Stacey Abrams talks new legal thriller novel, ‘Coded Justice’

Courtesy Stacey Abrams Stacey Abrams may be best known for her work in politics, but she’s also quietly and impressively become a powerhouse in the world of fiction. A former Georgia House Minority Leader and a familiar name in national conversations, Abrams has built a second literary life writing smart, twisty legal thrillers that blend her deep knowledge of law and policy with a serious talent for storytelling. Her latest novel, “Coded Justice,” is no exception. This time, she brings back Avery Keene, the whip-smart protagonist from her previous bestsellers, and throws her into a tangled web of artificial intelligence, medical innovation, and a mysterious accident that may not be so accidental after all. Set in the high-stakes world of Washington D.C. but grounded in questions that feel ripped from tomorrow’s headlines, “Coded Justice” is a fast-paced thriller with brains, heart, and just enough tech paranoia to keep you reading late into the night. But don’t worry, this isn’t a dry policy lecture wrapped in fiction. It’s full of suspense, legal drama, and ethical dilemmas, with a heroine you can’t help but root for. We caught up with Abrams, right here from her hometown of Atlanta, to talk about her writing routine, why AI makes for such a compelling villain (or hero?), and how she juggles fiction, facts, and a very full calendar. That calendar includes participation in the 20th anniversary of the Decatur Book Festival the first weekend in October. “Coded Justice” dives into the intersection of AI, veteran healthcare, and ethics. How did your background in law and policy spark an interest in these topics or shape the structure of the book as a legal-tech thriller?  AI is an extraordinary tool, but like most instruments, in the wrong hands or despite the best intentions, it can be misused. And it is absolutely misunderstood by millions – either as benign or benighted. I wanted to understand how AI intended for good – helping veterans receive healthcare despite the prejudices in our system – could become problematic. I got to be a geek about science, a policy nerd and a sleuth all in the same book. You surely did a lot of research to understand the current state of artificial intelligence in healthcare. There’s a forensic angle in this book. In “Coded Justice,” AI pretty much becomes a character in its own right. Did you draw inspiration from real AI systems or philosophical debates? How did you balance technical accuracy with storytelling?  Kawak and crew were intentionally drawn to create a sense of anthropomorphia. To do so, I did deep research into AI as an emergent technology, how it is used in healthcare and how it has been a source of harm for under-represented communities. My walls were plastered with diagrams of algorithms, definitions and questions, and I immersed myself in volumes about AI as well as relevant blogs, podcasts and a few online courses. I also got help from two brilliant technologists who read my book for accuracy. My intention is always for my stories to seem improbable but possible, and the most effective storytelling gives you technical details without pushing you outside the story. The novel suggests a tension between innovation and responsibility. What intrigues or concerns you most about AI’s role in society today? What do you hope readers take away about the risks and rewards of emerging technologies? Do you see “Coded Justice” as a cautionary tale, a hopeful vision, or a bit of both?  In the midst of writing “Coded Justice,” Anthropic’s AI assistant and large language model, Claude, appeared to be faking its answers to its creators to prevent being altered. Anthropic published a paper about this “alignment faking” and shared it with the world. Since then, they’ve reported on the large language model “blackmailing” its creators and others have shared their issues. This transparency is heartening, but it sits in the same universe as AI tools that are intentionally spewing hateful information or hallucinating. We cannot stop the advance of technology. At best, we can understand it and then press our leaders to help us manage its role in society. “Coded Justice” is intended to show what can happen if we do not accept our responsibilities as both consumers and as citizens – so, a bit of hope, a bit of caution and a call to action. With your packed schedule, how do you make space for the creative solitude writing requires? Do you plan your novels like you plan political strategies or legal arguments, or is your writing process completely different from other kinds of work you do?  Writing is like any other endeavor, it requires planning, commitment and care, but typically without an audience. I actually do use a similar process across the board – mapping out the problem, identifying solution sets, honing my arguments, marshaling my resources and then executing. I organize my time to carve out what I need for research and planning, for writing, for procrastinating and for meeting all my deadlines. Your books consistently blend entertainment with deep societal questions, which is a balance that you seem to aim for consciously. Is it a satisfying prospect that the Avery Keene novels might make a political difference for your readers? What advice do you have for emerging writers who want to tackle complex, real-world issues through fiction?  Living is political – every aspect of our lives is impacted by others and there is a constant negotiation of priorities and sacrifices. In other words, politics. In every aspect of my work, whether as a writer, in business or in politics and advocacy, I’m constantly trying to create points of entry for those who want to know more and feel better equipped. Fiction is a fantastic way to introduce weighty, sometimes seemingly inaccessible topics like AI, biogenetics or the complexity of the power grid. Using Avery Keene to explore these topics helps others find their way inside as well.  For emerging writers, the first job is to tell a good story, where the issues can breathe in a realistic way and don’t come at the reader like a cudgel. A lecture with a protagonist is not going to win your readers. But a protagonist who shows what the lecture intends is more likely to win over your audience. Avery Keene is back for a third round, with plenty of room for more installments. How has your writing evolved from “While Justice Sleeps” to “Coded Justice?” What new dimensions of Keene’s character did you want to explore this time around?  As Avery transitions from law clerk to attorney, she has to explore her motivations and her intentions. We meet her in “While Justice Sleeps” as a pawn in someone else’s machinations. In “Rogue Justice,” she’s forced to grapple with consequences, particularly the limits of a strict moral code. With “Coded Justice,” I want Avery to face how she manages her choices. She also has to start questioning what she actually wants from her life and her relationships. I wanted to expand our understanding of her team, as well, because they are a critical part of how she enters the world. What do you love about tracing a character across multiple books? We know you’re a big “Star Trek” fan. Are there any other books or television series you enjoyed when you were younger that motivate your writing in a series trajectory?  The first series I fell in love with as a child was the “Half Magic” series by Edward Eager. It was the first time I knew that you could meet the same characters in a new story, and that you could follow their sagas. Like “Star Trek,” the Buffy-verse, and the “Little Women” series, I am always excited to keep characters together. In my romance novels, I have recurring characters and the first three intersect, the next three do and the final two as well. Not everyone appears in every story, but it’s fun to see who shows up – good or bad. If this novel series is made into films, are there any celebrity draft picks you have in mind to play Keene?  I’m excited to be working on a television adaptation, but no draft picks in mind just yet. 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