The Last Juror

A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Michael Beck

Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1970, one of Mississippi's more colorful weekly newspapers, The Ford County Times, went bankrupt. To the surprise and dismay of many, ownership was assumed by a 23 year-old college dropout, named Willie Traynor. The future of the paper looked grim until a young mother was brutally raped and murdered by a member of the notorious Padgitt family. Willie Traynor reported all the gruesome details, and his newspaper began to prosper.

The murderer, Danny Padgitt, was tried before a packed courthouse in Clanton, Mississippi. The trial came to a startling and dramatic end when the defendant threatened revenge against the jurors if they convicted him. Nevertheless, they found him guilty, and he was sentenced to life in prison.

But in Mississippi in 1970, "life" didn't necessarily mean "life," and nine years later Danny Padgitt managed to get himself paroled. He returned to Ford County, and the retribution began.

©2004 Belfry Holdings, Inc. (P)2004 Random House, Inc., Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Here [John Grisham] is back in the fictitious town of Clanton, Miss., re-establishing the storytelling skills and sense of place that put him on the map....The Last Juror does not need to coast on its author's megapopularity. It's a reminder of how the Grisham juggernaut began." (The New York Times)

A favorite

The change in view from the usual Grisham novels is refreshing. I live John Grisham and I enjoyed all of his books but I think this is my favorite.

great book

finished quickly. was a great book. this author always satisfies. highly recommended. i would read it again in a few years

Not what I was expecting, but I think I liked it

It was different from the other John Grisham books that I have read. I felt like it was kind of all over the place and didn’t have one main story. Which was not necessarily a bad thing. I never did figure out why it was called “The Last Juror”.

not bad

it wasn't quite what I expected but still was good. I feel it may have been better as a short story. lots of filler in the middle that was unnessisary. still is worth the read.

Masterful work from Grisham.

This novel is so, so good! I love how there are 4-5 different storylines going on with the same characters in Grisham's books. This one really excels in this area. There are so many side stories going on, and they all come together so masterfully at the end! There is nothing added to the story that does not need to be there. Makes the whole experience so fun.

I also have to say that Michael Beck is the ultimate Grisham narrator. He is SO good, and brings these novels to life so freshly. I am disappointed to have to listen to other readers on some Grisham books! Very good, indeed.

As usual, the turns in the story are unpredictable

The story total, takes you you thru a time and a town where I wish I was.

Starts Slow, But Picks Up Steam Fast ........

....at first I wished I hadn't downloaded it, when suddenly it began to capture my interest. From that point on, as another reviewer stated, "It was hard to put down". You will find yourself trying to second-guess the author, only to be completely surprised.

I not only found the book to be entertaining, but I became entwined with it's interesting characters ...... especially The Last Juror!

Top five Grisham book!!

The little town of Clanton,MS has another or maybe the first big murder trail going down.This is years before A Time To Kill which in my opinion is #1 Grisham book.This is 1970 Mississippi a rape and murder has happened and the new owner of the Times newspaper has a story to write. Willie Trainer has a chance to get his business and the town of Clanton relevant again.

first John Grisham book. definitely not the last.

It was wonderfully read with an amazing plot and riveting people. i wish it wouldn't have ended.

Wonderful fun

One of Grisham's best. He really evokes the character of a small Southern town with delightful characters, realistic situations of the time period and a good story to boot. There was humor, sadness, tension in equal measure. Michael Beck was the perfect narrator and he set a marvelous tone throughout. One could almost feel the heat and langour of the setting as well as the emotions Wilie felt as he went about his business. His ability to translate the various characters and their accents added so much to it. Had most interesting ending - one I had not expected.