While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams

 

Welcome Back, Booklovers! While Justice Sleeps is probably one of the most anticipated books of 2021. Like many of you I became familiar with Stacey Abrams during election season. Although I really still don't know much about her other than she's a former romance author and a voter's rights activist. While thriller isn't my favorite genre I have enjoyed some in the past. So I was happy to receive an arc from Doubleday in exchange for an honest review.

Avery is a clerk working for Justice Howard Wynn, who is the swing vote on many high profile cases. After an erratic event Justice Wynn overdoses and falls into a coma. Avery is shocked to learn he has appointed her as his power of attorney over both his son and ex wife even though they don't have a close relationship. She's already dealing with the resurgence of a drug addicted mother demanding cash and as she soon discovers there are a lot of people who want Howard Wynn dead before the end of his term and they don't mind taking her out in the process. Teaming up with his son Jared and his lawyer Nick she must put together the cryptic clues he left behind about his research on a foreign genetics company with nefarious ties.

This is my first legal thriller so I wasn't sure what to expect. I've read thriller that has a bit of a political angle to it before but while my previous reads scratched the surface this one dove right in. There's critique of the President, Supreme Court, Department of Homeland Security, and FBI as readers are introduced to characters from each branch. There's so many characters and moving pieces that it's a little hard to keep everyone straight but it makes for a compelling ride. 

Stacey Abrams makes good use of  her background in politics and much like she had to step up in her fight against voter suppression, Avery finds herself stepping up against some of the most powerful men in the country. Avery's eidetic memory and love of analyzing problems helps her solve the living game of chess she now finds herself a pawn in. While Avery's biracial heritage is a part of who she is it's not incidental to the plot so there's little commentary on it and it's not something you pick up on right away. 

This story is written in 3rd person and the reader gets a peek into the mind of every player who affects the story whether small or large. One minute you'll be reading about Avery's thoughts the next you'll jump into the mind of one of her adversaries. And the judge leaves very cryptic clues behind about the information powerful people prevented him from exposing. It was almost like an action movie or a tv show in that way.

Though some of the more political and scientific jargon required me to read closely and some of it went over my head it didn't hinder my enjoyment. I thought much of it was explained well without overexplaining and bogging down the story. I also enjoyed the look at the US government on both sides of the aisle and America's love of having a stronghold in international affairs. If I were Avery I would've abandoned from the moment the threats started but her loyalty, attachment to the judge as a pseudo father-figure, and genuine curiosity keep her from backing down even as the events wear on her and the leads become literal dead-ends. Despite Abram's past as a romance novelist don't expect a romantic suspense story here. With everything going on there's just not much time for loving.