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Bestselling author James Patterson has collaborated with other bold-faced names to pen original thrillers, from President Bill Clinton (“The First Gentleman”) to singer Dolly Parton (“Run, Rose, Run”). Now he’s teamed up with Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis for “Judge Stone” (to be published March 9 by Little, Brown), a courtroom drama that touches on the lightning-rod issue of abortion.

Read an excerpt below, and don’t miss Tracy Smith’s interview with Viola Davis and James Patterson on “CBS Sunday Morning” March 8! 

“Judge Stone” by Viola Davis & James Patterson

Prefer to listen? Audible has a 30-day free trial available right now.

The door to Judge Stone’s chambers opened, and the court bailiff called, “All rise! Circuit Court of Bullock County, Alabama, is in session, Judge Stone presiding.”

As Bria pushed back her chair and stood up next to her defense attorney, Benjamin Meyers, she slipped her hands into the pockets of her skirt. 

Judge Stone took the bench, carrying a small wicker basket with her. She set it beside her laptop. “Be seated,” the judge said.

Bria sat down and put her hands in her lap.

Judge Stone turned to the fourteen people in the jury box.

“Good morning! Hope y’all are rested. Are the accommodations okay? Everyone have enough hot water? Beds pretty comfortable?” The jurors nodded — without enthusiasm. They weren’t being lodged in luxury accommodations.

The judge launched into a recitation of the jury’s obligations. Meyers bent his head and murmured to Bria. “Put your hands out where the jurors can see them.”

Her arm jerked, as if he’d startled her. She bent her head toward his to whisper, “What if they notice the red ink?”

“They have to see your hands. Don’t want to leave an impression that you’re hiding something.”

She didn’t counter his advice. Bria knew he was the expert about the courtroom. With a swift move, her hands appeared on the table, folded, as if in prayer.

Judge Stone wrapped up her jury instructions. Bria watched the judge rise from the bench with the wicker basket, descend the steps, and walk over to the jury box.

“I have a tradition in jury trials. As long as I’ve been on the bench, I like to have a hard candy while I’m listening to the court proceedings. I think it helps me pay attention. Stay focused. Plus, I like candy. Always have, since I was a kid. And if I get to have it, my jury does, too.”

Bria tried to smooth the fabric of her sleeve while the judge commanded the jury’s attention.

The judge held up a red-and-white-striped peppermint for the jurors to see. “They’re individually wrapped. We’re not sharing germs, just sharing hard candies! Don’t worry about me doing anything that will make my jurors get sick. You’re important to me. No way I’d risk your health.”

Bria could tell that the jury was relaxing. And she’d begun to ease up, too. Her hands weren’t so tense, the tendons were less prominent. Ben glanced over at Bria. When he caught her eye, she gave him a slight smile.

He scribbled a note on his yellow legal pad. Judge is warming them up. A laughing jury is good for the defense.

That made sense to Bria. Sending people to prison was a serious business. No joking around about that.

From “Judge Stone” by Viola Davis and James Patterson. Copyright © 2026 by James Patterson and Viola Davis. Reprinted by permission of Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group. All rights reserved.

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“Judge Stone” by Viola Davis & James Patterson

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James Middleton, the dog-loving brother of Kate, was seen at this year’s Crufts as he mingled with visitors at the prestigious Birmingham event.

The entrepreneur, who runs the dog food and lifestyle brand Ella & James, spent time at the Medical Detection Dogs stand, crouching down to fuss over pups and chatting with attendees as if he’d been part of the team all along. 

The charity later shared on Instagram, “It was lovely to have James Middleton from Ella & James on our Crufts stand today! He met clients, joined a demo, and made everyone feel like part of the family.”

Thousands of dog owners and their companions descended on the four day extravaganza. 

Among the highlights, Claudia Winkleman hosted day one, describing her time at the show as “the best day of my life,” as she joined the Southern Golden Retriever Display Team for a choreographed rehearsal. 

Even comparisons to her wedding fell short, she joked.

Amanda Holden also joined the fun. “I bathe with my dog,” Holden quipped, responding to Winkleman’s admission that she gives her dog Skip a “French kiss.”

James celebrated National Golden Retriever Day, sharing a heartfelt image of his golden retriever, Isla, on social media.

Dua Lipa made her father Dukagjin Lipa’s special day extra sweet with a heartwarming tribute.

Taking to her Instagram grid on Thursday, March 5, the Levitating hitmaker shared an adorable birthday message to mark her father’s new personal milestone.

She lovingly penned, “Happy Birthday twin bestie @dukagjinlipa.” Punctuated with a red heart emoji, the American-Albanian pop star added, “I love you so much.”

Alongside the text, the One Kiss songstress posted a series of her photos with her proud father, offering a glimpse into the father-daughter duo’s close bond.

Taking a trip down memory lane, the Kosovan-Albanian entrepreneur’s daughter shared images of a young Dukagjin, holding, kissing and playing with baby Dua.

Other photos were from their recent outings and stage performances together.

For the unversed, Dukagjin, who is a marketing expert and former rock musician, officially managed the Radical Optimism tour superstar’s career since 2022.

In the 1980s and early 90s he was the lead singer and guitarist for the Kosovan rock band Oda.

The CEO and founder of Republika Communications also founded a major international music festival, named Sunny Hill Festival, in Pristina to promote Kosovo’s culture.

Dua, 30, has previously headlined the event and even performed duets with her dad on stage.

Interestingly, on the same day as her father’s birthday, she also reposted a video from the festival’s official page on her Instagram Stories, announcing that tickets for this year are now on sale.