I found myself taking the long way home in the car just to get more listening time in. You will not be disappointed in this book, it’s worth every minute of your listening time and your money.

All the five star reviews are well merited

Great books can be ranked as "all in one sitting" books, "stayed up all night to finish" books, and "called in sick to work books." This is the latter.

After a run of mysteries, so-called thrillers, and legal dramas filled with unattractive characters and plots both holey and overblown, this was a real find - thank you Ted and R. Pontiflet for your recommendations.

There are more than enough flawed characters to go around, including but far from limited to the accused and the protagonist, quite a few "why in heavens is he doing that?" moments, a bit more brooding by the protagonist than I really like, moves I was second-guessing as trial techniques, and lots of rather improbable coincidences, but it all works, and adds up to a great listen - oh, and yes, the reader made it all the better.

Just too long

What did you like best about The Verdict? What did you like least?

I listened to the whole thing, so I clearly liked it. The narration was flawless. It was just too bloody long, and the ending really didn't satisfy the investment.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Meh

Which character – as performed by David Thorpe – was your favorite?

Terry, of course.

Did The Verdict inspire you to do anything?

Nope

I didn't care for the victim mentality

Any additional comments?

If I had it to do over, I wouldn't listen to this one. Don't waste your credit.

6 stars if that were an option

Incredible. From the very beginning, there was not one single slow spot and not one place where I thought, 'Good grief. This didn't need to be a 21-hour book.' It needed every minute and I don't think a single word or scene was unnecessary. I wish this guy had about 10 more books for me to buy because I would. And David Thorpe was superb.

Engrossing

What made the experience of listening to The Verdict the most enjoyable?

The characters were so believable. Nobody was perfect, even the "good guys." Great understanding by the author.

What other book might you compare The Verdict to and why?

I bought this book because a review mentioned John Grisham. And yes, it reminds me of a John Grisham book but perhaps more involved.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked when the main character finally went back home. He made more sense when I met his family. But that actually was one of many scenes that was a favorite.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Does finishing it count (?) because I wanted to know the conclusion, but I didn't want the book to end!

Any additional comments?

This is the first book I have read/listened to by Nick Stone. He is an excellent writer. I also very much enjoyed the narrator...very talented.

Great story

Really liked the writing and story line. Well worth the listen. Sex, violence, betrayal, redemption. What could be better!

A long winding winner!

This book is a pleasure, as its intricate plot is as good as the workings of a Swiss watch. The narrator is so talented with his voices, male and female he's second only to Jim Dale.
Prepare to be stuck in your own driveway, still listening while your family looks out the window and wonders why you're not coming in!

Best story I've heard in years

This was an awesomely well written and well preformed book. I finished it in record time because I didn't want to turn it off.

Loved the legal parts

And the main character. I did think it was a tad long with much more entanglements than I cared to keep up with. The legal perspective was great and I was intrigued with the murder.