Attorney Paul Madriani has reason to suspect he's representing a guilty man. Dr. David Crone, a respected medical researcher, is charged with the murder of a colleague: twenty-six-year-old Kalista Jordan, whose body washed up on a beach in San Diego Bay. Forensic evidence links her murder with material in Crone's garage. And Crone had motive: Kalista had accused him of sexual harassment, and she'd been angling for his job. When a key prosecution witness dies unexpectedly, leaving an incriminating note behind, it seems the case may be closed. But Madriani won't be satisfied of his client's innocence till he's established just who did murder Kalista Jordan...
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Amazon Review
So much of the action in Steve Martini's courtroom thriller The Jury happens outside the jury's purview that it makes one wonder if there's a touch of irony intended in the title. Paul Madriani, the lawyer-hero of five previous Martini novels set in San Francisco, has moved to San Diego for reasons that are never made clear. He's taken on the case of David Crone, a doctor involved in mapping the human genome, who's been charged with the murder of his colleague, a young African American research physician whose ambitions threatened Crone's career.
Crone seems to have had ample motivation for killing Kalista Jordan: witnesses have testified to the friction between them, and Crone himself seems less concerned about the capital murder charge than about what may be going on in his lab. When a key witness for the prosecution dies in what looks like a suicide and leaves a note confessing to the murder, Crone is freed. And in an O Henry-like twist in the last chapter, a most unlikely killer emerges and threatens Madriani's life.
But even this doesn't do much to enliven this slow-moving novel. There's very little tension on the page or in the plot, and neither the narrative nor the characters offer the reader the kind of excitement found in Martini's previous novels. --Jane Adams, Amazon.com --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
About the Author
Steve Martini, a former trial attorney, has worked as a journalist and capital correspondent in the California State House in Sacramento. He lives with his wife and daughter.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
By dapsyd
Format:Paperback
I've read all of Martini's books and they are all very good, but this one doesn't seem to match with his usual high standards. Its an alright read, with Attorney Madriani and Harry Hinds once again defending the probably guilty with a few twists and a suprising ending. Too short for my comfort though and we start with the court case already in session. Seems strangely rushed but certainly worth a read. If you are new to Steve Martini however try 'the judge' or 'The attorney' first.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.3 out of 5 stars
60 reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
ANOTHER MARTINI WITH A TWIST
26 July 2001
By Gail Cooke
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio Cassette
Looking for a legal thriller with an appealing protagonist, clever plot line, and never-would-have-gueesed-it ending? Pick up the latest Steve Martini, "The Jury." Add the voice of John Slattery to carry you along on this exciting tale, and you have five hours of pure enjoyment.
The character of Paul Madriani is reprised to defend Dr. David Crone, an honored genetic researcher who's accused of murdering a young African-American research physician who had filed sexual harassment charges against the older man. Kalista Jordan's mutilated body was washed ashore on a nearby bay.
Crone's research, which was shrouded in secrecy, involved genetic racial profiling. [...] So once again attorney Madriani takes to sleuthing.
When a [...] turns up dead the case takes a dramatic turn. But then, Martini knows how to spin, twist, and tie up in one heckuva surprising finish. It's another Martini with a twist.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
"The Jury" is a tepid and disappointing legal thriller.
8 July 2001
By E. Bukowsky
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Steve Martini delivered genuine thrills in two of his early novels, "Prime Witness" and "Compelling Evidence". What those books supplied were engrossing characters, interesting legal maneuvers and mysteries that kept the reader guessing until the end.
Unfortunately, Martini's latest novel, "The Jury," supplies none of these elements, and as a legal thriller, it is a dud.
The victim in this book is a gorgeous African-American woman named Kalista Jordan, who is also a brilliant research scientist. She is brutally murdered after exiting her hot tub. Paul Madriani is hired to defend the accused killer--Jordan's boss, David Crone. Jordan and Crone have worked together on some cutting-edge research involving genetics, and their working relationship was marred by serious disagreements that may have led to murder.
"The Jury" has numerous flaws. Martini brings none of his characters to life. Crone and Jordan are little more than cardboard cutouts, and Madriani has very little to do in this novel, other than stand up in court and parry with witnesses. The mystery itself is not compelling in the least. Even the title is problematical, since it implies that the book has something to do with jury deliberations. It doesn't. "The Jury" has very little action and the conclusion is out of left field and unsatisfying. This novel is a real disappointment to those of us who have enjoyed Steve Martini's legal thrillers in the past.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Martini's off his usual assured stride with this book
23 Sep 2001
By AriesPA
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Normally a huge fan of Steve Martini's legal thrillers, I found "The Jury" a huge disappointment. Like the other reviewers, I am bewildered by the title because the jury plays little to no role in the story. Martini doesn't even describe the voir dire, he just launches right into the trial. It takes the reader a couple of chapters to catch up with what happened, which is very annoying. Even then, it's still not clear why Paul Madriani would take on such a sullen, uncooperative client like Dr. Crone, who is on trial for the murder of one of his colleagues. Even after it's revealed that Dr. Crone used his genius to try and save a dying child, his character is still unlikeable and weird. The reader doesn't care whether he's the killer or not, and at times it seems like Martini doesn't either. I have never read a book in this series where Madriani was as listless and uninvolved as he appeared in this book. Even Harry Hinds, Madriani's law partner, who is usually wise-cracking and brilliant, is mouthy and blustery here. Although red herrings are strewn throughout the novel, the killer's identity only comes as a mild surprise. After reaching suspense pinnacles in "Undue Influence" and "The Judge", this book is a real let down. Let's hope that the next Madriani book is a better effort.
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3.3 out of 5 stars
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