Reviews

A Time for Mercy by John Grisham

kessler21's review against another edition

3.0

I have a weakness for Grisham. I read all of his works and his story telling is still masterful but I just hate the way he writes. Very simplistic, formulaic, and I feel like a child. Grisham is nudging me along, telling me which way to go.

Still, this story is wonderful and timely. A 16 year old boy shoots and kills his mothers abusive boyfriend. Oh, and the boyfriend is a cop. Jake Brigance (A Time to Kill, Sycamore Row) is again trying a capital murder case.

This book reminds us of the complexity of human emotion and action. It asks us to examine the definition of right and wrong.

A page turner as always.

iainkelly_writing's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

3.5

Can a Killer Go Free? asks the tagline on the cover. Well John Grisham doesn't tell us - without spoiling the ending, it doesn't reach a satisfactory resolution. After a long, laboured build up which lacks much tension, the book comes alive when we eventually get to the trial, where Grisham is at his best - but then peters out with a flat ending. There's also some dubious bending of adoption laws amongst other things - safe to say honest lawyers and judges are hard to find here. Diverting, but not one of his best.

tonyabeth's review against another edition

emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

mistymom's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

susan_e's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jlabounty001's review

emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

matty2020's review against another edition

5.0

I’m a huge fan of John Grisham’s work - and this novel didn’t disappoint. It’s a read that really gives you cause to stop and consider some of the big issues - not the least being the death penalty.

Give yourself time to read and relish the rich characters- old and new - and courtrooms seems that are so vividly created.

Easy 5 stars from me - and here’s hoping there are future outings for these brilliant characters!

jjc245's review against another edition

2.0

I am baffled as to all the 4 and 5 star reviews, are people just blinded by the Grisham name? This is the most unsatisfying book I’ve read in years. You didn’t finish the book JG! Where’s the rest of it?! Imagine my surprise when the audiobook was over when I was expecting at least 10 more chapters. Did you just get tired of this character and story arc? How was this a Best Book of the Year? Make it make sense! Also there’s some extremely unethical business by the main character and his family that isn’t explained well at all, maybe JG just didn’t write that chapter. As well as some ham-fisted prolife garbage about abortion being murder and never acceptable under any circumstances. I don’t read Grisham for literature but I’ve never finished one before and been so utterly confused about what he was doing. He phoned this one in and it’s obvious.

kalairajan's review against another edition

informative relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

John Grisham, way of narrating the courtroom drama gives us an potrayal of the  procedures and practises of law. The characters are neatly written.

lara_1506's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0