This sequel to Grisham’s 2009 novel The Whistler focuses on Lacy Stoltz, lead investigative lawyer of the Florida Board of Judicial Conduct, as she investigates an accusation that an active Judge is a serial killer with six victims or more to his credit.

The Judge’s List starts slowly as the informant reveals a smidgeon of information during each meeting. Numerous contacts occur at differing locations between Lacy and the informer. Grisham describes the scenery as Lacy drives to each meeting and the area in careful detail. But nothing much happens.

Grisham uses this lead-up to interject a drawn-out information dump detailing Lacy’s previous investigation of a judge who worked with The Coast Mafia to arrange the construction of a large casino on Native American land. The judge, crime syndicate, and tribal leaders embezzle large monthly payments. Present and former characters are also introduced.

I could only read a chapter at a time before becoming bored and putting the book down to do something more interesting. Each time I picked up the book to read another chapter, it was only with reluctance. I didn’t want to continue reading, and after seven chapters, I finally gave up. It’s a shame because I enjoyed the first book in the series. ( )

Have been reading a lot of Grisham's books over the last year or so and every one is so well written and absorbing. This one is also well written but with a bit of a twist away form the courtroom dramas. A judge who is a serial killer is a deviation from his other works and a great read. ( )

Convoluted thriller. I found the story had good potential but also felt the dialogue and pacing weird. It feels like Grisham "phoned it in". ( )

I am a huge John Grisham fan but felt this book fell short of his usual talents. ( )

Investigator Lacy Stoltz follows the trail of a serial killer, and closes in on a shocking suspect–a sitting judge.