In 1970, one of Mississippi's more colorful weekly newspapers, The Ford County Times, went bankrupt. To the surprise and dismay of many, ownership was assumed by a 23 year-old college dropout, named Willie Traynor. The future of the paper looked grim until a young mother was brutally raped and murdered by a member of the notorious Padgitt family. Willie Traynor reported all the gruesome details, and his newspaper began to prosper.
The murderer, Danny Padgitt, was tried before a packed courthouse in Clanton, Mississippi. The trial came to a startling and dramatic end when the defendant threatened revenge against the jurors if they convicted him. Nevertheless, they found him guilty, and he was sentenced to life in prison.
But in Mississippi in 1970, "life" didn't necessarily mean "life," and nine years later Danny Padgitt managed to get himself paroled. He returned to Ford County, and the retribution began.
From the Hardcover edition.
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"Though i rate it 4 stat but am disappointed with the treatment of the story. (Grisham has set very high standards for his writing for a fan of his work) An amazing plot but wavers off too many times during its narration and its completely not like Grisham. Every time you think something is building up it falls off the main plot."
— Berjes (4 out of 5 stars)
Never let it be said this man doesn’t know how to spin a good yarn.
— Entertainment WeeklyJohn Grisham is about as good a storyteller as we’ve got in the United States these days.
— New York Times Book ReviewJohn Grisham may well be the best American storyteller writing today.
— Philadelphia Inquirer“One of his best: a thoughtful and atmospheric thriller.”
— New York Times“[The Last Juror] ranks among [Grisham’s] best-written and most atmospheric novels.”
— USA Today“Grisham lets his suspense build slowly, holding the reader to the end and creating a memorable cast of characters.”
— Richmond Times-Dispatch“Grisham weaves the suspense of a courtroom drama throughout the novel, but this story is more thoughtful and wide-ranging than his usual thrillers.…one of Grisham’s best.”
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution“Sit back, relax, and savor the descriptions of Miss Callie’s home cooking and a young man’s sentimental education.”
— Orlando Sentinel“Those who enjoyed the warm sentiment of [Grisham’s] recent novels will still find much to love here.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review“Particularly fun.”
— Publishers Weekly" One of the better Grisham's. "
— Kathy, 1/26/2014" This was an enjoyable book; it was a page turner, but don't start it if you aren't willing to follow all the way through with it. "
— Tabitha, 1/7/2014" A super fast read, couldn't put it down, good whodunnit. "
— Hayseed, 12/18/2013" Another really good Grisham book, interesting topic. "
— Stephanie, 12/7/2013" Good for listening to in the car; story was a little slow. "
— Leslie, 12/5/2013" Really enjoyed this. Great characters brilliantly brought to life by Grisham. The plot is irrelevant as the everyday story is so engaging. "
— Howard, 8/25/2013" Good read! Hadn't seen anything different from Grisham in awhile and along comes this book! It's still legal, but you get a look at another profession as well, publishing! Very interesting! "
— Marcella, 8/24/2013" In one of his most moving novels, John Grisham provides the perfect example of his classic southern legal dramas. Echoing ideas similar to that of To Kill a Mockingbird, he presents a great tale of some of the bigotry common in the past. "
— Ethan, 8/22/2013" This was the first Grisham book I read and now Im addicted. I was hooked from chapter one. Great writing, it was hard to put down. "
— Kc, 8/7/2013" I usually love Grisham books for an easy read, but I could barely finish this one. "
— Jenifer, 6/4/2013" This is a book that I have read multiple times and enjoy it just as much as I did the first time. This novel makes you thinks and constantly had me asking "what's coming next?" I highly recommend this book! "
— Krystal, 12/16/2012" I really liked this one.. "
— Valerie, 11/28/2012" I enjoyed this book very much because the narrator did a superb job in maintaining my interest in spite of some of the flaws in the book. Mann made it more personable as we were shared in his experiences. I doubt I would have enjoyed it as much if I read the book. "
— Jack Brady, 11/8/2012" Another great read, once you pick the book up you don't want to put it down! "
— Corey, 7/29/2012" It's a character study more than a courtroom drama and I really liked it. The parents of the family the attorney befriends stand as sterling characters and fine examples. I loved meeting them as I read. "
— Jennifer, 7/17/2012" Good story about a non southern young man who takes over a newspaper. Grisham does a good job with character development and the story seems true to everything people have told me about the south. "
— Rhod, 7/13/2012" I enjoyed this book - having spent seven years as a newspaper editor in a rural, southern county, I could relate to Willie's character. "
— Mia, 1/27/2012" The stuff in this novel isn't that good, but for some reason it's hard to keep your hands off it and to not keep on reading. "
— June, 12/30/2011" Too large for the story. Average book. Story/mystery was good but size of the book was a big factor. Usual Grisham style book story slow down in middle. There is nothing to gain so read if you have nothing good to read. I have completed the book in two go with at least one month gap in between. "
— Nandan, 10/29/2011" It's the kind of book, i love to read. Thriller, suspense, bounding of family, struggle to approach the wisdom...this book have everything needed :) "
— Radha, 9/11/2011" John Grisham remains a master of fiction... "
— Elda, 5/13/2011" I gave it 3 stars because I really liked Miss Callie, one of the main characters. It's kind of a gruesome storyline, but I appreciated the historical setting--1970 in the deep South. "
— Rebecca, 5/13/2011" This one wandered and had some sentimental moments that were poorly done and out of place in the story. This had great potential and never got to it. He's done much better. Try The Firm or Runaway Jury. "
— Edward, 5/11/2011" My first John Grisham and, boy oh boy, did I enjoy this book. Shame the blurb on the back gave away three quarters of the plot, but I loved the writing, the broad scope of this, the neat way Grisham pulled the threads of the story together and the satisfactory ending. "
— Rachel, 5/9/2011" This book is an easy listen. There are some lagging parts in the story, but overall a good Grisham book. "
— Jill, 5/9/2011" This would have made a great short story.It could have been a good book but wasn't. I don't like waiting till page 295 to start on why I wanted to read this novel. "
— Carol, 5/2/2011" Better watch out for others, You can't tell the good guys from the bad. "
— April, 4/29/2011" Interesting story but not much of a climax. "
— Rachel, 4/22/2011" I listened to this book on my drive to Utah recently. The plot was intriguing. My favorite part of the book is that Grisham goes beyond the murder plot to make this book about a woman who lived a great life and had a lot to be proud of. "
— Haley, 4/18/2011" I decided to give books on CD another try with the 4 hour daily commute. Oh man, how I loved it!!!! This one was a great one to start out with. I couldn't wait to get back in the car and continue the story! "
— Joy, 4/11/2011" Grisham keeps the tension up to the last. He makes you interested in all the characters. He has a great talent to weave the reality from his characters "
— Bob, 4/6/2011" Enjoyed this novel set in the deep south - about racial and cultural tensions and violence in the 70's. The protagonist was very "real" to me. "
— C., 3/22/2011John 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
Terrence Mann is a prominent Broadway actor, as well as director, singer, dancer, and narrator. His audiobook narrations include books by Louis L’Amour and John Grisham. He currently is a distinguished professor of musical theater at Western Carolina University.