I devoured Grisham's 2021 novel, The Judge's List, unfortunately, this one dragged too long (464 pages) and I eventually lost interest.

Its about two rival families in Biloxi and the corruption that invade their coast. It is a good set-up with palpable tension between the families.

Strip clubs, gambling, shady deals, greed, and a jumping timeline. I struggled with the large cast and couldn't get interested in any particular character. Which makes me as a reader "not care" and that made this one a miss for me.

Check out the other reviews because many were fans!

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc. OUT October 18, 2022

In The Boys from Biloxi, John Grisham masterfully weaves a tale of friendship, betrayal, and the complex interplay of law and crime set against the backdrop of 1960s Biloxi, Mississippi. The story follows two boys, Keith Rudy and Hugh Malco, whose childhood camaraderie devolves into a fierce rivalry as the circumstances of their lives draw them onto opposing paths. Keith, the son of a determined anti-crime prosecutor, dedicates himself to the law, while Hugh slips into the seedy underbelly of organized crime, following in the footsteps of his father, a notable crime figure in Biloxi.

Grisham’s narrative is both engaging and informative, shedding light on the historical context of Biloxi’s transformation, the impact of Hurricane Camille, and the pervasive nature of gambling and corruption in the region. With his trademarks of tension and courtroom drama, Grisham takes readers on a rollercoaster ride filled with riveting moments, especially during the courtroom showdowns, where his storytelling truly shines.

Despite its strengths, the novel has some shortcomings; certain storylines feel disjointed, and occasional inconsistencies may leave readers puzzled. However, as the story unfolds, the tension escalates, and the stakes become higher, pulling readers deeper into the narrative. The political undertones resonate with current events, providing an interesting perspective on corruption that feels timely and relevant.

While Grisham offers memorable characters and a heart-wrenching plot, the novel could benefit from a few more twists to elevate the suspense. 3.5 stars.

** Thanks to the publisher for a review copy of the book. The opinions are my own.

Reading a book by John Grisham takes time but oh the rewards are so worth it! Thank you so very much for giving us this wonderful book!

This book was way too long and boring. There were a lot of characters and they all ran together with plot lines that jumped around and didn't seem to merge together. I ended up skimming after Part 2 because I was bored.

John Grisham is a very popular author, so libraries will always collect his novels, but I didn’t find this to be one of his best. It is set in Biloxi, Mississippi from the 1950s to the present, focusing on two families of immigrants - the Rudys and the Malcos. Keith Rudy and Hugh Malco are childhood friends, but as they grow up their paths diverge. Keith follows in his father’s footsteps as a lawyer trying to root out the corruption in Biloxi. Hugh goes to work for his father, a crime boss, who owns several clubs engaging in gambling, prostitution, and other illegal activities. The novel culminates in courtroom drama pitting one family against the other.

The book was too long and the ending was inevitable.

This is the typical John Grisham novel that I LOVE! This book makes up for Sooley. It’s classic Grisham— rich characters, immaculate descriptions of setting, and story twists that you don’t see coming. One of those twists breaks my heart, but I won’t spoil it. This was a book that I picked up a bit late, but could not stop reading it once I started. Lance and Rudy could have have their own standalone books. The Boys From Biloxi will stay with me for a long time.

Grisham's characters are multi-dimensional and relatable, each grappling with their own demons and desires as they strive to carve out a place for themselves in the world. As with most Grisham novels you are drawn in from the first chapter. Grisham has a talent for creating characters that are relatable.

The Boys from Biloxi is another classic John Grisham. Multiple complex characters, good guys and bad guys, and the legal system in the spotlight.

Classic Grisham! What a great book. Good plot, well-fleshed out characters. Grisham is a master at his craft!!

If there's one thing about me, it's that I am going to read a legal thriller. John Grisham is the OG, and I was delighted to get my hands on The Boys from Biloxi.

This one is a sprawling tale about the seedy underbelly of the city and the cast is broad. This can make is a bit less tight than many of Grisham's stories, but this one kept me turning the pages.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

A win for John Grisham for sure! But, aren't they all?

I live in Mobile, AL, just an hour from Biloxi. I have spent plenty of time in Biloxi and some of this setting is familiar. This plot is kinda tough to read at times. The boys from Biloxi are a rough group. Lots of crime and justice. If you are a fan of Grisham you will love it. He is an excellent writer.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for offering me a digital copy to read for review.

I used to devour John Grishom books as soon as they came out. At some point he detoured from the usual expected legal thriller, and lost me. So I was excited for this novel, a return to what would keep me reading well into the night. Not so.
It just didn't hook me, it was too wordy for words sake, and took too long to get to the good stuff. For me it just didn't hit the mark.
Thanks to netgalley gor the ebook.

John Grisham used to be an auto-read author for me. Somewhere along the way he fell off that list, but I still enjoy books from him from time to time. This one was a good story - if a bit wordy - and fascinating to me (as a resident of the Gulf Coast) because of the look at the history of Biloxi , both the good and the shady.
There are lots of Biloxi boys in this story, but the two main ones are Hugh Malco and Keith Rudy, childhood friends and sports competitors who grow up in the 60s. Their lives begin to take very different paths when they're in high school. Each follows the path of his father - for Hugh that means a life of crime, for Keith that means following his father's footsteps as a lawyer and district attorney. They mostly stay out of each other's way as adults, but there's always the feeling that a clash is inevitable, and it most definitely comes. Most of the story is about their individual journeys toward that clash. It could've been streamlined a bit, and I listened to the excellent audiobook version a bit more than I read with my eyes, but at the heart of it there's a good story about life choices, the friends we lose (and keep) because of those choices, and as a bonus, the history of old Biloxi.
Thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

John Grisham never disappoints in this tale of gangsters and lawyers. Good vs Evil and everything in between.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday for this advanced readers copy. This book released on October 18, 2023.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick. Our library purchased and our patrons have been checking out and and enjoying the book. I see it is a popular book club choice as well we hope to have more oppurtinies to support authors like them

Keith Rudy and Hugh Malco were sons of immigrants, growing up in Biloxi, Mississippi in the 1960's. As they grew up from Little League stars to young adults, their lives took a different turn. Hugh's father turned his parents' mom and pop business into a criminal enterprise. Keith’s father embraced the law and became a prosecutor, strong in his conviction to rid the region of the criminal element. Following in their father's footsteps, Keith and Hugh ended up on opposite sides of the proverbial fence.

In trademark John Grisham fashion, the story eventually led to the courtroom. Honestly, the beginning of the book was too slow and the ending too quick. A huge amount of the plot in this book revolved around the two families, background information that was really not necessary to the overall story. As an avid reader of John Grisham novels, The Boys from Biloxi did not even rate in the top ten. For this reason, I would hesitate to recommend it to other readers.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.

The Boys From Biloxi is, as many reviewers have stated, classic Grisham. Southern law vs corruption. Good vs bad. The author provides an ample amount of court drama and an over abundance of characters. That's because the book is long! It spans several decades,and a multitude of crimes. It is a book best enjoyed by a diehard Grisham fan.
It's been a few years since I've read his books so perhaps I've forgotten that the author prefers to tell, not show. He writes like a lawyer! He lays out the cold hard facts and without a doubt he does that well.
The characters fall flat when written as a court case however. Additionally I feel the book would improve with some length editing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the of The Boys from Biloxi.

This book was LONG, but a typical Grisham, and I couldn't stop reading. I often had to remind myself that this was fiction as it read like non-fiction. It's the story of two families. Two boys who grow up as friends, but both follow in their father's footsteps on opposite sides of the law. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest review.

They were best of friends, these twelve year old boys. Keith Rudy and Hugo Malco were the stars of the baseball team and they were sure they would be friends forever. But as they grew older, their paths diverged and by the time they were grown they were barely speaking.

Keith Rudy's father was a successful lawyer and Keith's mentor. When his father became the district attorney, Keith was left to run the office as he had become a lawyer also. His father was determined to clean up Biloxi, to close down the clubs that were havens for prostitution, drugs, gambling and other crimes.

Hugo Malco was part of that club scene. His father, Lance, was the king of the Biloxi crime scene and Hugo couldn't wait for the day when he could take over for his father. He got that chance when Jesse Rudy put his father behind bars for nine years. Surrounded by muscle and killers, he was determined to get retribution for his father's jailing and it didn't take long. Far from being best friends, the two men were now enemies, both determined to end the other's way of life.

John Grisham is known for his legal thrillers and this book is marketed that way. But the underlying story is that of a friendship that started in childhood and how the two boys grew into men who became enemies. There is lots of legal action for those interested in how the law works but this seems more of a story of how revenge can ruin so many lives. This book is recommended for readers of legal thrillers and literary ficiton.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this arc honestly.

I’ll start off by this is one of my favorite authors. I normally don’t like books so much that are set in the past but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was hooked from the start. Love it and can’t wait for Grishams next release