An innocent man is about to be executed.
Only a guilty man can save him.
For every innocent man sent to prison, there is a guilty one left on the outside. He doesn’t understand how the police and prosecutors got the wrong man, and he certainly doesn’t care. He just can’t believe his good luck. Time passes and he realizes that the mistake will not be corrected: the authorities believe in their case and are determined to get a conviction. He may even watch the trial of the person wrongly accused of his crime. He is relieved when the verdict is guilty. He laughs when the police and prosecutors congratulate themselves. He is content to allow an innocent person to go to prison, to serve hard time, even to be executed.
Travis Boyette is such a man. In 1998, in the small East Texas city of Sloan, he abducted, raped, and strangled a popular high school cheerleader. He buried her body so that it would never be found, then watched in amazement as police and prosecutors arrested and convicted Donté Drumm, a local football star, and marched him off to death row.
Now nine years have passed. Travis has just been paroled in Kansas for a different crime; Donté is four days away from his execution. Travis suffers from an inoperable brain tumor. For the first time in his miserable life, he decides to do what’s right and confess.
But how can a guilty man convince lawyers, judges, and politicians that they’re about to execute an innocent man?
From the Hardcover edition.
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"This is a very good book but it is also disturbing. There are parts that made me very angry. I don't want to give too many details about the story line because I don't want to give away the biggest part of the book. I think anyone who approves of the death penalty should read this book."
— Jennifer (5 out of 5 stars)
"The Confession is the kind of grab-a-reader-by-the-shoulders suspense story that demands to be inhaled as quickly as possible. But it's also a superb work of social criticism in the literary troublemaker tradition of Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle....Brilliant
— Washington PostGrisham is the master of the legal thriller.
— USA TodayNO ONE KEEPS YOU IN SUSPENSE LIKE AMERICA’S FAVORITE STORYTELLER
The secrets of Grisham’s success are no secret at all. There are two of them: his pacing, which ranges from fast to breakneck, and his Theme—little guy takes on big conspiracy with the little guy getting the win in the end.
— Time magazineThe law, by its nature, creates drama, and a new Grisham promises us an inside look at the dirty machineries of process and power, with plenty of entertainment
— Los Angeles TimesWith every new book I appreciate John Grisham a little more, for his feisty critiques of the legal system, his compassion for the underdog, and his willingness to strike out in new directions.
— Entertainment WeeklyJohn Grisham is about as good a storyteller as we’ve got in the United States these days.
— The New York Times Book ReviewGrisham is a marvelous storyteller who works readers the way a good trial lawyer works a jury.
— Philadelphia InquirerA mighty narrative talent and an unerring eye for hot-button issues.
— Chicago Sun-TimesA legal literary legend.
— USA Today“[A] grab-a-reader-by-the-shoulders suspense story.”
— Washington Post“[John Grisham] is a master at pacing…The book starts fast and finishes faster.”
— Los Angeles Times“Packed with tension, legal roadblocks, and shocking revelations.”
— USA Today“There’s no doubt that Grisham has his finger on the pulse of America.”
— Orlando Sentinel“John Grisham at the top of his form.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review" A wonderful, could not put it down read. It kept me interested until it was over. "
— Kaye, 3/1/2018" I don't know why some people don't like this book (unless you're a hardcore hang em high bubba from Texas). Well written, good pace, well sketched out characters. If you're looking for a courtroom drama this is not one but it is an impactful read, makes you think. "
— Sukumar, 2/15/2014" Great book, I was a bit disappointed in the middle of it, but the ending was great. It kept me guessing to the very end. Love John Grisham and he didn't disappoint this time either!! "
— Linda, 2/10/2014" More of an examination of capital punishment than a novel, but interesting nonetheless. Grisham is so good at explaining the system and human interactions. Worth reading... "
— Sandra, 2/6/2014" I couldn't put this book down! A great read. "
— Enid, 1/23/2014" A good dramatic read. Grisham gets a little preachy about death penalty, but goes with one side of issue and anecdotal, emotional argument. Better to allow readers to form opinion with understatement and compelling characters on both sides. "
— Tim, 1/18/2014" Fiction novel on death penalty. A page turner that makes you think. "
— Paul, 1/15/2014" One of my Favorite Books "
— Michelle, 1/12/2014" Another solid John. Grisham thriller. In the context of the upcoming US elections and the rise in Republican interest, it was fascinating (and disturbing!) to read about the strength of support for the death penalty. "
— Elaine, 1/8/2014" I really like John Grisham books. This one was good, but predictable. "
— Krista, 1/6/2014" good page turner, like most Grishman books. "
— Jennifer, 1/4/2014" Decent read, but felt more like a heavy handed essay on the evils of the death penalty than a novel. "
— Darla, 11/25/2013" Not John's most suspenseful work, but an insightful read. "
— Jody, 11/8/2013" also a very good read!!! "
— Patty, 8/13/2013" The book should have taken more time to reveal it's self. Best word to describe it: obvious. Still, I like character studies and this was a character study! "
— Jen, 8/1/2013" Great book, deffinately a page turner and quick read. It makes you really think about capital punishment "
— Jennie, 3/9/2013" Loved it. It gripped me right from the first page. Just before the mid-way point, I had an uneasy feeling about where the story was going and had no choice but to ride the roller coaster. It was gut-wrenching. I couldn't put it down. "
— J.P., 12/22/2012" This was a hard book to read. I wasn't sure if this was just about the death penalty or justice in Texas. "
— Wilma, 8/6/2012" Good book. Lost a little steam in the end, but enjoyable. "
— Cf, 7/2/2012" I've always been a huge Grisham fan... and this book did not disappoint. "
— Alisonb, 6/24/2012" Fiction. Like all Grisham books, I enjoy reading them but quickly forget them. Don't know why. I remember PAINTED HOUSE and THE INNOCENT MAN the best. Some I liked, some I didn't, couldn't tell you a thing about them. "
— Vicki, 6/23/2012" Typical Grisham page turner ... a bit preachy at times but gives lots of food for thought RE: death penalty and the state of our prison system. "
— ML, 2/5/2012" High marks for Grisham's classic ability to tell a heck of a suspenseful story and to make you think about our legal system. Extra high marks for making Neosho, Missouri and Newton County a pivotal part of the plot. What! "
— Suzanne, 12/31/2011" I gave up on Grisham novels a few years ago but thought it was time to try again - I'm glad that I did! This is a well-written story of a young innocent black man who is sitting on death row awaiting his execution. Needless to say the author's topic for debate is capitol punishment. "
— Janis, 10/28/2011" Like The Innocent Man...it hard to put it down...every page is a thrill "
— Romy, 8/16/2011" Somewhat slow to start, but a really good book. After the first few chapters, I couldn't put it down. "
— Peggy, 8/15/2011" Nobody-nobody does David vs. Goliath like Grisham! Great pacing, interesting characters, and, of course, a grasp of legal procedures like no other author. "
— Bob, 8/9/2011" Best book I've read in a long time!!! Highly recommend!!! "
— Erin, 7/1/2011" I liked it but it was a bit preachy with regard to the death penalty. The story had some good twists and the pace of the book was great. "
— Frankie, 5/24/2011" Typical Grisham. Fast paced, can't put it down. "
— Tony, 5/24/2011" Typical John Grisham. Knew what to expect and so I enjoyed it. "
— Laurel, 5/23/2011" Loved it! Very Southern and refreshing for him to go back to this genre after venturing to NY with a recent law school grad perspective in the Associate. "
— Emily, 5/23/2011" Great read if you have the patience. Typical of John Grisham - the detail. The characters are alive indeed. Not literally, meant when you are reading it. "
— Aditya, 5/22/2011" The first half is suspenseful but once you find out what happens with the execution, it drags on until the end. Way too long! "
— Shalaka, 5/22/2011" I thought this book was very entertaining, but like most John Grisham books it was kind of like popcorn. It was fun to read, but that's about it. With that being said, it did bring up some things to think about (the death penalty) and is a really quick read. "
— Emily, 5/21/2011" First John Grisham I've read in a while. Liked it plenty. "
— Ally, 5/21/2011" I think I should stop reading John Grisham for a while. It's only my 3rd and I'm now considering law school! Another legal thriller masterpiece from Grisham. "
— Earl, 5/20/2011John Grisham is the author of more than thirty-five novels, one work of nonfiction, a collection of stories, and seven novels for young readers. Thirty-three of his crime thrillers have made the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list
Scott Sowers is an actor and audiobook narrator. AudioFile magazine named him the 2008 Best Voice in Mystery and Suspense. He is the winner of seven Earphones Awards.