What We’re Reading: While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams

A Supreme court justice in a mysterious coma puts his clever clerk in charge and in [repeated] danger in this exciting political thriller that deals with secret government dealings, bioethics, justice, regular ethics, corporate mergers, a chess move as metaphor, and complex family relationships.

Title: While Justice Sleeps

Author: Stacey Abrams (yes, that Stacey Abrams)

Genre: Contemporary fiction, political thriller, who-dunnit

Read Great Things 2021 Categories: A book about family; Choose your own category–A THRILLER; A book recommended by Durham Tech Library staff (our favorite category)

This book was read by Meredith Lewis, the (mostly) Orange County Campus Librarian.

Why did you choose to read this book?

Well, to be honest, I was stressed out and buying books helps sometimes. (Or I think it helps? Who knows. It happens whether or not it helps.) I like mysteries, but I don’t often enjoy political thrillers because they’re usually too wonky and make me stressed out about real politics. However, I was curious what a political thriller by Stacey Abrams would be like.

I want to let you know that the prologue had so many annoying descriptions that I almost put it down in the first 15 pages. Thankfully, it turns out that was the character who almost immediately goes into a coma, so I didn’t have to read his adjective-heavy third-person narration for very long. (What a relief! It was too much, but very effective character-building.)

Was there anything noteworthy about the book?

It was very twisty with lots of puzzles, but (unlike most mysteries) I didn’t feel compelled to try to figure them out. It felt somehow clear to me that there were missing pieces that would be revealed in time and they were! No loose threads here (that I remember). Avery, the main character, is smart, clever, and loyal to a fault, which makes her interesting to follow through the plot twists. I liked her supporting entourage, too.

I also really enjoyed that sexual violence was not a plot point. Murder did happen, though. Multiple times. And almost happened several other times.

What did this book make you think about?

I know books like this aren’t supposed to be completely realistic, BUT please no one make me their legal guardian/give me their power of attorney if we don’t know each other well. If you do decide to do this ill-advised thing, LET ME KNOW AHEAD OF TIME. I was STRESSED for Avery several times beyond just all the folks trying to kill her for this very reason.

Who would you recommend this book to?

Anyone interested in contemporary political thrillers that deal with international issues and bioethics. Or anyone who wants a fast-paced read to distract them from other things going on in the world!

Did you know that we have some of Stacey Abrams’ other books in our Dogwood Digital Library collection,

like her nonfiction