George Dawes Green, The Juror (Warner, 1995)George Dawes Green wrote The Caveman's Valentine, which netted him the Edgar. He then followed it up with the euqally acclaimed The Juror, and proceeded to drop off the face of the earth, foiling a carefully-plotted career as a bestselling mystery novelist. Go figure. Based on the quality of his first two books, a whole lot of folks wish he'd come back.Green's second novel introduces us to The Teacher, a part-time mob enforcer, Taoist, and grower of rare orchids whose present job entails tampering with a jury to make sure his part-time employer doesn't go to jail. Problem is, the Teacher starts getting emotionally involved the the juror, and the two of them end up doing a rather dysfunctional dance that ends up with a whole lot of people dying.It's an absorbing novel, and a quick read. The characters are strongly drawn and identifiable, and the plot is excellently paced. The book's main flaw is that it relies a bit much on coincidences (of the "of all the gin joints in the world..." variety) that stretch credibility too far. But mystery novels rely on coincidence, and so we have to be willing to forgive Green in order to bask in the luxury of his writing. And it is certainly worth forgiving him, as the characters he creates here will be with you long after you turn the last page. *** 1/2
George Dawes Green may be something of a misogynist, at least it seems so in some of the scenes he writes that are pornographic and add nothing to the storyline. He doesn’t treat the main character, Annie Laird, well either. This book isn’t entirely plausible, in fact a lot of it isn’t plausible. To illustrate the point, someone is sketching the jurors in a high profile trial. The juror’s identity is to remain secret, no one would be allowed to sketch them. I bought this book at a sale to raise money for the library, probably paid $1.00, it wasn’t worth what I paid.
Do You like book The Juror (1996)?
Synopsis:Single mother, struggling sculptor, and newly selected juror Annie Laird doesn't realize her danger when she agrees to participate in the murder trial of mob boss Louie Buffano. This changes quickly enough when Annie meets "the Teacher," a handsome, dangerous and volatile member of Buffano's familia. The Teacher makes it immediately apparent that if she agrees to cooperate, he can help make her career. If she refuses to do so, her life and that of her son may be forfeit. The tension rises as Annie struggles to find a way to save her family without giving in to the Teacher's increasing demands.Review:If the plot sounds vaguely familiar, you may have watched the 1996 movie version with Demi Moore and Alec Baldwin. The audiobook is equally fast paced and absorbing without the strength of Alec Baldwin's portrayal of the Teacher and the weaknesses of Demi Moore's Annie Laird. Overall, The Juror is action packed, suspenseful and highly entertaining."
—Gaby
Una madre soltera que se enfrenta a la mafia y a un asesor de los mismos el cual es muy inteligente y esta loco como una cabra ( si, las cabras están locas). Al principio me costo que la protagonista me importara , era muy tontica, muy ingenua pero mientras las paginas avanzaban la historia era mejor, mas fuerte, mas dura y la mujer empieza a actuar mejor, los secundarios cumplen, desde la doctora al detective aunque el villano, el profesor es quien se lleva las palmas y es un personaje que en serio se hace querer de principio a final.
—Camilo Guerra
