The Right to Remain
A Jack Swyteck Novel
Published on 12. February 2026
Book
Hardback
352 pages
978-0-06-335811-9 (ISBN)
Description
In this thrilling novel from bestselling author James Grippando-the twentieth in his revered series-legendary criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck takes on a twisty, difficult case that becomes one of the most complex in his illustrious career.
Miami criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck must contend with a unique problem. His client, Elliott Stafford, indicted for murder, has gone silent. Not just silent in asserting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination-Elliott refuses to speak. He won't talk to the judge, his girlfriend, or even the attorney fighting for his life. There seems to be no medical or psychological reason for his silence. He has, as Jack puts it, "chosen to become his own worst enemy."
To some, it's an act of protest against a broken criminal justice system. Jack doesn't buy it. Undeterred by the hoopla and calls to walk away, he keeps his client and tries his best to save Elliott from himself. As he digs for facts, Jack discovers a much more disturbing reason for Elliott's silence. Virtually everything Elliott told Jack before the indictment is proving false, including Elliot's criminal history, family turmoil, and secret past. As Jack plunges deeper, he comes to believe that Elliott isn't trying to hide his own guilt. He may be protecting someone else-and the stakes could not be higher.
With plenty of courtroom action, scenes in which "Grippando's years of experience shine brightest" (New York Times), The Right to Remain is one of the most thrilling entries yet in this hugely popular series that keeps going strong.
Miami criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck must contend with a unique problem. His client, Elliott Stafford, indicted for murder, has gone silent. Not just silent in asserting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination-Elliott refuses to speak. He won't talk to the judge, his girlfriend, or even the attorney fighting for his life. There seems to be no medical or psychological reason for his silence. He has, as Jack puts it, "chosen to become his own worst enemy."
To some, it's an act of protest against a broken criminal justice system. Jack doesn't buy it. Undeterred by the hoopla and calls to walk away, he keeps his client and tries his best to save Elliott from himself. As he digs for facts, Jack discovers a much more disturbing reason for Elliott's silence. Virtually everything Elliott told Jack before the indictment is proving false, including Elliot's criminal history, family turmoil, and secret past. As Jack plunges deeper, he comes to believe that Elliott isn't trying to hide his own guilt. He may be protecting someone else-and the stakes could not be higher.
With plenty of courtroom action, scenes in which "Grippando's years of experience shine brightest" (New York Times), The Right to Remain is one of the most thrilling entries yet in this hugely popular series that keeps going strong.
Reviews / Votes
"Full of believable twists . . . Grippando delivers another timely novel. Grave Danger could literally be ripped from the headlines." - South Florida Sun Sentinel on Grave Danger"A fast-moving page-turner that doesn't disappoint." - Aqua Magazine on Grave Danger
"Terrific . . . James Grippando has built a much-respected reputation for weaving contemporary issues into intense, believable thrillers that accelerate suspense with each chapter. . . . Grippando's sturdy grasp on his characters and his involving plots continue to excel." - South Florida Sun Sentinel on Goodbye Girl
"A whirlpool of murder, betrayal, and modern-day piracy. . . . Enough eye-popping plot developments for a miniseries." - Kirkus Reviews on Goodbye Girl
"Grippando keeps coming up with complex and timely cases, and this one is first-rate." - Booklist on Goodbye Girl
"Grippando, who spent 12 years as a trial lawyer in Florida, knows whereof he writes: the Swyteck novels have a sense of realism to them, a sense of truth, that legal fiction written by non-lawyers often lacks. You don't need to have read any of the earlier Swyteck novels to enjoy this one (they all function nicely as standalones), but be warned: once you've finished this one, you will want to read more." - Booklist
"Twisting, turning and anxiety-inducing, The Right to Remain is a tense and complex legal thriller that makes you feel unsettled in the pit of your stomach while taking you on an emotional rollercoaster. James Grippando masterfully delivers a compelling and modern tale that overflows with drama inside and outside the courtroom." - Best Thriller Books
"Readers will feel the Miami heat in this fast-paced legal thriller that delivers high-stakes courtroom drama and rich character development while unraveling a deadly conspiracy that touches on timely issues: gun trafficking, private adoption, and identity. Will appeal to fans of Phillip Margolin, Stacey Abrams, and John Grisham." - Library Journal (starred review)
"Miami lawyer Jack Swyteck's latest client refuses to take the Fifth despite the advice of his counsel-and then takes it to a perilous extreme. ... Grippando makes the most of every complication that emerges. To say more would spoil the surprises the author has planted. But there are lots of them, and they land with explosive power." - Kirkus Reviews
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
468 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-335811-9 (9780063358119)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2026
HarperCollins
€20.42
Available for download
Person
James Grippando is a New York Times bestselling author with more than thirty books to his credit, including those in his acclaimed series featuring Miami criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck, and is the winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. He is also a trial lawyer and teaches law and literature at the University of Miami School of Law. He lives and writes in South Florida.