This book reminds me so much of one of my other favorite authors, John Grisham. This legal thriller is full of twists and turns. Stafford Lee Penney is a small town lawyer from Biloxi, Mississippi who was voted #1 lawyer there. He's never lost a case. When he is the #1 one suspect in his wife's murder, he comes undone. After a stint in rehab, he decides to represent himself. I really enjoyed this book! Thanks @NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

I really enjoyed this twisted legal case, my favorite genre, it held my attention and kept me guessing. Stafford Lee Penney is an attorney in Biloxi with a winning record for his defendant clients. Defending a man accused of a double homicide could turn the tide. There is an affair, a pregnancy, a relative of the victim prosecuting the case and ties to the Dixie Mafia. The evidence seems overwhelming and the stakes become personal for Stafford Lee. There are dark, deadly secrets and the truth comes at a price. Is Stafford Lee on the right side of the law and will justice prevail? You’ll need to read this as soon as it’s released to find out. If you’re a fan of legal thrillers, tension filled situations and gripping suspense, I highly recommend!
A Digital Galley of “The #1 Lawyer” by James Patterson and Nancy Allen, published by Little, Brown and Company, was provided by NetGalley. Expected publication date 03/18/2024. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without any compensation.

The #1 Lawyer by James Patterson and Nancy Allen is a grand slam home run. The main character, Stafford Lee Penney is a southern top notch attorney in Biloxi. He is a defense attorney with a perfect record of winning all his cases. The novel opens up with Stafford Lee defending Dr. Daniel Caro, a renowned OB/GYN whose father owns a local casino and is tied up with the local organized crime syndicate, is accused of murdering one of his patients after having an affair with her.

The first third of this intense novel takes us on the journey of the trial. After the trial ends, Stafford lee’s life falls a part. He is accused of murdering the wife of the casino owner and is arrested for her murder. Stafford Lees wife is murdered. The rest of this exciting read is following along with Stafford Lee and a couple of his loyal friends to solve this complex mess of a life.

In addition to a blistering exciting pace, this novel builds the main characters perfectly. You are emotionally invested in these characters and the boom is very hard to put down.

Nancy Allen teamed up with Patterson in the past, writing “The Third Juror”. Hopefully this team will write several more exciting novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown & Company for this novel.

Wow! James Patterson does it again! Another great book full of extraordinary characters and a riveting story!

Read the book nonstop from start to finish. Took it literally everywhere with me!

Highly, highly recommend!!

James Patterson along with Nancy Allen have gifted the reader with a page turning tale filled with well-developed characters, intrigue and mystery set in coastal Mississippi.

Stafford Lee Penney is the #1 Lawyer in Mississippi with a knack for winning his cases. His biggest challenge opens the story. Stafford Lee is hired by Dr. Daniel Caro, OB-GYN and son of the local mafia kingpin, to defend him against two counts of murder. The trial and testimony are explosive in Biloxi and the verdict has far-reaching implications and consequences for Penney.

This is a page turner with many surprising and unexpected twists and turns. Prepare yourself to be drawn into this tale of family, friendships, lies, betrayals and murders. Reminiscent of the early John Grisham writings, only more intriguing and shocking thanks to Patterson & Allen.

Highly recommend reading this and looking forward to hopefully more cases for Stafford Lee Penney!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown for the complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a fast-paced, excellent legal thriller, set in Biloxi, Mississippi. The main character, Stafford Lee Penney, is a local attorney and a good character, along with a good cast, including PI Jenny. I have read many Patterson books and especially enjoy the Alex Cross series, and the Women’s Murder Club series. This is my first book by Nancy Allen. Hope this is the start of a new series with Stafford Lee. Definitely recommended for fans of courtroom drama and legal thrillers.

Stafford Lee Penney is the number 1 lawyer in Biloxi, Mississippi. In all his years of practice, he has never lost a case. His best friends are a fellow lawyer and his female private investigator. They are all put to a supreme test when he takes on the case of a prominent doctor in town who is accused of murder. The writing is such that it caused me to continue reading it in one day. The novel is replete with many diverse characters as well as family problems among fathers and sons and husband and wife. As a result of a family tragedy, Stafford Lee (as he is always called) becomes an alcoholic. After rehab, he is a former shell of what he was. There are many twists and turns in the book and Stafford Lee finds himself in court once again - this time he is the accused.
This book is recommended for all who enjoy this genre and I thank Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.

Set in and around Biloxi, Mississippi this follows herds and court trials that seem to go on and on. The pace is slow at times but that just depicts the South. Other times things happen that you don’t see coming. Great ending! Absolutely read!

Excellent. Grabbed me from the start. Beginning with a trial, the book becomes a mystery. The ending of each chapter makes you want to read just one more, then just one more, and on and on. The ending was a surprise but everything fit.

The #1 Lawyer is a fast paced, suspenseful read that keeps you guessing to the last page.

There are those characters you just love and those you love to snarl at.

Stanford Lee Penney is the former and you cant help but admire his dedication, his determination and his ability to fight back.

That is why Stanford Lee is known as the #1 lawyer in Biloxi.

Things don't always go in his favour and he has suffered a personal loss that kicks him backwards.

When Stanford Lee finds himself on the other side of the law the boxing gloves go on.

Twists and turns and a great ending I did not see coming kept those pages turning and the dog waiting for her walk.

James Patterson and Nancy Allen are a team to be reckoned with and never disappoint.

I for one am hoping to see Stanford Lee Penney return in the near future.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for a page turner of a read.

The #1 Lawyer by James Patterson and Nancy Allen immerses readers in a riveting legal thriller centered around Stafford Lee Penney, a celebrated criminal defense attorney in Biloxi, Mississippi. When tragedy strikes, Stafford's life takes a dramatic turn as he becomes the prime suspect in his wife's scandalous murder. The novel masterfully balances suspense and character development, portraying Stafford as more than just a legal powerhouse. The collaboration between Patterson and Allen creates a swift-paced narrative with unexpected twists, as Stafford transforms from a polished courtroom legend to an unrecognizable lifeguard in flip-flops. The story delves into the complexities of legal drama, personal struggles, and the relentless pursuit of justice, leaving readers on the edge of their seats until the satisfying and riveting conclusion. The #1 Lawyer stands as a testament to Patterson's storytelling prowess and introduces a dynamic legal thriller with emotional depth and unexpected revelations.

I liked the book but you can definitely see that it was written by two people. I managed to read it in one day so it was a book that hooked you - even if there were parts that felt a bit disjointed. I usually really love James Patterson and have read all of his Alex Cross books, so I was looking forward to reading a book that said "move over John Grisham" - who I also love reading. It was very different from a Grisham book, but still good. Stafford Lee Penney is a southern lawyer who has never lost a case, but the case against Dr. Caro brings a whole lot of trouble to him. Even though he wins the case, the Caro family is part of the Biloxi mob and is not one you want to fool with. Soon after the trial is over, his estranged wife is killed in what seems to be an open and shut case, but things are not always what they seem. And Stafford spirals down - drinking away his sorrows and his career. His two best friends, Jenny and Mason, intervene and he goes into rehab, but that is only the beginning of his troubles. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book and you are never quite sure who the villain is, There are so many unsolved cases and Stafford is suddenly accused of murder. From the #1 lawyer to the #1 serial killer, but is he? Definitely a fast read and I enjoyed it and want to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Lots of twist and turns in this book. Great characters. I thought the ending was one twist too many.
Thanks to NetGalley for advance copy.

Name of Book: The #1 Lawyer
Author: James Patterson & Nancy Allen
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: March 18, 2024
My Rating: 4.3 Stars!
Pages: 400

Stafford Lee Penney is Biloxi, Mississippi’s #1 Lawyer and considered a celebrity. He has been practicing law for fifteen years and has never lost a case!
Story starts in the courtroom (I do love courtroom drama). Stafford Lee is the attorney for Dr. Daniel Caro, a well-known doctor who is charged with two counts of murder- Aurora Gates a young woman of color and her under born baby. Did he do it?
However, this case is no sooner over when Stafford-Lee’s wife Carrie Ann is murdered while in bed with another man.
Although Stafford –Lee and Carrie Ann were currently separated this sends him over the edge. Rehab has him ending up working as a lifeguard – a job typical for a teen or college student certainly not a professional lawyer,
He mentions sounding his lifeguard whistle to unsupervised pre-teens telling them not to go out too
deep. One young boy flips him the bird. –he said he felt like he was back in court!
He does make it back to the courtroom, but in beach wear and flip flops.

Aww I enjoyed this and certainly hoping for the next adventure of Stafford-Lee Penny the #1 Lawyer and of course hoping it includes Jenny!

I read "Juror #3" and loved it! Nancy Allen coauthored it with JP. . She practiced law for fifteen years as Assistant Missouri Attorney General and Assistant Prosecutor in her native Ozarks, trying over thirty jury cases. She served on the faculty of Missouri State.
She is perfect for this collaborator featuring a Biloxi lawyer. Hoping this is a series and the coauthor team continues!!!

Want to thank NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for this early uncorrected proof.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 18, 2024.

Being a good lawyer in your hometown. Is not all fun and games. Your job is to get people off for their crimes.. See what happens when the tables are turned on you.

This is a "stand alone" book for James Patterson.

Stafford Lee is a defense lawyer that is trying to defend his client Dr. Caro, who is accused of murdering one of his patients that he also got pregnant during their affair!! Caro has ties to the mob via his father, and when he doesn't like the way he is coming across his court, his dad's 'goons' send him a message.

His private investigator, Jenny comes across someone else whose wife also had an affair with the same doctor, and also died in the same manner. She tries to bring it to Stafford Lee's attention, but he doesn't want to hear it.

Overall, a great story that I enjoyed reading and looked forward to each new chapter. Thank you to #netgalley for this #arc.

Ok, so I'm a snob. I will confess to never having read James Patterson. I prefer Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny to Bill Clinton and James Patterson. But then I read another review where he was described as "popcorn reading," where you know exactly what you're going to get and you just enjoy the ride. So I thought, I enjoy a good beach read as much as the next person, and I certainly enjoy legal thrillers, so why not give this a try. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised. Yes, this is firmly in John Grisham territory, but Patterson/Allen definitely do it justice. I was hooked by the characters and the plot, and just kept turning the pages. There were plenty of twists and turns, and a rather satisfying ending. Go enjoy!

Great legal thriller to read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an advanced copy of James Patterson and Nancy Allen’s novel. My opinions are my very own.
The #1 Lawyer is a fast-paced read filled with action, twists and turns! Mr. Patterson never disappoints me with his excellent mystery thriller! He and Ms. Allen make a great writing team! His best southern legal thriller yet!

The #1 Lawyer is a fast paced story that draws you in at the start and never lets you go. The first third of the book involves an exciting trial of a doctor accused of murdering his patient. I felt the excitement and tension developed in this first part of the book and it would have been enough if the story had ended there. However, it continued to deliver numerous twists and turns with additional excitement and surprise revelations.