It took me some time to get through A Time for Mercy by Grisham. Admittedly, it took me some time to get through Sycamore Row as well. Although much of Grisham's work has taken on a more political stance (that I'm aligned with), I've been searching for the his current works to be more compelling like A Time to Kill or The Client. Sadly, I haven't found that spark again. Don't get me wrong... John Grisham reigns supreme in list of favorite authors of courtroom and legalese drama. I mean c'mon, I have a certificate in Paralegal Studies so I live for the day I can come up with the precedent or overlooked piece of evidence that wins the jury and the trial.

Enough about me, let's talk about A Time for Mercy.

We're introduced to a (barely) teenager, Drew Gamble, who's been arrested for the murder of his mother's boyfriend. This piece of sh** boyfriend is a drunk, abusive, sadistic, and corrupt individual who happens to be deputy. When the call goes out that Drew has rid the world this trash, Jake Brigance is called upon to defend his killer.

Ultimately, Brigance is presumably the only defense lawyer in town that judges force into defending the ones who are indigent and indefensible. Fine! You can have that Grisham. We know Brigance is a badass.

Enter Brigance, a brilliant attorney with a fledgling law practice. Grisham does not waste any opportunity to remind the reader Brigance is broke. Even after winning the settlement in Sycamore Row--- should have said spoiler alert but that novel is really not that important.

Brigance is expected to defend a child really, for murdering a cop in Mississippi where it's blasphemy to say anything about the boys in blue (or brown, or whatever color they wear down there).

***Before I have the "BLUE LIVES MATTER" or "ALL LIVES MATTER CROWD" come for me I want to be honest and frank. I am a person of color who will proudly defend that Black Lives Matter... Those who are offended by that stance will find no argument here as I'm not equipped with the patience to argue with you. Those who are steadfast in saying the person on the accepting end of that fatal shot was a "thug" or "criminal" are beyond convincing. If the average person can watch and defend Derek Chauvin as he carelessly kneeled on a dying George Floyd, convincing themselves "ALL LIVES MATTER" have already ignored all logic and factual proof.

So... my reason in touting that blip into my personal beliefs is because we have Brigance defending Gamble, who is dead center in the bible belt, in a county that loves and will defend their police force. Regardless of the evidence that this officer is sh**. I'm not sure if this was the point in this novel, as I mentioned Grisham has taken on a more political stance in his recent novels, but we've placed the boys in blue on pedestals that not all are worthy of.

Ultimately, A Time for Mercy explores the topic of where the line is drawn. Gamble killed Deputy Stuart Kofer because he thought his own life was in danger after Kofer had killed his mother. Those who believe the boys in blue to be infallible would likely want to crucify Gamble. Unless Jake Brigance has his way.

So why the 3-star rating? I felt the novel was jut wrapped up. Ironically it took me some time to read this novel but it felt the ending was just too undone and too wrapped up. Doesn't make sense, right? How can something be undone yet done. Read this book and you'll find out. A Time for Mercy is a great addition to the Brigance series but I need the Grisham of yesteryear to be completely satisfied.

Copy provided by Doubleday via Netgalley

Grisham doesn't go wrong with any of his novels that take place in Ford County. I really like this book.

It was wonderful to touch base with these "old" familiar characters. I love Harry Rex as much this time around as I did the first. I had no doubts with Jake, but it was still wonderful to see the story unfold. I appreciate when Grisham sticks to the legal/courtroom dramas and this title was perfect!

Classic John Grisham with twists and turns. A continuation of one of his former stories, but strong enough and different enough to stand on its own. A mystery to solve and insight into life after a hurricane on an island.

Five years have passed since Jake Brigance found himself handling the most controversial and consequential case of his career to date. Carl Lee Hailey, out of his mind with shock, outrage, and grief after his little ten-year-old daughter was ruthlessly, brutally attacked by two shiftless, callous young men, sought justice on his own terms. In the process of defending him, Jake nearly lost everything -- his home, his legal practice, his family, and his own life. But after the verdict was announced, the television news crews left to chase other stories, the people of the little town of Clanton, Mississippi calmed down, and things pretty much went back to normal, and Jake, Carla, and their daughter, Hanna, were able to put their lives back together. Jake is still practicing law, Carla is teaching, Hannah is growing and thriving. And for the business folks in Clanton, life still pretty much begins anew every morning in the local Coffee Shop where the waitresses don't have to ask anyone what they want to order. Everyone there is acquainted and news is shared long before it's published in the local paper.

But after 2:00 a.m. on a Saturday night, in a nondescript little house six miles south of Clanton "on an old country road that went nowhere in particular," Josie "took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and eased to the window to watch" Stuart Kofer's car as it pulled into the driveway. Josie braced herself as she tried to discern if the car was weaving or under control. Clad in a negligee that had pleased him once before, Josie watched Stuart stagger into the house as her children, Drew, age 16, and Kiera, two years younger, hid upstairs. The three of them have nowhere else to go, so Josie has endured the beatings that invariably come after Stuart has been drinking.

In a mesmerizingly horrifying first chapter, Grisham describes what ensues after Stuart bursts through the door and finds Josie still awake. After a row in the kitchen as the children listen, the house suddenly goes quiet. Stuart stumbles up the stairs and appears to be headed for the room in which they have attempted to blockade themselves. Instead, he moves on to his own room. But Drew has had enough. Believing Stuart has finally killed Josie, like Carl Lee Hailey, Drew seeks justice on behalf of his mother, sister, and himself. He puts the tip of Stuart's nine-millimeter Glock -- his duty weapon -- one inch from Stuart's left temple . . . and pulls the trigger.

Ozzie Wells is still the Sheriff of Ford County, having been elected in 1983. It was a historic election because Ozzie is the first black sheriff and he is deeply shaken at losing a deputy for the first time. Carl Lee Hailey shot DeWayne Looney and caused him to lose part of his leg, but DeWayne remains on the force. But now Ozzie has to call in the Mississippi state police to investigate the murder of one of his own. He warns his deputies to handle the case by the book and put Drew in mechanical restraints (handcuffs), opting to transport Drew and Kiera to the jail himself, accompanied by his chief deputy, Moss Junior Tatum. Kiera has already told Tatum that Drew shot Stuart. She is taken in by Reverend Charles McGarry, a 26-year-old pastor leading the fundamentalist Good Shepherd Bible Church that Josie and her children attended a few times.

Now 37 years old, six days a week Jake is in the Coffee Shop by 6:00 a.m. On Sundays, the family enjoys breakfast before proceeding to church together. But Harry Rex Vonner, a divorce attorney and Jake's best friend, calls at 7:05 a.m. to warn him to leave town for a couple of days. The Honorable Omar Noose is sure to call Jake and appoint him to represent Drew, despite Jake's involvement in a large wrongful death case going to trial soon involving malfunctioning railroad crossing warning lights. "Listen to me, Jake, you do not want a dead-cop case. The facts are against you. The politics are against you. There's not a chance in hell the jury will show any sympathy," Harry Rex cautions.

Sure enough, Judge Noose appoints Jake and he has no choice but to defend Drew for the paltry fee of $1000. Once again he is in the middle of a controversial case, and starts avoiding the Coffee Shop and the hostility directed at him by many Clanton citizens, especially members of law enforcement, many of whom are his friends and neighbors. Stuart was a popular deputy in a town that respects law and order. Indeed, Stuart's family members take possession of the house and angrily burn the pitifully few items of personal property Josie and her children owned. Jake soon learns about Josie's troubled history, and the way she has raised Drew and Kiera. Jake quickly realizes that Josie and Kiera have no voice and no one to protect them, either. Jake's investigation also unearths facts about Stuart that enrage and disappoint Ozzie, and figure prominently into Jake's defense of Drew.

Despite the financial and familial strain caused by his defense of Drew, and the potential negative impact on the wrongful death case, Jake soon finds himself squaring off against Lowell Dyer, the district attorney Jake supported in his bid to defeat Rufus Buckley, the man who unsuccessfully prosecuted Carl Lee Hailey. And to make matters worse, Dyer announces he will prosecute Drew in accordance with the 1988 Death Penalty Enhancement Act making it a capital offense to murder a peace officer whether he or she is on or off duty. With no ruling on its constitutionality by a higher court, Judge Noose is not inclined to strike the indictment.

Grisham deftly and compassionately details the progress of Jake's preparation for Drew's trial, as well as developments in the railroad crossing case. Although he was a pariah in his own little town during the Carl Lee Hailey trial, it is still hurtful and difficult to find himself in that situation again, and it causes strife for his family, as well. And places Jake in grave danger.

But Jake literally has no choice once he is appointed, and his sense of duty, coupled with his humanity, compels him to put his client's best interests first. Grisham's affection and empathy for his characters and their circumstances is evident on every page. (He makes no secret of the fact that A Time to Kill remains his favorite book.) At issue is the question of Drew's state of mind when he pulled the trigger, killing Stuart, and how the legal system should determine what is just. How is it fair to try any 16-year-old as an adult? While Stuart was passed out drunk when Drew killed him, he had just abused Josie yet again, terrifying her children who feared he had finally killed their mother and they would be his next victims. Drew is a particularly young 16 -- small, underdeveloped, and unsophisticated. Was he capable of what Dyer characterizes as "coldblooded murder?" Yet again, Jake finds himself at the center of an ethical conundrum: Was Drew's action justified?

The story moves at an unrelenting pace, compelled forward by shocking developments and the crisp, pointed, and sometimes ironically witty dialogue of Grisham's beloved characters. In addition to the others, Lucien Wilbanks, Jake's alcoholic, disbarred mentor appears, again offering advice, support, and other assistance.

As always, Grisham's story asks more questions than it answers which is, of course, the point. In addition to the legal quagmire illustrated by Drew's case, Grisham explores societal issues, including the appropriateness of the death penalty, abortion, the manner in which poverty impacts a defendant's ability to receive competent representation and a fair trial, and faith. Racism also figures into the story, as Jake is assisted by Portia, a brilliant African-American paralegal who will soon start law school and become a trial attorney herself. He does so by telling his characters' stories, never letting his narrative lapse into a preachy or judgmental tone. On the contrary, as is his habit, Grisham wants his readers to draw their own conclusions. That is more clearly evident in A Time for Mercy than in Grisham's other work. Not all readers will find the ending satisfactory.

Grisham again proves that he is unequalled when it comes to engrossing and thought-provoking courtroom dramas populated by colorful, fascinating, and sympathetic characters. A Time for Mercy will delight Grisham fans who are familiar with the inhabitants of Clanton, Mississippi, and surely make fans of those who get to know them through this volume, which can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.

Jake Brigance is still in Clanton, Mississippi, trying to making a living as a lawyer. With a potential windfall from a big settlement in the works, Jake ends up being forced to split his time when he becomes the reluctant court appointed attorney for Drew Gamble. The small for his age, shy sixteen-year-old boy stands accused of murdering a local deputy. Will the police, as well as the family of the victim, prevent Jake from vigorously defending his client?

A Time for Mercy deserves 3 1/2 stars, but the rating system will not allow that distinction. I was anticipating a great novel, especially since I thoroughly enjoyed the previous Jake Brigance books, but I was less impressed than I was expecting. The author brushes through some aspects of the plot and overwhelms the reader with too much information in others. Jake, as well as other characters, come off as less than genuine, more snake-oil salesmen than members of legal profession or law enforcement. The courtroom theatrics were entertaining, as always, but the ending was lackluster at best. Those who are familiar with the featured character will enjoy catching up with Jack Brigance, but the novel itself was a bit of a disappointment.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of A Time for Mercy via NetGalley and the publisher, Doubleday Books. The choice to review this book was my own.

Grisham is the master!

This book was no exception to my "Grisham" rule. It was smart, pulse-pounding, and nail-biting. Some writers have that thing. That "je ne sais quoi" if you will. Not every writer has it. Grisham has that effortless ability to construct stories that are compelling for the masses. I truly enjoyed A Time for Mercy and I am anxiously awaiting his next novel. Grisham is timeless and I will never tire of his novels.

This was a fantastic story. The plot was very cleverly crafted and the characters are like old friends. The courtroom drama was compelling and very atmospheric. I hope that there will be more Jake Brigance and friends in the future.
Many thanks to Doubleday Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

With this book we welcome back Jake Brigance and are transported to Clinton, MS. Jake is once again up against the odds defending a young man , 16 year- old Drew Gamble, who killed his mother’s boyfriend. Subjected to spousal abuse and abuse of Drew’s sister, Drew feels he has no choice but to shoot. Self defense? Momentary insanity? What way will the trial go. And, should a 16 year-old be tried as an adult. Add to the mix, the mother’s boyfriend was with the sheriff’s department. No help from the police in this case. The books deals with abuse, and the laws, not with racism. The book was a fast read and page turner. The trial was the most interesting part for me, but I found the ending lacking and abrupt. .

I enjoyed this book. Nice to catch up with a few previous Grisham characters. I did hit a slow down in the middle but think that was because of what was going on in my personal. Recommend it.

Set in Clayton, Mississippi in 1990, Jake Brigance makes his third appearance in Grisham’s plethora of legal thrillers. Jake first appeared in Grisham’s first (and I believe the best) novel, A Time to Kill. Now five years after getting Carl Lee Hayley, a Black man, acquitted of a murder charge for killing the white supremacists who raped and murdered Hayley’s young daughter, Jake is cajoled into taking another controversial case. He is appointed to defend Drew Gamble, a sixteen year old boy who shot and killed his mother’s boyfriend, deputy sheriff Stu Kofer. Turns out Stu was a good deputy but a bad boyfriend. His dark side led him to heavy drinking, physical violence against Drew’s mother, and sexual abuse of Drew’s fourteen year old sister. During one of Stu’s drunken episodes, he nearly killed Drew’s mother before passing out on his bed. Drew, thinking his mother was dead put the deputy’s service revolver to Stu’s head and pulled the trigger. Clayton’s law enforcement, Stu’s family, and most of the community lined up against Drew and of course against Jake, his attorney. So Jake is cast against the community and must fear for his reputation, his career, and the lives of his family just to do the right thing… again.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Time for Mercy just as I have most John Grisham legal thrillers from the beginning. I’m mixed however on the movies made from Grisham’s work. Once you see Matthew McConaughey as Jake Brigance, you can’t get that character out of your mind for the next book with the same character. Too frustrate further, I’m currently reading Michael Connelly’s latest Lincoln Lawyer novel whose previous movies starred, that’s right Matthew McConaughey. You see my confusion. Is that face in my head Jake or Mickey or just some actor trying to sell me a car?
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance look.

Grisham is at his best again. Small town drama that ends in a tragedy. Brigance is called to defend a witness who has confessed to the murder. Domestic violence, abuse, and small-town police forces collide in this thriller. Highly recommended.

Tremendous! I'm so glad to be back in Ford Country again with Jake, Carla, and his entire firm of quirky partners. Once more, Jake finds himself prevailed upon to represent an indigent client and not just any old client, Drew, the 16 year old suspect in a capital murder case. Not just any old murder either, the killing of his mother's boyfriend, a sheriff's deputy.

Like A Time to Kill, the case sets the county against Jake putting his family in danger, being victimized himself and nearly bankrupting him personally and professionally. Jake, never one to walk away, especially when he becomes the de facto lawyer for Drew's perpetually down on their luck, family, endures all that and more to bring events to a somewhat incomplete conclusion.

Also as in A Time to Kill, Grisham paints richly flawed characters from Jake's own team, to the "victim", to Drew's mother and sister. In my mind this is a Grisham hallmark. These are people, places and predicaments you see everyday to some degree. Events, that we would like to turn a blind eye to, but again Grisham raises the blind on some difficult social issues and asks questions of us.

Wonderfully well done. This is a five star read, which I almost never give. In fact, there are cobwebs on my 5 star button.

Thank you #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and offer my review.

*** This ARC was provided by Netgalley for an honest review***
The 3rd installment of the Jake Burgance series didn’t disappoint! We catch up with Jake and Clanton Mississippi it’s 1990. A sheriff deputy is killed in his home with his own gun. Jake works real hard to not get tangled up in the capital murder case, but someone has to defend the 16 year old boy who has been accused of murder. The whole gang is back in this book from Harry Rex to moody old Lucien. Grisham has a talent for writing books I just can’t put down, let alone stop thinking about after I’ve fished. Let’s hope it doesn’t take another 8 years for the next book!

A Time For Mercy by John Grisham is book number three in the Jake Brigance series. In this book, Jake is defending a teen client who is on Death Row. Jake's battle is helping the jury to see that his client was acting in self-defense and does not deserve to be sent to Death Row. This novel builds up to the last quarter of the book which becomes the court case. I always look forward to reading the court scenes written by Grisham. This is truly where his writing strength lies. Read and enjoy!

In the third in the Jake Brigance series, the lawyer is forced by the local judge to take on a case of cop killing. The townspeople are out for revenge against a skinny teenage boy who may or may not have killed in cold blood. The cop is dead either way. Grisham has us thinking about when and whether the death penalty is a fair act of justice. When is it understandable that to kill is the only way out.

While it is laudable that his author always brings in a few twists to surprise the reader. the ending of this one was predictable and less than satisfying. We know that there will be a sequel. Soon, I hope, because I miss these characters already.

I was so excited to dig into southern, small town, county court drama, and Grisham delivered. Not unexpectedly you had your murders; your bar fights, your domestic abuse, your breakfast-all-day diner, your good ole boy networks, and your many, many churches. What I didn’t expect and certainly learned more about was the latitude of county judges, the financial difficulties of a good attorney, the varying states of unconsciousness when your BAC is over .3, and that even in a southern state where racism runs rampant, a smart cookie like Portia can go as far as she wants to in life, no matter the color of her skin. Cheers to Grisham for including a positive female role model.

Jake Brigance is back. Assigned a case of murder of a police officer and the trial of a sixteen year old, Jake must play a chess game of defense. All the colorful characters are here and the legalese fits well into the narrative. The Courtroom is where Grisham is at his best.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Thought Provoking and Compassionate
A well-written and interesting story of the changing views on the death penalty and the challenges of poverty and morals and mistrust of law enforcement. Who fights for those who have no hope for the future, no good experiences of life, and nothing to live for? Why bother? Who cares? A teenager is desperate and depleted when he kills his family's abuser, a cop - his mother's boyfriend. Is he guilty of murder or is it justifiable homicide? This novel poses so many questions to society and begs for answers just beyond the edge of the book. My only criticism is an unsatisfying end to a story I wanted to watch play out. I was engrossed from the beginning to end, shattered by the raw emotions, and left wondering why this was allowed to go to trial in adult court. If ever there was a time for mercy, this family needs it desperately. I loved all the characters and the book's balanced approach to race, women, and justice - in the midst of the south - smart and compelling. I'll be thinking about this book for a while.

Undeniably a solid John Grisham Legal Drama. Grisham's characters come to life in this small southern town. All the characters are spot on for the setting of this rural Mississippi town. I love his character, Jake Brigance. Jake is a smart lawyer and, surprisingly, a good man. I hope to see more of him and the way Grisham left the end of the novel- I have to believe that there is more coming. I am not sure how I feel about the ending - so much left unanswered - so many potential problems not broached - not really happy with it. The ending plus a few more areas during the novel appear where you may need to suspend your disbelief. The beginning seemed a bit slow going for me but make it through the set up and into the courtroom and you will be hooked. The courtroom drama is defiantly the best part of the novel. Grisham is assuredly the King of the courtroom drama.
It is an entertaining read!