The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

John Grisham is another prolific writer. He seems to be stepping away from the courtroom dramas, as of late, but his have always been some of my favorites. He doesn't seem at all afraid to tackle really hard, heartbreaking, relevant issues.

Health insurance, racism, KKK, anything we all think about, worry about...he will tell a story about it.

What's your favorite courtroom drama of his?

I've read nearly every John Grisham out there. There are a few recent ones that I haven't read yet - especially those that stepped away from courtroom drama. I recently read his nonfiction book, The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town. It was fascinating and scary! He did a nice job with it, though. It read a lot like one of his novels, but was also well-researched.

My favorite of his courtroom dramas is either The Client or The Runaway Jury. And I also really like The Pelican Brief.

My favorite non-courtroom drama is Skipping Christmas. But stay away from the movie called "Christmas with the Kranks." For me, the movie ruined the book so much that I couldn't read the book for several years after. I write more about it in my review if you are interested.

My daughter's name is Darby Shea, (as opposed to Shaw) because we let her brother choose, and he heard it in the Pelican Brief movie and fell in love with it. It's Shea instead of Shaw because her Dad is from Queens, but it has the same ring to it.

What a cool name, Kandice. That's neat that you let her brother choose.

I STILL read of his books, but his earlier ones were much better. Lately it seems as if he will only write so many pages and when he gets there it is quickly finished. The Associateis the ending that still has me saying huh?

I LOVE Pelican Brief, since it is what hooked me on this author.

My all time favorite of Grisham's books is his very first: A Time To Kill.

I know a lot of his books are set in the South, but this one really makes the south a part of the story, rather than just a setting.

I've read this one a couple times, and I can never set it down for longer than is strictly, absolutely necessary. Even though I know what happens, I'm always right on the edge of my seat waiting for the next thing.

I've read The Firm, Runaway Jury, The Rainmaker and The King of Torts. I also own a few more that I haven't read yet: The Pelican Brief, The Broker, The Client, and I think one or two more I can't recall at the moment.

I've liked all of them so far, except The King of Torts, which I thought had no point. I gave it two stars though, because I did learn about those infamous commercials for injury litigation etc. Very interesting, but the story was boring.

Of the ones you own, Becky, and have not read, my favorite was The Pelican Brief, closely followed by The Client. The Broker struck me exactly the way The King of Torts did. Kind of pointless, other than a little more info about something I knew nothing about before. Not the greatest plot.

I'll have to move that up then.

Oh, I just remembered another that I own and haven't read is The Last Juror. :)

I just looked through my list, and found that I do not have "The Broker", I have "The Partner". Which is good, because Kandice said that The Broker wasn't any good. :)

The Partner was really good, though, so you should be happy about that.

Goodie!

I confess that I haven't read any of these! (or maybe I read the firm... really can't remember) but was put off them for a really silly reason... Tom Cruise! Can't bear the man, and the film sticks in my head (what was it? The Partner)... pretty lame, huh?

Guess I'll have to break down and read one... where should I start? At the beginning with A Time to Kill, (what, me OCD?)

I don't think there is a movie version of the partner yet.

The Firm... I was close... ; )

Hayes, you should read A Time To Kill just because it is a great book. It's my favorite so far of Grisham's... Have I said that already? :)

I also liked The Rainmaker quite a lot, and The Runaway Jury. I didn't care for The Firm so much, but I was disappointed by the firm itself. I wanted it to be meaner, scarier, etc, and not backed by who backed it. LOL.

I think A Time to Kill is his very best, followed closely by The Runaway Jury. I liked both movies, too, except for being a little disapointed they changed cigarettes to guns in the movie version of Jury.

Oh, I don't recall that. It's been a while since I saw the movie though. I just remember John Cusak as Nicholas Easter, and so now his face is what comes to mind when I think of The Runaway Jury.

I also liked The Rainmaker, and that is a really good movie too. I think that Matt Damon was great in that one as Rudy Baylor.

Claire Danes as whatever her name was, was good too. That's the one, right? She just has the perfect "victim" face. She looks sweet and fragile, and like she needs to be taken care of.

Yep, she was in that one. Very fragile.

I adore John Cusack! (Has anyone seen the Grifters, with Angelica Huston and Anette Benning? Billiant!!)

EDIT: Mystery Movie thread?

I have to say, I usually love Grisham's law based books, but am not so fond of his that deviate from that. A Painted House was okay as a novelty, but I didn't like Bleachers and really have no interest in reading Playing For Pizza A Novel. Does anyone else feel the same?

Kandice wrote: "I have to say, I usually love Grisham's law based books, but am not so fond of his that deviate from that...Does anyone else feel the same? ."

Yep, that's how I feel too, Kandice. I liked A Painted House, but if it would have been my first Grisham, it also would have been my last. It wasn't good enough to make me want to go out and find more books by that author. The one non-law book of his that I really like and have reread multiple times is Skipping Christmas.

I forgot about Skipping Christmas. I feel exactly the same as you, Luann! Birds of a feather...and all that jazz!.:)

I have no interest in reading any of his books that are outside the legal genre.

Becky wrote: "I have no interest in reading any of his books that are outside the legal genre. "

meanie. I loved A Painted House!

It's okay Becky. Really, A Painted House was okay to me, but only because it (at the time) seemed like a little detour for him. I am really hoping this isn't his new niche. I wouldn't read another by him not based on the legal system in some way. I didn't even read The Innocent Man Murder and Injustice in a Small Town because it was non-fiction.

Allison, you can love it, we'll let you:D

its also the only Grisham I've ever read

*runs away*

*comes back*

I do want to read Time to Kill though.

See, you have nothing to compare it to! If you had read his others, you would see it pales in comparison. I know it's not fair, but if there is an author I like, I expect them to write up to the standard they have set!

I think Thomas Harris is an excellent writer, and would read anything he wrote, but I really think Hannibal was crap. Maybe if it had been written by someone else, it would have been a good book to me, but I couldn't help but compare it to his other books, and it was obvious he was only writing it to give Hollywood another story to adapt to screen.

Allison wrote: "its also the only Grisham I've ever read

*runs away*

*comes back*


pelican brief
firm

His early books are MUCH better than the later ones
I do want to read Time to Kill though."

A Time to Kill is his BEST book in my opinion, although admittedly I have not read a lot of them. :)

Allison, go read A Time to Kill while I'm reading Percy!

Well, other than An Innocent Man I think I've read ALL of Grisham's books, and I think A Time To KIll is by far his very best. I know he became popular with the Firm, and I really liked that one, but Kill is so much deeper, and literally hurts your heart to read. Those are books I love.

When The Firm was made into a movie, closely followed by a lot of his others, I kept saying they would never, ever make Kill a movie, even though it would be the best. I was so, so glad when they did! As well as pleasantly suprised that they did not tone down or shy away from the racial issue of the book.

I'm glad they didn't tone the racial tension down either... That's what makes the story so touching and nerve-wracking. The movie isn't as good as the book, but it is a great attempt!

Hm, I might have to go change my vote to The Pelican Brief! If it wins, Allison will have a great excuse to read a "real" Grisham novel. :)

hmm...think I'll have to pick up A Time to Kill at the library tomorrow :P I need to go return some stuff.

Gosh darn it.

Good! I want The Pelican Brief to win, and not just because I nominated it, but because I bet it's awesome! (And because I nominated it.)

I, of course, have a very special place in my heart for The Pelican Brief, and get a thrill every single time I see the name Darby on a page!!!! I voted for it and will cerainly re-read it if it wins:)

I bet you do! :) Maybe we could read it together if it doesn't win... ?

K. Changed my vote. We'll make it a race between The Pelican Brief and The Cater Street Hangman - which actually looks pretty good.

hehe, I changed my vote to Pelican Brief :)

Yes, Becky!!!!!

Thank you Allison and Luann:) You'll love it if you read it. I KNOW you will. Darby is soooooo likable.

okay so Pelican Brief or Time to Kill first?

Well, if we are going to read together, Pelican, but if you are going to read on your own, Kill. Both are excellent, but I can't read both right now. I bet YOU can get through A Time to Kill in a day, so you could read that, THEN read Pelican Brief with us;)

I've already ready The Pelican Brief, several times actually, both in print and audio - which is why I didn't vote for it in the first place. I probably won't read it again if it does get the vote, but I won't mind discussing it with the group - especially if it encourages some who haven't read much Grisham to read him. :) I also really like the movie, and it would be interesting to compare/contrast the book and the movie in our discussion.

ok Kandice, if Pelican doesn't win, we will read it together. :) But it might be a little while, as I still have to read Watership Down after I finish Percy so I can return it to the library on time. :)

I can't wait for you to read Watership Down, so don't worry. I will discuss that one all day! Fiona too, I'm sure:)

I'm a big Grisham fan as well.
My favorite has to be The Rainmaker.
I liked The Client and Street Lawyer too.
I like the fact the Grisham can write different genres...like Skipping Christmas and Painted House. If the author's name wasn't on these books, I'd have no idea it was him.

Heather, you HAVE to read The Rainmaker. Both the book and the movie are excellent! The Runaway Jury is really good too.

But really, The Rainmaker is really high on my list. I'd say #2 after A Time To Kill, which is my favorite.

Is "A Time to Kill" one of his books? So many people have told me how good it is but I can't get past the rape and the good ole boy mentality in the first chapter. Someone give me a reason to go on reading!!!

Thanks.

Errr... Well, if you don't like the "Good Ol' Boy" mentality, that book probably isn't for you.

I grew up in the South, and a lot of that book reminds me of home. Not always in the best way, but still.

Aside from that homesick nostalgic reason of mine, it's a legal thriller that brings to light the racism and hatred of the Deep South and combats it. It's not a pretty fight, but it is a compelling one.

I have to say it is one of my favorite books, and is absolutely my favorite Grisham.

A Time To Kill was my favorite. It reminded me of To Kill A Mockingbird