This is book 1 in a new series, Jane Smith. It's a great introduction to Jane and her staff and friends. Jane is a lawyer with a great track record in the glamours Hamptons. As Jane is preparing to defend a high-profile client accused of a triple homicide, she's also hired to revive a cold case—a cluster of unsolved murders and dealing with a devastating medical diagnosis. She wants too win this big case before she dies, but someone is trying to hurry her into a grave. I don't read many of James Patterson's books but this one caught my eye and I like to try new series. I'm glad I chose this one.

This was a twisty ride. I started with the audio and then switched to the book so I could keep track of all the characters.

Criminal defense attorney Jane Smith is in for the ride of her life and possibly the last trial of her career. She had a successful career with a track record of never losing a case. However, everything might change when she meets Rob Jacobson and the roadblocks his case presents. In her heart, she knows he is guilty, but her job is to give the defendant the best defense she can. This man might cost her everything she has fought for, but that is the job, and with her own life sentence hanging in the balance, what does she have to lose?

The ending is the perfect setup for book number two, ’8 Months More’. Now, we will have to wait until next summer to see where Jane, Jimmy, Rip, and Dr. Ben will go from here.

This was a different approach to someone having been handed a sentence of 12 months to live. I really enjoyed reading this one because Jane is not your typical woman that would let the cancer get to them and interfere with her life and job. She put her job first and put her personal life on hold until her current trial was over.

Jane Smith is a lawyer that has been given one of the high profile cases that she is not fond of because of her client being a sleezbag. Jane is not one to take any crap off anyone though and she lets it be know with her client from the beginning. Jane is just a person to tell you how she is feeling and not beat around the bush.

Jane has a partner, Jimmy, an ex-detective, that helps her on investigating the trial and trying to find out the truth. On more than one occasion though, Jimmy gets himself hurt and almost killed. Jane and Jimmy are super close and care for each other more than they can express. Nothing romantic because Jane is seeing a vet that has her best interest at heart and Jimmy approves of him.

I really loved Jane's character. I felt like she perfect for this role and would love to get some more of her story and see if she makes it through her cancer diagnosis. I know she is a fighter but it would be nice to know her outcome. You will enjoy reading this book as I did. I just wish we could have gotten more from Jane and her cancer journey.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the authors for an advanced copy of this book. I really enjoyed it!

I couldn't wait to read this book because Patterson is one of my favorite suspense writers and Lupica is one of my favorite sports writers.

Jane Smith, a Long Island attorney, finds out that she has twelve months to live because of terminal cancer. You find this out in the beginning of the book, so I'm not giving away anything. Jane has never lost a case, and she is asked to represent a client that she isn't sure is innocent. Unfortunately, the DA has never lost a case either.

It's a fast-paced book, as Patterson's books usually are, and it made me want to keep reading. Some parts in the courtroom didn't seem plausible, but I still enjoyed the book. Will Jane win the case? Is her client really innocent? Read and find out.

I give this book four stars. It was given to me for my honest review.

Patterson and Lupica are a magical team of writers. 12 Months to Live is a story about criminal defense attorney Jane Smith who is in the murder trial of the century. Her client might’ve committed several murders. She’s also fallen in love with a wonderful guy and found a dog to love. But Jane doesn’t have much time because she has just received a terminal diagnosis giving her twelve months. Unless someone kills her first. Great book with so many twists and turns.

Mike Lupica is an author (and former newspaper columnist), enjoyed by sports fans for many years in the New York Daily News. He is also known for his many appearances on the all-sports-all-the-time ESPN network. His latest endeavor is 12 Months To Live, a crime novel collaboration with author James Patterson. Thanks to Little, Brown. & Company and NetGalley for an advance copy they provided to me in exchange for this honest review.

The protagonist is a woman named Jane Smith, a criminal defense attorney whose client is accused of murder (in fact he may have committed several murders). In addition to her role in the current trial of the century, she has also recently fallen in love, with a great guy (and, at the same time, a great dog). Unfortunately, Jane has recently gotten a pretty terrible medical diagnosis indicating she has only twelve months to live.

Had high hopes and it was good in spots but never really made it over the hurdle. Not enough suspense for me. My thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

James Patterson rarely disappoints. He has been the idea man behind collaborations with dozens of writers, and the resulting stories are suspenseful and satisfying. 12 Months to Live is no different. A legal thriller told from the prospective of a very successful defense lawyer, the story unfolds to follows the clues, figure out the defense strategy and of course find out if the rich and arrogant.defendant is actually innocent.
But this is more than a Perry Mason or Bull courtroom drama. As soon as we get caught up in the details of hard-charging defense lawyer Jane Smith, she — and we — are hit with the diagnosis of a particularly virulent throat and neck cancer. Jane refuses to begin treatment while she is immersed in her current case so the fear hangs overhead whether she will be able to start treatment at all.
And of course a legal thriller must have surprise elements including other potential killers and a series of additional murders along the way, This is a story that never stops surprising. In fact my only criticism is that I couldn’t keep all the victims straight as one by one they disappeared or died.
But I shook off that complaint and just enjoyed Jane’ as she showed her competence as a strategist and a courtroom warrior while also revealing her vulnerability as a human being. All in all, an entertaining read..

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read James Patterson (I used to read every single book published!), and have shied away from legal books, but “12 Months to Live” was the perfect way to jump back in!

Our main character, Jane, is a defense attorney. Her partner, Jimmy, is an ex NYPD detective. Her client is being charged with a triple homicide, and they also are looking into some cold cases.

I’ve seen reviews that did not like this book, but I really enjoyed the two main characters. Jane is a badass and doesn’t put up with other peoples crap or opinions. Unfortunately she’s also given a horrible diagnosis as well, but she handles it the best that she can at the moment.

I truly hope that we see more of Jane and Jimmy in the future!

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this ARC in return for my honest opinion.

Pub date: 25 Sep 2023

12 Months to Live is a courtroom thriller style book with Jane Smith as the hotshot defense attorney to the rich and unrepentant. At the start of the book Jane is given a diagnosis of cancer and 12 months to live. She deals with it by refusing to acknowledge it and just wanting to finish up her case. This case and the other one she agrees to look into have a lot of similarities. She knows she is looking in the right direction because someone is trying to shut her and her investigator down. I enjoyed Jane's take no prisoners approach to life and possibly death.
I want to give thanks to to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Cornerstone for the advanced reader copy in exchange for a honest review.

Did I get the whole book? I felt like there should have been more. I love Patterson, but I'm going to reread this one. I think I missed something along the way. Maybe it was too late when I finished it.

The short chapters make for a fast pace in the engaging, quick read. Jane is a strong lead who typifies resilience. Jimmy is a suitable partner. There's a nice mix of suspense and humor, which I wasn't expecting. Fans of legal thrillers will likely enjoy this.

I really enjoyed 12 Months to Live and despite the prognosis, I hope this becomes a new series. Two great characters, and an interesting premise as well as plot drive this book, and it’s a page turner.

This is a new series with new people, the story of Jane Smith who is a criminal defense attorney and a case that she has that she’s trying. Because this is a whole new book series we learn a lot about the different characters. Can’t wait for the next book!

12 Months to Live by James Patterson and Mike Lupica is a riveting legal thriller that introduces us to Jane Smith, a tough-as-nails criminal defense attorney in the elite world of the Hamptons. As she prepares to defend a wealthy client accused of a triple homicide, Jane receives a devastating terminal diagnosis, giving her just twelve months to live.

This novel stands out not only for its fast-paced, short-chapter narrative style and thrilling courtroom scenes but also for its compelling protagonist, Jane Smith, a relatable and inspiring character who embodies resilience in the face of adversity. The seamless integration of two complex cases adds depth to the story, and the book's blend of suspense, humor, and heart makes it a must-read for fans of legal thrillers. James Patterson and Mike Lupica have created a remarkable character in Jane Smith, and readers will eagerly anticipate more adventures with her and her loyal partner, Jimmy Cunniff.

Another great read for Patterson and Lupica. Different than a typical Patterson and I enjoyed it. Love the detailed interpersonal interactions. Made me feel like I was in the room with them. Enjoyed the courthouse scenes.

Jane Smith is a defense attorney who is hired to represent Rob Jacobson who was arrested for the murders of the Gates family. Jane is not certain that she believes her client is innocent but she has never lost a case and does not intend to now. While working on this case Jane is hit with multiple curveballs including a cancer diagnosis which is now constantly at the back of her mind but she insists on putting off treatments until she has won. You also follow Janes partner, Jimmy, as they were asked to investigate the murder of the Carson family as well. Could the cases be linked together and could Rob be responsible for them all?

I really enjoyed this book and loved Jane's character. Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and authors for my ARC!

I recently read the book "12 Months to Live" by James Patterson and Mike Lupica. It's a thrilling murder mystery story with plenty of action, well-developed characters, and short chapters that keep the pace fast and the reader engaged. I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC ebook of this novel to read and review. Overall, I found it to be a page-turner that I had a hard time putting down.

James Patterson and Mike Lupica's 12 Months to Live is a mystery that's so hard to put down. The court room action is as thrilling as what happens outside of it. Bring Jane Smith back!

12 Months to Live is the first James Patterson or Mike Lupica book that I have read. I know, hard to believe. I know now that it will not be my last.

The fast paced, serpentine plot will keep you on your toes. Jane Smith, is a tenacious Hamptons defense attorney and former NYPD officer hired to defend wealthy Rob Jacobson, who is charged with the murders of the Gates family. She is not a fan, but that is not her job, The waters are muddied by the fact that her sister is his mistress.

On top of this, Jane and her investigator, Jimmy Cunniff (also ex NYPD) are asked to investigate the deaths of the Carson family in Garden City, Two triple homicide cases each fraught with adversaries who are more than happy to take down Jimmy and Jane. Yet looming over her is the most menacing foe of all, her terminal cancer diagnosis.

The multiple story lines are married together well and never feel disconcerting moving from one to another, Lupica and Patterson are adept at crafting authentic, multi-dimensional characters and skillfully maintaining a realistic narrative pace in their storytelling. The short chapters keeps the reader engaged as the plot keeps them intrigued.

This is a fun quick read that I will recommend to those interested in the crime genre.

My thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for the ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.