Standard Grisham novel with legal drama and the usual examination of everything wrong with our legal system. This time Jake Brigance is defending a 16 year old boy accused of capital murder and Grisham does a good job of looking at extenuating circumstances that make an easy verdict impossible.

The law works in mysterious ways - at least in small-town Mississippi courtrooms in 1990. And they're laid out here for all to read and enjoy as local attorney Jake Brigance takes on two very different high-stakes cases. One could earn a ton of money for his struggling practice; the other could get him killed.

The golden goose case pits Jake against a giant railroad company he alleges was negligent in keeping crossing lights in good repair. The result was a horrible accident that happened - or so Jake needs to prove - because the lights weren't working. Needless to say, the railroad attorneys insist they were working just fine. As the book begins, it looks as if the railroad may be willing to offer a substantial cash settlement with Jake's client - thus allowing Jake to pay his bills as well as those he's racking up defending the client in his other case - one he got [ahem!] railroaded into taking on by the local judge.

It is that case that gets the lion's share of attention. A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the cold-blooded murder of his mother's boyfriend. The case is complicated by the fact that the dead guy was a local deputy sheriff - albeit one with a nasty temper and a penchant for getting drunk. Under state law, the boy can and will be tried as an adult; many, if not most, of the town's residents (and most certainly the victim's family and his fellow officers) are fervent in their belief that he deserves the death penalty.

The more Jake learns, though, the more he believes the charges against his young client aren't warranted. Readers, of course, learn the details of what really happened as well as how Jake and his legal cronies are working out their courtroom strategy. Suffice it to say it's a real treat to follow along - or at least it was for me. I have to say I wasn't totally thrilled with the way things turned out even though it probably was for the best, but I'm encouraged that there is plenty of fodder for the next book in this terrific series (this is the third). Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review it.

Actually one of the better Grisham books I have read, but still a lack of ending. I think there was still more to add, but felt like an unfinished copy. The storyline was really great though. It was intense at times but also very exciting. I like Jake as a character and also think his supporting cast is great. I wish Grisham did more series like this than the standalone novels.

Thanks to John Grisham, Netalley, and Doubleday for providing me an advanced reading copy.

In Clanton, Mississippi. 1990. Jake Brigance lands a trial that divides the entire county. A single mom, and her two teenage children were living with a deputy from the local sheriff's department. He was well liked, but known to be a heavy drinker, and a mean drunk. One night, he comes home drunk and raring for a fight. He beats his girlfriend unconscious and then goes to find her two kids. They were hiding behind a locked bedroom door listening to it all. Since their mom didn't come up the stairs to protect them, the were sure she was dead. When it finally became quiet in the house, they crept down the stairs and discovered their mom with her face bashed in, and no pulse that they could feel. They called 9-1-1 and as the girl held her mom, the boy grabbed a gun and went to where the man was passed out and he shot him in the head and killed him. This story is about the trial of that barely sixteen year old boy, who had suffered abuse at the hands of that man, watched and listened to his mom be abused by him, and saw his sister be terrorized by him. Now they want to try him as an adult for murder and send him to the gas chamber.
This is classic John Grisham work. If you love his books, then you will love this one. It reminded me a lot of The Client with a mix of a few of his other books thrown in. I enjoyed it, but it did feel a lot like I was just re-reading something, rather than reading something new.

Nobody can write mystery/legal books like John Grisham! In 'A Time for Mercy', we get to revisit characters and places from past Grisham novels. The characters are well written, likeable, and believable. The story is compelling and controversial.

The pacing seems a bit slow sometimes, but the second half of the book picks up speed as it draws to a very satisfying conclusion.

A great read!

Fans of John Grisham rejoice! His newest novel—“A Time For Mercy”—was released October 13, 2020. And it is escapism at its best!

It is the third Grisham novel to feature Jake Brigance, a likeable lawyer with Mississippi State roots, who lives in the small town of Clanton, Mississippi. In this novel, Brigance is asked to take another unpopular, seemingly unwinnable case for very little money.

Brigance first appeared in Grisham’s writing more than thirty years ago in his debut novel, “A Time to Kill”, which was published in 1989. In it, Jake defends a black man on trial for killing the two white men who brutally raped his 10-year-old daughter in the year 1985. It, too, looks like an unwinnable case. That novel became extremely popular and was eventually turned into a successful movie. (This novel—“A Time for Mercy”—is ironically set in the year 1990.).

Grisham wrote many successful novels, but did not use Brigance again as a protagonist until his 2013 book “Sycamore Row” was published. So this is the third novel featuring Jake Brigance—a protagonist that you will grow fond of if you have not read the other two—published over a period of 35 years.

Enough background! Before the case can unfold, a heartbreaking crime must happen. Here is how the novel begins:

“The unhappy little home was out in the country, some six miles south of Clanton on an old county road that went nowhere in particular. The house could not be seen from the road and was accessed by a winding gravel drive that dipped and curved and at night caused approaching headlights to sweep through the front windows and doors as if to warn those waiting inside. The seclusion of the house added to the imminent horror.

It was long after midnight on an early Sunday when the headlights finally appeared. They washed through the house and cast ominous, silent shadows on the walls, then went away as the car dipped before its final approach. Those inside should have been asleep for hours, but sleep was not possible during these awful nights. On the sofa in the den, Josie took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and eased to the window to watch the car. Was it weaving and lurching as usual, or was it under control? Was he drunk as always on these nights or could he have throttled back on the drinking?”

Stu Kofer, a likeable sheriff’s deputy by day, has a second personality. He likes to visit honky tonks where he drinks and fights. Then he comes home drunk and violent, and abuses his live-in indigent girlfriend and her two children aged 14 and 16. This night, he arrives and proceeds to beat his girlfriend unconscious while her two teenage children hide upstairs.

When he heads upstairs and tries to harm them and then moves on to his bedroom, they worry that he has killed their mother because she did not come to protect them as usual. Heading downstairs, they assume she is dead. They call 911, but don’t expect any help from the police because they have been called two times before and did nothing. Stu is, after all, one of them.

Drew, the 16-year-old son who looks much younger, grabs the cop’s gun and kills him. He’s charged with capital murder, which carries the death penalty. And a judge, ironically named Omar Noose, appoints Brigance to represent him.

When Brigance was an apprentice he was told by his mentor:

“To be a real lawyer, first you grow a thick skin, and second you tell everybody but your clients to go to hell.”

And, “A real lawyer is not afraid of unpopular cases.”

But defending a cop killer is instant unpopularity for a small town lawyer struggling to make ends meet—not matter how pitiful and needy his client and his family are.

Josie, the mother, survives, and the following conversation is had in her hospital room:

“Jake said, “I’m not sure how long I’ll be your lawyer. As I explained, the judge gave me a temporary appointment to handle the preliminary matters, and he plans to find someone else later.”

“Why can’t you be our lawyer?” Josie asked. Her words were slow and difficult, but clear enough for a conversation.

“I am, for now. We’ll see what happens later.”

Kiera, who was shy and had trouble keeping eye contact, said, “Mr. Callison from our church said you’re the best lawyer in the county, said we’re lucky to have you.”

Jake had not expected to be backed into a corner by his clients and forced to explain why he didn’t want them. He certainly couldn’t, and wouldn’t, admit that Drew’s case was so toxic he was worried about his own reputation. In all likelihood, he would live in Clanton for the rest of his life and try to make a decent living. The Gambles would probably be gone in a few months. But how could he explain this to two people staying in a hospital with no home, no clothing, no money, and the frightening prospect of their son and brother facing the death penalty? At the moment, he was their only protection. The church folks could provide food and comfort, but that was temporary.”

The book takes until chapter 40 before the court case begins, but as a reader, I didn’t mind at all. Grisham writes an excellent crime novel/thriller. And when the case finally begins, it is—of course—riveting.

It was wonderful to be treated to another Grisham novel—especially another one featuring Jake Brigance.

Thank you Doubleday and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book and for giving me the privilege of reviewing it.

I was really feeling fortunate to have an opportunity to read best-selling author John Grisham’s latest legal thriller, thanks to Netgalley.com. Unfortunately the book did not live up to my expectations for a number of reasons.
The third and final volume starring defense lawyer Jake Brigance starts off powerfully as we are plunged into the death of a blind-drunk abusive police officer by one of his terrified victims. The setting is the same sleepy, insular stereotyped Mississippi community we have experienced before, peopled with ignorant bigots, a few colorful characters with good hearts and our hero Jake. Unfortunately as soon as Jake shows up in the story the drama is dialed back. As usual, Jake wants no part in taking on the defense of the accused, the traumatized adolescent son of a woman who was the victim of frequent domestic violence at the hands of the now dead cop, Stu Kofer. Jake is still suffering money problems and hasn’t overcome the horrors he faced from local enemies as a result of his previous big court victory. The prospect of having to defend the killer of a police officer with a stellar reputation understandably brings back all of Jake’s anxiety and fears, but his mentor the judge in the case applies pressure and Jake reluctantly takes the case.
Grisham now goes into formula mode. Every chapter is padded with paragraphs about such minutia as Jake’s healthy breakfast choices and descriptions of daily routines that add pages but not value to the story. The worst example though is his course in Courtroom 101. Since this is the third in a legal series it seems fair to assume most of his readers will know most of the basics of courtroom procedure. The addition of all this superfluous explanation slows down the story and condescends to Grisham’s readers.
The best part of any legal thriller is, of course, the questioning of the witnesses and seeing the strategy of the lawyers unfold. Perry Mason used to do this every week when he delighted his viewers with a surprise that confounded Hamilton Burger and won the day. Well there was a surprise in this story too, but the reader learns it early on and the only question is when Jake is going to spring it on the prosecution. And if you are looking for a powerful ending that ties up all the loose ends and sends Jake happily into the sunset, I’m afraid you are going to be disappointed.
Frankly I think Grisham was tired of Jake. The writer must have had a three book deal to tell Jake’s story, but really he didn’t seem worth the effort. There was no passion in the man, little humor and not even much personal struggle, except for the constant worry about paying his bills. I’ve got a suggestion if he ever feels tempted to write about Jake again. Relocate him from this caricature of a sleepy southern town and let him be a real lawyer.

Another brilliant book by the amazing John Grisham. One of my absolute favorite authors. This time around the magnificent Jake Brigiance must defend a 16 year old who finds himself charged with murder. Can Jake work his magic again?

"A Time for Mercy" by John Grisham, Doubleday, 384 pages, Oct. 13, 2020.

Clanton, Mississippi, in 1990. Stuart Kofer is an alcoholic and is abusive to his live-in girlfriend, Josie Gamble. She is worried about the safety of her children, Drew, 16, and Kiera, 14. Stuart isn't their biological father.

The Gambles are poor and have no place else to go. One night, Stuart assaults Josie and goes after Kiera. Drew and Kiera think their mother is dead.

Stuart, a local deputy, passes out. Since the sheriff's department has never done anything to Stuart when he assaulted the Gambles and Drew believes his mother is dead, Drew shoots him.

Sheriff Ozzie Walls comes to the house. Walls has deputies call the state police and Drew is arrested. A minister takes in Kiera.

Earl and Janet Kofer, Stuart's parents, live a few miles away. Many in Clanton want Drew to get the death penalty since it is the murder of a law enforcement officer. Judge Omar Noose appoints Jake Brigance as his attorney because he is qualified to handle a capital case. At first the judge says it is only a 30-day appointment.

Jake's friend, Henry Rex Vonner, warns him against taking the case. Jake has a wife, Carla, and a daughter, Hanna, 9. They are in danger, both physically and financially from the case. He and Henry Rex are also preparing for a civil lawsuit against a railroad.

The pacing is a little slow, but the characters are good. Jake is a fantastic character. The novel has a low-key ending. This is the third book in the Jake Brigance series, but it can be read as a stand-alone.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Grisham fans know that he writes a taut legal novel which is enriched by ethical dilemmas and good characters- and this is no exception. Stu Kofer, a deputy sheriff, comes home drunk and socks Josie, the woman he lives with into unconsciousness and then heads up to her 14 year old daughter Kiera's room, turning away only because she's barricaded in, along with her 16 year old brother Drew. The pair think Josie is dead and Drew shoots Stu in the head as the latter lies passed out in bed. This is the set up for Jake Brigance, ace defense attorney who is more or less forced to take the case by the judge. Jake's busy with a wrongful death case, too, against the railroad and this is the last thing he needs, especially since Stu has a large and angry family. No spoilers from me but this one raises some serious ethical questions- and Jake might not, in your view, make the right call. He's advocating for his clients- Drew and the remaining child of the family killed by the train- but would you do the same? Then there's one final decision that he makes with his wife Carla. It doesn't matter if you haven't read the early books featuring Jake (it's been years since I read Time to Kill), this is fine as a standalone. The law never gets too complicated but you will learn some nifty stuff that probably won't have any use in your daily life but which is good to know. You'll also learn about the economics of being a small town attorney. The characters are nicely drawn- frankly pretty much all the characters but Jake, who feels like more an observer than the others. Grisham has a distinctive writing style which carries you through even when it sags a bit. It's a good read. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Grisham's fans will relish this one as will new readers.

There is a time to kill, and a time for justice.

Jake Brigance, the lawyer in A Time For Justice, is back in this classic Grisham novel. He is appointed as counsel for an indigent teenager who is accused of murder. He is accused of killing his mother's boyfriend, a Clanton police officer. At first not wanting to get involved in a case where the town of Clanton is clearly on the side of the deceased, he soon comes to believe that the killing was justified.

The case seems impossible for Jake to win, but once again his courtroom strategies and brilliant defense of the teenager makes it impossible to put the book down.

A winner!

John Grisham is the undisputed ruler in writing Southern courtroom dramas. His latest brings back the well-known character Jake Brigance, who wowed readers (and movie viewers) in A Time to Kill and returned last decade in the solid Sycamore Row. This third entry showcased Jake’s courtroom expertise, but presented him as a fully developed character facing multiple challenges. Grisham reprised the roles of all the previous players in the small Mississippi town, often mentioning details from the plot of A Time to Kill. This plot was just as compelling, and the reviewer thoroughly enjoyed the first two-thirds of the book. The last third was less satisfying, marred by obvious soapboxing on capital punishment and racial equality. Conclusions for several plot situations were hastily drawn, unlikely, or unsatisfying. However, it was still an above-average read.

Jake Brigance returns in the story and, along with an intriguing plot and well thought out and developed characters, this was John Grisham at his best. The courtroom drama and all the drama going on behind the scenes made this a book that kept me turning pages. Thanks for the opportunity to read it

Grisham fans will not be disappointed in his latest book. Jake Brigance is back and still suffering from taking on unpopular cases. And as often is the case, Grisham gives readers a moral question to ponder as he tells the story of a 16-year old he is defending on a murder charge. Drew murdered the abusive man he, his sister and mother live with. No one denies that, but the challenge is the cause. Was he justified in doing it? Of course, with Grisham there’s more layers to the story.

John Grisham like I love John Grisham is back with A Time for Mercy, in which Jake Brigance is once again the main character. This time he is tackling another justified killing if only the court would see it that way. Unfortunately, the victim was a deputy sheriff, and there’s not a lot of sympathy in Clanton, Mississippi, for the 16-year-old killer, his mother, and his sister.

Already extremely busy with a case involving wrongful death of a family that was killed in an auto vs train accident, Jake does not want another capital murder case. He agrees only because the judge wants him to take the case, and it is the same judge in the pending wrongful death suit. Once again Jake finds himself at odds with the town and especially law enforcement officers who support one of their own, even though many knew some unsavory things about the victim.

The ending of the book seems to leave the door open to a sequel, and fans of Grisham will hope so as we cannot get enough of Jake Brigance.

John Grisham, a lawyer, started his writing career in 1988 with A Time to Kill, in which he introduced Jake Brigance. Several of his books have been adapted for movies, and he has said he wants Matthew McConaughey to portray Jake once again. No once writes a better trial procedural than Grisham in this reviewer’s opinion.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting October 7, 2020.

I would like to thank Doubleday and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

Having not a read a Grisham legal thriller in many years, I was reminded why I read his books in the first place. A compelling setup delivered with interesting multi-faceted characters made for a quick enjoyable read. I didn't realize until I was 2/3 of the way through the book that this was Book #3 in the Jake Brigance series so I'm definitely going to be going back to read #2.

Very intense small town trial. Abusive situation but the police are protecting one of their own. Kids caught in the abuse,so sad. Characters intertwine well. John Gresham books never fail to capture the reader.

John Grisham's latest novel, A Time for Mercy, brings back Ford County's Jake Brigance. Grisham brings wit, suspense and a roller coaters of emotions all tied into one story. This book steamrolls from the beginning and packs a wonderful punch! Fans of Grisham will LOVE this one. It's definitely one of his very best.

I am so hooked on Jake Brigance and the cast of characters here! I hope there will be more books with these characters. John Grisham delivers again with another great legal drama. Absorbing and hard to put down, I read this book in a few days. The characters are all rich in detail and you care so much about the outcome in this story. Full of twists and surprises, the story will make you question your concept of right and wrong, black and white, good and evil. You will be thinking about these concepts long after the book is done.

John Grisham does it again! Back to Ford County and the office of Jack Brigance. Time has passed since the Hailey trial and Jack is still trying to make his mark as an attorney. When a case that should be his biggest payday turns into his worst nightmare, when a family's worst night puts Jake and everything he has tried to build in danger. I enjoyed reading about Jake, Lucien, and Harry Rex navigating the politics and pressures of small town life. John Grisham can somehow make his readers want to live in Ford County and at the same time never want to live in a small town. There will never be another legal writer like John Grisham.