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Audiobooks > Thrillers >  Suspense > The Confession: A Novel

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Extended Audio Sample The Confession: A Novel Audiobook, by John Grisham Click for printable size audiobook cover
3.00008522243054 out of 53.00008522243054 out of 53.00008522243054 out of 53.00008522243054 out of 53.00008522243054 out of 5 3.00 (23,468 ratings) (rate this audio book) Author: John Grisham Narrator: Scott Sowers Publisher: Penguin Random House Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Release Date: October 2010 ISBN: 9780739376201
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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. Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

  • "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 Post
  • Grisham is the master of the legal thriller. USA Today
  • NO 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 magazine
  • The 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 Times
  • With 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 Weekly
  • John Grisham is about as good a storyteller as we’ve got in the United States these days. The New York Times Book Review
  • Grisham is a marvelous storyteller who works readers the way a good trial lawyer works a jury. Philadelphia Inquirer
  • A mighty narrative talent and an unerring eye for hot-button issues. Chicago Sun-Times
  • A 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 #1 New York Times bestseller
  • A #1 USA Today bestseller
  • A Barnes & Noble bestseller
  • A 2010 Washington Post Best Book for Fiction

Listener Opinions

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Kaye | 3/1/2018

    " A wonderful, could not put it down read. It kept me interested until it was over. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Sukumar Iyer | 2/15/2014

    " 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. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Linda Kilgore | 2/10/2014

    " 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!! "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Sandra | 2/6/2014

    " 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... "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Enid Luiten | 1/23/2014

    " I couldn't put this book down! A great read. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Tim Penning | 1/18/2014

    " 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. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Paul | 1/15/2014

    " Fiction novel on death penalty. A page turner that makes you think. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Michelle Klosowsky | 1/12/2014

    " One of my Favorite Books "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Elaine Ralston | 1/8/2014

    " 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. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Krista Booth | 1/6/2014

    " I really like John Grisham books. This one was good, but predictable. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Jennifer Segalewitz | 1/4/2014

    " good page turner, like most Grishman books. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Darla | 11/25/2013

    " Decent read, but felt more like a heavy handed essay on the evils of the death penalty than a novel. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Jody | 11/8/2013

    " Not John's most suspenseful work, but an insightful read. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Jennifer Morgan | 8/25/2013

    " 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. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Patty Cook | 8/13/2013

    " also a very good read!!! "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Jen | 8/1/2013

    " 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! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Jennie | 3/9/2013

    " Great book, deffinately a page turner and quick read. It makes you really think about capital punishment "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 J.P. McLean | 12/22/2012

    " 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. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Wilma Hashii | 8/6/2012

    " This was a hard book to read. I wasn't sure if this was just about the death penalty or justice in Texas. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Cf | 7/2/2012

    " Good book. Lost a little steam in the end, but enjoyable. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Alisonb | 6/24/2012

    " I've always been a huge Grisham fan... and this book did not disappoint. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Vicki Boyd | 6/23/2012

    " 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. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 ML | 2/5/2012

    " 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. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Suzanne | 12/31/2011

    " 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! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Janis | 10/28/2011

    " 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. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Romy | 8/16/2011

    " Like The Innocent Man...it hard to put it down...every page is a thrill "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Peggy W | 8/15/2011

    " Somewhat slow to start, but a really good book. After the first few chapters, I couldn't put it down. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Bob M. | 8/9/2011

    " Nobody-nobody does David vs. Goliath like Grisham! Great pacing, interesting characters, and, of course, a grasp of legal procedures like no other author. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Erin Robert | 7/1/2011

    " Best book I've read in a long time!!! Highly recommend!!! "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Frankie | 5/24/2011

    " 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. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Tony | 5/24/2011

    " Typical Grisham. Fast paced, can't put it down. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Emily | 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. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Laurel | 5/23/2011

    " Typical John Grisham. Knew what to expect and so I enjoyed it. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Aditya | 5/22/2011

    " 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. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Shalaka | 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! "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Ally | 5/21/2011

    " First John Grisham I've read in a while. Liked it plenty. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Emily | 5/21/2011

    " 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. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Earl Royce | 5/20/2011

    " 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. "

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About the Author
Author John Grisham

John Grisham, whose name has become synonymous with the modern legal thriller, used to work sixty to seventy hours a week at a small Southaven, Mississippi, law practice, squeezing in time before going to the office and during courtroom recesses to work on his hobby—writing his first novel. When finally published, A Time to Kill met with little success, but when he sold the film rights to The Firm to Paramount Pictures, Grisham suddenly became a hot property among publishers. Spending forty-seven weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, The Firm became the bestselling novel of 1991. The successes of The Pelican Brief, which hit number one on the New York Times bestseller list, and The Client, which debuted at number one, confirmed Grisham’s reputation as the master of the legal thriller. His success even renewed interest in A Time to Kill, which was then republished. This time around, it was a bestseller. Since first publishing A Time to Kill in 1988, Grisham has written one novel a year, and all of them have become international bestsellers. There are currently over 275 million John Grisham books in print worldwide, which have been translated into forty languages. Nine of his novels have been turned into films, as was an original screenplay, The Gingerbread Man. He lives in Virginia and Mississippi.

About the Narrator

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.

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