I have read a few novels by Grisham, and I usually find them technical and/or heavy. I had made only one exception till some time back- The Client. But with 'The Last Juror', I'll make another one.
It is a warm story of a young journalist who comes to a small town to work for the town newspaper. After a little while, he ends up buying the paper. In a small town, where people can trace back their generations, a newcomer remains an outsider even if s/he stays on for years. But in an effort to find a way to increase the circulation of his paper, his increasing involvement with the life of the local people, in some time, wins him the confidence and acceptance of the people, and an unlikely friend in an old black lady. About an initial third of the book develops this context, and is delightful to read.
The story takes on a serious note thereafter, when a young woman is murdered, and a young man of the local 'mafia don' family is the culprit. The protagonist tries to find and report the truth as far as possible, overcoming the fear caused by the threats from the mafia family. Then start the games of power played by the mafia family - their money and power ensure that the murderer is not given a capital sentence, is transferred to another area where he spends his time in luxury, is finally released well before term, and the news does not reach the people of the town he lived and was tried in. The protagonist learns about it, however, and tries his best to prevent the release, but is not successful. And then follows the terror - the jurors on the murderer's trial start getting killed .... the end comes as quite a surprise. Like all nice stories, the "good" wins over the "evil" in the end, never mind the means.
I can recommend it, especially to all those who love suspense thrillers.
It is a warm story of a young journalist who comes to a small town to work for the town newspaper. After a little while, he ends up buying the paper. In a small town, where people can trace back their generations, a newcomer remains an outsider even if s/he stays on for years. But in an effort to find a way to increase the circulation of his paper, his increasing involvement with the life of the local people, in some time, wins him the confidence and acceptance of the people, and an unlikely friend in an old black lady. About an initial third of the book develops this context, and is delightful to read.
The story takes on a serious note thereafter, when a young woman is murdered, and a young man of the local 'mafia don' family is the culprit. The protagonist tries to find and report the truth as far as possible, overcoming the fear caused by the threats from the mafia family. Then start the games of power played by the mafia family - their money and power ensure that the murderer is not given a capital sentence, is transferred to another area where he spends his time in luxury, is finally released well before term, and the news does not reach the people of the town he lived and was tried in. The protagonist learns about it, however, and tries his best to prevent the release, but is not successful. And then follows the terror - the jurors on the murderer's trial start getting killed .... the end comes as quite a surprise. Like all nice stories, the "good" wins over the "evil" in the end, never mind the means.
I can recommend it, especially to all those who love suspense thrillers.
7 comments:
It definitely makes for good reading.
While you are at it, try The Appeal as well. You should find it interesting.
Hmmmm.... :-)
Keep posting and I'll keep envying. :P
Again, as if I have become a librarian... have this book but... fill in the blanks please. :-)
Ha Ha... I won't even comment from now on.
Cuckoo
BTW, have you seen my third blog ? Might interest you sometime.
I had read this book long back. I remember this also had to do a lot with obituaries. I liked it but I htought the pace was a little slower for suspense thrillers.
@Lord Raj: Hmmm ... lets see if and when can I read The Appeal. These days I am on to Gangleader for a Day.
@ Cuckoo: Ha ha ha. Envy me?? I am totally irregular for a long while now.
Yes, saw your third blog. Nice pictures.
@Maverick: Yes, in the initial part, it had to do with obits too. Though not for long. And agreed, you can say that the pace was slower than the thrillers usually have. But I liked it all the same :-)
If you want really fast pace, go for MacLean, Bagley, or Gardner :-) In that class, MacLean's 'Guns of Navarone' and 'Ice Station Zebra' are my ever favorites.
thx for the info, I started reading again. I read James patterson's Jack and Jill which started off wonderfully but the end was rather loose and disappointing. So I started with Dan Browns Deception point where mysteries unfold in almost every page. My next thought was something by J.Archer, but now that u've recommended McLean, I think I'm gonna give it a try. btw was 'Guns of Navarone' a feature film too?
@Maverick: Ya, do give it a try. And yes, Guns of Navarone was made into a film. And though the movie is really good, I find that the book is better!
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