Judge Stone

A Novel

By: James Patterson, Viola Davis

Narrated by: Viola Davis

#1 New York Times Bestseller!

Read by Academy Award–winning actress Viola Davis.

“Davis is a force of nature, and her performance is riveting.” — Kirkus Reviews

Viola Davis and the world's #1 bestselling author James Patterson’s Judge Stone "delivers first-class courtroom drama, small-town excitement, and strong characters all wrapped in a moral dilemma. Tense, readable, and relevant.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

“Talk about a power combo! ... With Davis’s razor-sharp emotional insight and Patterson’s mastery of rocket-fuel pacing, this is the dream team to deliver an up-all-night read that will keep the group chat buzzing.” —Oprah Daily

“Wonderfully satisfying ... This legal thriller from [a] superstar duo ... demands attention from its opening pages and never lets go.” —Booklist, starred review

All rise... for Judge Stone.

The most respected citizen in Union Springs, Alabama (population 3,314), is Judge Mary Stone. She holds two responsibilities sacred: running her family farm and presiding over her courtroom. It's there she draws the most controversial case in the history of the South.

Criminally, it’s open-and-shut.

Ethically, there is no middle ground. Essentially, it’s a choice between life and death.

No judge can satisfy everyone. It would be dangerous to try. But Judge Stone is willing to fight to bring justice to the people and place she loves.

Critic reviews

"Twists abound... The Davis-Patterson collaboration delivers first-class courtroom drama, small-town excitement, and strong characters all wrapped in a moral dilemma. Tense, readable, and relevant.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Talk about a power combo! … With Davis’s razor-sharp emotional insight and Patterson’s mastery of rocket-fuel pacing, this is the dream team to deliver an up-all-night read that will keep the group chat buzzing.”—Oprah Daily

"Wonderfully satisfying … This legal thriller from [a] superstar duo … demands attention from its opening pages and never lets go.”—Booklist (starred review)

“A stunning, powerful and incendiary courtroom thriller. Impossible to put down.”—Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of All the Colors of the Dark

“Gripping, tense, heart-wrenching, timely and so, so important. I read it in one sitting. This is a story that everyone will be talking about in 2026, and I can’t wait to see it brought to life on screen.”—Ruth Mancini, bestselling author of The Woman on the Ledge

Strong female character leads

I like the material has current social environment incorporated into the book. The plot was relatable and so were the characters. As I listened , I can picture the courtroom and every person in that room. Violas range in voice overs was great !

Heart catching novel

Great story, relevant to our current times. Could listen to Viola Davis read anything! She was reading from her heart, and I felt like I got to know each of the characters. Would love more books about Judge Stone and her small town of Union City. I feel like it’s the start to a great series!! Please write more!

Excellent Read!!!

The book is full of suspense and will keep you wanting more. This would make a fantastic screen play!!! Loved every chapter of the story!!!

Wooooww!!!

This is beyond amazing! No notes!! Best read of 2026!! I hope we get more books like this one, my faith in literature is restored. Bravo

Timely plot

The storyline won’t be for everyone but unfortunately, it is a reality. The narration was superb. I enjoyed the writing very much.