The Boys from Biloxi

A Legal Thriller

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Michael Beck

Length: 17 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Two families. One courtroom showdown. • John Grisham’s most gripping thriller yet.

John Grisham returns to Mississippi with the riveting story of two sons of immigrant families who grow up as friends, but ultimately find themselves on opposite sides of the law. Grisham’s trademark twists and turns will keep you tearing through the story until the stunning conclusion.

For most of the last hundred years, Biloxi was known for its beaches, resorts, and seafood industry. But it had a darker side. It was also notorious for corruption and vice, everything from gambling, prostitution, bootleg liquor, and drugs to contract killings. The vice was controlled by small cabal of mobsters, many of them rumored to be members of the Dixie Mafia.

Keith Rudy and Hugh Malco grew up in Biloxi in the sixties and were childhood friends, as well as Little League all-stars. But as teenagers, their lives took them in different directions. Keith’s father became a legendary prosecutor, determined to “clean up the Coast.” Hugh’s father became the “Boss” of Biloxi’s criminal underground. Keith went to law school and followed in his father’s footsteps. Hugh preferred the nightlife and worked in his father’s clubs. The two families were headed for a showdown, one that would happen in a courtroom.

Life itself hangs in the balance in The Boys from Biloxi, a sweeping saga rich with history and with a large cast of unforgettable characters.

Don’t miss John Grisham’s new book, THE EXCHANGE: AFTER THE FIRM, coming soon!

©2022 Doubleday (P)2022 Random House Audio

Long and boring

I’m nine hours into this book and not sure why I keep on reading it. I guess I’m still hoping it’ll turn up to be as good as most other books by Mr. Grisham. This novel up until now feels like a very long introduction to another novel : the narration covers a lot of ground in only a few sentences (as if I were to write ‘That year, he had been a junior in high school and he played many great games. The following year…’). It feels like we’re constantly just skimming the surface of events, never really focusing on a single scene long enough for the reader to become immersed and hooked.

As for the narrator : Mr Beck’s tendency to make the bad guys sound like bad guys (with gruff, ‘old’ voices and sounding like they’re chewing on a piece of steak) is unnerving in the extreme. The Grisham/Beck combo used to be among the best audiobooks out there but this one is a major disappointment.

Always been a huge fan!

I have read or listened to every book he has written. Unfortunately the last few books including this one have left me disappointed. This books just seems to meander through too many characters and zero discernible plot. Very disappointing!!

Disappointed

I am a fan of John Grisham, having read everyone of his books. This by far is his worst. I’m sorry to give this review but struggled to complete it.

Long

I’ve read half of this book. Keep hoping it will move a little faster. I want to finish it, but don’t know if I will be able. Michael Beck the narrator is outstanding as always. The writing is fine. The story is just too long and a tad boring.

It's almost non-fiction - very stale novel

I have a hard time comprehending how Grisham can write a novel as good as Sooley, and then take a topic like the instant one, and not knock it out of the park. The story had everything you could ask for in terms of a great plot great setting, and (potentially) great characters. Unfortunately, the book was almost written like a non-fiction book: here are the facts and what transpired. The story had no tempo, no climax, and while there were several people around who the story revolved, I wouldn't say that there was even a main character.

If Grisham wrote this under a penname, it wouldn't get more than 3 stars from anyone. The synopsis makes the book seem like it is about two boys who grew up and took different life paths. It sounded like a potentially compelling tale, like something that might have been written by Wilbur Smith or Jeffrey Archer (authors who typically focus on the ying and the yang of two characters). Yet, those two characters are not the lead characters.

I was very disappointed in this novel because with this much material to work with, I had such high hopes.

Devoid of action or suspense

In The Boys from Biloxi author John Grisham weaves a very interesting story about two boys who were best friends during their childhoods only to have their lives take very divergent paths. As adults they become mortal enemies. The novel is complex and even fascinating but it is not a legal thriller or any other kind of mystery-thriller. It's written as if it is simply relating history, telling a story. This is not nearly Grisham's best book nor is it close to his worst. I'm disappointed by the lack of action and suspense even as I appreciate the quality of the story. Michael Beck does a wonderful job of narration.

Full of filler

It’s like a box full of filler. I kept waiting for a real story or mystery or something. I was very disappointed. No surprises or twists and turns here.

Not near Grisham's standards in my opinion

I have read/listened to all of John Grisham's title sand this is my least favorite. Slow moving and not a great story line.

Very disappointed

I don’t know why I continue to listen to the story it goes on and on and on.

Generally Michael Beck is a great narrator but all these voices that he is imitating are awful
the story is too long with no end in sight
I pushed myself to finish and thought the whole story was too long and really went no where very disappointed

I cannot understand why this is on the top ten list, does that happoen because of the authors name?
Also why is audible only offering unabridged novels
the novels on audible are now over pricing the books in hard coiver

Bad voice for this book

The reader, Michael Beck can only personify people older than 60 years. The floor manager Hobersdorfer sounds like 90+. Hugh sounds like 60 while he's 15-38 in the book.