First edition as new

Am sure that from time to time you begin reading a book and realize it seems familiar. Such was the case with this one which for some reason failed to be rated or reviewed on this site. Researching the books read from our library I found I had reviewed it in 2012, prior to being a GR member. That said, this is not one of the author's best due to a plot that has been used many times. Regardless, Grisham is a master at pacing which is important to keep a reader engaged. Characters are good, plot twists as expected and overall an OK read but far below books like A Time to Kill, The Pelican Brief and others. ( )

Grisham's books are always well written and usually provide lots of food for thought -- this one is no exception. It's a terribly disturbing story with 'good' guys who really aren't so good, 'bad' guys who may or may not have a redemptive quality somewhere deep inside, and self-centered and self-serving people in positions of power who make decisions with not a moment's concern for the unalterable effect they will have on someone else's life. Politics is, was, and always will be a nasty business.

While The Confession is centered on the issue of the death penalty, an underlying theme is the sad and broken state of humanity, in which a bubbling cauldron of hate lies just beneath a thin veneer of civility. The slightest disturbance shatters that veneer and brings the hatred boiling out on everyone.

Read this book. ( )

Another great book from John Grisham. This one grabs you immediately. A popular young woman disappears, and the police in the town of Sloan, TX quickly, too quickly, think they have their man, Donté Drumm. the town's successful high school football player. All while claiming his innocence, Donté Drumm soon is sentenced to execution. We follow his time in prison, and his lawyer's many attempts go get the sentence overturned. Then one day, just days before, Donté Drumm's execution, a man, Travis Boyette walks into a church and asks to speak to the Minister. He claims it was he, who killed the girl. The book picks its pace up as there is a race to attempt to get a delay. I won't say more, but this is a good, fast paced book. ( )

This was a powerful story, told beautifully. That being said, this was also a disturbing story. So disturbing that there were several times that I had to turn it off because I couldn't handle listening to more of the story at that time. ( )