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flyer_ch's review against another edition
3.0
Solid 3, close to 4.
A subplot that I'm not sure added much to the story. Ended rather abruptly to my taste. But still an enjoyable Grisham read.
A subplot that I'm not sure added much to the story. Ended rather abruptly to my taste. But still an enjoyable Grisham read.
ri49ck's review against another edition
5.0
this was a really good read. The story was good and the characters as usual were great. This is the type of story he excels at writing. It is interesting, it moves quickly and it doesn't allow you to put it down until you are finished.
ranooshe's review against another edition
3.0
Something was off in this book.A page turner at the beginning.Stalled in the middle, as if the author was filling pages for word counts, unfocused and not knowing where the plot should go next. There was even a time when the description of a meal changed within a few pages.Then the ending was hashed and just left hanging.No real closure.I was disappointed. In fact, I felt that the book was done by the end of the trial.Everything else after that was just tying some loose ends, not quite convincingly.
Having said that, I stayed up late to finish it. Grisham has an endearing way of building his characters: their appearance, traits and backgrounds. I was actually moved into the story and needed a few seconds to reorient myself into real life whenever I had to put the book down.
Having said that, I stayed up late to finish it. Grisham has an endearing way of building his characters: their appearance, traits and backgrounds. I was actually moved into the story and needed a few seconds to reorient myself into real life whenever I had to put the book down.
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.
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.
jordysbookclub's review against another edition
3.0
QUICK TAKE: I love a good legal thriller, and John Grisham used to be my go-to...his past few books haven't really lived up to expectations, but I find them to be easily digestible and forgettable reads. As for A TIME FOR MERCY...it's a solid paint-by-numbers addition to the Grisham universe. If you're a fan of Grisham, you will most likely enjoy this one (especially since several characters from previous Grisham novels make appearances), though the book is probably 150 pages longer than it should be (didn't need 50 pages of jury selection, JG) and the drawn out use of a young rape victim as the main character's key to winning his case felt a little tone deaf and insensitive.
arbramirez's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
theoblongbox's review against another edition
3.0
For a while in the beginning, it felt like things were going nowhere in this book, but somewhere in the middle things took off and I couldn't put it down after that. It was great to see Carl Lee making an appearance in this book and I found the parts of the book that revolved around the trial to be very interesting. The ending was not as dramatic as the previous Jake Brigance novel (A Time To Kill), but it was very realistic. I hope that John Grisham writes another novel centered around Jake Brigance, but I don't know if he actually will.
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.
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.