A TIME FOR MERCY (A PB)

The supremo of legal thrillers is back with Jake Brigance in this 3rd book featuring the protagonist after he was introduced in 'A time to Kill'. This time, the plot is a sensational murder trial of a police officer, Stuart Kofer in Clayton, Mississippi. Jake is appointed as a court lawyer for a sixteen-year-old boy Drew Gamble who has been accused of killing his mother's boyfriend and law enforcement officer, Stuart. Although Stuart had an impeccable service record, he was abusive after drinking and often got out of control, beating his girlfriend and Drew's mother Josie, and his sister Keira. One night after such an altercation, when Drew and his sister Keira found their mother lying unconscious and Stuart passed out, Drew panicked, and fearing that he might harm them as well, seized the opportunity to shoot Stuart using his service revolver. He admits to his crime and refuses to speak anymore and to anyone. The local authorities charge him with capital murder and if found guilty, would be sent to a gas chamber. With no lawyers in Clayton wanting to stand in defense of the young boy, district judge Omar Noose persuades Jake Brigance to stand up for him, although it seems like an impossible case to defend. Despite his big heart and willingness to help people in needy, he soon becomes unpopular in the town as he is now defending a cop killer. With a struggling financial dilemma and low payout in dealing with such cases, he is supported by his mentor, his office assistant, and some close friends who stand by him in the hour of need. As Jack discovers more about Drew, his family, and their misery, he is determined to fight it out for the sixteen-year-old irrespective of the backlash from society. The author has brilliantly familiarized his fans with the jury selection processes, pretrial proceedings, opening and closing arguments from the prosecution and defense and behind the courtroom operations during the trial. The witness examination and cross-examination were sensational with some shocking revelation from Jack's team that a seasoned judge like Omar Noose had a tough time refereeing a fair trial and arriving at the ultimate judgment. This book can be read as a stand-alone without reference to any previous Jack Brigance charts and is focused on the plot and moderately paced. Hope to see more of Jack Brigance as a protagonist in future writings of John Grisham.

Jake Brigance is back though not with a bang. Though the boy's fate after killing his cop-guardian is what lends zing to the novel, there are many other issues spun into the narration. Least of which is not Jake's own financial troubles, which could have been minimized. The teenage-mother's pregnancy is heartbreaking, as it is supposed to do but which is also instrumental in securing the boy's provisional release. Not Grisham's best, nor is it his worst. Worth reading.

Impressed by the racy style

see most of the readers like the feel of book...dont spoil it for us

Excellent as always by John. The lawyer Jake invokes a strong desire and motivation to be a super professional with a heart. Finished the book in one go...couldnt wait to finish.The narrative is so strong that it is a relief reaching a wonderful ending...but still open as the next date for trial was already set.

It's as masterful as his previous novels and it doesn't lack the climax in the courtroom arguments and trials, which is common for good writing style.The virtual kick in the private by Kiera's punch statement in court, something to remember

Worth a read!!! The story keeps you on the hooks for every minute you read. The writing is simple and easy to digest…

As always, Grisham delivers, and delivers with a punch. An excellent narrative about Southern States and the sentiments that ruled then. Enjoyed reading it.

Good read

Grisham’s first novel, A TIME TO KILL, remains my favorite of his works. Originally published in 1989, it tells the story of a black father seeking revenge on the two white men who repeatedly raped and brutalized his young daughter, and the trial that ensues after he kills them. It’s set in rural Mississippi where racial tensions run high. It brings the reader into a world of legal drama and leaves them with questions of what is just and fair in tragic situations such as these.Like its predecessor A TIME FOR MERCY deals with a murder involving moral ambiguities. In this instance, the killer is a sixteen-year-old boy who kills his mother’s abusive boyfriend after he beats her, possibly to death. The boy and his sister have also been physically abused and the boy is mentally traumatized. Enter Jake Brigance, the defense lawyer from A TIME TO KILL. He’s pulled in reluctantly by the presiding judge and ordered to take the case. What follows is an emotionally and morally riveting tale. Grisham grants us the opportunity to see several different perspectives on the level of guilt involved in the boy’s acts and brings it all to a satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed the novel thoroughly. A great read for anyone who enjoys legal thrillers.

Texto claro, bem escrito, excelente descrição do aprofundamento da relação entre as pessoas.

No hesitation in highly recommending this title. With its incredible twists and turns the reader will be totally absorbed until the last sentence.

For Grisham fans