The #1 Lawyer features Stafford Lee Penney, new character in the James Patterson publishing juggernaut. Penney is a lawyer in a small town whose reputation for winning is well-known throughout the state of Mississippi. In fact, the defense attorney has never lost a trial. 

After his latest win leaves him feeling a little off-kilter, things start going from bad to worse. A murder-suicide knocks his world off of its axis and he falls into a downward spiral that he might not have recovered from, if not for his closest friends. While Stafford Lee starts to slowly put his life back together, the hits just keep on coming.

I enjoyed the fast pace of the story, which is by now almost a standard in any James Patterson storyline. I struggled a bit staying engaged in the middle of the novel, but once the action picked back up, I was very interested to learn what exactly was going on and who was really behind all of the damage being done in Biloxi. Learning who was behind the last murder was a shocker, but it felt rushed, and was worthy of many more pages than it got. The #1 Lawyer reminds readers of the racial disparities still occurring throughout much of the country, and how differently murder victim cases can be treated based on the race of the victim. This is an important reminder that not all is equal, especially in certain states. It would have added another degree of interest to do more with this storyline in the novel; it felt like a missed opportunity that it was not explored in more detail.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5/5)

This was a great legal thriller, that felt like I was reading a John Grisham courtroom saga. It reminded me of A Time to Kill, because of the storyline and racial tension. Thanks for the ARC.

It's been a while since I've read a good murder mystery/legal thriller/courtroom drama, all of which I highly enjoy. This Southern tale takes place in Biloxi where a highly regarded doctor is on trial for murder although the crimes and mysteries hardly stop there. Stafford Lee Penney, the attorney defending the doctor soon finds himself struggling to maintain his winning reputation and keep his head above water as more crimes come to light and more mysteries unfold. This book was reminiscent of Grisham in his earlier years. I hope this is not the last we see of Stafford Lee as I really enjoyed this character. My thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I’ve been a James Patterson fan for years and this has to go in my top ten of favorites ever! A startling new set of characters and a storyline that kept me thinking even what I wasn’t reading. I turned the pages so fast it was crazy! Loved it and hoping maybe it becomes a series! Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this early copy for read and review

I’m a lawyer, and I approve this book. Exciting, twisty, turbulent. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. It’s been a while since I picked up a James Patterson book, now I’m excited to go back and read some of his collabs from the past few years.

The #1 Lawyer by James Patterson and Nancy Allen has characters that are quick to become your new acquaintances. Their journey through solving this mystery pulls you into the story.

If asked whether I was a fan of James Patterson’s books, my first response would be “no.” I, was happy to give his #1 Lawyer a try, especially since it was offered to me in exchange for my honest review. (Thank you Little Brown and NetGalley!)

No Alex Cross this time…instead it is Stafford Lee Penney, flashy attorney in Mississippi. Wait, is this Grisham? Greg Iles? Robert Bailey? All have the whole Southern “justice” thing working well for them…how could this be different?

Well, for starters, he is no longer a big flashy guy with a gorgeous wife and gazillion dollar suits. His wife has been killed, and he has decided to become the “lawyer lifeguard.” Sort of like the Lincoln Lawyer goes to the beach, He mentors a law student and struggles to find a way to redeem himself after he sort of self-sabotages his career.

It’s an enjoyable read. Not sure I will seek out any sequels, but it is fine. I might just be a ghost writer bigot, and I definitely like to support original mysteries written by authors who get away from their regular storylines. But Nancy Allen's name is right there on the cover, so she's not much of a "ghost." Three and a half stars, can’t decide whether to round up or down, but since I always had a reputation as an easy grader, I will go four. And good for you, Nancy Allen, for your portion of this work. (Wish I knew how much is yours and how much is JP’s)

This book was just okay. It felt like it drug on and on to me, definitely not as fast paced as other books. The main character isn't very likable. There are a couple of good plot twists that does keep you into it until the end. But, really kind of disappointing.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.

As always James Patterson does not disappoint on this book.
This book grips you from page one and dies t let go till the final word is read.
It’s fast paced and just plain great.
Good characters.
Great writing.
Great story as always with a Patterson book.

Like so many other James Patterson books, this book was un-put-downable ! I devoured the story in less than a day, and loved the twist, and turns along the way!

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an Advanced Digital Copy of The #1 Lawyer by James Patterson and Nancy Allen. I really enjoyed this story of an undefeated lawyer who finds himself down on his luck and works his way back! Great story and really enjoyed it!

This is a wonderful thriller. The characters were all well developed and interesting - even if not all of them were lovable. The plot captivated me from the first page and had me reading all day. There were plenty of twists and turns in this story, it made for an exciting read. This may be one of Patterson's best works yet.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Another winner from one of my all time favourite authors, James Patterson. From start to finish, I was completely absorbed in this story. A legal thriller set in Biloxi, say no more!! I do hope this is the start of a new series as these characters, especially Stafford Lee, got into my heart.

Stafford Lee Penney is a lawyer in Mississippi and he never loses. Everyone wants his services, he cannot put a foot wrong. Until his estranged wife is murdered, and he becomes the number one suspect. A life changing moment, he will never be the same again.

There is so much going on in this story that I just want you to read it for yourselves. To those who have no read a Patterson books yet (and I am shaking my head at you all!) you need to pick this up. It is full of compelling courtroom scenes, corruption, murder, friendship and heart. Stafford Lee is a character that you just want to see succeed.

I. cannot recommend this book enough. Thank you so much to Little, Brown Company for my advanced copy of this book to read. Always an absolute joy to get early copies from a favourite author. Published on March 18th, get yourself a copy, you won’t regret it.

I've found I can't lose with a James Patterson book. This one is co-authored by Nancy Allen and is a tense, gripping legal drama - reminded me much of a John Grisham novel, it's that good.

Description:
Move over, John Grisham! Here’s the fastest, sharpest legal thriller in years. Biloxi’s best criminal defense attorney becomes the nation’s prime suspect when his wife is murdered. He’s never lost a case, but can he win when he’s presumed guilty?

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 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’s accused of murder, the #1 Lawyer will find a way to triumph.

My Thoughts:
This is a truly great legal thriller with dramatic courtroom scenes and lots of avenues to pursue. Stafford Lee is a fascinating protagonist, but he has his flaws and as the story moves along this becomes personal and then he ends up getting charged with a murder. And wow! He decides to represent himself at trial? No attorney would do that would they? My eyes were glued to page and I raced through this fast-paced, exciting book. Then the ending was totally unexpected! I highly recommend this to anyone who likes legal drama. I hope this becomes a series as I would like more of Stafford Lee. James Patterson is an exceptional story teller.

Thanks to Little, Brown and Company through Netgalley for an advance copy. Expected publication on March 18, 2024.

Payback can be a you-know-what. Nobody knows that better than hotshot Mississippi defense attorney Stafford Lee Penney, when he finds himself on the receiving end after his latest courtroom win that means a suspected murderer walks out a free man. Shortly thereafter, he becomes the primary suspect in the murder of his estranged wife Carrie Ann and the man found beside her in her bed, and he has a new client to save - himself. But if he didn't do it, who did?

Finding out is a monumental undertaking that's fraught with danger, but Stafford Lee has a great team to help him including his lawyer friend Mason Burnett and investigator Jenny Glaser. But first, he's got to get his own act together; devastated by Carrie Ann's death, his work ethic and personal life take a nosedive all the way to the beach, where he's forced to take a job as a lifeguard just to make ends meet. Along that path, he finds a law student named Rue, who's the sister of one of his former clients; she interns at his office and crashes at his place at night.

As the investigation progresses, several anomalies turn up as part of the police investigation of Carrie Ann's murder. Stafford Lee and his cohorts are threatened (and worse), and then another person related to Stafford Lee's original case turns up dead. Forget Carrie Ann, the police say, claiming they have an abundance of evidence to prove Stafford Lee is the culprit in the more recent murder. He's arrested, charged and hauled into court for what will be the trial of his life.

Despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Stafford Lee, of course, doesn't buy his own guilt - nor do his office colleagues. So the race is on to at the very least find evidence that will give the jury reasonable doubt. Doing that means pretty much nonstop action, with at least one gobsmacking surprise along the way. Definitely a fun read, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Stafford Lee Penney is a small-town lawyer with a big reputation for being unstoppable in court. He wins every case he tries, but also represents some scum. After trying a case that proved to be almost too much to handle, he finds himself caught up in the judicial world-but on the wrong side. Penney shifted from top lawyer-to top suspect-in the crime of murder. Of his own wife.

After the dust settles from being the number one suspect, Penney decides to trade his suit for some flip-flops and become a lifeguard on the side. He starts to create a new identity-moonlighting at the beach, drinking himself into alcoholism, and mentoring a law student that's the sister of one of his clients. He is not who he once was, and everyone around him notices.

Somehow, Penney gets wrapped up into another criminal case when his former client's wife is murdered. One of those closest to him gets wrangled into the case-and so does Penney. Will he be able to fight for their life and make it out to see the other side? It's hard to be on the other side of the law.

As all James Patterson books are-this was no different-it was awesome. You root for Penney to turn his life around and start doing something good with his life. You want to see him represent the good guys-and eventually he has to. By representing himself. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that loves crime/courtroom drama thrillers.

Stafford Lee Penney is the #1 lawyer in Biloxi, MS. He’s never lost a case. His current case involves a doctor accused of murder. The doctor’s father is associated with the Dixie Mafia and expects Stafford Lee to win the case. Or else. Stafford Lee will be glad when this case is over. When his estranged wife is found murdered in their bed with another man, Stafford Lee goes on a downhill spiral. When the doctor’s wife is found murdered, somehow the evidence leads to Stafford Lee, and he’s accused of the crime. His friends Jenny, a PI, and Mason, a lawyer, attempt to uncover evidence to prove Stafford Lee’s innocence. Will they succeed?

A fast-paced legal thriller with twists and turns, tragedy, and a surprise I didn’t see coming at the end.

Another great Patterson thriller! When the number 1 lawyer in Mississippi finds himself in the middle of the trial of the century will he be able to prove his innocence? A fast paced twisted story with thrills around every corner. An ending you think you expect that turns you on your head!

There is a fresh voice in southern legal thrillers. James Patterson and Nancy Allen's "The #1 Lawyer" hits all the right notes with its gripping narrative centered around Stafford Lee Penney, a formidable defense attorney in Biloxi. The story launches with Penney defending a renowned OB/GYN accused of a heinous crime, but the stakes skyrocket when Penney himself becomes a suspect in a chilling murder case. As the plot unfolds, readers are swept into a whirlwind of suspense and intrigue, rooting for Penney and his steadfast allies as they untangle a web of deception and danger. With its breakneck pace and deeply drawn characters, this novel is a captivating page-turner from start to finish. Patterson and Allen showcase their mastery once again, leaving readers eagerly awaiting Penney's next chapter. A heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for delivering this electrifying read.

Stafford Lee Penney is on a winning streak. He hasn't lost a case and seems to be the darling of the towh. He is currently rerepsenting an OB/GYN accused of killing a woman who was his mistress. Things are even more dire when it comes out that she was pregnant with Dr. Caro's child. Stafford's personal life wasn't going all that well though. His wife seems to be of the impression that he is always lying. Turns out she had some skeletons lurking around in her closet as well. Jenny and Mason, his BFF's since childhood, are always trying to help him. They really step in when Stafford is at his lowest. He does his best to turn his life around after it takes a dramatic turn downward. He has to pull himself back up and he begins to slowly accomplish that. The town of Biloxi, Mississippi comes off as small-minded and quick to make decisions despite what the facts may show. It was interesting to see how unsolved homicides that appear to be connected don't get investigated like they should have. It also was interesting that the police seemed to feel that they could trample on the rights without any fear of pushback. Stafford Lee Penney needed to thank his stars that Jenny was like a dog with a bone when it came to finding out the truth of what was really going on. There were a few twists and turns in this book that helped to keep my interest. I did find the book very entertaining and enjoyed it. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.