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

A Time for Mercy by John Grisham brings back the character of Jake Brigance. Jake was the hero in Grisham's bestseller, "A Time to Kill".
This novel takes place in 1990, in Clanton Mississippi. As with most of Grisham's novels, this novel does not disappoint. There are interesting characters, courtroom drama, and a plot that keeps the reader engaged.
The ending was not what I expected. In my opinion, the ending felt rushed by not addressing the plaintiff's family's actions after the verdict was read. Also, the ending of the story for Jake Brigance and his family was not believable, based on the plot and character's actions/beliefs.

Quality research and writing you would expect from this excellent author. This is the third book to feature small town lawyer Jake Brigance,, and while there are numerous references to the first book, this excellent story works as a standalone novel. Clever intelligent occasionally totally gripping, sometimes tense others laugh out loud funny but always engaging from start to finish with superb characterisation throughout.
Even moments that brought a tear to the eyes of this sixty four year old grumpy Yorkshireman.
Completely and utterly recommended.

"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

I think this is the best Grisham I have read. A teen is being tried for the murder of his mother's boyfriend. He goes into great detail, but this is what makes this +500 page novel so mesmerizing. I loved the whole thing.

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

John Grisham is a terrific storyteller and he's in fine form in A Time for Mercy even if this book borrows heavily from book #2 in the series, Sycamore Row. In this novel (book #3 of the Jake Brigance series), Jake is again assigned to defend an indigent citizen of Clanton, MI. 16-year old Drew Gamble is accused of the murder of his mother's boyfriend, Stuart Kofer, a deputy on the Clanton police department. Kofer is a mean drunk who abuses Drew's mother, Josie and even his 14-year old sister, Kiera. One night Kofer comes home late after a night of boozing, batters Josie into unconsciousness, and then stumbles off to bed where he passes out. When the kids come out to check on their mother, they can't find a pulse and believe that Kofer show more has killed her. As Kiera grieves over her mother, Drew takes Kofer's service pistol and shoots the prone Kofer in the head, killing him.
After the police arrive, they find Kofer's body and discover that Josie is still alive. Kiera tells one of the deputies that she believed that Drew shot Kofer.
After Drew's arrest, Judge Omar Noose quickly talks Jake into accepting the case because Noose has no confidence in the county's public defender. He tells Jake that the assignment will only last through the arraignment and will find another attorney to try the case. Jake reluctantly agrees.
Of course, there would be no story if Jake left the case, so you know that's not going to happen.
Jake and crew (Portia, Lucien, Harry Rex, and wife Carla) do their best to provide the Gamble family with the best representation they can - even if it means that Jake's practice tanks because he will take a huge financial hit with this case.
The pacing of the novel is a little slow at times but, due to Grisham's storytelling, not too detracting from the reading experience.
It might help to read the earlier Brigance novels first to fully understand the prominent characters' backstory, but if you haven't, you'll still enjoy this book. show less