Rating: 
Summary: the best
Review: out of all the John Grisham books I have read this one is the absolute best. Without a doubt you should buy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: The Runaway Jury
Review: The Runaway Jury is another example of John Grisham's writing talents and intellect. This book, as his others, is an interesting story with plot twists and turns and surprises throughout. While The Runaway Jury is not my favorite of Grisham's novels, it is still a great book and worth the money. If you haven't already read a Grisham book, The Partner or The Firm may be a better choice.
Rating: 
Summary: Middle-of-the-line Grisham
Review: My distinct impression after finishing this novel was, "Meh".Overall, the premise of this is worthwhile, I think, and certainly explores the little guy vs. the corporation theme developed earlier in The Rainmaker (a far, far superior novel) in greater detail. Here, we are treated with the actions and thoughts of a jury which has to decide whether a cigarette manufacturer is responsible for the death of a woman's husband, who died of lung cancer. There is corruption, deceit, moral questioning, and a few twists along the way, and you'll begin to wonder, as I did, whether Nicolas Easter is a little bit too smart to be who he says he is. While I did find this premise interesting, and I did learn a little bit about the industry and smoking in general (although, unfortunately, these facts are present, by and large, in boring courtroom fashion), I found this novel lacking in the more pivotal areas: 1) There are no really sympathetic characters. Nicholas Easter is certainly the central character, but he's only an enigma, whose past and present are presented to us mainly through the personal digging of the cigarette manufacturer's lawyers. He's not as easy to relate to as Rudy Bayloy or Mitchell McDeere. His motivations are a mystery until the end, rather the propulsion for the story, which I think they should be. 2) The victim, unfortunately, is never a part of the story. No victims are. Where as the kid dying of leukemia was very easy to relate to in the Rainmaker, we see nobody suffering from tobacco-related illnesses within the action story here; we just hear about it. That's all right for an essay, but if you're trying to make a point with a novel, with a story, I sort of expect to have an opportunity to become emotionally attached to the situation. I'm sorry, but I wasn't. 3) Sadly, the story takes place largely in a courtroom, moreso than any other Grisham I've read. This may work for some people; it didn't for me. There are very few side stories or breaks, or personal matters, or external character development. It's very much to do with an attack on the tobacco industry, and little more. 4) There is an unfortunate lacking of quirky characters. There isn't the snippy judge from The Client, or the homoerotic Senator from The Pelican Brief, or the aspiring-Governor lawyer from A Time To Kill. I guess there is the agnostic nude juror who objects to the church service - but that's about it. I find it interesting - and it's not even a critisism - that the last two Grisham novels I've read, A Time To Kill and this one, I've actually disagreed with. The point, as it were, the resolution between the moral and legal conflicts - well, I would have gone the other way. But I commend Mr. Grisham for making me think about these things. It's something not a lot of novels can do. Still, I'd recommend picking up The Rainmaker or The Client rather than this one. Matty J
Rating:
Summary: A great novel that should really happen.
Review: This is truly one of Grisham's best, a captivating story filled with insider knowledge, human drama and real-life villains. The tobacco industry kills more people worldwide than anything else with the possible exception of war. This is one novel whose plot really ought to happen. It's after 1 a.m. and I just finished the book. It's that good. Like "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Runaway Jury" speaks to the need for significant social change, set in our litigious times.
Rating:
Summary: My First Grisham...And What a Read!
Review: This was my first Grisham. I am an avid reader, but I usually gravitate toward nonfiction (particularly history and politics). However, while housesitting for friends the other week, I picked up a copy of this book. In short, I really enjoyed it. Here are three reasons: 1. Grisham's talent for clarity is impressive. Fine detail throughout, as well as believable dialogue, kept the story moving and relatively easy to follow. This was a challenge, too, considering the intricate storyline in The Runaway Jury. 2. This topic was fascinating. Anyone with an interest in jury deliberations will like the unique twists and turns in the story. The characters are unique, each one mysterious enough to get the reader thinking and speculating. 3. Finally, I really admire the ending. Of course, I don't want to commit the reviewer's sin of giving anything away, so enough said! Sure, there are some weaknesses, as with any book. Some minor storylines disappear, while some do not push the plot along. There are a few passages that dragged a little. But all in all, a great read. I can't compare this to Grisham's other works, but will say that I am now a fan.
Rating:
Summary: One of his best.
Review: Absolutely one of his best. Enough said.
Rating:
Summary: Another fun-to-read Grisham novel...
Review: This book was exactly what Grisham fans expect...an enjoyable, well-paced, relatively easy-to-read story. The early sections of the book do a nice job of introducing main characters...in this case by slowly revealing hints about their past. The middle section goes into detail of the trial's progress, taking along a bit of a puzzle about its outcome... not a baffling mystery, but enough to keep you guessing. The later sections to the end keep things moving well, with a satisfying ending. I recently read "A Painted House" by Grisham and rated in a 4-star book. In retrospect I'd probably downgrade that, giving this one a four instead. It was a much more interesting book.
Rating:
Summary: One of Grishams very best
Review: What if one of the jurors could change at his own will the veredict of a multimillion trial against a Tobacco company? How much would you pay to grant his devious influence?
This is the central topic of the book.
A fast page-turner, this book will keep you glued to your seat for hours and hours.
With "A time to kill" one of Grishams very best...
Rating:
Summary: The Runnaway Jury
Review: Tobacco is a topic that never goes away. The debate over just how deceptive companies are in marketing cigarettes is brought to the forefront with a legal tale as good as any you will read this year. The story concerns a giant tobacco firm on trial after a dead woman sues the company claiming that cigarettes killed her husband. As the trial begins it is evident that someone is playing a game with both sides of the case. That someone is known only as Juror # 2 but he holds allot of power that will either ensure a conviction or not depending on the way his clever little game plays out. As the lawyers from both sides try to figure out who is the mysterious person toying with a case that he can make or break at will a surprising turn of events threatens to destroy the case. Grisham once again comes up with a winner filled with the genuine plot twists that make him a master of the legal thriller. The slam-bang finale is one of the best yet.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating from Start to Finish
Review: I would never have believed that a "courtroom drama" could be so interesting. But a major lawsuit is more than motions and objections and legal briefs: it is about people, and Grisham gives us an omniscient view of the lives, fears and motivations of the 12 jury members and people around them. With millions at stake, Big Tobacco's hired guns attempt to profile, psychoanalyze and spy on the jury members, and find ways to influence and pressure jurors...or buy them outright. It is jury-tampering as an art form...but there is one juror, a young man, who exerts great influence on the rest of the jurors...but whose side is he on? You never really know until the very last..the plot never lags, the drama and suspense persist throughout. Frank Muller, the actor who reads the audio version, is an outstanding narrator, with his warm, sonorous voice. He simulates character voices expertly without overdoing it, and his speaking skill adds greatly to the enjoyment.
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