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)

Grisham hasn't lost his touch

I was very disappointed by Grisham's "A Painted House" (or whatever it was called), so I hesitated to read this book. My hesitation was increased by some of the reviews I read here. However, I am glad I read the book.

Yes, the story does span 10 years, and during that time we watch the main character grow up. However, the story does center around a brutal rape and murder, crooked lawyers and politicians, and other things Grisham writes about so well. I spent all last weekend listening to this book. I couldn't stop.

Wrong Title

A very good book, but it's more about the small town paper than the court room or juror. Just to let you know what to expect.

ok

it started to drag a little in the middle. i think i will take a little break from Grisham.

better read than heard

it was well written , overall the usual details by the author allowed for food story, but not via audible.

outstanding

best story I have ever heard. Great colorful characters, riveting story line. excellently narrated. Hated that it ended.

Classic Grisham

John Grisham has done it again. I hope he’s finishing another one as I write.

Michael Beck is EPIC

Best narrator ever, and ideal for a Grisham book. He should narrate them all because the reader used for other Grisham books is terrible (Frank Muller - yikes, a disaster!)

The story was good, but not great. The Firm, A Time to Kill, Pelican Brief - those are Grisham at his finest!

Clanton

John Grisham makes the words jump off the page, not a disappointment with this listen.

nice short read

fun book to read. my first John grischam book. so far I prefer David Baldacci, but John brought a very nice southern flair to this story. a solid 4/5

A Great Story!

I thoroughly enjoyed the small town characters and humor. The narrator brought the whole story to life. This is a book I'll definitely listen to again. The courtroom/murder suspense was a sideline to the main plot which to me was life in Mississippi in the 70's. So sad for it to end :(