The Holdout

A really clever crime procedural, focusing more on the legal system and trial than on the usual police work. Graham Moore is a screenwriter, and that kind of comes across in the writing style. This novel has a kind of ‘made for a movie adaption' feel to it. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The characters are well developed and the twisty nature of the plot is a joy to follow.

This focus on the legal and judicial setting is clever as it moves the discussion onto some of the major flaws in the justice system. The fact that you can be encouraged to plead guilty to things you didn't do to make it easier to deny the bigger charges is definitely a weird one, but you increasingly here similar stories in real crime. It also takes a close look at the jury system and exposes some of the flaws there.

I picked this up as a break from my usual reading matter (I mostly read fantasy) and devoured the book in pretty much one sitting, finishing the whole thing in the space of a day. If that is not a solid recommendation, I don't know what is!

3.5 stars.
this felt like a modern take on the classic “whodunnit” Agatha Christie-type story - her stories are even brought up a few times. personally, I liked how tied to the justice system and juries this was but those who do not like courtroom dramas will probably not like that aspect. I liked the several discussions of racial issues within the criminal justice system, especially that Maya's white knight personality was called out (made me a little uncomfy that the author is white but I think it was still handled well). usually someone trying to investigate a crime they have no business investigating bothers me, but I think because Maya does have some sort of legal/criminal knowledge it didn't bug me as much. I also liked that I didn't really get much opportunity to guess who was actually responsible for both crimes.
I thought this was going to be more focused on the true crime documentary which I really would have liked but sadly it wasn't. the middle became a little tedious and boring. the ending felt a little rushed and almost unsatisfying, even though all questions are answered. overall, this was a pretty fun mystery but it didn't do anything new or crazy.

The Holdout by Graham Moore is a legal thriller that follows the jury members in a controversial trial and again ten years later when one of them is found murdered. The main character Maya Seale is the one juror who changed the outcome of the trial that may be the cause of the other juror member's death.


This book not only is a compelling and fast-paced novel but it also focuses on race issues and social class issues especially in large cities like L.A. where it is set.

“No verdict ever changed a person's opinion.”
I found this book to be very well written with a good range of diverse characters who have different perspectives of the trial and what comes after. When reading it I found myself wanting a bit more from certain characters and a bit less from others.


The plot was in a sense a bit predictable but the ending was a bit of a surprise. I also feel like the ending was a bit of a cop-out because it could have had such a cooler ending to the story. But other than that, I enjoyed this one quite a bit and I will recommend it to others.