The Advocate by Randy Singer (Review)

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 1, 2014)
• ISBN-13: 978-1414391304

At the trial of Christ, Theophilus, brilliant young assessore raised in the Roman aristocracy, stands behind Pontius Pilate and whispers, “Offer to release Barabbas.” The strategy backfires, and Theophilus never forgets the sight of an innocent man unjustly suffering the worst of all possible deaths—Roman crucifixion.

Three decades later, Theophilus has proven himself in the legal ranks of the Roman Empire. He has survived the insane rule of Caligula and has weathered the cruel tyrant’s quest to control the woman he loves. He has endured the mindless violence of the gladiator games and the backstabbing intrigue of the treason trials.

Now he must face another evil Caesar, defending the man Paul in Nero’s deranged court. Can Theophilus mount a defense that will keep another innocent man from execution?

The advocate’s first trial altered the course of history. His last will change the fate of an empire.


My Review:

This is a hard book for me to review. I am not familiar enough with the historical period and details to give an opinion on whether its accurate. I am going to address it as a fully fictional book without analyzing the historical details. It was interesting and kept my attention. One thing that bothered me was the way time was handled. I would finish one chapter and the next would start years later. To me it seemed like the book centered around Theophilus's life more than one trial. The trial of Paul was one little part. Overall it was well written and the characters were mostly well developed. The ending was not nice and sweet. I was reminded that life is like that. I have read some of the author's legal thrillers and enjoyed them. This is his first historical book. I think although this could have been a shorter book it was a good first.






Randy Singer is a critically acclaimed author and veteran trial attorney. He has penned nine legal thrillers, including his award-winning debut novel "Directed Verdict." In addition to his law practice and writing, Randy serves as a teaching pastor for Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He calls it his "Jekyll and Hyde thing"--part lawyer, part pastor. He also teaches classes in advocacy and ethics at Regent Law School and serves on the school's Board of Visitors. He and his wife, Rhonda, live in Virginia Beach. They have two grown children. Visit his Web site at www.randysinger.net. 

Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Judge by Randy Singer (Review)

Paperback: 448 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Reprint edition (August 15, 2012)

ISBN-13: 978-1414335681

Previously published as The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney.

When a brilliant billionaire is diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer, he realizes that all his considerable wealth cannot prepare him to meet his Maker. But he has an idea that might: he will stage the ultimate reality show. With his true agenda hidden, he auditions followers from all the world’s major religions, inviting them to the trial of their lives on a remote island, where they must defend their beliefs against spiritual challenges.

Oliver Finney, a feisty old judge with his own secrets, is chosen to defend Christianity. As the program takes a strange twist, he quickly realizes he is trapped in a game of deadly agendas that may cost him his life. With Internet access monitored, Finney sends coded messages to his law clerk, Nikki Moreno. Aided by a teen crypto-geek, Nikki soon discovers the key to understanding Finney’s clues in an apologetics book Finney wrote and must race against time to decipher the mysteries contained in the ancient words of Christ before her boss dies defending them.

My Review:

I am not sure how to categorize this book. It was not really a thriller but it had a little suspense to it. I did not figure out who the brilliant billionaire was until the end. The plot was interesting and unique. The characters were mostly developed. The book is not as religious as you think it might be. The main plot was what was happening behind the scenes. I liked how the relationships developed between the characters. The judge was the only outspoken Christian in the book and the author went a little over the top making Nikki his opposite. She drinks, parties, flirts excessively to get her way, and does not take life seriously enough. She does love the judge like a father though and he loves her like a daughter even though she is his legal assistant. The judge is dying from lung cancer and looks forward to defending Christianity and his faith for the country before he dies. The other participants are chosen to defend their religion by the producers. I ended up liking them even though I don't agree with their religion. There was a twist at the end I did not see coming. Overall I enjoyed reading the book and it kept my attention. Recommended.

Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales by Randy Singer (Review)

Paperback: 448 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (May 1, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-1414375588

Landon Reed is an ex-quarterback convicted of organizing a points-shaving scheme. During his time in prison, he found forgiveness and faith and earned his law degree. Now he longs for an opportunity to prove his loyalty and worth. Be careful what you ask for.

Harry McNaughton is one of the founding partners of McNaughton & Clay—and the only lawyer willing to take a chance employing an ex-con-turned-lawyer. Though Landon initially questions Harry’s ethics and methods, it’s clear the crusty old lawyer has one of the most brilliant legal minds Landon has ever encountered. The two dive into preparing a defense for one of the highest-profile murder trials Virginia Beach has seen in decades when Harry is gunned down in what appears to be a random mugging. Then two more lawyers are killed when the firm’s private jet crashes. Authorities suspect someone has a vendetta against McNaughton & Clay, leaving Landon and the remaining partner as the final targets.

As Landon struggles to keep the firm together, he can’t help but wonder, is the plot related to a shady case from McNaughton & Clay’s past, or to the murder trial he’s neck-deep in now? And will he survive long enough to find out?


My Review:

This was a great legal thriller book. I really enjoyed reading it. It did not get really suspenseful until the middle which was okay. The first part really set up the characters and plot. I loved Landon and Kerri. She waiting for him while he was in prison and married him when he got out. I liked how neither of them gave up on each other through the book. One of the main themes was honesty and not living a lie. I was surprised by the twists in the end. I found myself saying WHAT! The characters and the plot are well developed and interesting. It held my attention from beginning to end. I could not read fast enough to see what happened next. Highly Recommended. :)




Randy Singer is a critically acclaimed author and veteran trial attorney. He has penned nine legal thrillers, including his award-winning debut novel Directed Verdict. In addition to his law practice and writing, Randy serves as a teaching pastor for Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He calls it his "Jekyll and Hyde thing"—part lawyer, part pastor. He also teaches classes in advocacy and ethics at Regent Law School and serves on the school's Board of Visitors. He and his wife, Rhonda, live in Virginia Beach. They have two grown children.