A Time for Mercy

TW: mild spoilers, reference to alleged sexual offender

Jake Brigance returns for a third attempt at making a name for himself as a lawyer. As other reviews have noted, the plot is rather similar to A Time to Kill, the first appearance of Atty. Brigance in 1989. The circumstances of the killing are different: 1. a white teenager kills a white police officer, as opposed to a black mill worker killing white thugs; 2. the boy avenged the purported death of his mother, while the man avenged the rape of his daughter; 3. the boy's sister winds up pregnant by the dead man, whereas the little girl is robbed of her ability to have children of her own.

These differences in plot carve enough space between the two novels so as not to detract from the show more pleasure of reading whichever one the reader picks up last. I personally read A Time to Kill after Grisham's 1991 novel The Firm, and both after their respective cinematic adaptations. Setting the differences aside, however, key themes emerge from both novels: injury and revenge, the dangers of alcoholism, the desperation of poverty, and, perhaps most importantly, the dynamics of power and powerlessness. Drew Gamble (A Time for Mercy) and Carl Lee Hailey (A Time to Kill) are both on the disadvantaged end of societal scales. This power-distance dynamic does not play out only in the rural American South, but they are quite prominent in this area of the country.

I disliked some of the subplots, especially the marginal appearance of former District Attorney Rufus Buckley, Jake's legal antagonist from a Time to Kill. Though it may have been a bit of fan-service to mention Buckley as a potential election opponent of Judge Omar Noose, it seemed silly to quote Buckley at the end of the novel, giving him a chance to take a swipe at both Jake and the judge. (Not for nothing, the memory that Buckley was portrayed in the movie by a certain disgraced actor made the character's appearance in this novel feel a bit icky.)

Overall, the novel was a fine revisit to Ford County. While not as famous to literary nerds like nearby Yoknapatawpha, Ford County is the home of setting of several of Grisham's works, and the two names are likely to be irrevocably associated in the minds of Grisham's fans. show less

I have a weakness for Grisham. I read all of his works and his story telling is still masterful but I just hate the way he writes. Very simplistic, formulaic, and I feel like a child. Grisham is nudging me along, telling me which way to go.

Still, this story is wonderful and timely. A 16 year old boy shoots and kills his mothers abusive boyfriend. Oh, and the boyfriend is a cop. Jake Brigance (A Time to Kill, Sycamore Row) is again trying a capital murder case.

This book reminds us of the complexity of human emotion and action. It asks us to examine the definition of right and wrong.

A page turner as always.

Typical Grisham

A fan of the first Jake Brigance book, A Time to Kill, I had high hopes. Instead of something unique, Grisham chose to mimic the story switching out the black adult, Carl Lee for a 16 year old boy and the child with a sexy but useless mother. Paced well, it's hard not to be engaged with the characters in spite of the similar plot. It's not Grisham's best but for fans of Jake Brigance might be worth reading.

More stories from Clinton County Louisiana with attorney Jake Brigance caught in a Finacial bind as her has to defend an indigent teen Drew for capital murder and help his mother Josie and sister Kiera to get back on their feet. Stu Kofer, Josie’s deputy boyfriend and a drunk brawler when not in duty is the victim. Grisham shows the readers his writing chops with well developed characters, an interesting legal case and enough side stores to keep the reader involved. It’s been too long time since I read a
Grisham novel, guess I will have to return to this master of the legal genre.

"I was thrilled to see that this latest Grisham was a legal thriller. Grisham is a talented writer across the board, but his legal tales are my favorite. And this latest may well be the best of them! The plot is gripping and the execution is simply fantastic. The behind the scenes machination of a trial are fascinating. As is the actual trial. Grisham's own background as a lawyer adds so much to his books. Jake is a great lead and the supporting cast brings back supporting characters from the previous two books. Time and place are brought to life with detailed descriptions. And then there's the loaded question - is murder ever justified?

I chose to listen to A Time for Mercy. The reader was Michael Beck and his narration was perfect for show more this title. He has created many Southern accents/drawls for the myriad cast of players. Each is just a little bit different and it's easy to know who is speaking. He also does the female/child voices very well. His interpretation of the book is simply wonderful. Beck uses his voice to wonderful effect, capturing the emotions of the characters and the action of the plot. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I become so much more immersed in a story by listening. Five stars plus for this one! I hope we see more of Jake. show less

4.5 stars

When Josee’s boyfriend comes home drunk – again – she is beaten unconscious. Her two teenage kids are locked in one of their bedrooms hiding, but when they hear Stuart (the boyfriend) clomp off to his bedroom and they can’t hear their mother, they are afraid she is dead. When they go down to check, 16-year old Drew turns around to find Stuart passed out on his bed… with his gun beside him. 14-year old Kiera, downstairs with her mother, hears the shot. When the police come, Drew is arrested. In Mississippi, murdering a cop guarantees a capital (death penalty) trial. Defense lawyer Jake Brigance is handed the case.

Another great book by Grisham. I really like Jake and the story was fantastic. Not a short book (are any show more of Grisham’s short?), but I wanted to keep reading to see what surprises might happen next. Black woman Portia is working for Jake and planning to head to law school; she’s another secondary character I really like. I do hope the series continues. show less

A Time for Mercy, John Grisham, Author; Michael Beck, narrator
The year is 1980, the place is Clanton, Mississippi. Drew Gamble is an undersized 16-year-old teenager with a high pitched voice. He has not yet gone through puberty and appears very frail and needy. At 14, his younger sister, although emotionally still a child, is beginning to look like a woman, Their mother, Josie Gamble, is very young. She was only 16 when she had Drew. The three of them live with Stuart Kofer, Josies’s boyfriend. Josie works several jobs, and she is grateful for the roof over their heads.
Stuart Kofer is a well-liked deputy in Clanton. Although he drinks, and then becomes a little belligerent, the officers cover for him. He is an angry drunk, though. show more Alcohol makes him mean. He physically abuses Josie and the kids. They want her to leave him, but they have no place to run. They have already lived in cars, under bridges and in foster homes.
One night, Stuart comes home from drinking and attacks Josie. The children find her unconscious on the kitchen floor. The teenagers believe their mother is dead and their lives are in danger. He often threatened them and taunted them, and this night, they believed, would be no exception. Although he is passed out drunk, after Drew calls 911, he panics and makes a foolish choice hoping to save himself and his sister from harm. He is arrested for the murder of the deputy.
The Gambles are indigent and the judge appoints Jake Brigance, already a known character to Grisham readers, to defend Drew. It seems like a no win situation. No one else would take the case. The town is not happy because they lost a well liked officer of the law, and they resent Jake’s involvement. To the police, the facts sometimes seem less important than the injury to their pride. However, it is a capital crime to murder a police officer. What will justice be in this case? Will justice prevail?
Grisham has written a wonderful novel without abusing the reader with unnecessary sex scene descriptions or foul language. This is simply an excellent story which exposes the flaws in our legal system and “the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to”. He does a masterful job building up the tension leading to the trial with courtroom scenes that are emotional and authentic. The prosecution and the defense are prepared and intense in their presentation of the case, and each of the characters seems real and well developed. The narrator superbly identifies each one with his tone and accents. At the end, the reader will be satisfied with the conclusion and hopeful that Jack Brigance has made a comeback, soon to return again! show less