The Widow

John Grisham is one of the best writers of all times. I have every one of his books. I started reading his books a very long time ago starting with A Time To Kill. My husband went to school and got a Masters. I told him he should read some of his books he told me I’ve read enough while I was in school I’m done reading. I begged him to read The Reckoning I was sure he’d love it but it was a no go for him. He has watched all of his movies and absolutely loved them. I’ve tried to get The Reckoning on tape but not have been able to it’s alway gone. One day I know I’ll find it. I can’t wait for him to hear it. I started reading it and was done on the second day. John don’t ever quit writing. I’ve had so many people ask if I will leave my books to them when I pass away. I just tell them get in line. Thank you for such wonderful memories from each and everyone of your books. Thank you. Barbara

Great read. No, not his best but much like some of his early greats, like Last Juror, or Time for Mercy. Small town atmosphere, good side characters, move along fast story, with some fun twists. I stopped reading Grisham for the last several books, which reviews said got just too political, or thin. Really I did not even bother with those, just skipped them. You know the ones I am talking about….Luckily he got this one right. Could have used a little longer perhaps. I read it in one day, up till midnight twice.Ok have fun. Here’s hoping for a good next one John. Don’t play around with some short story stuff with social message only. We want some meat. Thanks, Brogan from Seattle

I, at one time, was a very big fan of Mr. Grisham. But then, his books got to be boring. They all sounded alike, and most of his endings left me with the feeling, “I wasted time reading this”. But not this book. It was a turn pager right up to the very end. I loved all the characters. I knew that the old lady was dishonest right from the first time she met with Simon. Being a good person, he allowed her to get away with it. There were a lot of surprises in this book,, and lots of twists and turns. I may just read another of John Grisham’s books…

The first 170 pages or so just drag on and on, as the main character repeatedly has lunch with his elderly client while trying to hide his involvement with her from various prying eyes. Several times I considered just abandoning the book and moving on to other reading material, and only stayed with it because of how much I've liked most of Grisham's past work.But as soon as the client dies (not a spoiler; the "about this book" blurb tells us she is going to die), the book really kicks into gear and becomes impossible to put down. Even for cheaters like myself who skip to the end to find out who the guilty party is, I still have to read it all the way through to find out how they identify him and prove his guilt.This is one of several treatments by Grisham, including at least one non-fiction book, of the subject of wrongful conviction and punishment of innocent parties at the hands of overzealous investigators and prosecutors more interested in scoring victories than in justice. I've read at least two other books of his on the subject, three if you count the one where a man gets executed for a murder he didn't commit but admits he deserves to die because of several other murders he had gotten away with. But in Grisham's capable hands, the subject never gets old.Four stars instead of five because of the slow start, but don't let that deter you, you won't be disappointed.

Like all of John Grisham’s work, this book not only entices and intrigues the reader, but also painlessly brings some clarity to the ambiguity and complexities of the law! It very effectively draws us in and makes us appreciate the humanity, diversity and struggles of his often damaged and exhausted heroes-usually attorneys. Like in the film “The Devil’s Advocate” we have been made to appreciate the frustration, temptation, and desperation of an individual’s struggles in this world. I love the manner in which this author’s stories remind all of us that despite fatigue, adversity, temptations and hardship we must remain diligent in our actions, in our attempts to achieve what is right, in our pursuit of the truth. Especially those of us who find themselves in positions of power and leadership. A very good read! Highly recommend it!