Rating: 
Summary: GREAT BOOK THAT IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE MOVIE
Review: Okay, I decided to read this book before I went to see the movie today. I just finished the book up a couple days ago and, as usual, this is an excellent book from John Grisham. Now, I won't give away too much, but I love the way he chose the tobacco industry as the villian. It's both relevant and in tune with what's happening in the real world with the lawsuits against big tobacco. And the two main characters in this book are easy to relate to. Grisham makes you feel like you are a part of the story and of their lives. You really feel bad for what the tobacco industry lawyers consultant does to these people. Anyways, before I give away too much. The movie basically takes out the tobacco industry and replaces it with the gun industry. And as usual the movie takes some liberties, but is still good. I definitely suggest reading the book first to get the full scope of what really goes on.
Rating:
Summary: Do not read this book
Review: This is a great book! I loved it! NOW I AM SICK! SICK AND TIRED OF THE MOVIES BEING CHANGED. The book and the movie obviously are about a different topic. Hollywood has come in and changed the plot. Do the tobacco companies have that great a hold on Hollywood. Were they that afraid. I was counting the days until the movie, but now will not go. This book has a great message, but I will not read another Grisham book because he apparently has no control over how Hollywood changes and dilutes his message.
Rating:
Summary: Among his best.
Review: "The Runaway Jury" is the thinking man's John Grisham. Like his "The Pelican Brief" and "A Time to Kill," it is complex and densely plotted.Both sides in a multimillion-dollar tobacco suit have monitored all the potential jurors and chosen what they think are the most favorable twelve. But, you can never be 100% certain. With stakes this high neither side is against manipulating the jury---pressure, cajoling, and bribery all appear to be fair game. Every jury finds a leader---on this jury the leader (Nicholas Easter) has schemed to get on and has a cunning accomplice (Marlee) on the outside. They have an agenda, are well financed and very motivated---and are characters shrouded in mystery. The unfolding story line is how the plaintiff, defense and the inside man attempt to exploit the jury to their end. The characters are positively three-dimensional. The jurors' backgrounds, motivations, failings and vulnerabilities are brought to life without tedious detail. There are no absolutely good guys---the members of the defense are particularly despicable. Their venture to unearth the background on Nicholas and Marlee is terrific cat and mouse and a substantial subplot. The jury tampering, background chase and trial meld into a riveting conclusion. A terrific ride and satisfying finale.
Rating:
Summary: Have you seen the movie?
Review: The book is about the manipulation of jury selection by the tobacco industry, and how that alone has allowed them to slip through legal battles unscathed. I loved this book. I loved the idea that Grisham would come out swinging at the tobacco industry. I loved the hero and heroine of the story, and I really enjoyed all the twists and turns in the storyline. I understand the new movie is not about tobacco, but about guns. I find this highly ironic. A book about how the tobacco industry wields its power to keep itself from losing court battles is somehow turned into a movie about guns... All I can say is... Interesting!
Rating: 
Summary: not the best but not bad
Review: This one's good but certainly not his best book. Anyway, a widow is suing a tobacco company for millions of dollars two years after her husband dies of lung cancer. A miserly jury picker by the name of Rankin Fitch picks his jury and the case is ready to begin. Everything is going well until they get mysterious calls from a Marlee who tells them predictions of the next day like the jury will perform the pledge of allegience. These predictions come true leaving Fitch to wonder if there is a person on the inside. There indeed is and his name is Nicholas Easter or is it? His past is a mystery and soon the jury follows his lead. Then strange things start happening. The jury goes on strike and one man claims he's being followed. Could this be Fitch?
Rating:
Summary: Fast paced read
Review: This was great - gripping, heartbreaking, and never dull. With all of the litigation this year in tobacco, you can really see something like this happening. Classic Grisham.
Rating:
Summary: Fun and Profit from Rampant Corruption
Review: It is easy to take sides in this one and root for the good guys. The trouble is you are not sure until near the end who the good guys are, or if there are any at all. Winding through a series of double crosses and double-double crosses with multiple characters ranging from brilliant to pure wicked, this reads very fast by getting your indignation and curiosity both going at the same time.. I thought I did not like Grisham's court room books, and wished he would continue with the Testament and Painted house type of thing. However, I loved this one. I could have given it a 5 and would have given it a 4.5 if I could, knocking off a 1/2 star for the ending, where the heroes and creators of the master scam pledge to come back and do it again at the next trial of the same companies (no possible way!).
Rating:
Summary: Fat, but keeps you interested
Review: You will enjoy this, no matter which side you are in the anti-tobacco movement. Grisham paints his characters vividly. The legal aspects are impeccable, as expected. Could have been shorter, though.
Rating: 
Summary: Losing His Touch
Review: I struggled to finish this book. Mr. Grisham is losing his touch and boring us to death.
Rating:
Summary: Unlikeable Hero/Heroine
Review: I'm a big fan of John Grisham's books, and usually give them 5 stars. But I just can't with Runaway Jury. Mostly because I felt the main characters, Marlee and Nicholas Easter were easily the most unlikable protagonists in Grisham's novels to date. For most of the novel the reader is left in the dark about Marlene's and Nicholas' true motivation. Are they grifters? Are they shameless opportunists? Or Sly Anti-Tobacco crusaders? No one can tell, and for me, by the end of the novel, I just didn't particularly care. Marlee: is portrayed as a cold-calculating rich girl. Nichols: A petty babyish man, who I had difficulty believing could inspire loyalty in anyone. By the end of this book, I kept rooting for the Villain Rankin Fitch. At least his motivations were clear, and he had a certain amount of charm. Overall, while the plot and story concept was good. The two main characters just did NOT work for me.
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