The One-Eyed Judge by Michael Ponsor

The authors note opens with Michael Ponsor stating that he has been a federal judge for more than thirty years and he tells how he has been in a small group of people allowed to view child pornography. He has had to view it within the circumstances that it leads to a criminal conviction. He goes on to say he wishes he was never put into the position of legally viewing it because of the heartbreaking representation of having to witness this disturbing matter. He says how these images linger in your mind illuminating evidence of our species at its worst. The defendants vary, some are vicious showing no regret and are predators. Some have been upstanding citizens of the community, some that are law abiding citizens drawn obsessively to this repulsive habit. Some are teenagers and students on the internet out of unhealthy curiosity. This novel includes chat-room material that he has seen as being a judge.

The book opens up with the FBI doing a sting catches an English College professor that has just received a DVD that the professor bought from a flyer from the FBI and paid for with his credit card. The judge named David S. Norcross who issued the search and arrest warrant is seeing Professor Claire Lindemann who is friends with Professor Cramer who was arrested. Judge Norcross brings up the fact that him and Claire witnessed the arrest and neither attorney thinks Judge Norcross should recuse himself of the case. The judge doesn't want to recuse himself from the case and dump it in another judge's lap. Meanwhile at a hearing the judge gets a phone call during court that his sister-in-law was killed in a plane crash and his brother is in bad shape.

The writing is very clever, in fact it is way above average. The material is not gratuitous. The author is very humble in that he says that he is sorry if the subject matter offends and he understands that it is not easy to read about child sexual abuse. It is not a subject that's easy to write or talk about or even think about. The author states that on the other hand we are learning that silence is false consolation and does little to help. I know that this author has written a book before this called "The Hanging Judge" that was very well reviewed and I plan on reading because this book was so well written. 5 stars! I hope this author continues to write because his work is so well written.

Thank you to Net Galley, the talented Michael Poinsor and the wonderful Publisher Open Road.

An interesting story with many threads that the author does a good job of tying together, Usually i like a lot of dialog but i found myself skimming the court procedural stuff.

This is a chilling tale that's intelligently-written and gut-wrenching in its ability to touch on every parent's worst nightmare. To be wrongly accused of the heinous crime of trafficking in child pornography, as was Professor Cranmer, has to be a living hell. How do you clear your name and regain trust of those closest to you when all signs point to your guilt? This is a harrowing tale of one man's battle against those very circumstances, and it'll hold your rapt attention from the first page to the end. Very highly recommended.

This book takes you directly into the courtroom and behind closed doors to the judges chambers. All of his thoughts, actions and conversations are transparent and on display. I have not read Judge Ponser's first novel featuring Judge Norcross, The Hanging Judge, but I plan to in the future. This novel eludes to a few key elements that I'm sure stem from the first novel, but this in no way detracts from the current novel's plot. The One-Eyed Judge can be read as a standalone novel, and I hope that Judge Ponser will continue this series in the future.

Judge Michael Ponsor writes "For more than thirty years, my position as a federal judge has placed me within a small cohort of people permitted to view child pornography legally, provided, of course, that the viewing occurs only in the context of a criminal prosecution. This novel, including the chat-room material, draws from my experience with these cases in federal court. I must beg pardon if this story leads readers down some of the darker passages that judges routinely travel. It is not easy to write or to read about child sexual abuse."

This book really contains four different storylines, two of which seem minimal at first. He delves into the judge's personal life quite a bit. Then there is a small subplot that involves the main FBI agent as he carries out a separate assignment. The storyline involving professor Cranmer's intern Libby and her boyfriend is entertaining, but it takes a sinister twist and gains importance as the plot unfolds. Overall the main focus is on the case against the professor and the players involved in it.

Ponsor provides lots of subtle foreshadowing throughout. Read carefully and collect the puzzle pieces along the way. They will all fit together in the end leading up to two shocking conclusions that show the beauty of the justice system in action, flawed as it may be.

I highly recommend this book to fans of legal thrillers, courtroom procedurals, and mysteries. Judge Ponsor's writing is top notch, and I look forward to future installments in this series. I received this as a free ARC from Open Road Integrated Media on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Judge Posner's second novel featuring western Massachusetts federal judge David Norcross delves into the trial of an Amherst professor, Sidney Cranmer, who is charged with obtaining and possessing child pornography. Cranmer's scholarly passion is Charles Dodgson, who wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland using the pseudonym of Lewis Carroll and was rumored to be a pedophile. Claire Lindemann, Norcross's love interest and a colleague of Cranmer is sure he has been wrongly accused and she works with the professors student intern whose own love life may have a bearing on the case. While the case drags on, David's life is complicated by a family tragedy that brings his two young nieces into his household.

The great appeal in Posner's legal thrillers is not action but rather the examination of law and how it is administered. His sympathetic characters are thoughtful and examine ethics as well as law but the miscreants are not nearly as well developed. All in all this is an entertaining and thought provoking read.

“The One-Eyed Judge” is the second book of Michael Ponser’s that I’ve read. I’ve admired his talent for storytelling, as well as his adroit indoctrination into the judicial world. I’ve known many judges and have found them to be men and women of immense integrity, intelligence, and serious advocates for lawful behavior in this disheveled world of ours. I’d imagine this author, in his real life as a judge in the US District Court system, has these same qualities based on what I’ve read and interpreted from his writing.

The protagonist, David Norcross, the one-eyed judge in the title (although it’s not because he’s missing an eye) is also an honorable man, dedicated to fulfilling his duties with impeccable behavior. It’s not always easy, as the author repeatedly demonstrates, but Norcross does it as best he can, while suffering through self-doubts and uncertainties. And we, the readers, get particularly involved with the subject matter of this novel, child pornography. It’s an ugly topic that usually repulses most of us. Judge Norcross gets involved in the case before his court that will test all his patience and moral fortitude. Ponsor’s descriptions, while graphic, are illuminating, are important to the story.

There’s an interesting side to the story as well. The fictional accused pornographer, Professor Sidney Cranmer, is enamored by the real life behavior of nineteenth century Oxford mathematics professor Charles Dodgson, aka author Lewis Carroll, whose odd behavior and obsession with very young girls has been bandied about for many years. Certain drawings and photographs originally belonging to Lewis, now allegedly possessed by Cranmer, are an integral part of the case. The author interestingly outlines their history.

Ponser takes the many characters involved in the multi-layered novel and presents them clearly and with great authenticity. Each person is integral to the story. None except judge Norcross, is particularly likeable. Norcross’ lady friend, a seriously disjointed woman who can’t get her head straight, seems an unlikely companion for the judge, and plays an important part in Norcross’ conflicts. An intense federal investigator also adds interest.

I highly recommend this book.

Enjoyable read, sensitive subject.. Realistic characters that that produce a true court room setting. .
Would read more from this author.