The Juror

Rating:
Summary: A SPINE-TINGLING SUSPENSEFUL TALE
Review: Don't pick it up unless you're prepared to not put it down. With the first page The Juror grabs the reader, taking him on a spine-tingling suspenseful trail of tips and tricks as the artfully crafted plot thickens and excitement builds.

Annie Laird, a single mother and aspiring sculptor, is Juror 224 in the case of the people vs. mob boss Louis Buffano. Innocent yet intelligent, Annie agrees to serve, in part, because she has always taught her 12-year-old son, Oliver, to be responsible.

Before the trial's opening statements, Annie falls under the spell of an urbane art dealer who professes an interest in her work. On their first date she is told that she must return a not guilty verdict or else. The man threatening her is actually known as the Teacher, a brilliantly ruthless mob thug who begins to electronically follow Annie's every move and conversation. The excitement mounts as Annie tries to think of ways to protect her son and outsmart her dangerous predator.

This legal thriller is top-rate entertainment, packed with superbly honed characters, especially the treacherous Teacher.

Rating:
Summary: Terrifying real life horror book
Review: I don't usually read this type of book, but I did not return my card to my book club in time and received it. I could have returned it to the book club but decided to read it. I was terrorized by the reality in this book. I could not put it down. I read until 4:00a.m. when I finished it. Then I went and hugged my child. The author made me feel that this could happen in the tainted world we live in. His characters were so alive. As a single mother, I could identify with the main character. If my child's life was ever threatened, I would do the same thing this mother did. She went from being a civil minded woman to a woman with a vengenance! I cheered at the end but I cried and was scared through most of the book. Sorry but I have to go check on my loved ones now

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, suspenseful -- a good read.
Review: I'm pretty stingy with my 4 & 5 star recommendations; so take that in consideration!

One of the most interesting aspects of this book - one quite surprising to me - was the subtle humor delivered deftly by some of the characters. Some of Slavko's thoughts and comments made me laugh out loud & share them with my husband.

I was fascinated & also repulsed by The Teacher - probably just as the author intended.

Well written, a QUICK read. I would have liked a little more character development with a few of the characters - makes me wonder if the author had a "page-thirsty" editor!

Sign me -- a 40-year-old avid reader

Rating:
Summary: TEACHER TEACHER
Review: THE JUROR is a humdinger of a novel, filled with some really nasty characters, a strong heroine, a gifted young child, a PI with a heart, and several plot twists along the way. Single mother Annie Laird is called to jury duty -- for the trial of a mob leader. An aspiring sculptress in a dead-end job, she sees jury duty as a kind of break from her humdrum life. Then one day she sells three of her sculptures to a mysterious man; he's charming, handsome, rich and sweeps Annie off her feet. He's also "The Teacher" and tells her she can have her career, her life, the safety of her child and friends if she says two words: Not guilty. From there she is thrown into a maze of deceit, lies, and ultimately bone chilling fear. A subplot involves a polish detective helping out the Teacher's girlfriend, who thinks her lover is cheating on her.
The pace of the novel is great and even after the trial is over, it's not over for Annie.
Fine good thriller.