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

Great Book!

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

Yes, this book was gripping. I loved the ending.

Which scene was your favorite?

The courtroom scene...where the brother told his story.

Summer Reader

What did you love best about Sycamore Row?

John Grisham never fails to spin a good story. Michael Beck has the kind of voice that makes being read to an enjoyable experience.

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

yes - he never fails to meet my expectations.

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

if my life permitted

Very, very in all three phases. Great finish. You

Very, very good in all three phases. Surprise twist. Great finish. You will very much enjoy.

Interesting and surprising

I'm a Grisham fan. Haven't had time to "read" in a long time, this was my first in several years. It didn't disappoint.

Grisham nailed this one. Excellent story.

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

Absolutely. I found the story very captivating and had a hard time turning it off. I listened while driving, walking my dogs and cleaning. If I could have gotten away with it, I would have listened at work.

Great book - great Narrator

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

i would absolutely recommend this book! One of his one of his best if not *the* best. The narrator - Michael Beck is brilliant, brings the characters to life and never misses a beat...flawless delivery; I am in awe how this is possible.
The storyline is engaging, interesting and what a surprise for an ending; I loved it. Also reinforced for me why I disdain most lawyers so much.

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

No but I will look for more by him; he's amazing!

Story line was great - era was a bit off

As always John Grisham does a phenomenal job with attention to detail and gripping plot.

Dislikes - it was 1988 but the black characters' dialect sounded as though it was 1958. I know it was set in Mississippi but I was born and raised in Alabama and black southerners were not talking as though they were a generation or two removed from Roots in 1988.

Also I would have liked a bit more of a climactic introduction to Ancil at the end but I don't want to give away anymore to what was still a very good read/listen on a 22 hr road-trip with my dad (67) which is no easy feat. Even he was engaged :)

Great Story

Already missing the characters described in this book. I absolutely loved Grisham's book "Testament". This story is as memorable and it also includes historical events regarding race relations at the turn of the century in rural Mississippi. Very well done!

Good book! Really enjoyed.

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

The story was good as are all of Grisham's books. The story was rather long but enjoyable.

What did you like best about this story?

The reality of the message. That making things right is what we all should do.

Which scene was your favorite?

The story of why the decisions/actions were done.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not so much

Any additional comments?

Good read. Would recommend.

Wonderful with a twist!!

Great book, great characters, good history lesson about the South then and now. Beautifully written! Highly recommend, you won't want to leave your car!!