Rating: 
Summary: A good Grisham book, not a great Grisham book
Review: I have read many of John Grishams books, my personal favorite being 'A Painted House'. This one did to me what many of his other 'lawyer' books have done. It started out strong, hooked me, and then let me down with a rather anti-climatic ending. I was enjoying it, couldn't put it down, but then when it was finished, I was left unsatisfied. That pattern reminds me of a few relationships I have been in. Oh well, I'm sure I will read his next one also.
Rating:
Summary: Grisham Lite
Review: This Grisham book is not as rich and complex as his other books, but is quite entertaining, nevertheless. In this latest offering, law professor Ray Atlee has been summoned home by his father, retired Judge Reuben Atlee for a family conference. Ray and his brother Forrest have never been close to their father, and neither one relishes a return to the family home. Upon his arrival, Ray makes two astonishing discoveries which drive the rest of the book's plot. The book moves somewhat slowly at the beginning and it seems as if Ray spends a lot of time on the road between his home in Virginia and his father's place in Mississippi. Towards the end, however, the book begins to move faster and the reader is left with an interesting, if somewhat puzzling ending. Grisham's books are always worth a read.
Rating: 
Summary: Totally Disappointing
Review: This book was a major disappointment. I have never been able to complete a Grisham novel in less than 5 hours! What surprised me was how shallow the book was. Towards the end, I didn't care what happened to the characters, and the ending! What was that?!? I'll go back and re-read The Firm before I pick up any future books.
Rating: 
Summary: The Summons
Review: Not Grisham's best. After "A Painted House" (my favorite Grisham book), I was disappointed. I love it when Grisham fools me with his ending, and it just didn't happen here. A couple of characters were used as throw aways - the Private Detective, and the potential new girl friend (student) were not used in the plot, and were useless characters. I would rate this about the same as "The Chamber", and "The Street Lawyer" - below my favorites "Runaway Jury", "The Brethren", and "The Partner".
Rating: 
Summary: Less than the others
Review: I enjoyed that the book was written in Grisham fashion--easy to read, but the plot just wasn't there like the others. The twists and turns were not as exciting, and the mystery wasn't as advanced. I feel that Grisham is one of the easiest reads out there these days, and it is good to pick up a book that is written so easy to read, but the story line needed to be a little more complex for the mystery-part to come through for me. I won't however, stop reading his works, because of the readibility of his writings.
Rating:
Summary: Advertising might pay off.
Review: Grisham is an accomplished story teller. He has a pleasant style that allows you to sit and "listen" to his narative. However, this book takes forever to develop any excitement or mystery. It is strictly a story for 2/3 of the pages. The balance is predictable, and again not thrilling or enticing in any way. I like the fact that he does not deal in smut or gutter language, but please, John, do something for your money beside living off a couple outstanding novels. If you must read all the Grisham books, wait for the paperback, or go to the library for this one.
Harry Smale
Rating:
Summary: John Grisham Returns
Review: I thought he had lost it what with The Painted House and Skipping Christmas, both of which I consider a waste of time.
Things are looking up now that The Summons is out. Not quite as tight a plot as The Runaway Jury but every bit as imaginative and enjoyable. A good summer read.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as the critics claim!!
Review: I have always loved his books but all the hype didn't match this novel at all. Very slow reading leading up to a good ending (believe it or not). I was very disappointed in this novel and would not recommend to fans of Grisham because they will be very disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to par
Review: The Summons is an entertaining story but it is just not up to the standard of most of John Grisham's other books. The Summons is OK, a story more about the brother's relationship than any mystery or crime or legalities. I found it much more predictable than any of his other works.
The characters are a bit shallow and not very sympathetic.I found myself not caring too much about any of them or what the outcome was.
It was an easy read but just not the page turner I always look forward to from Grisham.
The Summons could have been a lot better, in my opinion, with a few more twists and turns. A good romance might have helped it along, also. With only 3 minor women characters, it was all about men! JG usually writes for both sexes but this one was a major male novel.
If you have read all his other books, I think you will be disappointed with this one. If you haven't, you might enjoy it alot more!
Rating:
Summary: Back to the Legal thriller
Review: Grisham is back to writing what he's famous for, the legal thriller. "Summons" approaches "The Firm" in its excitement and near-frantic activity of the main character. But with "The Firm" Grisham set the bar so high, not even he has been able to match it. I thot the main character Ray Atlee was real, likeable. I found myself asking throughout the book, "Who could it be?" and "What would I do if I were Ray?" Altho the book takes you on a ride, the ending is implausible and disappointing.I give Grisham 4 stars because he still can tell a great story. The plot is exciting; the story moves from city to city. You do get a feeling that Atlee is travelling quite a bit to achieve his purpose. And Grisham tells the tale w/very little profanity, for which he truly needs to be applauded.
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