Review – The Judge

Back Cover: 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.

Review: I know we aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover, sad to say I’ve done that. Randy Singers’ new book The Judge was originally released in 2006 under the name, Cross Examination of Oliver Finney. He wrote a non-fiction companion book named Cross Examination of Jesus Christ!

I work at a book store and remember seeing these books on the shelf. I had not read many of Randy’s books then. The cover and/or the title of the book didn’t grab my attention and I chose not to read the books. My Bad, Oh my, did I miss a great book experience.

Great news is they’re back! I’m thankful for the review copy of a book I miss judged! Pun intended. The title of the new book is catchy and evokes emotion. The cover made me stop in my tracks and stare! I just had to make this the number one book on my TBR pile. I’m thrilled I did! I’m grateful I’ve had a second chance with Randy Singer’s book and the opportunity to enjoy this thought provoking, suspenseful, intriguing read with characters I instantly liked such as Nikki, Wellington and Oliver Finney.

I was hooked after reading the first few sentences, “There must be some mistake…the room started spinning as soon as the patient heard the words. Inoperable brain cancer. Frontal lobe…unbelievable…He wasn’t ready to face whatever lurked on the other side of death.”

Are you hooked? Want to know more?

Randy Singer takes the reader on an adventure like no other! What would you do to defend your faith? That’s the question!

The rich patient diagnosed with brain cancer had denied the existence of God his whole life! The patient had a brilliant idea after watching the TV show, Survivor. He’d know once and for all if there was a God and which one was real. “He would choose powerful advocates for each of the world’s major religions as contestants. Their faith would be put to the ultimate test on a remote island.” Everything would be videotaped for all to see.

Oliver Finney is a feisty, cigar smoking, Christian U.S. Judge who’s been around the block a few times, and agrees to defend Christianity when producers ask him to. He thinks, “How many men had a chance to reach an entire generation during the last year of their lives. Maybe his whole life had been preparing him for this very moment!”

The producer explains to the director about the show, “It’s not championship wrestling, McCormick, but it’s not jeopardy either. Faith on Trial will test you spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and physically!”

I like how the author broke down the sections of this book into five parts. 1. Agenda, 2. Contestants 3. Cross-examination 4. Rebuttal 5. Verdict.

I like the book’s new look, and this author’s ability to capture my heart from the start. Warning you’ll be up late reading this one. I was gripped by the suspense, fun and Oliver Finney’s obsession with puzzles and codes. It’s a refreshing read that will encourage you and stir your soul. I highly recommend this book to everyone especially for your next book club meeting. This book is to be experienced and shared!