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Camino Island #3
I fantasmi dell'isola
Dark Isle è una piccola isola disabitata allargo della Florida non lontana da Camino Island, rinomato ritrovo di scrittori e intellettuali. Con la sua natura selvaggia e le sue spiagge incontaminate, Dark Isle ha tutto ciò che si può desiderare per una vacanza indimenticabile. Uno spregiudicato colosso immobiliare fiuta l’affare, determinato ad appropriarsene a ogni costo e a trasformarla in un mega resort turistico con un casinò. Intorno a quel paradiso aleggiano però leggende sinistre: annegamenti, sparizioni, storie di fantasmi e riti vudù da sempre hanno scoraggiato chi avrebbe voluto avvicinarsi. Solo una persona conosce la verità: la formidabile e indomita Lovely Jackson. Ottant’anni, ultima discendente degli schiavi che quasi tre secoli prima erano riusciti a liberarsi e avevano eletto Dark Isle a loro rifugio, Lovely è nata e ha vissuto lì per quindici anni e sostiene di essere l’unica legittima proprietaria dell’isola. Riuscirà a provarlo e a fermare la speculazione edilizia onorando la memoria dei suoi antenati? Ad aiutarla saranno il noto libraio antiquario Bruce Cable con la sua amica romanziera Mercer Mann, desiderosa di scrivere un libro sulla preziosa e commovente vicenda umana di Lovely, e Steven Mahon, avvocato esperto in battaglie ambientaliste, pronto ad affiancarla in una causa che si presenta dagli esiti davvero incerti. Dopo "Il caso Fitzgerald" e "L’ultima storia", John Grisham ritorna a Camino Island con una storia avvincente toccando alcuni dei temi che gli sono più cari: il razzismo, l’ingiustizia sociale e la corruzione.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 2024
8521 people are currently reading
45733 people want to read
About the author
John Grisham
490 books90.3k followersJohn Grisham is the author of more than fifty consecutive #1 bestsellers, which have been translated into nearly fifty languages. His recent books include Framed, Camino Ghosts and The Exchange: After the Firm.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,786 reviews
August 17, 2024
As I was reading this book, I couldn’t help but be reminded of one of my favorite leadership quotes by Margaret Mead…
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Even more so, how powerful one voice can be. And, how the strength of one person can make an incredible difference. In this case, and in this story, it was about one person who believed in her people. Her past. Her ancestors. Lovely Jackson.
And, once again that reminded me of another quote by President Barack Obama that he shared in his book, “A Promised Land”…
“One voice can change a room, and if one voice can change a room, then it can change a city, and if it can change a city, it can change a state, and if it can change a state, it can change a nation, and if it can change a nation, it can change the world.”
One voice.
Which leads to this story.
How does one fight corporate greed? And, in typical Grisham fashion he has a cause. And, he finds a way to create a series of characters who rally around an older woman, Lovely Jackson, who is fighting a greedy corporate entity who wants to develop an island, Dark Isle that once belonged to slaves that have their own complicated history. The place she was born. The place she considers hers, because she was the last living person to occupy it.
This is a book within a book. Lovely’s book which is being sold at the bookstore Bay Books on Camino Island, about the history that encompasses the island, and this story we are reading, ‘Camino Ghosts.’
Who are the ghosts? And what is the curse? And, can the curse be broken?
And, Grisham gives us reoccurring character Bruce Cable owner of Bay Books, who doesn’t play a major role, but still a significant one that kind of puppeteers’ action plays that gets author Mercer involved in re-writing Lovely’s story, and Steven to fight the battle against the corporate entity on behalf of Lovely, and Donna his assistant to do more great things.
These characters feel real, excellently fleshed out, along with a great added supporting cast. Readers will also experience the island of Dark Isle coming alive with its own scenic stories, and a courtroom battle which is well-energized.
Readers will turn pages enjoying the island history, the courtroom scenes, and wanting to know how Grisham will pull all the pieces together to make it all fit well together.
This can be read as a stand-alone, but readers need to know this is book 3 in the Camino Island series.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Even more so, how powerful one voice can be. And, how the strength of one person can make an incredible difference. In this case, and in this story, it was about one person who believed in her people. Her past. Her ancestors. Lovely Jackson.
And, once again that reminded me of another quote by President Barack Obama that he shared in his book, “A Promised Land”…
“One voice can change a room, and if one voice can change a room, then it can change a city, and if it can change a city, it can change a state, and if it can change a state, it can change a nation, and if it can change a nation, it can change the world.”
One voice.
Which leads to this story.
How does one fight corporate greed? And, in typical Grisham fashion he has a cause. And, he finds a way to create a series of characters who rally around an older woman, Lovely Jackson, who is fighting a greedy corporate entity who wants to develop an island, Dark Isle that once belonged to slaves that have their own complicated history. The place she was born. The place she considers hers, because she was the last living person to occupy it.
This is a book within a book. Lovely’s book which is being sold at the bookstore Bay Books on Camino Island, about the history that encompasses the island, and this story we are reading, ‘Camino Ghosts.’
Who are the ghosts? And what is the curse? And, can the curse be broken?
And, Grisham gives us reoccurring character Bruce Cable owner of Bay Books, who doesn’t play a major role, but still a significant one that kind of puppeteers’ action plays that gets author Mercer involved in re-writing Lovely’s story, and Steven to fight the battle against the corporate entity on behalf of Lovely, and Donna his assistant to do more great things.
These characters feel real, excellently fleshed out, along with a great added supporting cast. Readers will also experience the island of Dark Isle coming alive with its own scenic stories, and a courtroom battle which is well-energized.
Readers will turn pages enjoying the island history, the courtroom scenes, and wanting to know how Grisham will pull all the pieces together to make it all fit well together.
This can be read as a stand-alone, but readers need to know this is book 3 in the Camino Island series.
June 12, 2024
In the third installment of the Camino series, John Grisham takes us on an adventure within an adventure. Our favorite writer duo is on their honeymoon, but it doesn't take long for Mercer to stumble upon a mystery that's just too juicy to ignore.
Now, here's the twist: while this one isn't my top pick of the series, I still found it pretty enjoyable. Grisham's storytelling magic is still very much alive, making it a fun read despite being my least favorite of the bunch.
So, if you're up for a honeymoon that turns into anything but romance, Camino Ghosts is worth checking out. Grisham proves once again that he's a master at keeping us entertained!
Now, here's the twist: while this one isn't my top pick of the series, I still found it pretty enjoyable. Grisham's storytelling magic is still very much alive, making it a fun read despite being my least favorite of the bunch.
So, if you're up for a honeymoon that turns into anything but romance, Camino Ghosts is worth checking out. Grisham proves once again that he's a master at keeping us entertained!
June 2, 2024
4.5⭐ (update: rounded up to 5⭐️)
With an intriguing plot that combines elements of literary and historical fiction, courtroom drama and a touch of suspense thrown into the mix and its cast of interesting characters (old and new) Camino Ghosts by John Grisham is a compelling read.
The third book in the author’s Camino Island series begins with author Mercer Mann's wedding with Thomas, with whom she has been in a relationship for over three years. In attendance are Mercer’s friends from the island, among whom is Bruce Cable, owner of Bay Books. Mercer is looking for inspiration for her third novel and Bruce suggests the story of the Dark Isle – a now uninhabited island between Florida and Georgia that was once home to a community of runaway slaves. The last living descendant of Dark Isle, Ms. Lovely Jackson, now in her eighties, lives on Camino Island after having left Dark Isle in 1955, when she was fifteen years old, with her mother. Lovely had self-published a book about the island and its history – only a few copies of which were sold at Bruce’s bookstore. The now deserted island has caught the attention of greedy property developers with grand plans for the island, possessing both the political backing and the money to see their plans through. Lovely, who has refused any monetary compensation from the developers, plans to prove her ownership of Dark Isle, hoping to thwart their plans and protect the land where her ancestors are buried. The island is believed to be cursed and it is rumored that many who tried to step foot on the island were never seen again. Bruce encourages Mercer to meet with Lovely to discuss the possibilities of Mercer authoring a book of non-fiction about the island – a proposal Lovely eventually accepts.
As the narrative progresses we follow Mercer, as she commences her research, hoping to find facts that would help Lovely’s case; Bruce, as he taps into his vast network of contacts to gather information on the property developers and their allies; and Lovely and her legal team – retired lawyer Steven Mahon and his “ace paralegal” Diane Krug- as they prepare for the ensuing legal battle
There is no doubt that John Grisham is a master storyteller and though I’ve always been a fan of the author, I'll admit that his Camino Island books were never among my favorites. I'm glad to say Camino Ghosts changed that! The narrative moves at a consistent pace with Nalla’s story - both heartbreaking and captivating on account of the rich historical perspective and the ‘lore of the island -shared in chapters interspersed throughout the novel. I enjoyed getting to know Lovely and found the history of Dark Isle and Lovely's stories of life on the island fascinating. I've never been particularly fond of Mercer, but Bruce , as always, is an interesting character. Mahon and Diane made a formidable team and I loved Diane’s dedication and her go-getter attitude. Despite the serious themes of this novel, the author injects a healthy dose of lightheartedness (Gifford Knox was a hoot!) to keep the novel from becoming too heavy.
Definitely the strongest of all three books in the series, in my humble opinion, this exceptionally well-written, immersive novel is a departure from Grisham’s signature legal thrillers and though not a "legal thriller" per se, I did enjoy the courtroom scenes and I loved how the author chose to end this story.
I always look forward to reading more from John Grisham and now will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.
Many thanks to Doubleday Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
With an intriguing plot that combines elements of literary and historical fiction, courtroom drama and a touch of suspense thrown into the mix and its cast of interesting characters (old and new) Camino Ghosts by John Grisham is a compelling read.
The third book in the author’s Camino Island series begins with author Mercer Mann's wedding with Thomas, with whom she has been in a relationship for over three years. In attendance are Mercer’s friends from the island, among whom is Bruce Cable, owner of Bay Books. Mercer is looking for inspiration for her third novel and Bruce suggests the story of the Dark Isle – a now uninhabited island between Florida and Georgia that was once home to a community of runaway slaves. The last living descendant of Dark Isle, Ms. Lovely Jackson, now in her eighties, lives on Camino Island after having left Dark Isle in 1955, when she was fifteen years old, with her mother. Lovely had self-published a book about the island and its history – only a few copies of which were sold at Bruce’s bookstore. The now deserted island has caught the attention of greedy property developers with grand plans for the island, possessing both the political backing and the money to see their plans through. Lovely, who has refused any monetary compensation from the developers, plans to prove her ownership of Dark Isle, hoping to thwart their plans and protect the land where her ancestors are buried. The island is believed to be cursed and it is rumored that many who tried to step foot on the island were never seen again. Bruce encourages Mercer to meet with Lovely to discuss the possibilities of Mercer authoring a book of non-fiction about the island – a proposal Lovely eventually accepts.
As the narrative progresses we follow Mercer, as she commences her research, hoping to find facts that would help Lovely’s case; Bruce, as he taps into his vast network of contacts to gather information on the property developers and their allies; and Lovely and her legal team – retired lawyer Steven Mahon and his “ace paralegal” Diane Krug- as they prepare for the ensuing legal battle
There is no doubt that John Grisham is a master storyteller and though I’ve always been a fan of the author, I'll admit that his Camino Island books were never among my favorites. I'm glad to say Camino Ghosts changed that! The narrative moves at a consistent pace with Nalla’s story - both heartbreaking and captivating on account of the rich historical perspective and the ‘lore of the island -shared in chapters interspersed throughout the novel. I enjoyed getting to know Lovely and found the history of Dark Isle and Lovely's stories of life on the island fascinating. I've never been particularly fond of Mercer, but Bruce , as always, is an interesting character. Mahon and Diane made a formidable team and I loved Diane’s dedication and her go-getter attitude. Despite the serious themes of this novel, the author injects a healthy dose of lightheartedness (Gifford Knox was a hoot!) to keep the novel from becoming too heavy.
Definitely the strongest of all three books in the series, in my humble opinion, this exceptionally well-written, immersive novel is a departure from Grisham’s signature legal thrillers and though not a "legal thriller" per se, I did enjoy the courtroom scenes and I loved how the author chose to end this story.
I always look forward to reading more from John Grisham and now will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.
Many thanks to Doubleday Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
August 27, 2024
Okay read!
The clone of J. Grisham wrote this series because i've always enjoyed John Grisham's legal thrillers and this/these are not even close --- with the way he usually tell his plotlines.
The clone of J. Grisham wrote this series because i've always enjoyed John Grisham's legal thrillers and this/these are not even close --- with the way he usually tell his plotlines.
June 4, 2024
I did read this book during a flight from Toronto to Tokyo.
It’s a fast read.
Good premise but I thought it was written in a rush and the writing was very repetitive, and I was also totally detached from the characters, so I’m giving it 3 stars.
I will come back later to add a proper review (or not).
I was expecting a lot more.
It’s a fast read.
Good premise but I thought it was written in a rush and the writing was very repetitive, and I was also totally detached from the characters, so I’m giving it 3 stars.
I will come back later to add a proper review (or not).
I was expecting a lot more.
June 6, 2024
The audiobook is narrated by Whoopi Goldberg. If I had have known that, I would have never bought it. Nails on a chalkboard! I’d rather have ice picks jammed in my ears than listen to this Illuminati puppet.
April 13, 2024
I've read nearly all John Grisham books, including the first two books in this series. And for nearly every one, my complaint has been consistent. There is an excellent premise, a compelling story, and the ending falls flat. It either ends too sudden or it just doesn't seem as satisfying as it should for the build up. Unfortunately, this story is no different. Great premise with excellent storytelling. The characters were interesting, the legal aspect of the story seemed legit and reasonable. But again, the trial ended in a manner that seemed just too good to be true. The ending fell a little flat and the story somewhat ended in my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley, John Grisham, and Doubleday for the advanced reading copy.
Thank you to NetGalley, John Grisham, and Doubleday for the advanced reading copy.
May 31, 2024
Did not finish. It was so boring, I gave up. It’s sad because it could have been a good book.
June 2, 2024
While the Camino books are generally recognized as pleasant diversions from the Grisham Legal Factory, this volume is even more of a piffle than the others. There isn't a shred of surprise in any events that take place, and apart from the character of Lovely, there isn't a single person worth caring about. Just a big enh, as we wait for the next one to roll off the assembly line.
June 1, 2024
It was boring. Kept waiting for something to happen and nothing did. Kind of disappointing for a Grisham novel
June 7, 2024
A hard beginning with a fantastical end.
May 26, 2024
Master Southern storyteller John Grisham, the author of the famous Camino Island series— Camino Island(#1) and Camino Winds (#2) with his latest, CAMINO GHOSTS (#3) — A bookstore owner, author, attorney, and an elderly long time resident come together to unearth the history of the past in a quest for justice in this captivating novel.
About...
Set on Camino Island (North Florida/Southern Georgia), the book opens with a lively wedding between Mercer Mann and Thomas.
Bruce Cable, the owner of Bay Bookstore, has an idea for Mercer (author) for a new book about Dark Isle, north of Camino Island. It is one of two smaller barrier islands between Florida and Georgia that has never been developed—only three miles long and a mile wide with pristine beaches.
It has a lot of history, and around 1750, it became a haven for runaway slaves from Georgia, which was then ruled by the British and allowed slavery. Florida was under the Spanish flag, and though slavery was not against the law, runaways from Georgia and the British colonies were granted sanctuary. There was a long-running fuel between the two countries about what to do with the slaves who escaped to Florida.
In 1760, a slave ship returning from West Africa was preparing to land in Savannah when there was a story. A ship from Virginia called Venus with around four hundred slaves. Many died at sea, and conditions were unimaginable. It finally went down about a mile out to sea near Cumberland Island. A few washed ashore in the storm on Dark Island (Dark Isle) and were taken in by the runaways from Georgia in the small community. Two hundred years went by and everyone died or moved away and now deserted.
This promoted the self-published nonfiction self-published book The Dark History of Dark Isle by Lovely Jackson, an 80-year-old resident and the last living heir to Dark Isle. She is a customer of the store.
Presently, many developers are trying to cash in on the land for a resort. Florida real estate developers and vultures are looking for undeveloped beaches that are now prime. Lovely claims she was born on the Dark Isle in 1940 and left there with her mother when she was 15 years old. She claims to be the sole owner.
From condos, resorts, golf courses, and a casino from a rogue corporation in Miami, announcing a six-hundred-million-dollar resort on Dark Isle now known as Panther Cay.
How will they stop the development and prove Lovey is the owner? On top of this, there is Nalla, an African witch doctor with some sort of voodoo priestess known to put a curse on the outsiders. Lovey's story follows the enslavement of one of her ancestors, a young mother named Nalla, who was kidnapped by slave traders. She lost her child, husband, family, and everything.
Bruce thinks this is a great idea for a book. Mercer and Thomas are on their honeymoon in Scotland with Lovey's book in hand. Soon, Mercer's curiosity is spiked. They must earn Lovey's trust to put this story out there for the world to see, create awareness, and protect her rights and those of her ancestors.
My thoughts...
Bruce, Mercer, a retired attorney, and others gather to fight for Lovey and her ancestors under the heir's property in this intense and fascinating legal thriller with signature Grisham courtroom scenes. With a blending of family drama, historical, legal, literary, mystery, suspense, and a few ghosts, Grisham's Southern storytelling shines in CAMINO GHOSTS , the finale of the riveting Camino Island series. My favorite of the series.
Recs...
Heir property is a fascinating topic today for those caught up in this land ownership battle that targets the poor and rural areas. (David vs. Goliath) If you enjoyed Camino Ghosts, I highly recommend the following books about this topic: Terah Shelton Harris's Long After We Are Gone, Wanda M. Morris's What You Leave Behind, and Brea Baker's Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership (non-fiction).
As an avid long-time Grisham fan, this is another superb addition to this engrossing trilogy. While CAMINO GHOSTS can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the books in order to learn more about all the fascinating characters. A must-read!
Thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reading copy for review purposes.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
May 2024 Must-Read Books
May Newsletter
About...
Set on Camino Island (North Florida/Southern Georgia), the book opens with a lively wedding between Mercer Mann and Thomas.
Bruce Cable, the owner of Bay Bookstore, has an idea for Mercer (author) for a new book about Dark Isle, north of Camino Island. It is one of two smaller barrier islands between Florida and Georgia that has never been developed—only three miles long and a mile wide with pristine beaches.
It has a lot of history, and around 1750, it became a haven for runaway slaves from Georgia, which was then ruled by the British and allowed slavery. Florida was under the Spanish flag, and though slavery was not against the law, runaways from Georgia and the British colonies were granted sanctuary. There was a long-running fuel between the two countries about what to do with the slaves who escaped to Florida.
In 1760, a slave ship returning from West Africa was preparing to land in Savannah when there was a story. A ship from Virginia called Venus with around four hundred slaves. Many died at sea, and conditions were unimaginable. It finally went down about a mile out to sea near Cumberland Island. A few washed ashore in the storm on Dark Island (Dark Isle) and were taken in by the runaways from Georgia in the small community. Two hundred years went by and everyone died or moved away and now deserted.
This promoted the self-published nonfiction self-published book The Dark History of Dark Isle by Lovely Jackson, an 80-year-old resident and the last living heir to Dark Isle. She is a customer of the store.
Presently, many developers are trying to cash in on the land for a resort. Florida real estate developers and vultures are looking for undeveloped beaches that are now prime. Lovely claims she was born on the Dark Isle in 1940 and left there with her mother when she was 15 years old. She claims to be the sole owner.
From condos, resorts, golf courses, and a casino from a rogue corporation in Miami, announcing a six-hundred-million-dollar resort on Dark Isle now known as Panther Cay.
How will they stop the development and prove Lovey is the owner? On top of this, there is Nalla, an African witch doctor with some sort of voodoo priestess known to put a curse on the outsiders. Lovey's story follows the enslavement of one of her ancestors, a young mother named Nalla, who was kidnapped by slave traders. She lost her child, husband, family, and everything.
Bruce thinks this is a great idea for a book. Mercer and Thomas are on their honeymoon in Scotland with Lovey's book in hand. Soon, Mercer's curiosity is spiked. They must earn Lovey's trust to put this story out there for the world to see, create awareness, and protect her rights and those of her ancestors.
My thoughts...
Bruce, Mercer, a retired attorney, and others gather to fight for Lovey and her ancestors under the heir's property in this intense and fascinating legal thriller with signature Grisham courtroom scenes. With a blending of family drama, historical, legal, literary, mystery, suspense, and a few ghosts, Grisham's Southern storytelling shines in CAMINO GHOSTS , the finale of the riveting Camino Island series. My favorite of the series.
Recs...
Heir property is a fascinating topic today for those caught up in this land ownership battle that targets the poor and rural areas. (David vs. Goliath) If you enjoyed Camino Ghosts, I highly recommend the following books about this topic: Terah Shelton Harris's Long After We Are Gone, Wanda M. Morris's What You Leave Behind, and Brea Baker's Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership (non-fiction).
As an avid long-time Grisham fan, this is another superb addition to this engrossing trilogy. While CAMINO GHOSTS can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the books in order to learn more about all the fascinating characters. A must-read!
Thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reading copy for review purposes.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
May 2024 Must-Read Books
May Newsletter
June 15, 2024
In June 2017, John Grisham published an offbeat novel – “Camino Island” - that wasn’t a legal thriller focusing on lawyers. Instead, he took aim at the world of bookstores, publishing, and writers. It began with a skillful heist of five John F. Fitzgerald manuscripts from a secure vault below Princeton’s Firestone Library. The manuscripts end up in a secondary black market and a young female writer, Mercer Mann, is hired to go undercover an investigate Bruce Cable, the popular independent bookstore owner of Bay Books on Camino Island and prominent dealer in rare books that is thought to have or know who is in possession of the manuscripts.
I thought the book was interesting and well worth the read. However, there were many other readers who just didn’t get into it the way I did.
In April 2020, Grisham published a follow-up novel – “Camino Winds” - that was focused on a murder mystery occurring during a destructive storm. This time Hurricane Leo tears through the island, leaving devastation, ruin, and flooding in its wake. Following the hurricane, Bruce and his buddies discover that their fellow thriller writing friend, Nelson Kerr, appears to be an apparent victim of murder after suffering several suspicious strikes to the head from a blunt instrument.
I thought the second book was a leisurely read but thin, slow and drawn out in almost casual manner. There was no real drama or tension in solving Kerr’s murder, which mostly takes place away from the island, a bit poorly developed, and several key plot points occur offscreen (which was fairly frustrating at times).
Now, in May 2024, Grisham returns to the island for a third novel – “Camino Ghosts” – focusing on a legal battle for ownership of a nearby deserted island called Dark Isle. The first combatant is a giant resort developer, Tidal Breeze, trying to build a resort and casino complex by flexing its political connections, deep pockets, and a relentless willingness to play dirty. The second combatant is eighty-year-old Lovely Jackson, the last living survivor that lived on the island, and carrying the entire history and legacy of previously escaped slaves.
Even though Lovely has written a book about the history of her people and openly laid claim to Dark Isle, she is just an obstacle to be removed by Tidal breeze one way or another. Even the belief that the locals have in the island being cursed is not enough to turn back the powerful corporation, its team of lawyer, lobbyists, and state politicians. This time, Mercer, Thomas, Bruce, and the rest of their team are facing impossible odds, ultimate power, and insatiable greed…
Let me start off by saying that I have rarely read a bad Grisham novel. He is such an excellent writer that he makes everything sound good, and this is a decent book. However, as much as I like the Camino Island characters, this book is more interesting than compelling. Rather than being a thriller, it’s more like a cross between Grisham-lite and a Grisham cozy mystery. I don’t mean to sound critical, but this is a quick 292-page Spring/Summer read that comes across more casual and formula-Matic than is intended. It is an easy two or three-evening read that feels causal and lacks much of the intensity that comes with most of Grisham’s legal thrillers.
As you can tell by those comments, the good news is that this one is much better than the last one – “Camino Winds” by far. The story is tighter, more focused, and key moments take place onstage rather than offstage. For me, Grisham’s flashback stories of the runaway slaves living and surviving on the island were some of my favorite parts of the book, even more so than the legal fighting and maneuvering between the good guys and the bad guys.
On the other hand, there is also some real constructive criticism too. I found that the strength and heart of this book. Without that history intertwined with the current day legal battle, the first two-thirds of the book felt more like a leisurely small-town cozy mystery than a legal drama. More style than substance at times.
There’s no doubt that Grisham knows how to tell a story that readers enjoy. He is a master storyteller that has written more winners than I can name off the top of my head. However, with this one the outcome never really felt like it was in doubt, nor were the twists and turns as tension filled as his earlier legal thrillers. I also think that he could have done more with this, including more depth and removing some of the mechanical plotting.
That is until the last 30 – 40 pages, when Grisham finds a way to kick into a higher gear and up the emotional ante. He finds a way to bring everything home in the end with a bittersweet and melancholy ending that is the right one. For me, this improved my overall thoughts on the book in a material way. My heart strings were tugged in a sentimental and reflective way that few writers can pull off, and Grisham is one of those who can.
Overall, Grisham’s better than average is equivalent to most everyone else’s good. That was the case for me with “Camino Ghosts”. The first two thirds were 3 stars, and the last third improved to four stars, giving it an overall rating of a little more than 3 out of 5 stars. That’s my story and I am sticking to it…
I thought the book was interesting and well worth the read. However, there were many other readers who just didn’t get into it the way I did.
In April 2020, Grisham published a follow-up novel – “Camino Winds” - that was focused on a murder mystery occurring during a destructive storm. This time Hurricane Leo tears through the island, leaving devastation, ruin, and flooding in its wake. Following the hurricane, Bruce and his buddies discover that their fellow thriller writing friend, Nelson Kerr, appears to be an apparent victim of murder after suffering several suspicious strikes to the head from a blunt instrument.
I thought the second book was a leisurely read but thin, slow and drawn out in almost casual manner. There was no real drama or tension in solving Kerr’s murder, which mostly takes place away from the island, a bit poorly developed, and several key plot points occur offscreen (which was fairly frustrating at times).
Now, in May 2024, Grisham returns to the island for a third novel – “Camino Ghosts” – focusing on a legal battle for ownership of a nearby deserted island called Dark Isle. The first combatant is a giant resort developer, Tidal Breeze, trying to build a resort and casino complex by flexing its political connections, deep pockets, and a relentless willingness to play dirty. The second combatant is eighty-year-old Lovely Jackson, the last living survivor that lived on the island, and carrying the entire history and legacy of previously escaped slaves.
Even though Lovely has written a book about the history of her people and openly laid claim to Dark Isle, she is just an obstacle to be removed by Tidal breeze one way or another. Even the belief that the locals have in the island being cursed is not enough to turn back the powerful corporation, its team of lawyer, lobbyists, and state politicians. This time, Mercer, Thomas, Bruce, and the rest of their team are facing impossible odds, ultimate power, and insatiable greed…
Let me start off by saying that I have rarely read a bad Grisham novel. He is such an excellent writer that he makes everything sound good, and this is a decent book. However, as much as I like the Camino Island characters, this book is more interesting than compelling. Rather than being a thriller, it’s more like a cross between Grisham-lite and a Grisham cozy mystery. I don’t mean to sound critical, but this is a quick 292-page Spring/Summer read that comes across more casual and formula-Matic than is intended. It is an easy two or three-evening read that feels causal and lacks much of the intensity that comes with most of Grisham’s legal thrillers.
As you can tell by those comments, the good news is that this one is much better than the last one – “Camino Winds” by far. The story is tighter, more focused, and key moments take place onstage rather than offstage. For me, Grisham’s flashback stories of the runaway slaves living and surviving on the island were some of my favorite parts of the book, even more so than the legal fighting and maneuvering between the good guys and the bad guys.
On the other hand, there is also some real constructive criticism too. I found that the strength and heart of this book. Without that history intertwined with the current day legal battle, the first two-thirds of the book felt more like a leisurely small-town cozy mystery than a legal drama. More style than substance at times.
There’s no doubt that Grisham knows how to tell a story that readers enjoy. He is a master storyteller that has written more winners than I can name off the top of my head. However, with this one the outcome never really felt like it was in doubt, nor were the twists and turns as tension filled as his earlier legal thrillers. I also think that he could have done more with this, including more depth and removing some of the mechanical plotting.
That is until the last 30 – 40 pages, when Grisham finds a way to kick into a higher gear and up the emotional ante. He finds a way to bring everything home in the end with a bittersweet and melancholy ending that is the right one. For me, this improved my overall thoughts on the book in a material way. My heart strings were tugged in a sentimental and reflective way that few writers can pull off, and Grisham is one of those who can.
Overall, Grisham’s better than average is equivalent to most everyone else’s good. That was the case for me with “Camino Ghosts”. The first two thirds were 3 stars, and the last third improved to four stars, giving it an overall rating of a little more than 3 out of 5 stars. That’s my story and I am sticking to it…
August 27, 2024
4 ⭐️s
I think what makes the Camino Island series so good is that none of the books are alike. It starts out as a crime caper with hints of romance, becomes a disaster story turned murder mystery, and ends in a historical fiction-y courtroom drama with light supernatural horror. Summarizing this series’ genre is no easy feat. Each book is unique and marked by its own distinct shape.
Camino Ghosts approaches the magic of the first book, but fails to capture some of the charm that made that one so special. I like the return to Mercer as a more central figure, but still wish her and Bruce were more vital to the story.
Why You Should Or Shouldn’t Read It
You should. It was good. I hope there will be more because I feel like Mercer and Bruce’s story isn’t done
Themes
Overcoming corporate greed and historical, systemically embedded discrimination
One Thing I’ll walk away with
A reminder that I have an unfinished novel sitting there waiting for me to return
I think what makes the Camino Island series so good is that none of the books are alike. It starts out as a crime caper with hints of romance, becomes a disaster story turned murder mystery, and ends in a historical fiction-y courtroom drama with light supernatural horror. Summarizing this series’ genre is no easy feat. Each book is unique and marked by its own distinct shape.
Camino Ghosts approaches the magic of the first book, but fails to capture some of the charm that made that one so special. I like the return to Mercer as a more central figure, but still wish her and Bruce were more vital to the story.
Why You Should Or Shouldn’t Read It
You should. It was good. I hope there will be more because I feel like Mercer and Bruce’s story isn’t done
Themes
Overcoming corporate greed and historical, systemically embedded discrimination
One Thing I’ll walk away with
A reminder that I have an unfinished novel sitting there waiting for me to return
November 27, 2024
OK Mr Grisham, you got back on track with the third book in a BIG way!
It's VERY rare for a book to make me cry...but this book...made me shed a couple tears. The last 3 pages broke me. This is the John Grisham I know and love.
The same characters appear from the previous 2 books in the series but again you can read this as a standalone and not be confused about anything.
Dark Isle is a tiny island between Florida and Georgia that was inhabited by runaway slaves until the 1950s when the last 2 descendants had to leave the island as it was no longer wise to live there. Fast forward to 2020 when money hungry land developers want to buy the land from the state of Florida and pop a casino and hotels on the island. However, 1 descendant of the original occupants is still alive and is claiming ownership of the land. Leading up to the court case on who has the rights to the property, we hear the incredibly captivating and heartbreaking stories of how the first slaves got to the island and the challenges they faced while living there.
It's VERY rare for a book to make me cry...but this book...made me shed a couple tears. The last 3 pages broke me. This is the John Grisham I know and love.
The same characters appear from the previous 2 books in the series but again you can read this as a standalone and not be confused about anything.
Dark Isle is a tiny island between Florida and Georgia that was inhabited by runaway slaves until the 1950s when the last 2 descendants had to leave the island as it was no longer wise to live there. Fast forward to 2020 when money hungry land developers want to buy the land from the state of Florida and pop a casino and hotels on the island. However, 1 descendant of the original occupants is still alive and is claiming ownership of the land. Leading up to the court case on who has the rights to the property, we hear the incredibly captivating and heartbreaking stories of how the first slaves got to the island and the challenges they faced while living there.
March 25, 2024
This third installment of Grisham’s Camino Island series finds author Mercer Mann, friend of bookshop owner Bruce Cable, stumped when trying to come up with an idea for her next book. Bruce introduces her to a small nonfiction piece written by 80 year old local resident, Lovely Jackson. Lovely, the descendent of slaves who settled on Dark Island off the coast of Camino Island, has resided on the bigger island since 1955, leaving the smaller one uninhabited. Yet, as the last inhabitant, she claims Dark Island is hers and when a big, unscrupulous corporation wants to develop Dark Island including putting a Casino on it, Bruce facilitates her fight for the home of her ancestors.
Grisham is a talented story teller and this book does not disappoint. A quick, compelling read, Lovely is a captivating character. Grisham does an excellent job of capturing the development frenzy that is Florida…the greed of the corporations, the questionable practices of the politicians, the disregard for the environment, the highway sprawl of businesses. He also acknowledges how the electorate can be so easily manipulated.
The history of the difference between the British and Spanish owned colonies as relates to slavery is fascinating. When you read Lovely’s account of the realities of the slave trade, you can’t help but wonder, as did Mercer, how our forebears could have tolerated such cruel treatment of those who were kidnapped and enslaved.
This does work as a standalone, although reading the first two in the series gives a broader background of the repeating characters and provides context for some of the references made in this book to action that took place in prior ones.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #DoubledayBooks for the DRC
Grisham is a talented story teller and this book does not disappoint. A quick, compelling read, Lovely is a captivating character. Grisham does an excellent job of capturing the development frenzy that is Florida…the greed of the corporations, the questionable practices of the politicians, the disregard for the environment, the highway sprawl of businesses. He also acknowledges how the electorate can be so easily manipulated.
The history of the difference between the British and Spanish owned colonies as relates to slavery is fascinating. When you read Lovely’s account of the realities of the slave trade, you can’t help but wonder, as did Mercer, how our forebears could have tolerated such cruel treatment of those who were kidnapped and enslaved.
This does work as a standalone, although reading the first two in the series gives a broader background of the repeating characters and provides context for some of the references made in this book to action that took place in prior ones.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #DoubledayBooks for the DRC
September 11, 2024
5 Stars
August 8, 2024
This book features some of the worst writing I've read from John Grisham (who I usually like), particularly in the beginning.
The story focuses on Dark Isle, a now uninhabited island off the coast of Florida that became a colony of escaped slaves from mostly Georgia in the early 1800's. Lovely Jackson's ancestor survives a storm while on board a slave ship and, after the ship sinks, washes up on shore. The colony lasts for about 100 years and in 1950, the final two residents, Lovely and her mother, leave for the mainland.
Fast forward to many years later. When a real estate developer seeks to obtain ownership of the abandoned Dark Isle, the locals of Camino Island fight and recruit Lovely to pursue the title to the island, which she has rarely visited in the past 30 years due to her age.
The book reads like a piece of non-fiction, with, as I said before, some really bad writing at times. The story had very little tension and things turn out the way you might expect. None of the characters are particularly interesting, nor do they have anything interesting to say. The courtroom scenes lacked any surprise or demonstrations of good lawyering.
The story focuses on Dark Isle, a now uninhabited island off the coast of Florida that became a colony of escaped slaves from mostly Georgia in the early 1800's. Lovely Jackson's ancestor survives a storm while on board a slave ship and, after the ship sinks, washes up on shore. The colony lasts for about 100 years and in 1950, the final two residents, Lovely and her mother, leave for the mainland.
Fast forward to many years later. When a real estate developer seeks to obtain ownership of the abandoned Dark Isle, the locals of Camino Island fight and recruit Lovely to pursue the title to the island, which she has rarely visited in the past 30 years due to her age.
The book reads like a piece of non-fiction, with, as I said before, some really bad writing at times. The story had very little tension and things turn out the way you might expect. None of the characters are particularly interesting, nor do they have anything interesting to say. The courtroom scenes lacked any surprise or demonstrations of good lawyering.
November 8, 2024
I've never read a John Grisham book that I didn't fly through. I couldn't put this book down. This book started out fast and just continued with the fast pace and had me intrigued with his typical legal thriller.
I appreciated the backdrop of this story and dealing with books, collecting books, and the book heists. Thieves find out about Princeton's vault, which contains F Scott Fitzgerald scripts. Two men are caught in the heist.
Cut to Camino Island,in Florida, to where Bruce's bookstore is. When you have a bookstore, it requires having books, of course. Bruce, well, Bruce doesn't always do his transactions on acquiring them by the book.
The back and forth had me guessing up until the very end
I appreciated the backdrop of this story and dealing with books, collecting books, and the book heists. Thieves find out about Princeton's vault, which contains F Scott Fitzgerald scripts. Two men are caught in the heist.
Cut to Camino Island,in Florida, to where Bruce's bookstore is. When you have a bookstore, it requires having books, of course. Bruce, well, Bruce doesn't always do his transactions on acquiring them by the book.
The back and forth had me guessing up until the very end
June 4, 2024
Another author gone woke.
June 13, 2024
While the Camino Island books are far from my favourite Grisham books, these are starting to grow on me and I’m really enjoying Mercer and the gang of authors that reside on Camino Island. It feels like a warm hug to me when I go back to these characters. Just the thought of a close knit island with a group of friends who are best selling authors seems like very cool premise to me.
These books always feels so unlike Grishams other writings, even though this one had the courtroom drama this time, unlike the other two, it all still feels very different.
It seems like I’ve read a lot about slaves and African American rights lately and I’m getting a bit of a burnout from it if I’m being honest. It’s a lot to take in. Overall this is still great, and as always, I’m a Grisham fan for life! 4 stars.
These books always feels so unlike Grishams other writings, even though this one had the courtroom drama this time, unlike the other two, it all still feels very different.
It seems like I’ve read a lot about slaves and African American rights lately and I’m getting a bit of a burnout from it if I’m being honest. It’s a lot to take in. Overall this is still great, and as always, I’m a Grisham fan for life! 4 stars.
October 26, 2024
Mix feeling about this Grisham novel. The story & the subplots were not very engaging. I think out of the three books in the Camino Island series this might be the least interesting book to read. I mean a story revolving around slaves & their burial grounds is pretty unique. However, the plots could have definitely been more complex & thrilling. I thought the story concluded poorly & the ending was pretty disappointing. I think this novel would appeal most to only diehard Grisham fans.
May 29, 2024
Meh. I would not have finished this book if it wasn't written by John Grisham. I love his other books so I hoped it would get better. It didn't.
May 28, 2024
*** Happy Publication Day ***
Expert storyteller John Grisham has done it again. In this visit with the characters introduced in "Camino Island," Grisham blends the tragedy of slavery with the current era of developers' greed into a compelling new read.
Lovely Jackson, the last descendant of escaped enslaved people who made the remote Dark Island their home for generations, tells her story in a self-published book that catches the attention of Camino Island bookstore owner Bruce Cable. When developers propose to build a resort community and casino on the now-vacant Dark Island, the question of ownership arises. Does Lovely own the island, or does the State of Florida? Enter author Mercer Mann and environment lawyer Steven Mahon, who join Lovely's uphill battle to share her story and preserve the island's historical significance.
This fascinating read made me uncomfortable at times because of the telling of Africans captured and enslaved. Painful or not, it is a dark period in history of and one that should not be swept under the carpet. Grisham adeptly tells of the terror and mistreatment suffered by those who were captured. Add courtroom drama to this, and you will have a recipe for an engaging story, as only John Grisham can tell.
4.5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Doubleday, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 28, 2024.
Expert storyteller John Grisham has done it again. In this visit with the characters introduced in "Camino Island," Grisham blends the tragedy of slavery with the current era of developers' greed into a compelling new read.
Lovely Jackson, the last descendant of escaped enslaved people who made the remote Dark Island their home for generations, tells her story in a self-published book that catches the attention of Camino Island bookstore owner Bruce Cable. When developers propose to build a resort community and casino on the now-vacant Dark Island, the question of ownership arises. Does Lovely own the island, or does the State of Florida? Enter author Mercer Mann and environment lawyer Steven Mahon, who join Lovely's uphill battle to share her story and preserve the island's historical significance.
This fascinating read made me uncomfortable at times because of the telling of Africans captured and enslaved. Painful or not, it is a dark period in history of and one that should not be swept under the carpet. Grisham adeptly tells of the terror and mistreatment suffered by those who were captured. Add courtroom drama to this, and you will have a recipe for an engaging story, as only John Grisham can tell.
4.5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Doubleday, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 28, 2024.
June 12, 2024
No question - it's John Grisham so I have to read it. I do love his books. I found this one to be quite different.
Description:
In this new thriller on Camino Island, popular bookseller Bruce Cable tells Mercer Mann an irresistible tale that might be her next novel. A giant resort developer is using its political muscle and deep pockets to claim ownership of a deserted island between Florida and Georgia. Only the last living inhabitant of the island, Lovely Jackson, stands in its way. What the developer doesn’t know is that the island has a remarkable history, and locals believe it is cursed… and the past is never the past…
My Thoughts:
Lovely Jackson's tragic heritage was fascinating. The conditions she and her mother and ancestor faced were extremely difficult and some were horrifying. The curse on the island played an integral part. I found Lovely to be intriguing and quite a character. It was easy for me to be on her side throughout the book. I enjoyed the plot and felt it moved well marrying the past to the present to provide the full picture. I recommend to anyone who likes legal thrillers.
Thanks to Doubleday Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
In this new thriller on Camino Island, popular bookseller Bruce Cable tells Mercer Mann an irresistible tale that might be her next novel. A giant resort developer is using its political muscle and deep pockets to claim ownership of a deserted island between Florida and Georgia. Only the last living inhabitant of the island, Lovely Jackson, stands in its way. What the developer doesn’t know is that the island has a remarkable history, and locals believe it is cursed… and the past is never the past…
My Thoughts:
Lovely Jackson's tragic heritage was fascinating. The conditions she and her mother and ancestor faced were extremely difficult and some were horrifying. The curse on the island played an integral part. I found Lovely to be intriguing and quite a character. It was easy for me to be on her side throughout the book. I enjoyed the plot and felt it moved well marrying the past to the present to provide the full picture. I recommend to anyone who likes legal thrillers.
Thanks to Doubleday Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
August 10, 2024
I'm giving this one 3 stars because it was a slow read for me, I've thought the Camino series is just so so.
June 1, 2024
Camino Ghosts, the third installment in John Grisham's Camino Island series, left me feeling underwhelmed. As a fan of Grisham's previous works, I had high expectations for this novel, but unfortunately, it fell short of delivering the gripping storytelling and suspense that I have come to associate with the author. I haven't been particularly crazy about the Camino island series although I did enjoy Book 2 much more than book 1 or this one (book 3)
August 6, 2024
Camino Ghosts was the third book in the Camino Island Trilogy. Mercer Mann, a popular writer from Camino Island returns to the beach and marrying her boyfriend, Thomas, in a seaside ceremony performed by Bruce Cable, infamous owner of Bay Books on Camino Island. Bruce later tells Mercer that he has an exceptional story about Dark Isle, a sliver barrier island off the North Florida coast. It was settled by freed slaves over three hundred years ago, their descendants living there until 1955. The last living descendant is Lovely Jackson, forced to leave at age fifteen. She loves her birthplace, Dark Isle, and its remarkable history. However, now a developer wants to build a resort and a casino on the barrier island that Lovely Jackson knows belongs to her. Drawn to her story about who owns Dark Isle, Mercer befriends Lovely and they take on Tidal Breeze Corporation and its lawyers, lobbyists and powerful Florida politicians. But Lovely Jackson knows a deep secret that the island is cursed, the reason it has remained uninhabited for nearly a century. It is in this book that we see the secrets of the past play into the enormous ambitions of the present with the fate of Dark Isle and to some extent, Camino Island, hang in the balance.
“The lawyers entered the courtroom from a door behind the bench and took their seats. Three tables had been arranged, each facing his Honor. On the far left was the petitioner’s table, where Ms. Lovely Jackson sat in glorious splendor, adorned in a bright red robe that touched thr floor and a red-and-yellow striped turban that seemed to reach the ceiling. So far, no one had objected to her headwear in the courtroom. The three bailiffs, the opposing lawyers, the clerks—no one had said a word. Nor would they.”
July 5, 2024
4 stars
Ever seen "Goodreads" mentioned in a novel. I hadn't, until now. Leave it to Grisham to put that little surprise into his novel .
And surprised I was. This was the last subject that I expected in the third novel of the "Camino" series. And for me, the most enjoyed book of that series.
This one has lawyers, a corrupt corporation, an underprivileged community, a trial and an author writing the story. The characters are relatable and the back story of the novel held my interest. The type story where you pick a side and then continue to read in hopes that they prevail.
Besides mentioning Goodreads in this novel, Grisham also mentions a 'long standing book store' in the D.C. area called Politics & Prose, that hosts a large number of author reads and interviews. A real place that I continually peruse for virtual shows.
Ever seen "Goodreads" mentioned in a novel. I hadn't, until now. Leave it to Grisham to put that little surprise into his novel .
And surprised I was. This was the last subject that I expected in the third novel of the "Camino" series. And for me, the most enjoyed book of that series.
This one has lawyers, a corrupt corporation, an underprivileged community, a trial and an author writing the story. The characters are relatable and the back story of the novel held my interest. The type story where you pick a side and then continue to read in hopes that they prevail.
Besides mentioning Goodreads in this novel, Grisham also mentions a 'long standing book store' in the D.C. area called Politics & Prose, that hosts a large number of author reads and interviews. A real place that I continually peruse for virtual shows.
March 4, 2024
Camino Ghost is the third book in this series, and easily the best. When developers try to stake claim to an uninhabited island off the coast of Florida, book store owner Bruce Cable contacts the last known resident, an elderly descendant of slaves and author of a book about her experiences on the island in an effort to thwart the development. What follows is a fascinating tale of slave trading, island curses, and the fight to preserve the island. Featuring author John Grisham’s trademark courtroom battles, absolutely fascinating characters and a story that flows so easily, the plot totally engages the reader from start to finish. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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