Sycamore Row

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Michael Beck

Length: 20 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Thriller/Suspense, 2014

John Grisham takes you back to where it all began...

John Grisham's A Time to Kill is one of the most popular novels of our time. Now we return to that famous courthouse in Clanton as Jake Brigance once again finds himself embroiled in a fiercely controversial trial - a trial that will expose old racial tensions and force Ford County to confront its tortured history.

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 County's most notorious citizens, just three years earlier.

The second will raises far 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?

In Sycamore Row, John Grisham returns to the setting and the compelling characters that first established him as America's favorite storyteller. Here, in his most assured and thrilling novel yet, is a powerful testament to the fact that Grisham remains the master of the legal thriller, nearly 25 years after the publication of A Time to Kill.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2013 Belfry Holdings, Inc (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

Praise for the novels of John Grisham

"John Grisham is about as good a storyteller as we've got in the United States these days." —The New York Times Book Review

"John Grisham is exceptionally good at what he does—indeed, right now in this country, nobody does it better." —Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post

"Grisham is a marvelous storyteller who works readers the way a good trial lawyer works a jury." — Philadelphia Inquirer

"John Grisham owns the legal thriller." —The Denver Post

"John Grisham is not just popular, he is one of the most popular novelists of our time. He is a craftsman and he writes good stories, engaging characters, and clever plots." — Seattle Times

"A legal literary legend." — USA Today

A brilliant performance!

We all know Grisham: a definitive plot, at least one protagonist that we can relate to, and a couple of colorful sidekicks. This sequel (we're reminded again and again of the book we all read a decade ago) is elevated by an absolutely wonderful narration that is never condescending and characters that are ridiculously easy to identify. I'm not sure if it because of familiarity with the material or just plain talent, but Michael Beck is pitch perfect in delivering the over the top characters and amazingly restrained with the more shy and less flamboyant. Just really well done. Oh yeah, and the book is pretty good, too.

Grisham is Back

Where does Sycamore Row rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

If you liked the classic Grisham like The Firm, and A Time To Kill, you will love this one. It was a great story and follow up for the Jake charter.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The story had a good pace, and even though I anticipated the ending early on, it still kept me interested and engaged.

What about Michael Beck’s performance did you like?

Michael Beck as always had a great performance. Would like to see more of his work outside of the Grisham word of novels.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

As with a Time to Kill, the trial was very moving at the end.

Southern Storytelling At It's Best!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book due to the intensity and depth of the story and it's characters to all of my family and friends.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I have been caught up in a insomniac slumber over this book for days. I have constantly listened to the storyline trying to figure out the plot. Seth Hubbard leaves a holographic will one year after he has had one written up by his lawyer. In this will he leaves Ledie, his maid and caregiver 93% of 23 million dollars. That alone makes you wonder and to add to it she happens to be a 43 year old not half bad looking black women and he I believe from memory was in his 70's and not a Robert Redford look alike? So, the natural response is, it was about sex or money...however I felt it was about something else?

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Seth's Brother is found Hansel in Alaska by Lushun and mysteriously shows up after being ill disguised in a baseball cap and sports apparel jacket.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Southern Secrets, Holographic Will's, Sex and Money

Any additional comments?

John Grisham happens to be a profound storyteller, when it comes to legal crime stories however Michael Beck is the best narrator I've heard in a really long time. This story is not only enjoyable but takes you on a ride through the deep south in the 80's and back in the 1900's. I give my full recommendation on this southern tale, it is worth every penny.

Fantastic

Any additional comments?

Sycamore Row brought back so many memories of A Time to Kill that I went back and listened to that great book again afterwards. The characters, story, and narration of both books are absolutely top notch. If you're new to Grisham I highly recommend you experience A Time to Kill followed up by Sycamore Row. The man at his very best.

Another!

An Excellent story line, and Another great book by Grisham. You will not be disappointed.

great story

give it a listen, well done. kept me listening. really liked the characters....continuing with the author and series

Great plot & riveting narration

What made this excellent story even better was listening to the narrator"s distinctive southern drawl for each of the characters. Wouldn"t have been nearly as compelling to have simply read the book myself.

Riveting

Michael Beck does an exemplary job of narrating the characters in this book. He makes them come alive. The story was well presented with just the right amount of intrigue and suspense. Another well written John Grisham book and I look forward to the next one on my list of must listens.

My Favorite so far

Love all of John's books but this is my favorite so far out of ten books.

Excellent!

Story was a page turner and Michael Beck a fantastic narrator! Can’t wait to listen to the next Grisham book and hope Mr Beck performs it!