Willoway Publishing

A review by Kelly Capers

The book A Time to Kill often gets lost in the John Grisham collection. It is overshadowed by his breakout work, The Firm, A Time to Kill is a complex book delving into the themes of racism, justice and civic responsibility. Set in rural Mississippi, the story follows the trail of Carl Lee Hailey, an African American father who murders two white men who rape his 10-year-old daughter. Hailey is defended by a young white lawyer, Jake Brigance, eager to exact justice and make a name for himself.

The story is riddled with well developed and diverse characters including law student, Ellen Roark, divorce lawyer, Harry Rex Vonner and activist/mentor Lucien Wilbanks. As the story heats up, Brigance is threatened by the Ku Klux Klan and the ACLU. Eventually the small town of Canton is torn apart by protests and racial strife and becomes the subject of national media attention. Political intrigue, courtroom ethics and backroom negotiations are layered in the narrative to provide a thoughtful and compelling read.

A former lawyer, Grisham understands the courtroom and as a native southerner, he handles the issues of racism and social justice with authenticity. This work is far more literary and theme oriented than his more commercial works, and the effort to read it is equal in weight. However, the reader is rewarded with a cast of relatable characters, a compelling plot and a satisfying ending. Other works by Grisham such as The Firm, The Pelican Brief and The Client are generally less taxing, but equally entertaining. It’s hard to go wrong with John Grisham for a good read.