• A Time to Kill

  • By: John Grisham
  • Narrated by: Michael Beck
  • Length: 16 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (5,463 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
A Time to Kill  By  cover art

A Time to Kill

By: John Grisham
Narrated by: Michael Beck
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $22.46

Buy for $22.46

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Clanton, Mississippi. The life of a 10-year-old black girl is shattered by two drunken and remorseless young men. The mostly white town reacts with shock and horror at the inhuman crime. Until her father acquires an assault rifle - and takes justice into his own outraged hands. For 10 days, with burning crosses and the crack of sniper fire spreading through the streets of Clanton, the nation sits spellbound as young defense attorney Jake Brigance struggles to save his client's life...and then his own....

©1992 John Grisham (P)1992 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

"Grisham's pleasure in relating the Byzantine complexities of Clanton (Mississippi) politics is contagious and he tells a good story.... An enjoyable book." (Library Journal)

"Grisham excels!" (Dallas Times Herald)

Featured Article: The Essential John Grisham in Audio


John Grisham is best known for his fast-paced legal thrillers and mysteries, many of which have been adapted for television and film. Because he’s so prolific and has been writing for decades, it can be difficult to know where to begin when selecting a title from his impressive back catalog. And Grisham is definitely a jack-of-all-trades: he’s written not only legal thrillers, but nonfiction, a series for kids, some humorous novels, and recently, a new mystery series outside of the legal thriller genre. To help you decide which Grisham gem to download next, we’ve compiled a list of the very best.

What listeners say about A Time to Kill

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,387
  • 4 Stars
    832
  • 3 Stars
    163
  • 2 Stars
    53
  • 1 Stars
    28
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,119
  • 4 Stars
    540
  • 3 Stars
    105
  • 2 Stars
    17
  • 1 Stars
    14
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,806
  • 4 Stars
    734
  • 3 Stars
    165
  • 2 Stars
    44
  • 1 Stars
    19

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Nobody will read this review

Any additional comments?

BUT- I wanted to put one anyway. I know this book has been around for a long time. I think I saw the movie many, many years ago.

What a wonderfully written story right? The characters are all believable, the story is truly a reflection of the deep rooted racism in the south. The story is written so well that you can see a movie play out in your mind. You can see it. To me, this is what makes a story great.

The best part about this story is that it still can ring true today. Loved every minute.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

193 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Narrator!

A great book becomes even greater when Alexander Adams is the narrator. Bringing to each character a distinct voice and dialect, Adams makes you want to replay every chapter. I love audiobooks and first heard this particular version when I borrowed it from the library years ago. At that time they were on cassettes. Needless to say I was absolutely thrilled when I saw Audible.com had the same audiobook on its website ready to download. I could listen to the book over and over again; it's that good!

I highly recommend "A Time to Kill" narrated by Alexander Adams. You are sure to love it!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

His best

I can’t believe that this was his first book and it didn’t sell!!! So well written and narrated. His characters are so southern and authentic. The narrator made this book come alive. I loved it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Stunning

Just stunning,gripping and well written. Grisham's finest! Listen and you'll see. Won't regret it! xx

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read

Couldn’t put it down!! One of Grisham’s best just as you would expect. On to the next.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Book

Great book for court house drama lovers some parts dragged a little but forgivable. This is my first time reading this author and I am looking forward to reading more of his work

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

well done but more violent by far than most JG

superb narrator
compelling plot
Child rape and racism made it a little too crunchy for my taste.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!!!

Amazing read! Couldn’t put it down!!! Thought provoking! Gripping! Real! Every word tells! Can’t wait to read Grishams other books!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome book!

The story was interesting and informative, and the reader’s performance was perfect. Thank you John Grisham!


Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Spectacular story; Phenomenal reader

This was a well-paced drama set in Mississippi focusing on a murder trial. It included suspense, drama, pathos and humor. The ending brought tears

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!