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Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction 2014


Sycamore Row � John Grisham
Audio book performed by Michael Beck
3***

Seth Hubbard, a wealthy man dying of lung cancer, hangs himself from a sycamore tree. Before he dies, he hand-writes a new will, mailing it to lawyer Jake Brigance, and instructing him to ensure it is enforced. In it he specifically disowns his children and grandchildren, and leaves the majority of his estate to his housekeeper, Lettie Lang, an African-American woman. The courtroom brawl that ensues will keep everyone scrambling.

John Grisham can certainly write a thriller, and his courtroom scenes are entertaining, suspenseful and informative. I liked the various characters in the novel, even the smarmy attorneys hired by Seth’s children and Lettie’s n’er-do-well husband and distant relatives. That is to say, I like the way Grisham writes these characters. I particularly enjoyed the back-and-forth play between Jake and sheriff Ozzie Walls, or Jake and Judge Atlee.

However, I thought the conclusion was rushed and dissatisfying, even if it was more realistic that other alternatives.

Michael Beck does a great job of voicing the audio book. He has great pacing and can easily differentiate the various characters.

LINK to my review

Something extra - Don't know the criteria used, so hard to say if I would have voted for it. But Grisham certainly can write a courtroom drama, and he has a principled attorney as his main character.