JUDGMENT is a bit of a stretch. I will admit that judges can be bought and blackmailed--but this story seems beyond the pale. If a judge is going to be foolish enough to have a one night stand--why, pray tell, does she not have it in her own room.
The conspiracies nestled within conspiracies like Russian nesting dolls are more annoying than intriguing. I wish I cared more for Juliana Brody or her husband or her son. They are characters in search of a sympathetic reader.

Judgement by Joseph Finder is a combination of a legal and personal thriller. Juliana, a sensible obeyer of rules, honest Superior Court Judge is trapped and blackmailed by a ruthless Russian organization. She risks her life and places her friends and family in danger as she travels down a path to destroy her blackmailers.
I had trouble really getting involved in Juliana's story but as I read more the tension increased. I was drawn into her story and determined to find out what would happen to her and her family. I recommend this book to everyone who likes a thrilling mystery.

Thank you to the Penguin Group and Netgalley for a chance to preview this title. Joseph Finder opens this thriller explosively and with intrigue, one of the best beginnings I’ve read in a long time. Judge Juliana Brody doesn’t think much about having a one-night stand while at a conference in Chicago. Then her partner in lust shows up in her courtroom and everything goes sideways.

I’ve always enjoyed Finder’s books. In this one he inserts some political references that mirror what’s happening in our current political landscape. Honestly, I read to get away from what’s actually going on, so this bothered me a little.

However, the writing was taut and smooth. The characters all had their individual idiosyncrasies and home life went on for Juliana even while she was in the throes of mental torture.

A good read, nonetheless. I highly recommend this title. My issues are just my own.

Who is Joseph Finder anyway and has he ever written a bad book? In a digital book world of same old same old here comes another well written and unique story about how one mistake IS NEVER JUST ONE. I love everything this guy or whomever it is writes! Rock on and FIND (EAR) a great story here!!1

Joseph Finder is a widely read author in the thriller genre and "Judgement' does not disappoint. I found this book compelling and I highly recommend it.

Juliana Brody is a judge in Boston and is sitting on a demanding case: a uber-like startup, Breezi, is being sued for sexual harassment by a former female employee. While at a law conference, Juliana makes a bad decision and sleeps with a man who unknown to her is working for Breezi. Their rendezvous is videotaped and Breezi threaten to expose her if she does not rule favorably in the case. The blackmail takes a new dimension when she discovers that the Russian mafia are the real owners of Breezi. Does she compromise her principles and give in to the threats to her and her family, or does she resist?

Juliana is a complex character; a wife, mother, judge and plain determined woman. She does not give in to some really scary people and tries to disentangle herself for the web of blackmail around her. A strong woman character, Juliana is really threatened; so much so that I winced at times at what a bad position she was in. This book will grab you and not let go. Highly recommended. 5/5 stars. Read this and other reviews of upcoming books at bookgeist.blogspot.com.

Juliana Brody a judge with the Superior court of Massachusetts is at a convention in Chicago. She is rumored to be in contention for the Federal court and perhaps in the future the Supreme court. She is a woman that is good at her job and very serious about her reputation taking great care with decisions rendered and treatment of both defense and prosecution in each case. While at the bar in the hotel she is staying at she meets a man that attracts her. He is sincere, seemingly honest and in a moment of temporary weakness Juliana enters into a night of pleasure. After the fact both she and the man agree that this can never happen again.
Back home in Boston Juliana is presiding over a case involving a lawsuit by a woman against the company she was working for and one that is receiving national attention. Shortly after the trial begins and like a bolt out of the blue the man she was with in Chicago appears and seats himself with the defense for the company involved with the litigation. Later meeting with the man she is shown a video delineating her Chicago indiscretion and told that it will be made public unless she finds for the company against the woman suing them for wrongful sexual behavior.
Events swiftly become enlarged and Juliana feels trapped by the circumstances not knowing what to do. She is threatened with much more than the damning film and finds that her family is also in the bulls eye of those that are attempting to influence the trial's verdict. Her desperation brings in possible help from influential friends, a private detective and a blow out fight with her husband. Finally Juliana comes to the realization that in order to fight fire one must use fire. This realization sets up a perfect ending for the book.

Mr Finder is a master craftsman within the literary world and "Judgement" is certainly a prime example of his talent. No, you can't put the book down before the ending and the only problem with reading Joseph Finder's books is that after they are read one has to wait for the next one.

I was amazed at both how much I enjoyed this book as well as how incredibly topical it is. It is the story of Judge Juliana Brody, a judicial star whose life was upended by the mistake of sleeping with a stranger. This proves to be the catalyst for the rest of this totally engrossing thriller.

That night becomes her KOMPROMAT, as her life is swallowed by threats from the Russian MAFIYA, demanding that she must obey their wishes or she and her family will be murdered. So much like the stories that we are now seeing investigated by Robert Mueller. During this ME TOO year, the case in question is one that involves sexual harassment in a company controlled by Russians.

Finder creates a totally enthralling story with a heroine, who is brilliant, cunning and fearless. Of course there are moments when we must strain credulity, but I was so engrossed, I barely noticed these moments. I confess that I could not put this book down.

This is simply a terrific read and one which truly resonates at this moment. Thank you NETGALLEY for the opportunity of reading this very enjoyable novel.