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

Satisfying yet predictable

I found this to be a solid but rather un-nuanced story. As a teenager I loved A Time to Kill and several other of Grisham's books, and I owe my love of reading in part to his criminal masterpieces. But I cannot say that Sycamore Row is one of them.

It was fun to follow the twists and turns. I found the character of Jake Brigance to be much less likable in this book, but I think that's actually one of the better aspects of the story. The bits about his personal struggles since the Haley trial were sensitive and believable. The premise of the story was less so, and worse than being unbelievable, it was fairly predictable.

Nonetheless I held on until the end just to see. It was not an unhappy journey but it could have been better. I am being hard of Mr. Grisham because I know he can do better. But he could also do worse.

Couldn't Stop Listening

What made the experience of listening to Sycamore Row the most enjoyable?

Loved the narrator, Michael Beck. Put just enough emotion and feeling into each separate character to make them individual in the story!

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

I love courtroom stories, and this, as usual, Grisham came through

What does Michael Beck bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Depth of the characters

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

beautifully written and read

I have listened 3 times. It will never get old. Michael Beck is a marvellous reader.

Grisham, author. Beck, narrator . . Perfect match

What did you love best about Sycamore Row?

Storyline was old school Grisham.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jake, the Judge and Lucian. Strong characters that really carried the storyline.

Which character – as performed by Michael Beck – was your favorite?

Michael Beck was the best narrator. His voice is so versatile. Thoroughly enjoyed his talent!!! He has now spoiled me for other narrators.

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

Ansel telling of the mistreatment he and Seth witnessed.

Any additional comments?

Please write more books like this, John!

Interesting but padded story

The conflict of a handwritten, last minute will before a suicide is the set up for the story. It held my attention but it seemed that Grisham padded the story. I like police and courtroom procedurals but sometimes it felt more like taking a law course. Too much. Still, it was worth the credit but I probably won't choose a Grisham book for a while.

Just amazing...

...and I didnt want it to end. I loved the accents and feeling put into each character.

Awesome

This book captured me from beginning to end. It was riveting. I literally could feel the heartbeat of the characters mentioned in this book. This has to be one of the best books by John Grisham. And the way Michael Beck switch from character to character was awe inspiring. I’m already looking for my next book by John Grisham and narrated by Michael Beck.

What a good book!

Here is what I emailed to my sister: I just finished Sycamore Row by John Grisham. It was so good. I've had to delete lots of stuff on my DVR because I haven't watched TV in 3 days and it filled up. This was one of those novels that a person stays up late reading and starts again as soon as she wakes up.

Gripping read first to last page

What did you love best about Sycamore Row?

they touched on some difficult subjects very well, knowing the areas discussed in the book well I can tell an awful lot of research went into this book. very clever story line

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

yes

What does Michael Beck bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

the narrator really bought the characters to life allowing me to picture them fully in my mind

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes in a perfect world but the need to work interupted

An outstanding story that captivated the audience.

After listening to this book, I can't wait to start the next book by John Grisham. It met all expectations!