John Grisham's readers will be so happy to see Jake Brigance back in action! This title is just as engaging as the previous two in this series (it can be hard to keep track of John Grisham's series, but that's ok!). Readers who love a good courtroom drama with lots of backroom deals will truly enjoy this. Can't wait to recommend this one.

John Grisham is back! This book reminded me of the reason I began reading him: tightly defined characters and setting, great dialogue, and at the heart of it, a quality story and an unpredictable ending. I was afraid that The Reckoning and The Rooster Bar were what we could expect for the rest of Mr. Grisham’s writing career. I’m so glad to see Jake, Carla, Lucien, Harry Rex and crew back at it. Could we please have another book in this series soon, and focus it on Portia? Loved, loved, loved her and was glad to see her come from Sycamore Row,

Very solid legal drama with familiar characters! The deep good ole boys network is shown through local politics, judges and lawyers. The cases are realistic and powerful. I like the good heart that Jake has; he just needs a break! I did not like the ending and felt it was rushed. Hope to read more about Jake.

I enjoyed the story . There are several sub texts which make the novel complex. I see these characters returning in the future which is always great. Hope we don't have to wait too long for a sequel

Grisham’s book A Time To Kill introduced attorney Jake Brigance, later made into a pretty good movie with Matthew McConaughey perfectly cast as Jake. In 2013, Jake returned in Sycamore Row, where Jake once again worked his magic in the courtroom. Now, we have the third installment in the JB series, and it sounded promising.

Jake is the court-appointed attorney for a sixteen-year-old boy accused of murdering a sherrif’s deputy. Many people in the town of Clanton want s quick trial and swift justice in the form of the death penalty, but Jake believes that, although the boy fired the gun and the deputy died, there is no way he deserves to go to the gas chamber.

Unlike the other stories in the series, this one doesn’t feature racism as the central issue (both the gunman and the victim are white). But the book is filled with backroom deals, scheming Southern good old boys who are used to deciding what happens to whom in their small town, and enough hatred to make your head swim. Issues of domestic violence and abortion are part of the story, and the whole thing moves along nicely for about 80% of the book. Then it seemed like maybe Grisham just felt like he was tired, so he wrapped up two parts of the storyline quickly and I didn’t care for either one AT ALL. Grisham fans likely won't care. Three stars. Thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Jake Brigance Series book 3

Third in series - loved the first two books, I reread them before reading this one.

Criminal Lawyer Jake Brigance in Clanton Mississippi
now has a new case with a young boy 16 years old

You will get wrapped up in this case the further you read.
I enjoyed this book, but the ending makes me want more!

A Time for Mercy gives the reader an opportunity to catch up with Jake and his family and friends while he works on a new case. John Grisham has written a great book that is engrossing and hard to put down.

I have not read all of John Grisham's books and I have not liked all of those that I have read. I read and liked A Time to Kill, though not Sycamore Row, and am glad that Grisham is back with another entry in his Jake Brigance books in A Time for Mercy. Grisham is at his best not necessarily when taking us through Brigance's legal maneuverings, although some of them are fascinating, but rather in digging into the people and structures of a rural northern Mississippi county. In many ways, Ford County is the star of this legal thriller. In this story of a long-abused 16-year old, Grisham raises issues about the county's and the state's responsibilities to protect him, his sister, and his mother from a volatile living arrangement and to protect the children from continuing abuses that began long before they entered the state. He also raises issues relating to prosecution of 16-year-olds (who in this case is facing the possibility of the death penalty), pro-choice vs pro-life, and the values embedded in following rules and laws when they are not merciful. A Time for Mercy is a compelling read, flawed only by the flat stereotypical depictions of some of the supporting cast, including Jake's wife Carla.

A slow build, but very good. This seemed very long to me, but not in a bad way. Nice to revisit old friends with this one.

I don't like to leave bad reviews and this isn't a bad book but it feels like "been there done that" ya know? Ok, I am trying not to be harsh but honestly this author has written some amazing books. Or it could be that I am tired of the subject. Tired of lawyers and court. I put it down half way. My favorite book by the author is "The painted house". Lets get back to family and life. Quit with the trials.

What can I say that has not already been said about this newest John Grisham novel? Having a Jake Brigance story set in Oxford is like visiting an old friend and his courtroom scenes are the best.

Love returning to Ford County & Jake Brigance! Once again Jake has found himself in the middle of
a controversial case - defending a 16 year old boy who shot a cop. Couldn't put it down, full of
twists & turns and kept me guessing how it would all work out. Hopefully we'll see more of Jake &
Ford County in the near future!!

It was a page turner but the story is not quite finished.....I hope it will continue it the next book since the characters have grown on me and I need to know what happens next. A typical Grisham courtroom novel set in a small town in the South.

I’m a huge John Grisham fan so I was delighted to have received this ARC starring Jake Brigance of A Time to Kill and Sycamore Row fame. Grisham’s writing has a fluidity to it that always makes his books appealing. The plot immediately grabbed my attention and the characters were well-drawn and sympathetic. Grisham is a master at taking the nuances of the courtroom and making it both understandable and appealing to laypeople like myself. I do have to say that there were times that I found that the plot dragged a little and there were a few too many things going on. I feel like it needed some more editing. There were two cases highlighted and I feel like one would have been enough, especially since I felt that neither one of them was completely resolved at the end of the book. With that said, Grisham is a contemporary writer like no other and without a doubt, this book will be a huge hit.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Doubleday and John Grisham for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Grisham never disappoint, however, this book was a great story but I felt it just dragged on a little too long - unlike all his books which are page turners with action from beginning to end.

Another amazing outing by Grisham and one that leaves much room for a fourth Brigance story. In this turn Jake is given the case of a boy who shot a cop. The murder happened during a domestic dispute between the boy's mom and her boyfriend. The cop is beloved. The boy is two bit trash. Jake does not want the case as it will pay nothing, alienate the town, and have a detrimental impact on a pending legal case. Through masterful twists and turns the story unfolds and by the end readers are begging for more. It's not that the book doesn't tie up the plot
- just there is so much more that could be delved into in a further book. Love that each Brigance book is fresh and filled with depth.

From page one Grisham keeps you glued to the story set in 1990 about defending 16 year old Drew for the murder of his mothers boyfriend. This was one of the best books written by one of the most popular modern day authors today.It would be great if the story will continue where this one left off.
Thanks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Classic Grisham! I am so happy that he brought back Jake who is one of my favorite characters This story was as moving as the first two. I hope we keep revisiting this world great follow up!

Such a timely and thoughtful novel. Jake Brigance is back in a riveting drama, sure to be a bestseller. Great exploration of class and police attitudes.

It totally held my interest. I love Grisham. His writing puts me in the geography of the story. I know that book clubs will enjoy this.

Thank you Netgalley for for this exciting and engrossing novel.

Jake is back this time defending a sixteen year old boy accused of killing a cop. The sixteen year old and his fourteen year old sister witnessed the brutal beating and near death of their mother at the hands of her boyfriend, the cop. It didn't matter that they had been abused and threatened and that they believed he had killed their mother and wouldn't hesitate to go after them next. It only mattered that this boy shot a police officer in their small town and they are treating him like an adult. Jake is pushed to defend him and now finds his practice in near financial ruin because of it. It is hard not to like a Grisham book - he is like the Nicolas Sparks of legal drama. There is always an interesting legal battle, his defenders are always the underdog but good-hearted and there is almost always a happy ending. This one is no different and a solid legal drama. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.