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Bestselling writer James Patterson has collaborated with different bold-faced names to pen unique thrillers, from President Invoice Clinton (“The First Gentleman”) to singer Dolly Parton (“Run, Rose, Run”). Now he is teamed up with Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis for “Choose Stone” (to be revealed March 9 by Little, Brown), a courtroom drama that touches on the lightning-rod subject of abortion.
Learn an excerpt beneath, and do not miss Tracy Smith’s interview with Viola Davis and James Patterson on “CBS Sunday Morning” March 8!
“Choose Stone” by Viola Davis & James Patterson
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The door to Choose Stone’s chambers opened, and the courtroom bailiff referred to as, “All rise! Circuit Courtroom of Bullock County, Alabama, is in session, Choose Stone presiding.”
As Bria pushed again her chair and stood up subsequent to her protection lawyer, Benjamin Meyers, she slipped her arms into the pockets of her skirt.
Choose Stone took the bench, carrying a small wicker basket together with her. She set it beside her laptop computer. “Be seated,” the decide mentioned.
Bria sat down and put her arms in her lap.
Choose Stone turned to the fourteen folks within the jury field.
“Good morning! Hope y’all are rested. Are the lodging okay? Everybody have sufficient scorching water? Beds fairly comfy?” The jurors nodded — with out enthusiasm. They weren’t being lodged in luxurious lodging.
The decide launched right into a recitation of the jury’s obligations. Meyers bent his head and murmured to Bria. “Put your arms out the place the jurors can see them.”
Her arm jerked, as if he’d startled her. She bent her head towards his to whisper, “What in the event that they discover the purple ink?”
“They need to see your arms. Do not need to go away an impression that you simply’re hiding one thing.”
She did not counter his recommendation. Bria knew he was the skilled in regards to the courtroom. With a swift transfer, her arms appeared on the desk, folded, as if in prayer.
Choose Stone wrapped up her jury directions. Bria watched the decide rise from the bench with the wicker basket, descend the steps, and stroll over to the jury field.
“I’ve a practice in jury trials. So long as I have been on the bench, I wish to have a tough sweet whereas I am listening to the courtroom proceedings. I feel it helps me concentrate. Keep targeted. Plus, I like sweet. At all times have, since I used to be a child. And if I get to have it, my jury does, too.”
Bria tried to clean the material of her sleeve whereas the decide commanded the jury’s consideration.
The decide held up a red-and-white-striped peppermint for the jurors to see. “They’re individually wrapped. We’re not sharing germs, simply sharing laborious candies! Don’t fret about me doing something that can make my jurors get sick. You are essential to me. No approach I might threat your well being.”
Bria may inform that the jury was enjoyable. And she or he’d begun to ease up, too. Her arms weren’t so tense, the tendons had been much less distinguished. Ben glanced over at Bria. When he caught her eye, she gave him a slight smile.
He scribbled a word on his yellow authorized pad. Choose is warming them up. A laughing jury is nice for the protection.
That made sense to Bria. Sending folks to jail was a critical enterprise. No joking round about that.
From “Choose Stone” by Viola Davis and James Patterson. Copyright © 2026 by James Patterson and Viola Davis. Reprinted by permission of Little, Brown and Firm, a division of Hachette Guide Group. All rights reserved.
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“Choose Stone” by Viola Davis & James Patterson
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