Stacey Abrams is someone I really admire, and when I saw she had written a thriller, I had to read it. I was not disappointed at all, and would highly recommend it – whatever your politics. I had sort of expected it to be anti-Republican, but it was not overtly so. President Stokes was definitely not modelled on Trump – and indeed, it took me a lot of the book to work out whether he was a bad guy or not. There was obviously something suspect going on – but whether or not it was a matter of genuine national security, whether the FBI, CIA, Homeland Security …. were involved, trying to stop terrorists (if so, which terrorists?), playing party politics – or something altogether more sinister – remained to be seen. In the tradition of all top-class thrillers, I was kept guessing.
The hero, Avery Keene, was a young female legal clerk, who was thrown into an unholy mess when the Supreme Court judge she worked for fell into a coma, and named her as holding his power of attorney – not his son, not his estranged wife, not another judge. Why? There is a very important (again why?) ruling coming up for the Supreme Court, where Justice Howard Wynn is expected to cast the deciding vote. If he dies – another judge can be appointed. But so long he is in a coma, nothing can be done. By the way, he has an incurable disease, which makes it likely he will not come out of the coma. Avery does not only have the ethical (turn off life-support or not) and politics of the situation to deal with, but family issues too. Her mother is a junkie, always looking for money to feed her habit. And then people connected to Avery and Justice Wynn go missing and/or die. Like Avery, the reader is left floundering in the dark.
Justice Wynn is not a sympathetic character. He expects everyone to dance to his tune, regardless of how much his machinations destroy their lives. He could have made things a lot more clear – but instead chose to hide obscure clues in chess games and other esoteric places. Thankfully, Avery finds two people she can trust, to help her.
Apart from a very good plot that kept my avid interest throughout, the book was really well written. A couple of the lovely phrases that appealed to me were:
““Such a shame about poor Howard,” offered an eggplant-attired matron of impeccable breeding and questionable chromatic theory.”
and
“Aware that her family ties to the White House faded with each president, she had made ingratiation her blood sport.”
The book also raised important questions about the way the USA is governed. I like to think that anyone on the Supreme Court has earned their place there, and will make judgements based on the law and not personal desires or politics. But what should happen if a justice is no longer capable of doing their job. As one character points out, the founding fathers did not know how much or how quickly medicine could advance. Two hundred years ago, a job for life would have had a much more limited term.
They also did not know how science could change, or the media – did anyone?
“Despite knowing how vulnerable technology can be, bureaucrats placed their faith in the myth of privacy. Their job relied on the fairy tales Americans told themselves about their government, despite ample proof to the contrary. Surveillance. Covert research. Targeted retribution. All disguised by pleasing stories told by men like Vance and President Stokes.”
Medical ethics and scientific discoveries play a big part in this story – making for a very thought-provoking – as well as compelling and fascinating – read.
“I am suggesting that scientific curiosity may get the better of humanity yet again. As it always has. Oppenheimer wasn’t a pioneer. He was just another scientist afraid to stop thinking.”
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by either the author or publisher.

Political thrillers typically don’t draw me in. But when I saw who the author was I decided to give it a go. Let me tell you, it was a decision I did not regret. From the very opening sentences I was hooked. Set in the world of Washington politics, the story brings you deep into a plethora of mysteries, and the more that Law Clery Avery unravels, the more she unearths. Stacey Abrams knows the world she is writing about, so it felt inherently real, yet the story was fast paced, full of buried secrets, twisting plot paths, conspiracy theories, and a terrifying thriller of a story was delivered through this. It felt real, yet surreal. With a tinge of could this really happen? Which makes the reader love it all the more. I could not stop reading this book. Next please!

*I received this book from NetGalley for review but all opinions are my own.

While Justice Sleeps is utterly compelling and brilliantly plotted, with legal and political intrigue to keep the reader up all night. You will not want to put this one down!
Avery works as a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Howard Wynn. When he ends up in a coma, she finds herself unexpectedly in charge of his affairs. But why? He has entrusted her with a puzzle, one that she alone is capable of solving. The story is brilliantly conceived, with mysteries and secrets she must uncover before it’s too late. It didn’t let up for a second. I loved Avery. She was smart, resourceful and loyal. But she also knew how to get the most out of people, how to encourage their talents. The world of Washington politics was fascinating and all the more so because it felt as if the author knew exactly what she was writing about. It felt real. This book would make an amazing film.

I was given this ARC for review.

What a great title, once you've read While Justice Sleeps you'll realise why. I must declare a bias, I just love courtroom or law based stories, indeed I like thrillers too, so marry them together and I'm hooked. This book is like a primer for the American judicial system and it has certainly opened my eyes to the power of the Supreme Court and of the political appointment of its Justices. However, the novel explores the possibility of weaponised geneatics. Whilst battlefield biological weapons made viable by directed radio beams are known about, the precept of a weapon targeting a religious following rather than a unique genotype is stretching it. Nevertheless it was very entertaining. Refreshingly, the author didn't pander to sexual diversity box ticking, which now seems endemic, especially in the UK. In While Justice Sleeps, master tactician Justice Wynn, although in a coma, orchestrates an intellectual cat and mouse game for his clerk Avery, having left a number of clues for her to discover. Naturally there are powerful forces wanting to stop her but an eidetic memory and an understanding of chess keeps her ahead of the game.

While Justice Sleeps is a cracking on the edge of your seat thriller. Avery a law clerk with an eidetic memory is suddenly thrust into the limelight when Judge Justice Wynn falls into a coma and has named Avery as his legal guardian with power of attorney.
Many are conspiring against this outspoken Judge including his ex wife and the President of the USA. Political corruption, unethical genetic research and murder all come into play in this rollercoaster of a story. Averys life is on the line and what she discovers is horrifying but she’s determined to do her best for the judge even though he’s always more or less ignored her as is his cranky way with everyone.
Not wanting to give away any spoilers all you need to know is that this is a suspenseful, fast paced exciting read. Stacey Abrams is a new author to me, one I will be following closely in the future.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

Before I read this book, I’d never heard of Stacey Abrams, as American politics isn’t a subject I would normally be interested in. The description drew me in, and I’m grateful to have been allowed to read it. As a political thriller/murder, it is a very good read, with the author obviously having an excellent background for this. Avery is an interesting heroine, believable and with an good back story, having had to fight really hard to get to where she is on sheer hard work and determination. I did find it hard going at times but this was purely because of not having been exposed to American politics and the way things work in USA. I was still struggling slightly right to the end, however it was such a fast paced, well written book, that I was glad I had persevered.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I loved this!
It is well written and well researched - although I checked and can see that Ms Abrams has been a part of the US political scene for years so I guess she is very well informed!!
It took me a while to get into it as the characters were introduced but I thoroughly enjoyed it and although the potential relationship is suggested at the end I am glad that there is no tidying up chapter, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions.
It is a complex story addressing political issues, loyalty the US law and scary scientific possibilities.
I am so sorry that I have finished it!!
Recommended!

A supreme court justice with a limited lifespan slips into a coma as a critical case awaits a judgement. He holds the swing vote that could topple the president and expose mass murder. One of his clerks, Avery Keene, is then unexpectedly to her, the judge's estranged wife and his son, given power of attorney over whether he lives of dies. Determined to look after her boss, Avery is dragged into a conspiracy that threatens her career, her life and her mother's. The judge has left a series of cryptic clues which Avery has to piece together in just a few days otherwise she will be stripped of her power, and the judge's life support will be switched of. Brilliantly plotted political thriller.

This is an awesomely researched and detailed book showing a remarkable knowledge of the internal workings of the US Supreme Court and the presidency. At first it seems as if it is just about the serious medical condition of Justice Wynn who, presumably because he is estranged from his second wife and his son, Jared, nominates his legal clerk, Avery, as his guardian. That in itself seems odd but not as strange as the events which follow. The president himself is engaged in supporting research which is classed as genocide. That makes the story seems straightforward but it is anything but that. It is intricately interwoven, well written and surprisingly believable! The title has a double meaning. One justice is sleeping certainly but a broader definition of justice is not as alert as it should be either. This book keeps you reading but it needs to be read with as little interruption as possible to keep up with the shifting story. I recommend it.

Stacey Abrams, lawyer and Georgia Democratic political rockstar when it comes to voting rights, showcases her ability to write a complex, taut and riveting legal thriller, featuring the extraordinary Avery Keene, a protagonist in the vein of Grisham's Darby Shaw in The Pelican Brief, memorably played by Julia Roberts in the movie. Avery is the law clerk, with an eidetic memory, to the brilliant if cantankerous, Justice Howard Wynn, so often the critical swing vote in the Supreme Court. Her life becomes a deadly and challenging nightmare when Wynn slides into a coma, apparently he is a sufferer of Boursin's Syndrome, and shockingly he has appointed her his legal guardian with power of attorney. This is an act that enrages the President, Brandon Stokes, and Celeste, Wynn's wife who wants to switch off his life support.

The suspicions of Homeland Security's Major Will Vance and the FBI are aroused, whilst the intense media scrutiny is behind the public shredding her reputation, discrediting her professionalism, and questioning her integrity, nothing and no-one is off limits, including Avery's drug addict mother, Rita. Aided by Jared, Wynn's estranged son, Noah Fox, Wynn's lawyer, and Dr Ling Yun, her best friend, roommate, and medic, Avery tries to solve the cryptic clues left behind for her by Wynn under the format of a strategic chess match. This leads her to Avtar, a Indian biotech company, and its proposed acquisiton of the American GenWorks that is being virulently opposed by the President, amoral, unethical and deadly genetic experimentation, and political corruption at the highest levels. Furthermore, Avery faces powerfully ruthless political players intent on removing Wynn from the Supreme Court, who are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve this, including murder, and threatening the lives of anyone close to Avery.

Abrams utilises her political and legal background to great effect in this fast paced, compulsive and suspenseful thriller that had me turning the pages as fast as I could to find out how it all ends. I must admit, prior to reading this, I was apprehensive as to whether Abrams would be able to deliver a well written and exciting thriller, I need not have worried in the slightest, this is the work of a able writer. It seems there is no end to the talents of the author, and I loved her capacity to come up with several well plotted, and complex storylines in this enthralling read. This is one I am sure many crime, mystery and thriller readers will love. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.

Stacey Abrams is a truly inspirational and remarkable woman and when I heard that she had written a novel (and saw an ARC on NetGalley), I had to request it. And I'm so glad I was granted the copy. While Justice Sleeps is a political thriller; it's not a genre I read a lot of, but this book was certainly enjoyable. At certain points, I felt it was more of an info-dump and had lots of exposition which sort of slowed down the book, but right around the middle, the book picked up. And it definitely finished with a bang. Overall, While Justice Sleeps is a good, albeit slightly expositional, political thriller.

I’ve read the other 3 reviews for this book and I’m going to be a bit contradictory. For me it’s not as good as a Grisham. Why? Because it’s a bit to convoluting, I like my books to have depth but at times this strays into the going too deep category
The characters, especially Avery Keene are brilliant, as is the story, but there are times in the first 25% of the book where I found myself confused and struggled to maintain my interest, and may easily have given up. I’m glad I didn’t but will admit to speed reading sections to find out what was happening later in a chapter

This is my first book by this author and I adored it. It reminds me of a John Grisham novel and I was hooked from the start. Will for sure read other work by this author.

I’ve followed Stacey Abrams career for a while now and find her very eloquent and thought provoking so I was hugely excited to see what her first fiction novel would bring!
I absolutely loved it and raced my way through wanting to know what was next. The road we follow Avery and Justice Wynn on is twisty and never straightforward but it will have you gripped.

Avery is a clerk to a Supreme Court justice. When he suddenly falls into a coma, Avery is left in charge of his Power of Attorney and gets drawn into a web of puzzles and secrets that only she can figure out.

This novel was so thrilling. Full of twists and turns, While Justice Sleeps kept me hooked the whole way through. I was constantly saying 'one more chapter' as I couldn't put it down. I fund myself constantly trying to figure out the puzzles and guess the ending before Avery. Stacey Abrams has written a gripping novel that I have already recommended to all my friends!

Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy.