A True Verdict, a review by Sherry

A True Verdict
Robert Rotstein

352 pages/8 hours 31 minutes
Blackstone Publishing/Blackstone Audio
published January 14, 2025

Amazon | Goodreads

You guys. This could be ripped from the headlines. It had me wondering if I was reading fiction or nonfiction.

The reader is dropped into a jury room at the start of deliberations and learns of the happenings of the case and trial based on their discussions.

I’ve been reading a lot of books lately that are new but I feel I’ve read before. This felt fresh. It’s a twist on the courtroom drama.

You get to know the players and realize how much their lives and moods play a part. The chapters represent someone in the trial and instead of using their name as a heading, it’s their job. Emphasizing how much the jurors are a part of it.

And those twists! Just when you think you are reading to find out what they determine, wham.

While I started out thinking 12 Angry Men, this had some pretty timely issues. It will have me thinking the next time a see the outcome of a trial.

Time has been a little short for me lately so I read when I could and listened when that worked better. They went all out with the audio with a full cast that really brought the story above and beyond. The voices spot on matched the characters and made it easy to follow. Sometimes listens with this many characters become a little tedious keeping track of them all but I had no problem.

If you are a fan of the OG courtroom drama with a little bit of a modern twist, this needs to be on your tbr.