Reviews

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

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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

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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

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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

topdragon's review against another edition

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4.0

John Grisham has always been a bit of a mixed bag for me. I generally enjoy his traditional legal thrillers as well as his humorous slice-of-life novels but sometimes they get way too preachy. The Jake Brigance series has been near the top of his work, probably because I appreciate the workmanlike approach that Jake takes toward his case work. Grisham still takes the opportunity to push his views on the death penalty however, but, thankfully, that remains mostly in the background.

Jake's case this time around concerns a 16-year old boy who kills a cop in what many would consider justifiable homicide. The details of the legal tactics and strategy and the courtroom scenes are riveting, just as I expected them to be. But the way in which most of the town turns on Jake just because he was appointed by a judge to take the case is as realistic as it is revolting. Our modern world is not a pretty place much of the time and it seems we are always forced to take sides. Seems there is no middle ground anymore and this novel really brings that home.

Regardless, Jake perseveres and pulls off a brilliant defense strategy although "winning" a case such as this does not wrap things up for the family involved. I enjoyed this one but do hope the next Jake Brigance novel brings our guy a little luck.

cornmaven's review against another edition

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4.0

Another gem starring Jake Brigance, delivered flawlessly by Michael Beck. Please, Mr. Grisham, more Jake Brigance stories!!!

Loved the title playing on Jake's first case in A Time To Kill.

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