Well-known legal fiction author John Grisham has teamed up with John McCloskey, the founder of Centurion Ministries, an organization devoted to freeing the wrongly convicted, especially those sentenced to death or life in prison (Centurion has helped free seventy people to date - an amazing feat yet a very small number if there are many more such stories to be told). They tell ten stories in the book (five written by each of the authors). Right up front, I want to confess that I only read six of the stories. To say that these cases are depressing is a bit of an understatement. That being said, I found them somewhat repetitive - the circumstances surrounding most of the cases were too similar.

Starting with the initial investigation into each of the cases - the police investigators seem to latch on to a potential suspect, and then create the “evidence” to convict the suspect - it did not matter if there were other plausible scenarios or suspects - it becomes more important to close the case by ignoring evidence, scaring others to make their story fit (through threats or promises to jailhouse snitches to avoid jail) and just plain intimidation of the suspects until they give up. And then it takes years to find the evidence that eventually leads to their freedom. Obviously, each story is a little different and each story made me feel that the justice system in this country does need some kind of reform. I am sure that only a small percentage of law enforcement engages in these activities but there must be some way to prevent it. My thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This is such a sad but important book that details real-life instances of innocent people who were convicted of crimes by overzealous prosecutors who cared more about their conviction statistics or political aspirations than the truth. The stories of suspects being coerced into confessions after hours of abuse by law enforcement are shocking. The years of life lost in prison cannot be replaced by whatever money the victim might receive in a lawsuit. This is a book that is hard to read, but also one that must be read. Highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Non-fiction book putting the spotlight on the judicial system and penal systems and their irregularities. Of course, the authors have chosen stories of the wrongly convicted and as horrible as they are, they are the exception. Frequently, the blame is on the police and a system that forces fast closure is partly to blame.

John Grisham and Jim McCloskey brought some of their top 10 wrongful incarnations. This was a very good crime read but so heartbreaking to see what they went through. The intimidation from officers and investigators that they went through that they actually had them believing to some point that they were guilty. Such injustice to these individuals it is so hard to understand how they got by with proving they were guilty with not much evidence. How evidence was thrown away or disregarded. I am thankful that Jim McCloskey is trying so hard to set the innocent free.

I received this ARC from Netgalley, I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey is a powerful, eye-opening collection of real-life stories that had me hooked from the start. Grisham, known for his gripping legal thrillers, brings the same page-turning intensity to these heartbreaking true accounts. What struck me most was the emotional weight of these stories—innocent people losing decades of their lives, enduring unimaginable suffering while the true criminals went free.
The book does a brilliant job of uncovering the root causes in a justice system- flawed testimonies, systemic racism, and corruption within the court system. It's impeccably researched, and some of the revelations gave me literal goosebumps as I saw the injustices unfolding.
These stories are not only a must-read for anyone interested in justice but also a reminder of how easily the legal system can fail. It’s a deeply moving, thought-provoking book that I couldn’t put down.
Very grateful to the publisher for this copy, opinions are my own

John Grisham, renowned for his bestselling fiction novels, collaborates with John McCloskey, the founder of an organization dedicated to exonerating innocent individuals wrongfully convicted. Together, they present “Framed,” a collection of ten compelling true stories that illuminate the profound flaws within our judicial system.

Each narrative unfolds with a sense of disbelief and outrage, exposing the corrupt actions of law enforcement, flawed evidence, and even fabricated evidence. The inadequate representation by the legal teams further underscores the injustice faced by these victims and their families.

From the very first story, I was left in a state of shock and dismay by the sheer extent of the wrongful convictions. The revelation that some of these actions were legally permissible only added to my disbelief. While we are all aware of the corruption within our legal system, reading these stories immerses us in the struggles of the victims and their families, as well as the tireless advocates fighting for their freedom and justice.

“Framed” is a thought-provoking read that demands our attention. It serves as a must-read for anyone interested in criminal justice and the pursuit of innocence for those wrongfully convicted. This book earns a resounding 5/5 rating.

Framed by John Grisham; Jim McCloskey are astonishing stories of ten innocent people wrongfully convicted.
Honestly these are horrific but riveting stories that are truly thought-provoking.
These are really some horrible stories faced by some innocent Americans who’ve been wrongfully convicted of crimes.
I was hooked once I started. This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions.
This duo did an outstanding job.

Thank You NetGalley and Doubleday for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This is why I love author John Grisham. He is such a talented, extraordinary writer, fiction or nonfiction, that I was barely into the first chapter of Framed and was already incensed, outraged and sick at heart. This book is so compelling, but I hardly know where to begin to review it because it is astonishing and beyond belief that these miscarriages of justice happened over and over and over. Framed reads like bad fiction, where the chain of events, unreliable witnesses, corrupt officials, illogical happenings feel like something you couldn’t even make up. It’s chilling when you realize these things really did happen, but even more chilling when you also realize that while the fact that the seventy people serving life or death sentences for the crimes of others Centurion has freed to date is amazing and commendable, it is likely nothing more than a drop in the bucket. How many more people are suffering in prison for crimes they did not commit.

Each of the ten cases presented is unique, but they all also have far too much in common. Their convictions were not accidents but a result of deliberate actions taken by people who work in law enforcement and the medical and judicial systems and for some unfathomable reason decide they are judge and jury and want to be the executioner as well. They lie in suspect interviews, threaten, withhold evidence from the defense because they deem it irrelevant, use scare tactics with children, make deals with jailhouse snitches, conduct procedures and testify when they are not qualified or licensed, fail to follow leads even when the actual guilty party is known; it just goes on and on.

Are these supposed-to-be-trustworthy officials all evil? It’s hard to not believe that, when so many of them work tirelessly to get someone sentenced to death when they know there is no reliable evidence, when few of them suffer consequences for their behavior and in fact get promoted to judges or other high positions. They operate not from a presumption of innocence but of guilt – or is it pride or laziness or power or what that makes them refuse to look elsewhere once they have settled on a suspect, no matter how unlikely their guilt seems. An example: for one judge, as a way to demonstrate his appreciation for his District Court Clerk’s twenty years of devoted service to courthouse administration, he picked her birthday as the date for the subject to die. What??

Framed is a hard book to read, but it should be required reading. It is horrible, heartbreaking, impossible to put yourself in their shoes. It’s eye-opening: when we read or see on television that new evidence has been found, enough to justify a new trial we feel relief, like, wow, it’s finally over for that person. But this is seldom the case. The “system” fights back to keep them incarcerated; it’s decades before most of them are released, if ever.

Framed is masterful and will stay with you a long, long time. When there is finally a release, it’s uplifting and you are glad because so many are working on their behalf, but it’s really more relief than joy, because these poor people have had their lives ruined, taken away, and for many, many years. No, life is not fair, but this is well beyond unfair. Is there any way to avoid this? It’s like a dark domino chain: this points to this, that points to that, then to who, on and on, all based on a false premise, and how on earth can you make someone not be corrupt anymore?

Thanks to NetGalley and authors John Grisham and Jim McCloskey for providing an advance copy of Framed. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

This book lays heavy on my heart, I had to put it down and then pick it up multiple times. My heart and soul ache for these victims and the victim's families. John and Jim give insight to people who have been wrongfully accused.

PROVING THE INNOCENCE

Imagine you are arrested for a heinous crime that you did not commit. However, because of crooked law enforcement officers who were lazy, neglectful, racist, or any combination of those things or in league with crooked District Attorneys or other such agencies, you were questioned relentlessly for hours on end without any legal representation present. Then you find yourself convicted and sentenced to many years in a horrible prison system, even though there was not one piece of DNA tying you to the crime you allegedly committed. Your family does not have the money to hire anyone to file an appeal, but someone may come along and take your case because they believe you. It does not matter because, despite all appeals, you are locked up and waiting for execution. After all, a life sentence was insufficient for those who railroaded your case. After ten, twenty, or more years of your life passing by, someone steps in, takes up your case again, and finally proves your innocence! You can never reclaim the years you have missed, the damage that has been done to you mentally, physically, or otherwise, or the price that your family and other loved ones have paid.

This scenario made John Grisham known worldwide for his legal thrillers and a lifelong passion for real justice. This passion made him want to team up with Jim McCloskey of Centurion Ministries, the first organization dedicated to exonerating innocent people who have been wrongly convicted. Together, they have chosen ten cases out of the myriad they have found: the Americans who were innocent and wrongfully convicted while the guilty parties remained free. These true stories will astound readers with the horrific way that so many individuals' lives were treated with such callousness. It makes one wonder if the criminal judicial system needs an overhaul from top to bottom! It is a compelling piece of journalism, and the story will stay with the reader long after the last sentence is read.

Doubleday and NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. However, my opinions are entirely my own and uninfluenced.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Framed
Authors: John Grisham, Jim McCloskey
Source: NetGalley
Date Published: Oct.15, 2024

When I first saw this book, I thought this was going to be like Patterson, who now “co-authors” books with newbies. But I was wrong. This book uncovers a shocking, shocking story about the injustice in our legal system and a rush to judgment at all costs. Mr. McCloskey founded Centurion Ministries, devoted to helping wrongly convicted prisoners. The two authors, both lawyers, share 11 stories about people wrongfully convicted of a crime, innocent yet sitting on death row. One prisoner could not be saved in time. I know I said I would spend the month of October trying to read horror stories, but there is nothing more horrific than what happened to these people. The lengths that this organization takes to save convicted yet innocent prisoners who are sitting for years in jail based upon lies and deceit by prosecutors and detectives is the most terrible story I have read in a while. I applaud Mr. Grisham for getting this book out to readers since his name is synonymous with trustworthiness. But I especially thank Jim McCloskey for taking up this cause and working to save the innocent. I challenge you to read this book, which could be one of the most important books you will read this year. @johngrisham #JimMccloskey #injustice @centurionwitnessministries @doubledaybooks @Netgalley #legalsystem #laws #prisoners #truecrime #wrongfullyConvicted #deathrow #police #nonFiction #corruptDetectives
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the authors for the opportunity to read this novel.
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#book #books #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookreviewer

This incredibly moving non-fiction book covers 10 different cases of wrongfully convicted men. It is very difficult to read at times because the subject matter is so frustrating. Police incompetence and corruption and many people who refused to do the right thing at every turn makes each of these stories absolutely soul-crushing. But Grisham and McCloskey are very talented storytellers, and the stories read like real page-turners. There is a lot of graphic detail about some of the crimes, so this isn't for the faint of heart, but it seems like when these men have lost decades of their life, we owe it to them to at least be present for their stories.

Most of the books I read are fiction and I occasionally mix in a biography or memoir. Every once in a while, a nonfiction book looks too compelling to pass by. In Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions, John Grisham has partnered with Jim McCloskey, the founder of Centurion Ministries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to exonerating the wrongly convicted. The two authors alternate presenting ten unforgettable cases that will make your blood boil.

The cases presented are both horrifying and riveting. They demonstrate examples of severe injustice within the American judicial system. Deceit and corruption are found everywhere, involving government officials, prosecutors willing to go to any lengths to secure a conviction, unqualified experts, questionable selection of jurors, coerced confessions, and more. Particularly troubling and prevalent is the presence of lying witnesses. These "snitches" are relied upon to say anything, despite their lack of credibility, to lessen their own jail time. It is astonishing how these individuals continue to emerge as key witnesses. Framed does not claim that these practices are widespread and acknowledges that improved DNA analysis and recent reforms have taken place. Nonetheless, the services of Centurion Ministries remain needed.

This is a fascinating book and a hard one to read. The saying "truth is stranger than fiction" certainly applies here. 

4.5 stars.

John Grisham brings to his nonfiction the same intense skills that make his nonfiction so popular. I've read and reread his books so often, this was a must read for me. As a lawyer, his skills lend a sense of authenticity to everything he writes. The research for this book is evident in each of the ten stories. It's beyond belief that in this age of technology, so many people are convicted and remain in prison though innocent. An excelent read by one of my favorite authors.

Wow. These stories are shocking. Full of police, lawyers, judge, and others ineptness. Too stubborn to accept their mistakes and admit they were wrong. Years taken away from innocent people as evidence was not followed but bias instead. Not surprised to see TX on the list. The book only has six examples but there are so more. I found the Grisham written ones the best probably because I like the way he writes and explains things.

For readers who:
- like/appreciate nonfiction
- read true crime with a purpose
- understand (or suspect) the justice system has flaws

John Grisham is notorious for his criminal fiction, but his foray into nonfiction alongside Centurion's Jim McClosky is one of the most powerful books I've read this year.
In FRAMED, the authors alternate telling stories of innocent people who were incarcerated by inept/prejudical/racist/etc law enforcement + judges, often for many, many years. They missed their children growing up, the chance to build a career, and so much more.

It's so, so important to draw attention to these stories. These are not outliers - every day, law enforcement let's bias interfere with judgement, and innocent people suffer.

I was enthralled (and horrified and saddened, and all the feelings in between) by these stories. One woman was arrested and wrongly convicted when her daughter was two; she was released from prison when her daughter was EIGHTEEN. She missed her daughter's entire childhood - all because law enforcement targeted her with false/no evidence.

If you believe we need to build a better justice system, read this book. Then follow Centurion (and also The Innocence Project) and support their mission.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

John Grisham, renowned for his legal thrillers, teams up with Jim McCloskey, a pioneer in the innocence movement, to present Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions. This compelling nonfiction work sheds light on the harrowing experiences of individuals who were wrongfully convicted and the arduous battles fought to clear their names.

Framed recounts ten true stories of men who were unjustly imprisoned, highlighting the flaws and failures within the criminal justice system. Each narrative delves into the personal sacrifices these individuals made, from losing decades of their lives to the emotional toll on their families.

The protagonists of these stories are real people whose lives were upended by wrongful convictions. Grisham and McCloskey bring their stories to life with empathy and precision, portraying their struggles and triumphs in a deeply humanizing way. The authors also highlight the tireless efforts of lawyers, advocates, and organizations dedicated to overturning these miscarriages of justice.

Grisham’s narrative prowess combined with McCloskey’s firsthand experience creates a powerful and engaging read. The writing is clear and compelling, making complex legal proceedings accessible to a broad audience. The authors’ ability to convey the emotional weight of these stories without sensationalism is particularly noteworthy, allowing readers to fully grasp the gravity of each case.

Framed explores themes of justice, resilience, and the profound impact of wrongful convictions on individuals and their families. The book also serves as a critique of the criminal justice system, highlighting systemic issues such as prosecutorial misconduct, inadequate defense, and the fallibility of eyewitness testimony. Through these stories, Grisham and McCloskey advocate for reform and greater accountability within the legal system.

Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant book that underscores the importance of justice and the human cost of its failures. Grisham and McCloskey have crafted a work that is both informative and deeply moving, making it essential reading for anyone interested in the criminal justice system and the fight for innocence.

Highly recommended for readers who appreciate true crime, legal dramas, and stories of resilience and redemption.

This book will make you stop and think how easily anyone could be in the same position as the people were in this book. Our legal system failed these wrongfully convicted individuals while the true criminals roamed free. The stories will chill you for many different reasons, including corruption within our legal system. It is hard to imagine being incarcerated at all, but especially being there for something you know you did not do.

This collection of ten stories told by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey will stick with you long after you finish it. It is astounding just how messed up some of these cases were. You will not forget this book after reading it. I am still sitting here a little dumbfounded.

Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

All these stories were told in such a beautiful way. I felt so much anger at how, in most cases, law enforcement officials decided to focus on one individual despite the evidence or lack of evidence just because they felt like they needed to quickly find someone to blame. I was angry, disappointed, and cried throughout the book—not just for those who lost their lives but also for those who were wrongly convicted.

While I was familiar with many of the stories in the book, I was surprised to learn some new details. The authors did a fantastic job in presenting these stories, which kept me engaged and eager to learn more. I have no words to express how amazing this book is. It not only sheds light on these tragic cases but also inspires further learning about the work of organizations like the Innocence Project.

Thank you for allowing me to read an early copy of this fantastic book! If you want to read a well-written true crime book, check this out!

This was a hard to read book. Seeing the errors and the blatant disregard for human rights and due process was maddening. The authors said they had to pick 10 cases but there were multitudes to choose from is heartbreaking. If you read this book and don't feel anything but disgust and outrage, I would be extremely surprised.

Framed is an account of 10 wrongly convicted individuals and the blunders on behalf of the prosecution that got them there. I cannot believe all this was allowed to stand. Yet, I can since the geographic area, and era, where most of the cases take place is notorious for placing people in the fast lane to the death penalty. I cannot imagine the amount of time and money, shortened for this book or it would be too heavy to lift, not to mention the psychological suffering of those wrongly convicted. The book is absolutely infuriating.

While I notice most of these cases initially took place prior to 1980, thank goodness for DNA analysis now, I am sure unfortunately there are ongoing miscarriages of justice not covered in these pages. The emergence of forensic science and stronger regulations for crime analysis have given more fuel for the fire for the innocent but humans are still human, errors happen and things get lost.

The story The Fire Doesn't Lie hit me the hardest. No spoilers but left me baffled.

My heart goes out to the individuals in these pages and their families, not to mention the victims' families who never got closure. This is the kind of stuff they rarely show on those lawyer and cop shows. It's also incredibly sad that even when someone is finally proven innocent, it still takes them weeks or even months to actually be released.

Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.