TammyRich Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 In John Grisham's 19th book the story is centred around Ron Williamson a man who is convicted of a crime he hasn't committed and spends 11 years in prison for, most of that time on Death Row. A young woman was found murdered and raped but the last person to see her after she left a bar never gave hair specimens or fingerprints but when interviewed later pointed the finger at Ron who was mentally unstable and was known to visit the bar in question. It was later found out that he supplied drugs to the police. The police were convinced 2 people had committed the crime so accused Ron's friend Dennis Fritz too. Neither were at the bar that night. Grisham shows how small town American cops once convinced they had the right people built up a case around them with the minimum of evidence such as hair analysis, jail house snitches, dream confessions and by exhuming the body of the deceased just to check the victim's palm print. He also intertwines the stories of other Death Row prisoners wrongly convicted whom Ron mixes with as he endures years of mental torture. Due to refusal by the authorities to allow him to be assessed his mental conditions go untreated and he develops extreme paranoia and schizophrenia. Prisoners on Death Row who are judged to be incompetant cannot be executed! Grisham writes clearly and compellingly. This is the quickest book I have read this year since Harry Potter. I became engrossed in Ron's story and also his family. He was at home with his mother Juanita on the night of the murder but she died just before the trial. She went to the police station to make a recording of her statement so it could be played at a trial but it was never produced by the police. I highly recommend it to all Grisham fans and anyone who wants to know why we shouldn't support the death penalty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angerball Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Great review, TammyRich. This book has been on my TBR pile for a while now, and I've heard plenty of good things about it. I do like John Grisham's books; hopefully I'll get around to reading it soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 My sister has read this and she loved it. It is one of her favourite Grisham books, so she definitely recommends it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorrigan Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 I didn't realise, when I started this book, that it is actually a true story. He writes it so well. I really enjoyed it and read it quite quickly. One tip I would give though is to not read the captions with the photos otherwise you find out what happens when you're only halfway through the book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supergran71 Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 This is definitely going on my TBR list. I thought it was a true story, I read that somewhere. Has anyone read "The Painted House"? That is a fantastic read, quite away from his normal genre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyRich Posted January 14, 2008 Author Share Posted January 14, 2008 Yeah - Painted House was the first Grisham I ever read. It was only on enjoying that that I got to read his legal thrillers. Don't think I would have tried them otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 Strange coincidence. Wait till Kell sees this thread. We were discussing this book with a friend on saturday! It sounds very good, but I might get a bit miserable and angry with his treatment. Pp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I feel as iof i have put this in alrerady and thatn id the fact that i have just startedd The Inocennt Man this morning so pleaes forgive me if I have double posted. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahdale24 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I agree this was a GREAT book. I need to go back and reread it. I did enjoy it when I read it the 1st time. John Grisham is an artist when it comes to writing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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