Helpful Score: 3
I loved the book, as I love all Grisham's books. I was hooked from the beginning and found it hard to put down. Most people know the book is a sequel of sorts to A Time To Kill, the same characters are back with a new case and every bit as intriguing. I was part of that jury listening to every word!! I hope Mr Grisham keeps pumping them out!
Helpful Score: 2
Another good legal novel from Grisham, yes maybe not the best one, but I still enjoyed it. Some of the main characters are also in A Time to Kill. You have a feeling what the climax will be, but it was put in a dramatic way that did not disappoint.
Helpful Score: 1
Not my favorite John Grisham. It is draggy. The end is great. The rest of the story drags. It is good to revisit with Jake and family.
Another excellent courtroom procedural from Grisham. This is a sequel to A Time to Kill, one of my favorite Grisham's. This one involves the litigation of a handwritten will left by a man, Seth Hubbard, who is dying with cancer and hangs himself. The will leaves a fortune to his black housekeeper and cuts out his children from any benefits. The questions is why would he leave most of his fortune to his housekeeper who he only knew for about 3 years. Was he influenced by the housekeeper? Was he in his right mind? I found this novel to be engrossing as it works it way through the motivations of Hubbard, the history of Lettie Lang, the housekeeper, and the real reason she was named as the beneficiary in the will. High recommendation!
Another fine story by John Grisham. As usual well plotted and well written. One more adventure through the legal system in America's deep south.
Good read. Not my favorite John Grisham, but definitely worth reading!
Just finished reading it yesterday,and found it to be a very enjoyable read. Think Grisham has a great ability to create suspense and is able to make his characters come alive. Look forward to reading more of Grisham.
Grisham is either losing his touch, or I'm becoming more adept at figuring out how he is going to let his protagonist prevail. I anticipated the 'surprise' ending early in the book.
That said, I also don't think this is one of his best. Some of the characters were two-dimensional, and the drunken lawyer was one dimensional at best.
But did I enjoy reading it. You bet!
That said, I also don't think this is one of his best. Some of the characters were two-dimensional, and the drunken lawyer was one dimensional at best.
But did I enjoy reading it. You bet!
I don't usually review books, but this is one of Grisham's best. It gets its claws into you and doesn't let go. The ending is emotional, and you are part of it. A powerful story.
Another fabulous legal thriller from Grisham! These are the same characters and setting as "A Time To Kill". It flowed and moved so fast; I could not put it down, and it's a thick book. Wonderful ending!
I was very disappointed in this book. It didn't grab me from the start and it seemed to be same story/different title with the black/white theme.
It took me over 2 months to read this, as I said, since it didn't grab my attention but I did want to finish.
I was expecting a real surprise ending, but thought it played out the way the way it was lead up to throughout.
Some of the characters weren't really developed and I was just kind of let down by this.
Either that, or Harlan Coben just has me spoiled by being a phenomenal writer. Thankfully, I have his new one to start tonight....and that one will be finished in a matter of days.
It took me over 2 months to read this, as I said, since it didn't grab my attention but I did want to finish.
I was expecting a real surprise ending, but thought it played out the way the way it was lead up to throughout.
Some of the characters weren't really developed and I was just kind of let down by this.
Either that, or Harlan Coben just has me spoiled by being a phenomenal writer. Thankfully, I have his new one to start tonight....and that one will be finished in a matter of days.
It's funny how books come to you sometimes. I haven't read a John Grisham novel in 20 years (The Chamber) but then Leonard Maltin recommended on his new movie podcast that I re-watch A Time to Kill. I did, and ended up ordering Sycamore Row as the credits rolled. So, of course, it was Matthew McConaughey as Jake Brigance in my mind's eye as I read this sequel. This was a good story, and reading a Grisham novel after all those years was like slipping on a warm and fluffy pair of slippers. I'm now practicing law so I truly enjoyed the primer on wills and estates and the old and new characters were engaging. I didn't know for certain how this one would all work itself out, but it ultimately did so in a satisfying way. I can't remember if all Grisham novels are as packed with legal procedure and explanations as this one is but I suspect that might be why some readers found this novel to be a bit slow and/or boring. Not so for me. I recommend that you re-watch A Time to Kill to catch up on the original Jake Brigance story which is referenced a number of times in this new one, and then settle in for another good - but not too taxing - Grisham tale ripped from the legal headlines.
Great story and characters. Should be made into a movie.
Good read
Great follow up to A Time to Kill. Enjoyed it very much. Complex litigation and lots of angles. Hard to put down.
Another book by John Grisham that keeps your interest from cover to cover. Rapid read without any of those dull spots that are in a lot of books.
I haven't read a John Grisham book in over a decade. This one want lent to me by a friend who knew I loved A Time To Kill. I enjoyed this book a great deal. It kept me engaged from the first few paragraphs. With less than 100 pages left, I still had no idea what was going to happen! The story was well put together, emotional and intense. I'd recommend it for anyone who likes a mystery wrapped in a good story. You wouldn't have to have read A Time To Kill to understand this book. I don't necessarily think it's a sequel to that story as much as it's just following the lead character in his life.
This is a really good story with the details dribbled out through 600+ pages and a reasonably satisfying conclusion. Unfortunately, it contains significantly more (unnecessary) profane and crude language than previous Grisham novels that I have read. I sincerely hope this is not a trend.
I very much like John Grisham and have read all of his book except, this one. I read through a third and the story just did not get me.
There was no character development at all. Maybe so e other time I'll try again but for now, I need to chalk it up as a huge disappointment.
There was no character development at all. Maybe so e other time I'll try again but for now, I need to chalk it up as a huge disappointment.
One of his best.
One of Grisham's best!
John Grisham can tell a story like no one else. I have always loved his books. Sycamore Row was certainly not an exception.a riveting, edge of you seat story that kept me guessing to the end the character of the colorful Seth Hubbard along with the can't put it down dialog is true Grisham style. A must read for everyone looking for a good story. You will not be disappointed.
Grisham has done it again. Good read from cover to cover!!!
I read SYCAMORE ROW for the March 2014 pick in my neighborhood book club, and I'm happy to say that I really did enjoy this courtroom drama!
From the start, I knew there would be more to why Seth Hubbard would leave his $24 million estate to his maid, and cut his children and grandchildren out entirely. My only plot gripe would be that there didn't seem to be a good enough reason for Seth not to give a more complete explanation about his motives, since he planned everything so meticulously.
But that aside, I did enjoy once again rendezvousing with Jake Brigance from A TIME TO KILL fame, and the rest of the Canton, Mississippi cast of characters.
Despite some slow pacing and predictability, I still highly recommend SYCAMORE ROW, it was a richly told and satisfying legal mystery. B+
★
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From the start, I knew there would be more to why Seth Hubbard would leave his $24 million estate to his maid, and cut his children and grandchildren out entirely. My only plot gripe would be that there didn't seem to be a good enough reason for Seth not to give a more complete explanation about his motives, since he planned everything so meticulously.
But that aside, I did enjoy once again rendezvousing with Jake Brigance from A TIME TO KILL fame, and the rest of the Canton, Mississippi cast of characters.
Despite some slow pacing and predictability, I still highly recommend SYCAMORE ROW, it was a richly told and satisfying legal mystery. B+
★
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Another Grisham masterpiece. I absolutely become enthralled with his style of writing and storytelling. The first book in the series, A Time to Kill, is one of my top 5 all time favorite books. It was neat to read about those same characters in this story and how their life continued past the Carl Lee Hailey trial - even years after the first book. At times the story seemed to stall but I still found myself not being able to put the book down, and that's all a Grisham thing. The characters remain compelling and memorable. Great book and sequel!
I stopped reading Grisham years ago because his books were all following a formula and becoming predictable. This was the first I'd read in a long time and was as good as his early works.
Loved this book. Great story. I always learn something new inside a Grisham book.
I have enjoyed all of Grisham's books, this is the best yet!
I am the avid reader in our house, but neither one of us could
put this one down.
I am the avid reader in our house, but neither one of us could
put this one down.
What a good story, you love and/or hate the characters. The story line is very original and you can't help but root for Jake.
Loved it. Great book
One of the better Grisham books that I have read. I hope that it becomes a movie.
Another fine addition to Grisham's work. If you love Grisham, you'll love this as well. Maybe not his best, but he does try some new twists to keep the story and his writing fresh. You will not be disappointed!
Reminiscent of A Time to Kill. I enjoyed this book a great deal & believe you will also.
John Grisham takes you back to where it all began. One of the most popular novels of our time, A Time to Kill established John Grisham as the master of the legal thriller. Now we return to Ford County as Jake Brigance finds himself embroiled in a fiercely controversial trial that exposes a tortured history of racial tension.
Seth Hubbard is a wealthy man dying of lung cancer. He trusts no one. Before he hangs himself from a sycamore tree, Hubbard leaves a new, handwritten will. It is an act that drags his adult children, his black maid, and Jake into a conflict as riveting and dramatic as the murder trial that made Brigance one of Ford Countys most notorious citizens, just three years earlier. The second will raises many more questions than it answers. Why would Hubbard leave nearly all of his fortune to his maid? Had chemotherapy and painkillers affected his ability to think clearly? And what does it all have to do with a piece of land once known as Sycamore Row?
Seth Hubbard is a wealthy man dying of lung cancer. He trusts no one. Before he hangs himself from a sycamore tree, Hubbard leaves a new, handwritten will. It is an act that drags his adult children, his black maid, and Jake into a conflict as riveting and dramatic as the murder trial that made Brigance one of Ford Countys most notorious citizens, just three years earlier. The second will raises many more questions than it answers. Why would Hubbard leave nearly all of his fortune to his maid? Had chemotherapy and painkillers affected his ability to think clearly? And what does it all have to do with a piece of land once known as Sycamore Row?
Book was given as a gift. I did not read it. Thanks.
