The Judge's List: A Novel (The Whistler)

Description:

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • John Grisham returns to Florida, where The Whistler’s Lacy Stoltz takes on a cold case that reveals a judge’s darkest secrets.

“One of the best crime reads of the year . . . a world-class shocker, worth staying up all night to finish.”—The Wall Street Journal

In The Whistler, Lacy Stoltz investigated a corrupt judge who was taking millions in bribes from a crime syndicate. She put the criminals away, but only after being attacked and nearly killed. Three years later, and approaching forty, she is tired of her work for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct and ready for a change.

Then she meets a mysterious woman who is so frightened she uses a number of aliases. Jeri Crosby’s father was murdered twenty years earlier in a case that remains unsolved and that has grown stone cold. But Jeri has a suspect whom she has become obsessed with and has stalked for two decades. Along the way, she has discovered other victims.

The man Jeri holds responsible for all these deaths is brilliant, patient, and always one step ahead of law enforcement. He is the most cunning of all serial killers. He knows forensics, police procedure, and most important: he knows the law.

He is a judge, in Florida—under Lacy’s jurisdiction.

But the man keeps a record of all his victims and targets, people unlucky enough to have crossed his path and wronged him in some way. Lacy must work to take him down, while somehow keeping her name off his list.

Review

Praise for the novels of John Grisham

“John Grisham is about as good a storyteller as we’ve got in the United States these days.”—The New York Times Book Review

“In all of Grisham’s best books . . . the reader gets good company, a vigorous runaround and . . . a bit of a legal education.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“Grisham’s books are smart, imaginative, and funny, populated by complex, interesting people.”—The Washington Post

“The law, by its nature, creates drama, and a new Grisham promises us an inside look at the dirty machineries of process and power, with plenty of entertainment.”—Los Angeles Times

“John Grisham owns the legal thriller.” —The Denver Post

About the Author

John Grisham is the author of numerous #1 bestsellers, including The Firm, A Time to Kill, The Rainmaker, The Innocent Man, The Whistler, The Boys from Biloxi, and many more. His books have been translated into nearly fifty languages. Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction. Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system. He lives on a farm in central Virginia.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

1

The call came through the office land line, through a system that was at least twenty years old and had fought off all technological advances. It was taken by a tattooed receptionist named Felicity, a new girl who would be gone before she fully understood the phones. They were all leaving, it seemed, especially the clerical help. Turnover was ridiculous. Morale was low. The Board on Judicial Conduct had just seen its budget chopped for the fourth straight year by a legislature that hardly knew it existed.

Felicity managed to route the call down the hall to the cluttered desk of Lacy Stoltz. “There’s a call on line three,” she announced.

“Who is it?” Lacy asked.

“She wouldn’t say.”

There were so many ways to respond. At that moment, though, Lacy was bored, and she did not wish to waste the emotional energy necessary to properly chastise the kid and set her straight. Routines and protocols were crumbling. Office discipline was waning as BJC spiraled into a leaderless mess.

As a veteran, the veteran, it was important to set an example. “Thanks,” she said and punched the blinking light. “Lacy Stoltz.”

“Good afternoon, Ms. Stoltz. Do you have a moment?”

Female, educated, no hint of an accent, mid-forties, give or take three years. Lacy always played the voice game. “And to whom do I have the pleasure?”

“My name is Margie for now, but I use other ones.”

Lacy was amused and almost chuckled. “Well, at least you’re up front about it. It normally takes me some time to work through the aliases.”

Anonymous callers were routine. People with gripes about judges were always cautious and hesitant to come forward and take on the system. Almost all feared retaliation from the powers on high.

Margie said, “I’d like to talk to you, somewhere private.”

“My office is private, if you’d like.”

“Oh no,” she snapped, apparently frightened at the thought. “That won’t work. You know the Siler Building, next door?”

“Of course,” Lacy said as she stood and looked out her window at the Siler Building, one of several nondescript government addresses in downtown Tallahassee.

Margie said, “There’s a coffee bar on the ground floor. Can we meet there?”

“I suppose. When?”

“Now. I’m on my second latte.”

“Slow down. Give me a few minutes. And you’ll recognize me?”

“Yes. You’re on the website. I’m in the rear, left side.”

Lacy’s office was indeed private. The one to her left was empty, vacated by an ex-colleague who’d moved on to a bigger agency. Across the hall an office had been converted into a makeshift storage closet. She walked toward Felicity and ducked into the office of Darren Trope, a two-year man already prowling for another job.

“You busy?” she asked as she interrupted whatever he was doing.

“Not really.” It didn’t matter what he was or was not doing. If Lacy needed anything, Darren belonged to her.

“Need a favor. I’m stepping over to Siler to meet a stranger who just admitted that she is using a fake name.”

“Oh, I love the cloak-and-dagger. Sure beats sitting here reading about some judge who made lewd comments to a witness.”

“How lewd?”

“Pretty graphic.”

“Any photos, videos?”

“Not yet.”

“Let me know if you get them. So, mind stepping over in fifteen minutes and taking a picture?”

“Sure. No problem. No idea who she is?”

“None whatsoever.”

Lacy left the building, took her time walking around the block, enjoyed a moment of cool air, and strolled into the lobby of the Siler Building. It was almost 4:00 p.m. and there were no other customers drinking coffee at that hour. Margie was at a small table in the rear, to the left. She waved quickly as though someone might notice and she didn’t want to get caught. Lacy smiled and walked toward her.

African American, mid-forties, professional, attractive, educated, slacks and heels and dressed nicer than Lacy, though around BJC these days any and all attire was allowed. The old boss wanted coats and ties and hated jeans, but he had retired two years ago and took most of the rules with him.

Lacy passed the counter where the barista was loafing with both elbows stuck on the Formica, hands cradling her pink phone that had her thoroughly fascinated. She did not look up, never thought about greeting a customer, and Lacy decided to pass on more caffeine anyway.

Without standing, Margie stuck out a hand and said, “Nice to meet you. Would you like some coffee?”

Lacy smiled, shook her hand, and sat across the square table. “No thanks. And it’s Margie, right?”

“For now.”

“Okay, we’re off to a bad start. Why are you using an alias?”

“My story will take hours to tell and I’m not sure you want to hear it.”

“Then why bother?”

“Please, Ms. Stoltz.”

“Lacy.”

“Please, Lacy. You have no idea the emotional trauma I’ve been through trying to get to this point in my life. I’m a wreck right now, okay?”

She seemed fine, though a bit on edge. Perhaps it was the second latte. Her eyes darted right and left. They were pretty and surrounded by large purple frames. The lenses were probably not needed. The glasses were part of the outfit, a subtle disguise.

Lacy said, “I’m not sure what to say. Why don’t you start talking and maybe we’ll get somewhere?”

“I’ve read about you.” She reached down into a backpack and deftly pulled out a file. “The Indian casino case, not long ago. You caught a judge skimming and put her away. One reporter described it as the largest bribery scandal in the history of American jurisprudence.” The file was two inches thick and gave every impression of being immaculately organized.

Lacy noted the use of the word “jurisprudence.” Odd for a layperson.

“It was a big case,” she said, feigning modesty.

Margie smiled and said, “Big? You broke up a crime syndicate, nailed the judge, and sent a bunch of people to prison. All are still there, I believe.”

“True, but it was far from a one-girl takedown. The FBI was heavily involved. It was a complicated case and some people were killed.”

“Including your colleague, Mr. Hugo Hatch.”

“Yes, including Hugo. Curious. Why all of this research about me?”

Margie folded her hands and rested them on top of the file, which she had not opened. Her index fingers were shaking slightly. She looked at the entrance and glanced around again, though no one had entered, no one had left, no one had moved, not even the barista who was lost in the clouds. She took a sip from her straw. If it really was her second latte, it had barely been touched. She had used the word “trauma.” Admitted to being a “wreck.” Lacy realized the woman was frightened.

Margie said, “Oh, I’m not sure it’s research. Just some stuff off the Internet. Everything’s out there, you know.”

Lacy smiled and tried to be patient. “I’m not sure we’re getting anywhere.”

“Your job is to investigate judges who are accused of wrongdoing, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“And you’ve been doing it for how long?”

“I’m sorry. Why is this relevant?”

“Please.”

“Twelve years.” Giving that number was like admitting defeat. It sounded so long.

“How do you get involved in a case?” Margie asked, bouncing around.

Lacy took a deep breath and reminded herself to be patient. People with complaints who got this far were often rattled. She smiled and said, “Well, typically a person with a complaint against a judge will contact us and we’ll have a meeting. If the gripe appears to have some merit, then the person will file a formal complaint, which we keep locked up for forty-five days while we take a look. We call it an assessment. Nine times out of ten that’s as far as it gets and the complaint is dismissed. If we find possible wrongdoing, then we notify the judge and he or she has thirty days to respond. Usually, everybody lawyers up. We investigate, have hearings, bring in witnesses, the works.”

As she spoke, Darren strolled in alone, disturbed the barista by ordering decaf, waited on it while ignoring the two women, then took it to a table on the other side of the room where he opened a laptop and began what appeared to be some serious work. Without giving the slightest hint, he aimed the laptop’s camera at Lacy’s back and Margie’s face, zoomed in for a close shot, and began filming. He took a video and some still shots.

If Margie noticed him it was not apparent.

She listened intently to Lacy and asked, “How often is a judge removed from office?”

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging read

c. · October 14, 2025

I bought this paperback for very long plane flights when I was unsure of charging stations at some airports. Good read.

4.0 out of 5 stars clever plot. a little slow at times

R.P. · August 19, 2025

Good story. I like the plot and characters. The constant apprehension of some characters seemed to slow things down a bit. On the other hand, that also helped define them. The ending was unexpected. A good read.

5.0 out of 5 stars TheJudge’s List

D.S. · October 4, 2025

This was a very good read! Kept me intrigued the whole way through. Lots of interesting facts about Florida and great details about the criminal mind! I love John Grisham!

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic

J.P. · September 17, 2025

Loved the mystery that Gresham brings to a novel. Was totally intrigued with the suspense. I finished it in record time and will purchase the next in order. A great writer!

5.0 out of 5 stars READ IT

J.L.M. · October 6, 2025

READ IT

4.0 out of 5 stars Couldn’t put it down! Spell binding!

Q. · July 27, 2025

Constantly unraveling… I finished this book in less than a day. I’d give it 4.8 if I could. I think about it I could change this to five.

3.0 out of 5 stars pseudo Grisham book

S. · October 13, 2025

Not his usual book. I really doubt he wrote this oneI call Baloney. It was a waste of time.

5.0 out of 5 stars a”page turner”

k. · September 20, 2025

I couldn’t wait to pick the book up each evening and it was equally as difficult to put it down!

Ottimo

A. · July 28, 2024

Spedizione veloce, libro usato in ottime condizioni

los libros de grisham no decepcionan

j.G.d.l.L.G.V. · May 22, 2024

buen "plot"

One of his best books!

P. · September 11, 2024

The Judge's List: A Novel is a gripping continuation of John Grisham's The Whistler series.Engaging Plot: The novel’s suspenseful plot and twists keep readers hooked throughout.Complex Characters: Grisham’s well-developed characters add depth and realism to the story.Thrilling Pace: The balanced pacing combines intense legal drama with personal intrigue, maintaining reader interest.Insightful and Relevant: The Judge's List offers a thought-provoking look at the justice system and its moral complexities.Personal Favorite: This book ranks among my top five Grisham novels. I've read it multiple times, discovering new details each time. I particularly enjoy stories where a man operates secretly, meticulously planning and executing his plans.Overall, The Judge's List is a fantastic read for anyone who enjoys legal thrillers and character-driven stories. It builds on the strengths of its predecessor and delivers a satisfying and engaging narrative.

Book

D.H. · October 2, 2025

Great read

A good read

B.C. · June 4, 2024

Very enjoyable reading, good story fast moving and great characters. I would highly recommend. Keeps the plot changing regularly and amazing climax in the end

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The Judge's List: A Novel (The Whistler)

Name: The Judge's List: A Novel (The Whistler)
Brand: Vintage
SKU: U0593157834
Price: 44.89 AED
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (13 reviews)

Product ID: U0593157834

Condition: New

4.5

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Visit the Vintage Store

The Judge's List: A Novel (The Whistler)

Product ID: U0593157834

Condition: New

4.5

The Judge's List: A Novel (The Whistler)-0

Type: Paperback

^AED44⁸⁹

Price includes VAT & Import Duties

Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

Description:

Review

About the Author

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging read

c. · October 14, 2025

I bought this paperback for very long plane flights when I was unsure of charging stations at some airports. Good read.

4.0 out of 5 stars clever plot. a little slow at times

R.P. · August 19, 2025

5.0 out of 5 stars TheJudge’s List

D.S. · October 4, 2025

This was a very good read! Kept me intrigued the whole way through. Lots of interesting facts about Florida and great details about the criminal mind! I love John Grisham!

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic

J.P. · September 17, 2025

Loved the mystery that Gresham brings to a novel. Was totally intrigued with the suspense. I finished it in record time and will purchase the next in order. A great writer!

5.0 out of 5 stars READ IT

J.L.M. · October 6, 2025

READ IT

4.0 out of 5 stars Couldn’t put it down! Spell binding!

Q. · July 27, 2025

Constantly unraveling… I finished this book in less than a day. I’d give it 4.8 if I could. I think about it I could change this to five.

3.0 out of 5 stars pseudo Grisham book

S. · October 13, 2025

Not his usual book. I really doubt he wrote this oneI call Baloney. It was a waste of time.

5.0 out of 5 stars a”page turner”

k. · September 20, 2025

I couldn’t wait to pick the book up each evening and it was equally as difficult to put it down!

Ottimo

A. · July 28, 2024

Spedizione veloce, libro usato in ottime condizioni

los libros de grisham no decepcionan

j.G.d.l.L.G.V. · May 22, 2024

buen "plot"

One of his best books!

P. · September 11, 2024

Book

D.H. · October 2, 2025

Great read

A good read

B.C. · June 4, 2024

Very enjoyable reading, good story fast moving and great characters. I would highly recommend. Keeps the plot changing regularly and amazing climax in the end

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Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

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The Judge's List: A Novel (The Whistler)

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Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

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