While Justice Sleeps

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of addiction, death, graphic violence, and religious discrimination.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Legal thrillers often center on courtroom drama, but While Justice Sleeps builds tension through political conspiracy and government corruption. How does Abrams’s approach to the genre compare to other legal thrillers you’ve encountered, such as John Grisham’s works? What elements made this story feel distinct from traditional courtroom-focused narratives?

2. Justice Wynn’s decision to put himself into a coma rather than make an impossible choice creates the foundation for the novel’s events. What did you think of this extreme solution to his moral dilemma? Did his strategy feel believable given his character and the stakes involved?

3. Abrams builds suspense through multiple plotlines converging toward the final courtroom revelation. How effectively did the pacing keep you engaged throughout the investigation? Were there moments when the complexity of the conspiracy felt overwhelming or, conversely, when you wanted even more intricate details?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. What draws you to certain people when it comes to loyalty and trust? Avery’s unwavering loyalty to Justice Wynn, despite the personal cost, drives much of the narrative. How do you decide when loyalty is worth maintaining even when it becomes difficult or dangerous?

2. The novel presents corruption as pervasive across government, business, and media institutions. Have you observed similar patterns of institutional corruption in your own community or professional life? What makes some people more susceptible to corruption while others, like Avery, seem incorruptible?

3. Avery faces an impossible choice between saving Justice Wynn or her mother Rita when Rita is kidnapped. How do you approach situations where your loyalties to different people or principles come into conflict? What factors would influence your decision-making in such circumstances?

4. The power dynamics between President Stokes and subordinates like Major Vance reveal how authority can be abused. Have you witnessed situations where people in positions of power used their influence inappropriately? How did those experiences shape your understanding of leadership and accountability?

5. Rita’s addiction creates a complicated mother-daughter relationship, where Avery repeatedly bails her mother out despite the emotional and financial toll. When have you struggled with supporting someone whose choices consistently create problems? How do you balance compassion with protecting your own well-being?

6. Avery describes herself as a “blind, stupid, loyal weapon” (238) when reflecting on her commitment to Justice Wynn’s mission. Have you ever felt used by someone you were trying to help? How do you distinguish between being genuinely helpful and being taken advantage of?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The Tigris Project’s targeting of specific genetic markers found in Muslim populations reflects real-world concerns about weaponized genetic research. How does the novel’s portrayal of biogenetic warfare relate to current debates about genetic research ethics and bioweapons? What safeguards do you think should exist for this type of scientific work?

2. President Stokes expands executive power beyond constitutional limits to block the GenWorks-Advar merger, raising questions about presidential overreach. How does this fictional scenario connect to contemporary discussions about the balance of power between different branches of government? What parallels do you see to recent political events?

3. The novel depicts a media landscape easily manipulated by those in power, as seen when the Washington Gazette publishes false stories about Avery. How does this portrayal of corrupt journalism resonate with current concerns about media manipulation and misinformation? What role should journalists play in holding powerful figures accountable?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Chess symbolism permeates the novel, from Justice Wynn’s references to the Lasker-Bauer game to Avery’s realization that she’s the player rather than a piece on the board. How does this chess metaphor illuminate the strategic nature of political maneuvering throughout the story? What does it suggest about sacrifice and winning in the context of justice?

3. Avery transforms from a relatively powerless law clerk to someone capable of bringing down a president. What specific moments mark her evolution throughout the narrative? How does Abrams balance showing Avery’s growth while maintaining her core characteristics of loyalty and moral integrity?

3. The omniscient third-person narration allows readers to see events Avery doesn’t witness, such as the attempt on Justice Wynn’s life and Betty’s murder. How does this narrative choice enhance the thriller elements? What would the story lose if it were told entirely from Avery’s perspective?

4. Rivers appear repeatedly as both literal locations and symbolic references, culminating in the revelation that “Tigris” connects to the Mesopotamian river. How does Abrams use this water imagery to contrast life-giving forces with destructive ones? 

5. Justice Wynn’s character operates primarily through flashbacks and the clues he leaves behind, yet he remains central to the story. How does Abrams develop his personality and motivations despite his physical absence for most of the novel? What does his approach to solving the corruption crisis reveal about his character?

6. The novel concludes with President Stokes arrested for murdering Justice Wynn—a crime he didn’t commit—while avoiding prosecution for the Tigris Project atrocities he did authorize. How does this ending reflect the book’s themes about justice and the difficulty of holding powerful people accountable? Does this resolution feel satisfying given the moral complexities involved?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Justice Wynn leaves Avery an intricate series of clues that lead her through the conspiracy like a treasure hunt. If you had to design a similar puzzle trail to expose a modern-day scandal, what types of clues would you use? How would you adapt his chess-based system for contemporary digital communication and social media?

2. The story unfolds primarily in Washington, DC, with its corridors of power and political intrigue. Imagine relocating this conspiracy to your hometown or a place you know well. How would the local power structures and institutions shape the way such a scandal might unfold and be investigated?

3. Several characters face impossible moral choices throughout the novel, from Justice Wynn’s initial dilemma to Avery’s decision about framing the president. Create an alternative scenario where one key character makes a different choice at a crucial moment. How would that single change ripple through the rest of the story and alter the ultimate outcome?