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The Reckoning

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The Reckoning

By: John Grisham
Narrated by: Michael Beck
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About this listen

The electrifying new thriller from internationally bestselling author John Grisham.

John Grisham returns to Clanton, Mississippi, to tell the story of an unthinkable murder, the bizarre trial that followed it, and its profound and lasting effect on the people of Ford County.

Pete Banning was Clanton's favourite son, a returning war hero, the patriarch of a prominent family, a farmer, father, neighbour, and a faithful member of the Methodist Church. Then one cool October morning in 1946. he rose early, drove into town, walked into the church, and calmly shot and killed the Reverend Dexter Bell.

As if the murder wasn't shocking enough, it was even more baffling that Pete's only statement about it - to the sheriff, to his defense attorney, to the judge, to his family and friends, and to the people of Clanton - was 'I have nothing to say'.

And so the murder of the esteemed Reverend Bell became the most mysterious and unforgettable crime Ford County had ever known.


©2018 Belfry Holdings, Inc (P)2018 Random House Audio Crime Thrillers Mystery Police Procedurals Political Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense Crime Fiction Murder Mississippi

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Critic reviews

"Scintillating storytelling." (The Sunday Times)

"A buoyant, mischievous thriller... This reliable best-selling author is feeling real pleasure, and not just obligation, in delivering his work." (New York Times)

"A wild, hard-to-put-down romp." (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
All stars
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Really enjoyed the whole book. It was narrated really well, I enjoyed the different accents the narrator did. Was a very easy story to follow and enjoyed all the characters.

Loved it

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Compulsive listening. Keeps you waiting till the very last minute. Typical Grisham. Worth reading just for the end.

Sad story big twist at the end

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An enjoyable story but less than typical Grisham as I expected a more complex legal aspect and a different ending! However I can't praise the narration too highly and I certainly learnt a great deal about the part played by the Americans in the Philippines during WWII.

Entertaining...

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Not his best but worth listening to. Lots of research seems to have gone in experience of US service men in WW2.

okay

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Kept me enthralled to the last words. Tremendous reasearc( for this and opened my eyes to the Pacific war.

Best Grisham yet

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A poor example of literature. Not a book I can recommend. Earnestly recited rather than read.

Pedestrian

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...At the risk of being hated, found the entire middle section (one third) completely irrelevant to the story and added nothing to the big reveal.

Love John Grisham but...

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Another great read of a Grisham title by Michael Beck! And what a story: lots of detail but woven in such a way that the ending is a shocking surprise. Grisham evokes empathy in the reader for the seemingly wronged characters; then suspense as we wait, expecting exhoneration; anger at injustice; frustration at hierarchy; and so many other emotions are stirred. Brilliant!

The Reckoning

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Feels dragged out with underdeveloped plot. expected more, crescendo fell somewhat flat and ending could have been much better.

Not one of John's best

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I started this book with no idea of the depth of the story. Murder in a small town is never as easy as the murder and the murdered.

One of Grisham's Best

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