The Reckoning

by John Grisham

Book Overview

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER - John Grisham's most powerful, surprising, and suspenseful thriller yet - "A murder mystery, a courtroom drama, a family saga." --USA Today

October 1946, Clanton, Mississippi

Pete Banning was Clanton, Mississippi's favorite son--a decorated World War II hero, the patriarch of a prominent family, a farmer, father, neighbor, and a faithful member of the Methodist church. Then one cool October morning he rose early, drove into town, and committed a shocking crime. Pete's only statement about it--to the sheriff, to his lawyers, to the judge, to the jury, and to his family--was: "I have nothing to say." He was not afraid of death and was willing to take his motive to the grave.

In a major novel unlike anything he has written before, John Grisham takes us on an incredible journey, from the Jim Crow South to the jungles of the Philippines during World War II; from an insane asylum filled with secrets to the Clanton courtroom where Pete's defense attorney tries desperately to save him.

Reminiscent of the finest tradition of Southern Gothic storytelling, The Reckoning would not be complete without Grisham's signature layers of legal suspense, and he delivers on every page.

Don't miss John Grisham's new book, THE EXCHANGE: AFTER THE FIRM

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385544154
• ISBN13: 9780385544153
• Release Date: October 2018
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.4" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Binge worthy book

Based on reviews, this is a love or hate book. For me, absolutely loved it. In my quest to read every book he has written, this one has been the best. If you are looking for the same courtroom and chase books where only the names have changed, this isn’t it. First, I have never read a book layer out in this format, but got my head around it from movies written the same way. Great character development and felt like I knew them. Have never binged read like this until this book. Could not put it down.

depressing read

Grisham must have felt he wanted to tell the story of the Bataan Death March in detail, and came up with this way of incorporating it into a book. It felt tedious in parts, horrifying in other parts, very sad overall. Don't read this to feel uplifted.

Good all around book!

Never read a book quite like this one! Had me up till 2 in the morning! I couldn't read fast enough! One of Grisham's best!!!

Captivating story, unique layout

Could barely put this book down. It’s written in quite a different format - almost reads like three books with connected characters. I loved it.

The Reckoning

Having read almost all of John Grisham’s books, I would put this one up there ad one of my favorites. It is thrilling and riveting

what happened?

If I wanted a book about WWII I would buy one. Not his best effort !!

Excellent read!

I thought this book was fantastic! I stayed up until 4am reading it. The POW scenes were hard to read but that added to the story - the true story! The trial was very suspense filled and I learned a lot about capital crime and punishment. I highly recommend this book. I would have given it 5 stars but I was able to figure out part of the ending.

Not a true large print

The spacing around the words and the between lines of print is more generous but the actual print size is not much larger than usual. If you truly must have a large print book in order to read, this book will not be comfortable reading. At least in the copy sent to me.

This Book is Sick

Ths book is so disjointed and pointless. Wasted chapters on WW2 and Batann. Nothing connects. I have read other Grisham books and enjoyed them. I literally had to force myself through it, suspecting the ending. And the ending is totally sick without any point or merit. Don't buy it!!!!

Good not great.

A good Grisham book, but not his best.