This was pretty predictable, I read about half of it and just couldn't get to the finish line.. Its hard to stand out in the genre and this one didn't do it for me. Sorry to say. Theres nothing I enjoy more than finding a new writer

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for giving me a sneak peek at this title which debuts in October. David Sullinger is on trial for murder, after sinking an axe into his wife’s skull. Was it murder or self-defense? Having been on a jury, the glimpse it gives you into the deliberation room is spot on. However, it takes a very skilled author to tell a compelling story using only one setting and several characters. By a trial’s nature, they are boring and tedious. I found myself skipping large passages to get to the exciting parts. I also didn’t understand what a jury consultant was and why one would be on a jury. If you like to glimpse into the backstory of what goes on during a murder trial, this book is for you.

A lot can happen between two people when they have been married 21 years, but exactly one day prior to their anniversary David kills his wife Amanda with an axe to the head. Their two children told inconsistent stories about their parents relationship and the context of the killing. Was it cold blooded murder or self defense from years of spousal abuse at the hands of Amanda.

As humans we all have strengths and limitations, good intentions and unjust motivations, and exposures to different aspects of life that shape who we are. This all comes into play as a juror deciding the fate of another human being. We, the jury is a story of David and Amanda from the eyes of the jurors, judge, and people associated with the trial. It is also a character study of each of those people who are tasked with passing judgement. It is a modern-day version of 12 Angry Men. It is tedious at times, but the human behaviors are fascinating. Rotstein exposes the thoughts and personal struggles of each character as they interact and formulate decisions throughout the deliberation process. It is very relatable and quite different from anything I’ve read lately. Would highly recommend it to others.

This is a definite winner. I'm a sucker for court type dramas, and this did not disappoint. I loved the different characters at each chapter. It gave the book so much depth
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

Not my usual read but surprisingly gripping and interesting. Well written and good foundation on the story

This is a quick read, an engrossing courtroom drama. This trial investigates an important legal issue: Can a man beat a murder rap by claiming he has been abused by his spouse? There is a list of concise facts of the case and parties involved on the very first page, although the book starts near the end and works backwards. The testimony and facts from the trial are unpacked during the jury deliberation and transcripts of witness testimony from the court reporter.

This book is written in a different structure than most readers are probably used to, very far from the traditional first person narratives. Each chapter has a different narrator and examines the trial from a different perspective, be that the judge, the clerk, the bailiff, the attorneys, the court reporter, a blogger, a paralegal, or the eight members of the jury. The alternating narratives give you a peek inside of each person’s mind during the trial and deliberations.

David Sullinger is on trial for killing his wife, Amanda, on the day before their anniversary. He struck her in the head with an axe, causing a massive brain injury that resulted in her death. David admitted the crime, but the issue is whether he committed a murder with malice aforethought or if he was acting in self defense.

Amanda was the bread winner for the family. She was a successful real estate agent, specializing in high end properties. David had numerous dead end jobs throughout their marriage. The couple lived in an affluent neighborhood in a very large house. Their two children had split opinions when it came to their parents and their upbringing. All parties involved have secrets to hide that will be exposed during the trial. It is ultimately up to the jury to examine the evidence presented to them and try to determine just exactly what transpired when David killed Amanda.

I would recommend this book to fans of legal thrillers and courtroom dramas. I received this as a free ARC from Blackstone Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

We The Jury

By

Robert Rotstein

We The Jury, a fascinating work of fiction with a real twist, follows the deliberations 8 members of a jury who are expected to rule on a particularly gruesome murder. The protagonists are jury members from the community with highly varied backgrounds, which ultimately steer their decisions. We the Jury is a departure for Robert Rotstein from his immensely popular Parker Stern series of 3 books.

The fact that David Sullinger has killed his wife Amanda is undisputed. When the police arrive Mrs. Sullinger is dead, killed by a blow to head with an axe. Mr. Sullinger claims self-defense and indicates that his wife had been abusing him for years. Mr. Sullinger has a high-powered lawyer who has never lost a trial. Meanwhile the public defender Jack Cranston is considered to be a bumbling fool. The Jury’s choice seems obvious, but is it? This story centers on the jury and how they reach their conclusions. All is not what it seems.

Robert Rotstein is a master at character development. Everything we learn about the people in that room relates to the conclusions they finally reach. I particularly liked the interactions between the jurors. Their relationships deteriorate because they are stuck together trying to solve a difficult issue.

The messenger says it best: “I know I have no friends in this room. I know you think I’m just a momma’s boy, . . . We don’t have to like each other. A jury is supposed to be a cross-section of the community and that’s what we are. Maybe it’s better if we don’t like each other, because maybe that means we’re diverse like we’re supposed to be. I say let’s do the best we can to cooperate, so we can reach a verdict.”

I am a bit confused by all the time spent on the judge and her health issues. I am not sure I understand whether or not her issues contribute to the final result. Regardless, as with the other characters, Rotstein helps us really get to know her.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in human behavior and what drives people. I give it a 5 on 5. I want to thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

I really liked this book. It was interesting to read all the perspectives of the main characters. I could tell by reading that the author has an excellent knowledge of the law. The only critiques I had was that the plot was slow in some parts and it was hard keeping track of the many characters. Overall a very interesting and well written legal drama.

This was a quick paced book full of mystery and suspense that wasn't easily anticipated. It had me hooked until the end. Would definitely recommend it.

Thanks to NG for the ARC of this book! This one was different from any other crime/murder mystery book that I have read up until now. It took place over just two current days focusing on a jury deliberating a husband who is accused of murdering his wife. Every person in the story from the judge to the paralegal, all the jurors and even the court reporters (for the most part) has a chapter from their own view point which made the story SO interesting. The accused and his witnesses, who were his children, did not tell their story in a chapter which I think was purposeful on the authors part but would have been SO great for the reader. Clearly everyone was thinking only pf themselves for the most part. The judge was suffering from a PTSD type illness or early onset dementia because of the recent loss of her husband so she makes some mistakes. All the jurors seem pretty selfish, in my opinion, and just want to coke to a verdict so they can go back to their lives. In real life, I would hope that this type of deliberation with circumstantial evidence on both sides, would result in a longer period of discussion among the jurors. However, sadly, this probably a portrayal of a real life jury. I loved the writing, the characters (the jury were all unnamed except by their professions), the entire story and the fact that the read was able to see the story from so many different angles without getting the characters confused. Highly recommend this one!

5 stars

David Sullinger admitted to killing his wife on the day prior to his twenty-first wedding anniversary. He says he did it in self-defense. His wife Amanda was abusive to him and the children, a boy and a girl, and came after him with weapons that day.

His daughter, then eighteen, hires a very smart and manipulative attorney named Jenna Blaylock who makes the prosecutor look like a buffoon. The defense attorney is very confident and is celebrating a victory just as the jury retired for their verdict. But the story is not over yet. The jury must deliberate first.

This book is told from the points of view of several people, more than a dozen, who have their own problems, agendas, feelings and perspectives. The jurors are a cross-section of the public; some tried to get out of jury duty, some welcomed it. They come with a whole truckload of opinions. They try to determine who was telling the truth on the witness stand – not as easy as they first assumed. They plod on and in spite of the dismissal of one of the eight jurors, they finally reach a verdict.

This is a great book. It is well written and plotted. It was interesting. I kept wondering how I would react in such a situation. Would I go all wishy-washy or stick to my principals? Could I deal with the pressure? While I’ve been summoned to jury duty several times, I’ve never been chosen to serve for one reason or another. I found the psychological insights of Mr. Rotstein very valuable and perceptive. I think this is a book that all people should read as a primer of what may happen if they are chosen to serve.

I want to thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of this very insightful and interesting book for me to read, enjoy and review.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is published on October 23, 2018.

This is about David Sullinger who is on trial for murdering his wife. He admits that he put a pick-axe in her head but he claims that it was in self defense as he was a battered spouse. His two children testify at the trial each claiming a totally different story; his daughter supports her father and agrees that her mother abused her father whereas her brother states that his father was not a battered spouse and his mother was not the person he makes her out to be.

Each chapter is seen from a different character’s point of view. For example, we hear what each juror is thinking about the case, and each other; we hear what the Judge is thinking, the bailiff and the court reporter. We also hear the testimony of certain witnesses through recollection and sometimes having the court report read back certain testimony.

I very much enjoyed this book. I thought that the way the author approached telling this story was innovative and different. I had gotten away from reading legal thrillers/mysteries and I really enjoyed going back to this genre for this particular book.

Told from different points of view We, the Jury is an interesting book. Will recommend for purchase for our library collection

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an advance read of this title. This was done in a unique manner, giving chapters to each juror, as well as the court personnel and the judge in a case where we know who did it, and how, but whether or not he was an abused husband is the question. I really thought the narrative was done well, and it was interesting to read how the trial was affecting each of them, and the realization that your life goes on, even when you're in the middle of a high profile trial. I enjoyed this a great deal, and I'd recommend it. It not only keeps you reading to find out what the outcome is, but also to find out more about the characters.

I love good legal thrillers but most are predictable and formulaic but this was a totally original book that broke the mould.

It focused upon the behind the scenes deliberations by the jurors as they struggled to come to a verdict in particularly sordid murder case.

Who was the villain of the piece, the murdered wife or the husband allegedly driven to murder after suffering long term abuse from his partner?

The dynamics of the jury room are explored in forensic detail as are the changing opinions and alliances. There is also an examination of the feelings of the key legal protagonists - the judge, suffering after the sudden death of her beloved partner and the competing attorneys.

The book grabbed my attention and never let go and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the chance to read this clever, compelling legal novel. The mystery and suspense builds up based on how the jury members will vote and the outcome and repercussions of the trial.

David Sullinger killed his wife with an axe blow to the head the day before their 21st wedding anniversary. Was it premeditated murder or the result of years of both physical and psychological abuse by his wife, Amanda? The characters were well developed and interesting. I enjoyed the different perspectives of everyone involved in the trial, from the judge,the defense and prosecution, the eight jury members, the bailiff, a tabloid reporter,etc. The story brings insight into their assorted personalities and exposes their weaknesses and flaws, as well as the jury’s struggle to reach a verdict. There is tension within the jury as the members clash with one another over the evidence and some manipulation taking place.

This was an enthralling legal drama and I was left uncertain whether justice had been served. I am thankful to be introduced to the author’s book and hope to read more of his novels.