Rating: 
Summary: Best book I've read
Review: Just wanted to say how much I loved Patterson's The Final Judgement. This has to be the best book I've ever read - one I couldn't put down. The character development here was tops! Yes, this was a courtroom drama, but more it showed how lives and destinies can be influenced by outside sources, like one's parents. Carolyn Masters was wonderful, dear compassionate, intelligent. I also fell in love with Brett. In fact, I want to read more about those two. I almost sense Patterson has left me hanging. Right now I'm going through withdrawls, and find I'm still thinking about this book weeks after I finished it. I will search out his other books for sure.
Rating: 
Summary: interesting read
Review: Second book I have read of patterson's, will read more. Interesting story line, better character development in the second half and good flash back foundation. Found this book to be above average in all counts and will read more soon.
Rating: 
Summary: NOT A GREAT THRILLER-MYSTERY FROM RNP
Review: THIS BOOK IS PART MYSTERY WITH LITTLE COURT ROOM ACTION. OUT OF 498 PAGES, THE FIRST 350 DESCIBE THE CRIME AND DEVELOPS THE CHARACTERS. JUST WHEN IT IS GETTING INTERESTING THE NEXT PART FILLS IN THE BACKGROUND. IT IS NOT A PAGE TURNER. CAROLINE MASTERS THE LAWYER IS CALLED HOME FROM SF IN CA TO NH TO DEFEND HER NIECE. SINCE "CARO" IS UP FOR NOMINATION FOR A FEDERAL JUDGE POSITION, SHE DOES NOT WANT TO ANNOY THE PRESIDENT WHO KEEPS CALLING HER THE ENTIRE TIME SPAN OF THE STORY. SHE HAD LEFT HOME AND FAMILY 20 YRS AGO AND IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT RETURNING. YOU DO HAVE TO KEEP GUESSING WHO IS THE GUILTY ONE. PATTERSON BRINGS CARO TO THE SPARKLING DEFENSE LAWYER SHE IS BUT SHE DOES NOT WANT TO BE CRUEL TO THE PROSECUTOR WHO IS HER EX BOYFRIEND. SHE DOES SOME ILLEGAL THINGS TO ROOT OUT THE TRUTH TO PROVE HER NIECE NOT GUILTY. IN THE FINAL PAGES WE FIND OUT WHO HER NIECE REALLY IS AND PARTS PLAYED BY OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS IN MAKING CAROLINE MASTERS WHO SHE IS TODAY. THE ENDING IS NOT UNEXPECTED. I WAS GLAD TO REACH THE END OF THIS BOOK.
Rating:
Summary: MY FINAL JUDGMENT -- IT'S A "10"
Review: When I give a book a five star rating, it means on a scale of 1-10, I have rated it an 8, 9 or 10. Believe me, very few books reach the "10" level but this one did. It's a case where Richard North Patterson's writing prowess is clearly evident.If you've followed any of his earlier books, you'll know that he likes to bring back characters that he's already introduced you to in previous novels. The Final Judgment centers around one of my personal favorites, Caroline Masters, a character who put herself through law school and spent 15 years as a public defender before being appointed to a minor judgeship in the San Francisco Municipal Court. This appointment leads to a judge's dream. A high profile televised case is thrown in her lap where a well-known journalist is accused of killing an equally famous novelist. By the end of this trial, which occurs in Patterson's Degree of Guilt, Masters is a celebrity. Many offers pour in and Caroline chooses the one that would serve her ambitions and accepts a partnership in San Francisco's largest law firm. With the strength of this law firm behind her, in Eyes of the Child she ends up defending another high profile defense attorney who is accused of murder, once again putting her in the public eye. As Final Judgment opens, we meet Caroline once again as she is waiting for the phone call that could change her life -- an appointment to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which would put her one step away from her true goal in life -- a Supreme Court nomination. Just when it seems that Caroline's life is finally on track, she is summoned back home to New Hampshire to defend her niece who is accused of murdering her boyfriend. She hasn't been back there in over twenty years. Prior to this book, Caroline's private life has been an enigma. The only thing that the reader knows about her is that she is very fair, self-confident, intelligent and beautiful. We know virtually nothing about her personal life until it is finally revealed in this book. Richard North Patterson takes us back twenty-three years to Martha's Vineyard where Caroline's trust in her family was once shattered. In coming back to New Hampshire to defend her niece, it will be the first time she has seen her half sister and her father since then. What follows is a trial that proves Caroline's ability beyond a shadow of a doubt but also shows us the compassionate side of this possible future appellate court judge. This is an emotional story that starts out with Caroline finally realizing her dream of a high court judgeship yet could easily end with her finding herself empty handed as this trial becomes very public and her secrets could be revealed possibly ruining her chance to achieve her ultimate goal. Of course, you have to read this book to find out if she ever makes it to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. I might even suggest reading all three of these books in order so you can appreciate, as much as I have, the development of this fascinating character. If you decide to do this, you have some excellent reading ahead of you.
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