This was the first book by Grisham that I read, and I have been reading everything else he ever wrote to see if he could equal this one. So far he has failed to even come close. ( )

One of the best books I have ever read. ( )

Seth Rapkins
Summer Book Review
August 26, 2009
A Time to Kill
Over the summer, I read John Grisham’s novel A Time to Kill. This book is centered around an African American (Carl Lee Hailey) fighting against racism and prejudice in the U.S. court system, with the help of his Lawyer, Jake Brigance. This book is packed with suspense, twists, and action as the small town of Stratford is turned into a battlefield over one controversial killing.
The book really hits the ground running, setting the stage before going into details and fully painting the background. It opens with a vivid description of a rape crime committed by two rural white men. They try to dispose of her (a ten year old black girl) after they are finished by throwing her off of a bridge, but fortunately she is spotted by fishermen and rushed to the hospital. The graphic descriptions of the horrible crime really help you understand how the father feels. The two who are guilty are found quickly due to their tendencies to brag about their crimes. While they are awaiting arraignment, Carl Lee Hailey (the girl’s father) shoots both of them for fear that the court system will not adequately punish them. Carl Lee Hailey is arrested soon after and selects Jake Brigance for his lawyer. From that point on, the town is almost completely divided between the people who think Carl’s actions were justified and those who want to see him punished. Grisham builds the suspense perfectly as the war escalates further from control as the Ku Klux Klan and even people from outside the county become evolved. Characters are built up and explained in great detail, as John Grisham continually paints more vividly the setting that the stunning events unfold in. Grisham can do this exceptionally well because of his introspect into the thoughts and fears of almost every character, even members of the KKK, while still leaving holes in the story large enough that mystery and suspense can also fit in. He even allows the reader into the thoughts of the judge, jurors, prosecuting attorney, and of course, the suspect (Hailey) to give the reader an idea of what is going on.
All of these elements that are essential to a mystery/suspense novel are effortlessly woven together to form the grand scheme. (Which I’ll try to not completely blow away) The only complaint I have for this book is that the ending left a lot of holes that that I would have liked to see resolved, but this is only really noticed when you are over thinking it as much as I am. Due to an excellent and dynamic plot, this I one of the best-written and most enjoyable books I have ever read. I would recommend it to anyone interested in suspense novels, or just good books.

Probably the best Grisham book. ( )

This is John Grisham's first novel. Good book, but found his later books better.

Back Cover Blurb:
A black girl is raped by two drunken rednecks. The town reacts with horror until the girl's father takes justice into his own hands. He kills the two whites on their way to jail. For days the nation sits spellbound as the defence lawyer struggles to save his clients life and then his own. ( )