Coded Justice: A Thriller | Stacey Abrams Moderated by: Molly Jong-Fast

In Coded Justice, Stacey Abrams returns to fiction with a suspenseful legal thriller that follows Avery Keene, a former Supreme Court clerk turned investigator, into the high‑stakes world of artificial intelligence, mystery, and moral consequence. Set against the cutting‑edge possibilities and dangers of AI in health and law, the novel weaves legal intrigue, ethical dilemmas, and richly drawn characters into a story that is as gripping as it is timely. Moderated by journalist and author Molly Jong‑Fast, Abrams explores the narrative arc of Coded Justice alongside the real‑world questions it raises: how technology reshapes justice, where human judgment must intervene, and what storytelling reveals about our hopes and fears for the future of law and society. Their conversation reflects on the craft of fiction as a lens for understanding the human stakes behind algorithms and institutions. The New Orleans Book Festival brings the world’s leading authors to Tulane University for a multi-day celebration of their works. The Festival features both fiction and non-fiction and convenes readings, panel discussions, symposia and keynote speeches. It provides an opportunity for outlets, authors and readers to interact with each other in one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse cities in the world.