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

One of Gresham's Better Novels

I have ready most of Grisham's books. I still believe his best one is "A Time to Kill", but I think this might be a close second. The reader is drawn into the details of a plot that is constantly evolving. I highly recommend this to all mystery writers.

Outstanding and historical

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

As with all Grisham books, it is so well researched and many truths are intertwined in the storyline. I generally do not like to rehash or review the life of slaves, but this was an excellent story based upon fact. It allows Americans to remember or learn how life used to be for Blacks. But, it is not a black history book. It is simply a story well told. I couldn't put it down.

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

As with most books written in America, I knew it would have a good ending, but Grishom really worked to make a surprise ending.

What about Michael Beck’s performance did you like?

Well done.

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

Yes.

great book

loved it especially the reading by Michael Beck!!! John Grisham is by far my favorite author. Cant wait to listen to another one of his books.

Great Grisham Read

Well written, well performed.

Really enjoyed this Grisham book that takes you back to Clanton in the wake of the Halley verdict to once again meet Jake and yet another case.

With familiar characters and story style of Grisham, and yet a fresh story that twists and weaves - there is a reason that we are loyal fans. This book is one of those reasons.

Grisham at his very best

Flip flop goes one’s heart as this fictional yet seemingly true novel takes you on quite an emotional ride.

Academy Award quality narration

If you could sum up Sycamore Row in three words, what would they be?

Grisham returns to his roots with a return to the world of "A Time to Kill."

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

The subplots and variety of characters, black and white in small-town Mississippi, held my interest to the final page.

Have you listened to any of Michael Beck’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't heard Michael Beck before, but will surely seek him out. His ability to give a host of characters distinctive voices is simply amazing. And the accents are right on, not caricatures of Southern accents.

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

I can still here Lucian standing by Ansel's bedside whispering "Ansel" in Beck's portrayal.

Any additional comments?

It's great this was the top award winner for 2013 in Mystery and Thrillers. I can't imagine a grander performance than Beck's.

Very good

Excellent story. Great narrator. I had a great time listening. So, if you are looking for a great listen, this is it.

Great story…Great reader

I loved the book! It was predictable but that didn't bother me at all. Beck's performance was fantastic!

Great Listen

Another great Grisham novel. Loved the characters! Reader's voice was perfect. I listened to this novel while getting my daily walk in and found I kept going just to hear what was next!

Loved it

I hadn't read any John Grisham for years, and when I saw that this on the new release list, I decided to give it a try. I'm very glad I did, because it was enjoyable and interesting.