The Summons & The Brethren

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Frank Muller, Michael Beck

Length: 20 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Two from the master of the legal thriller:

The Summons:

Once Judge Atlee was a powerful figure in Clanton, Mississippi; a pillar of the community who towered over local law and politics for 40 years. Now the judge is a shadow of his former self, a sick, lonely old man who has withdrawn to his sprawling ancestral home. Knowing the end is near, Judge Atlee has issued a summons for his two sons to return to Clanton to discuss his estate.

The summons is typed by the judge himself, on his handsome old stationery, and gives the date and time for his sons, Ray and Forrest, to appear in his study. But the judge dies too soon, and in doing so leaves behind a shocking secret.

The Brethren:

They call themselves the Brethren: three disgraced former judges doing time in a Florida federal prison.

Meeting daily in the prison law library, taking exercise walks in their boxer shorts, these judges-turned-felons can reminisce about old court cases, dispense a little jailhouse justice, and contemplate where their lives went wrong.

Or they can use their time in prison to get very rich, very fast. And so they sit, sprawled in the prison library, furiously writing letters, fine-tuning a wickedly brilliant extortion scam...while events outside their prison walls begin to erupt.

©2002 The Summons, ©2000 The Brethren, John Grisham (P)2002 The Summons, ©2000 The Brethren, Random House Audio

Love Grisham.

Both stories gripping from start to finish. A real bonus getting two great books. Recommend.

Brilliant

The summons is hands-down the most beautifully written book John Grisham has released. A wonderful plot, fantastic twists, and very beautiful pros all encompass a great ending and wonderful total story.

The brethren Also delivered a fantastic political legal thriller but I will recommend and remember for years. It was engaging, thought-provoking and fun to listen to.

Fantastical story, well read

I really enjoyed this story the brethren most particularly because Frank Muller does such a fantastic job reading these Grisham books

Both very good Grisham

I am pretty new to reading (listening) to Grisham books, but really enjoyed both of these books. I see a lot of people didn't like Frank Mueller or The Brethren as much as the first story. I actually preferred the second story. I have listened to other of Mr. Muller's narrations, and I truly enjoy his work.

In the Brethren, I was wondering for much of the story how these different parts of the story would come together. I eventually learned. As I write this review, I haven't yet reached the end, and I expect (hope) there will be a few more twists and turns.

Repeats

There were some repeats during the playback not bad but silly if I have to purchase book

Great listen

I liked the Brethren best. Bothe good listens. Engaging!
Those three judges should have been punished, but, I suppose they ended up looking over their incorrigible shoulders anyway. I thoroughly enjoyed these books.

OMG Frank Muller is horrible... so hard to listen.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Frank Muller as a narrator...

If you’ve listened to books by John Grisham before, how does this one compare?

Frank Muller made this the worst... can't compare to any other I've read thus far.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

NA

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I wouldn't want to see The Brethren due to Frank Muller performance

Any additional comments?

I wish I could get a refund for The Brethren... worst EVER!!!

Maybe a reason they put these together!

The Summons is a great story line with a good plot twist. The entire story keeps you wanting to hear more and more. I listen in my car and when I get home sometimes sit in the car to hear just a little more. Michael Beck is a great narrator. I've listened to several Grisham books and look for ones Beck does the audio in. The Brethren I'm about 2 hours in and I don't think I can take anymore of it. The story is one that jumps back and forth. I find my mind wandering and not listening at points. It's slightly boring. But the worst part is the narrator. This guy is awful. I don't know who he thinks he's reading to but it's making me ill. He over exaggerates ever word and accentuates the oddest part of words. I can't take him anymore. The rest of the book may be good but I'll read it if I want to know the ending. Can't hang with this guy anymore. I won't get any books with Frank Mueller again.

great combination

two great storytellers (narrators)

stories are very good and range of characters is good. appeals to more than just legal aspect.

very few flaws in recording (a few lines repeated)

the Summons is a fantastic read/listen

great story line....great characters...well read ....one of his best for sure. may have to listen to it again