We, the Jury

The execution of this novel from Rotstein (The Bomb Maker’s Son) falls short of its high concept—a trial told from the viewpoints of some two dozen characters. Held in Sepulveda County Superior Court, David Sullinger’s trial for murdering his wife, Amanda, has just wrapped up, and everyone thinks his self-defense claims will win the day. But from the moment the judge—Natalie Quinn-Gilbert, a still-grieving widow—accidentally gives the jury incorrect instructions, things start taking interesting turns. The various jurors, identified only by their professions, give their thoughts on occurrences as the deliberation unfolds, as do the judge, her staff, the lawyers, and a blogger covering the case. Unfortunately, most of the characters speak in similar tones and are prone to making glib statements (“I have a flexible moral compass when it comes to lying,” the blogger says). The key question of whether Amanda abused David gets lost amid the welter of voices and the author’s stylistic tricks. [em]Agent: Jill Marr, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. (Oct.) [/em]