#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • John Grisham’s first work of nonfiction: a true crime story that will terrify anyone who believes in the presumption of innocence. SOON TO BE A NETFLIX ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY SERIES “Both an American tragedy and [Grisham’s] strongest legal thriller yet, all the more gripping because it happens to be true.”—Entertainment Weekly In the town of Ada, Oklahoma, Ron Williamson was going to be the next Mickey Mantle. But on his way to the Big Leagues, Ron stumbled, his dreams broken by drinking, drugs, and women. Then, on a winter night in 1982, not far from Ron’s home, a young cocktail waitress named Debra Sue Carter was savagely murdered. The investigation led nowhere. Until, on the flimsiest evidence, it led to Ron Williamson. The washed-up small-town hero was charged, tried, and sentenced to death—in a trial littered with lying witnesses and tainted evidence that would shatter a man’s already broken life, and let a true killer go free. Impeccably researched, grippingly told, filled with eleventh-hour drama, this audio edition of The Innocent Man reads like an edge-of-your-seat legal thriller. It is a book no American can afford to miss. Praise for The Innocent Man “Grisham has crafted a legal thriller every bit as suspenseful and fast-paced as his bestselling fiction.”—The Boston Globe “A gritty, harrowing true-crime story.”—Time “A triumph.”—The Seattle Times
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"From arguably the best Legal thriller author of the past 20 years, John Grisham's foray into non fiction is no less brilliant. Gripped from start to end, this is a stunning read, and even more emotional knowing its based on fact rather than fiction. Well researched and Beautifully written. A must for all Grisham Fans, and Legal Thrillers."
— Stephen (5 out of 5 stars)
“As fantastic and gripping as any of his fictional work.”
— New York Post“Grisham has written both an American tragedy and his strongest legal thriller yet, all the more gripping because it happens to be true.”
— Entertainment Weekly“Grisham has crafted a legal thriller every bit as suspenseful and fast-paced as his bestselling fiction.”
— Boston Globe“A gritty, harrowing true-crime story.”
— Time“[Grisham’s] reasoning is sound and his passion is contagious.”
— Washington Post“Grisham at his succinct, and often sardonic, best.”
— New York Daily News“A triumph.”
— Seattle Times“Shocking, disturbing, and enthralling—a must read for fiction and nonfiction fans.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review" For a true story turned into a msg, it's pretty good "
— Screwfist , 1/29/2017" I've always been a Grisham fan but I was disappointed in this book. "
— Claudia, 2/7/2014" Excellent story on how 2 innocent men were sent to prison; one received death penalty and the other a life sentence all because the cops in a small Oklahoma town fabricated proof of the crime. John Grisham should write more nonfiction books. "
— Carol, 2/6/2014" Kind of creepy. Goes into a lot of detail about an actual murder. Learned a lot about criminal investigation. "
— Peg, 2/2/2014" Interesting case. Unimpressive but adequate prose. "
— Zeb, 1/26/2014" This book took me by surprize. Whie reading it I found it very clinical. I felt like Ray's mental health issues got so prolonged and the redundant. Grisham is usually a very direct yet excellent story-teller who protrays the storyline with efficeny and enough foreshadowing to keep you turning each and every page. In this book the storyline was very drawn out and often repetitive. I became anxious and tired reading it. But when I got to the end and read the editor's note about how this was a true story and how some of the people who perpetuated these injustises towards Ray and others I was appalled and realized why the book's storyline rambled on like it did. "
— Christine, 1/20/2014" What a disappointment! I've really enjoyed the mre recent Grisham books, but this was a monotone narrative. I haven't quit a book before it was finished in years, but I just couldn't bear this one anymore. "
— Vicki, 1/13/2014" It was good, but slow at parts. It found it interesting that John Grisham did a non fiction book. Shocking story, non the less. "
— ValaRee, 12/31/2013" not bad but very slow...but still good to read. "
— Iv, 12/19/2013" Typical Grisham, except this time it is a true story. Riveting. Don't trust the po po. "
— Mblaineeichin, 12/5/2013" I have always enjoyed Grisham's books but I was looking forward to a non-fiction not a letter to the editor. To many of his opinions and jabs as opposed to telling the story that really happened. "
— Crystal, 11/20/2013" Amazing story about a man and his quest to clear his name. Makes you rethink the morality of the death penalty. "
— Ashley, 11/18/2013" Very different, not my favorite "
— Jenni, 11/7/2013" Scary how the 'justice system' works (or doesn't) sometimes. An arrogant DA, shoddy police work, and innocent men going to death row. Makes you wonder just how often this happens. "
— Vicki, 11/4/2013" John Grisham did an excellent job of bringing all of these real people together in this gripping true story of our justice system, and how innocent men are imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. I often wonder how many innocent men have NOT made it off of Death Row. In my mind, one is too many. "
— Michelle, 11/2/2013" I appreciated this first attempt by John Grisham at non-fiction. I especially like that the plot was one close to my heart: dispensation (or non-dispensation) of justice, crime, evidence. "
— Monique, 8/8/2013" Who said that law equals justice??? "
— WangÅ©i, 5/19/2013" Great book and one that makes want to Wikipedia all you've read. True story of a baseball player who runs afoul of the law and faces death row and an uncompromising legal system. "
— Simon, 5/16/2013" Great story as only Grisham now! Entertaining story. "
— Adrian, 8/3/2012" I cannot believe this story actually took place in American. Surely makes one wonder who they can trust. I will forever be haunted by this incredible story, sad as it is. Well told, Mr. Grisham. "
— Hubjeanne, 7/2/2012" It is unbelievable that this could happen to anyone. This book proves our legal systems has flaws. "
— Ellany, 5/20/2012" Makes you wonder how many have fallen victim to the judicial system, because of someones' lies!!! "
— Trenee281, 12/10/2011" Another John Grisham -- this one is a true story. Same subject as the last Grisham I read which was a novel. So still just as disturbing only more so for being a true story. "
— Liz, 11/12/2011" This was a page turner. A non-fictional account by John Grisham. "
— Louisa, 11/3/2011" Very interesting read. A true story that reads like a non-fiction. My heart goes out to Ron who was jailed for 11 years for a murder he did not commit. So much for all the flaws and bad police work that robbed years out of the innocents' lives. "
— Belebe, 9/12/2011" very good book based a great deal on facts...thats what got me reading johm grisham books... "
— Alma, 6/27/2011" A bit on the boring side... "
— Dman29, 5/13/2011" Listening to the book as we drove home from DC. It's a very good listen ... "
— Susan, 5/12/2011" It was a hard book to get into because of all the detail and "law talk". I did how ever find myself captivated by the story and fascinated that this kind of injustice takes place in our country. "
— Calderq, 5/4/2011" John Grisham's first non-fiction work. He told it like the lawyer he was. Causes one to really contemplate the death sentence and wonder how many are still in prison and are innocent. "
— Jennifer, 5/3/2011" A good story, but it could have been told in half the number of pages. "
— Lee, 4/25/2011" The scariest stories are the true ones. "
— Geof, 4/22/2011" This was a page turner. A non-fictional account by John Grisham. "
— Louisa, 4/22/2011" I can not believe how idiotic the justice system was to this poor man! <br/> "
— Mindy, 4/19/2011" A terrible indictment of justice and the death penalty in America -- Grisham adds his research to that of Robert Mayer's terrific reporting on the case in The Dreams of Ada. "
— Tad, 4/9/2011" This nonfiction work of Grisham's reads just like his novels. Without the author's note, I might not have even realized that this story of investigative ineptitude was real. "
— Carrie, 4/6/2011" This is a very good book that i started over my school break and am currently on around page 300. I hear this is a series of books and hope to read the others. "
— Darcy, 3/28/2011" It's an intriguing true story. It really makes you think of the flaws of our justice system and our attitudes towards those arrested and on trial. I will definitely be more careful of what I think of the defendant the next time I get jury duty. "
— Sue, 3/28/2011John 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
Craig Wasson is an actor and audiobook narrator. His most notable film appearance was in the 1984 film, Body Double. Also a prolific reader of audio books, he narrated Stephen King’s novel, 11/22/63, as well as numerous books by James Ellroy and John Grisham.