Always start with the positive... So, yes. I read it, lasted all the way through, and don't think of it as time lamentably and irretrievably lost.That having been said... Is it too much to ask for books in which the Perilous Plot is advanced by means other than abject stupidity on the part of the primary characters? Particularly characters who are supposed to be so very, very smart in the first place? It's not fair or intended that this be taken -primarily- as a slight on this particular book, it's just so damnably common a problem. This book, at least, doesn't go as far as another I won't name where the main narrating character - endlessly described as being possessed of profound (if twisted) brilliance - says no less than twelve times something like "My normally brilliant, highly functional brain just wasn't giving me the answers today." as an excuse for the bone-headed moves the author felt were needed to move the story forward.In the Tenth Justice, a recent top-of-the-food-chain law school graduate brilliant enough to be chosen as a Supreme Court Clerk makes one bone-headed mistake. We all do this, of course, even brilliant law students. In fact, it's probably fair to say "one bone-headed mistake" has firmly taken over from "one catastrophic and unfortunate coincidence" as the primary thriller plot seed.The main character then spends the next several hundred pages running around like a chicken with his head cut off, overreacting, getting way out of his depth, flailing about like an epileptic octopus, and inducing his friends to do the same.Every time he effectively screams "OMG!! What am I going to do!?! What am I going to do!?!" the reader is kind of forced to think "Well, if you'd stop staring awestruck at the lofty peak of Mt. Molehill..."Much, much (much) later in the boo we discover that he really did have -some- cause for concern, but -he- doesn't know that until well after he thinks - for no good reason we can see - that he's out of it. (Fair Disclaimer: His smarter co-clerk sees that he's still in trouble, and He's got good reason (read: character cause) to see himself as out of the woods. It's overconfident, but believable.)At any rate... My own pet peeves aside, the character development is solid, the plot does move along, and the "Wildly Unpredictable Final Twist" doesn't come from -so- far off in in left field as to cause a brain hemorrhage. If you don't share my unreasonable demand that "brilliant" characters behave at least intelligently, you'll probably have a great ride. Even if you do share it, it's a ride worth taking.
Brad Meltzer’s The Tenth JusticeI first heard of Brad Meltzer through his show “Decoded”. After watching an episode that dealt with the secrets of The Grove, I wanted to see what his books were like.The Tenth Justice is a story of bad judgment, betrayal and ultimately mind games. Friendships are tested, sanity is questioned and one man finds himself digging a hole for himself and his career that he may not get out of. Four friends, who have moved to Washington to further their careers, find that their lives will soon be changed, for better and for worse.Ben Addison lives with his three childhood friends in the political capital of the United States. He has landed a prestigious Supreme Court Clerkship with a feisty young lady who becomes a friend and a confidant. When the wrong person hears information that is supposed to be confidential, Ben finds his rising star career heading for twists and turns he could never have imagined. His friends join him in his attempts to fix this mistake but soon Ben learns that not everyone close to him can be trusted. Ben is angry that he has been outsmarted and attempts to redeem himself. But this adventure asks more of him and his friends than he intended to give.I couldn’t put this book down, each page captivated me as I tried to figure out what was going on and who was to be trusted. Here is a peek into the life of the Supreme Court and the people that walk its halls. Meltzer paid great attention to detail, which transformed this story from a simple novel into a glimpse at someone’s bad day that never seems to end. Reading the story, I forgot that Ben Addison was just a creation by an outstanding storyteller.Ben goes on an emotional roller coaster as everything he once knew comes into question. He proves to be resourceful and a worthy adversary as he is forced to face the reality of his situation and learn who is to be trusted and who is not.You can find out more about Brad Meltzer at www.bradmeltzer.com. His TV show “Decoded” airs Thursdays at 10pm on the History channel. The Inner Circle was released in January. He has written some non-fiction and some comic books. He is well-rounded author and storyteller.
What do You think about The Tenth Justice (2008)?
...with liberty and corruption for all -- actually 3.5starsI have a few Brad Meltzer books but this is the first one I’ve actually read and I can only say I am moving at least one more up on my TBR pile as I write this review. This multi-layered thriller set in the US Capitol gives us insight to America’s legal decisions. Naïvete, ambition and a lapse in judgment is a dangerous combination as Ben Addison proves with his second judicial clerk assignment. I would have liked the story to be a little tighter in the beginning. While easy to get into I wasn’t captivated by the world building in the very beginning. Also since the entire situation is because of Ben’s actions, I had a hard time being sympathetic to his character. Then when all of his friends got involved, I wouldn’t feel sympathetic to them either – because once again anything bad would be because of what they each did not a situation that that fell into. All of that being said I really did like the premise and the elements of the story. There was a perfect balance of supposition mixed generally regarded fact to involve me as a reader and pull me into the heart of the story. I am also a fan of the writing style and the many twists in the mystery itself.
—PepperP0t
Ο Μπεν Άντισον, απόφοιτος της Νομικής Σχολής του Γέιλ, δουλεύει στο γραφείο ενός από τους πιο αξιοσέβαστους δικαστές του ανώτατου δικαστηρίου. Όταν όμως από δικό του λάθος, μια κρίσιμη απόφαση του δικαστηρίου διαρρέει πρόωρα, κάποιοι κερδίζουν εκατομμύρια, ένας εκβιαστής τρίβει τα χέρια του κι ο Μπεν αρχίζει να ιδρώνει...Πού τελειώνει η αφοσίωση; Πού αρχίζει η απληστία; Και μέχρι ποιο σημείο μπορεί κανείς να βασίζεται στους φίλους; Δικαστικό θρίλερ, χωρίς αίματα και φόνους. Ποιος είναι ο πληροφοριοδότης; Η γάτα κυνηγάει το ποντίκι και είναι πάντα ένα βήμα μπροστά του. Πάντα; Χμ...Επιτέλους κάποια στιγμή ο ήρωας παίρνει τη ζωή στα χέρια του. Νομική ορολογία, σκοτεινό πέπλο μυστηρίου, καλούτσικο ήταν...Στα ελληνικά από εκδόσεις Bell το 2007.
—Πάνος Τουρλής
I'm not at all sure how I missed this when it first came out but what a treat to find it now. This is a fabulous story. Ben Addison and Lisa Nathan are two of the very few chosen to clerk for the Supreme Court. They are the crème de la crème. But, one small mistake takes them into a book full of trust and mistrust. This story has characters who are so real, I swear I would recognize them on the street. And this mystery plot is so good that the pages turn themselves and there isn't even one single murder. Meltzer's next book is already out and I may not be able to wait for the paperback. This guy is way young so I'm hoping we are looking at years and years of great reads.
—Susan
