Judge Stone, James Patterson
Judge Stone, James Patterson
12 Rating(s)
List: $27.99 | Sale: $19.59
Club: $13.99

Judge Stone
A Novel

Bestseller

Author: James Patterson, Viola Davis

Narrator: Viola Davis

Unabridged: 11 hr 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/09/2026

Synopsis

#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 ReviewsViola 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.

About James Patterson

James Patterson is a world-renowned mystery writer that has dominated the New York Times Bestseller list for decades. In fact, he holds the New York Times AND Guinness records for most best-selling, hardcover, fiction titles by a single author, an astonishing accomplishment of 76! Patterson is possible best known for his Alex Cross series, which has held the top selling detective series for the past ten years. His books have sold approximately 300 million copies worldwide and he is the first author to achieve ten million eBook sales. There have been nine files - seven made for TV movies and three major motion pictures that were adapted from Patterson novels. Unlike many of his counterparts, Patterson is a fan of collaboration and works with several ghostwriters and co-authors to keep the mysteries coming for his demanding readers. While he has received his share of criticism for this practice, it hasn't mattered to his devoted following and as he continues to top the charts with each new release. In addition to adult novels, Patterson has recently become the bestselling author for the young adult and middle grade categories.

Patterson is also well known for his philanthropy. The James Patterson Teach Education Scholarship has been established to support the next generation of teachers at 19 different universities across the country. Patterson co-hosts a webcast with Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade. ONE ON ONE: Fundamentals with Dwyane Wade and James Patterson highlights the importance of reading for success in life. He also has a website dedicated to helping parents and educators ignite the reading spark in students. The website has specific book recommendations aimed towards the child's ability. ReadKiddoRead.com also features book reviews, messages from James, a Facebook community, and contributions from other authors and celebrities that believe in the power of reading.

James Patterson was born March 22, 1947 in New York and graduated summa cum laude from Manhattan College with a B.A. in English, and summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University with an M.A. in English. He has won multiple awards for his work and has entertained and inspired millions. Patterson can occasionally be seen guest starring as himself on an episode on NBC's 'Castle'. He has a wife, Susan and a son, Jack an currently resides in Palm Beach, Florida.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Laura on February 27, 2026

Women, I am tired of being tired Judge Stone is about an emotionally charged, high-profile case in a small Southern town that threatens to destroy the reputation of the respected Judge Mary Stone. I asked for a book to be cinematic and that’s exactly what I got! From page one I was immersed into this......more

Goodreads review by Hades on March 17, 2026

Huge thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio/ Little, Brown & Paper Company for an ALC of Judge Stone by James Patterson & Viola Davis  I've never been a gambler but I think it's time I buy a Lotto ticket. First we had Nicholas Sparks with M. Night Shyamalam and NOW, WE HAVE JAMES PATTERSON AND QUE......more

Goodreads review by Lindsay L on March 12, 2026

5 stars! Loved this! Fantastic audio! Review to come…......more

Goodreads review by Mandy on March 14, 2026

Judge Stone is brilliant! i know that I am always gushing about James Patterson books but when the man himself says it is one of his best books you better believe him. What a combination with the incredible Viola Davis, who also narrates and brings Judge Mary Stone to life. I can absolutely see this......more

Goodreads review by Tini on March 12, 2026

Justice set in Stone. Set in the (real) small Alabama town of Union Springs - population less than 3,5000 -, Judge Stone follows Judge Mary Stone, a woman who balances two deeply rooted responsibilities: presiding over her courtroom and running her family farm. When she's faced with the most controve......more

Quotes

"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

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