Product Description
Politics has always been a dirty game.
Now justice is, too.
In a crowded courtroom in Mississippi, a jury returns a shocking verdict against a chemical company accused of dumping toxic waste into a small town’s water supply, causing the worst “cancer cluster” in history. The company appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court, whose nine justices will one day either approve the verdict or reverse it.
Who are the nine? How will they vote? Can one be replaced before the case is ultimately decided?
The chemical company is owned by a Wall Street predator named Carl Trudeau, and Mr. Trudeau is convinced the Court is not friendly enough. With judicial elections looming, he decides to try to purchase himself a seat on the Court. The cost is a few million dollars, a drop in the bucket for a billionaire like Mr. Trudeau. Through an intricate web of conspiracy and deceit, his political operatives recruit a young, unsuspecting candidate. They finance him, manipulate him, market him, and mold him into a potential Supreme Court justice. Their Supreme Court justice.
The Appeal is a powerful, timely, and shocking story of political and legal intrigue, a story that will leave readers unable to think about our electoral process or judicial system in quite the same way ever again.
|
Amazon.com
As the author of twenty bestselling books, John Grisham has set the standard for legal thrillers since the debut of The Firm in 1991. Enjoy this Q&A--as well as a personal note to Amazon readers--from John Grisham. 1. Your new novel starts off where most courtroom dramas end--with the verdict. Where did you get the idea to reverse the usual order of events this time around?
The actual trial is not a terribly significant part of the story. Most all of the action and intrigue begins after the trial is over, with the verdict and the subsequent appeal.
2. The Appeal overtly suggests that elected judges can be bought. If the novel is meant as a cautionary tale, what's next--the Presidential primaries?
Why not? Over one billion dollars will be spent next year in the Presidential primaries and general election. With that kind of money floating around, anything can be bought.
3. Speaking of electoral politics, you've been more vocal recently about your political views ... first supporting Jim Webb for Senate and now endorsing Hillary Clinton for the White House. Have you given any thought to running for office yourself?
No. I made that mistake 25 years ago, and promised myself I would never do it again. I enjoy watching and participating in politics from the sidelines, but it's best to keep some distance.
4. This is your first legal thriller in three years. How did it feel to get back to the genre that started it all, and can fans expect another thriller from you next year?
I still enjoy writing the legal thrillers, and don't plan to get too far away from them. Obviously, they have been very good to me, and they remain popular. I plan to write one a year for the next several years.
5. Your nonfiction book The Innocent Man continues to be a bestseller in paperback. In your ongoing work with The Innocence Project, have you come across another story of the wrongfully convicted that begs to be written as nonfiction?
There are literally hundreds of great stories out there about wrongfully convicted defendants. I am continually astounded by these stories, and I resist the temptation to take the plunge again into non-fiction.
6. What's on your bedside reading list at the moment?
1. The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin
2. Eric Clapton's autobiography
3. East of Eden by John Steinbeck.
|
|
 Gifted vernacular for an unappealing story ( languagephilosopher )
Grisham, with his gifted vernacular, leads us into the world of election, campaign contribution, corruption and the question of values. Although I love his craftsmanship, this book didn't appeal to me as much as 'The King of Torts' for example.
|
 Not one of Mr. Grisham's finest efforts ( tjsmom1 )
I have been a fan of Mr. Grisham for quite some time. This work, however, was not one of his finest moments. From the very beginning of this book, the reader already knows that chemical businesses, big law firms, and weak politicans are BAD. I think most readers get it. This story just kept beating the message over and over again. Potential book buyers should save their money and read newspapers to get the "message".
|
 A lot of buidup and no reward ( victorsangabriel )
The book is slow, and all the time you wait for the exiting thing to happen, and you keep waiting until the end.
I would't care about the lousy ending if at least the ride had been enjoyable.
|
 Back to Basics - a real Grisham page turner ( peaser )
Too many reviewers become over critical and forget that Grisham writes "FICTION". You are supposed to allow yourself a little escape from reality ever once in a while. I have been a corporate attorney for many years but was once one of those hated "insurance defense attorneys" described in this book. While I found it to be over the top in some areas, especially the depicting of some of the primary characters, I loved the writing. Heck, it's supposed to be over the top to some degree. I didn't buy this to be primarily educated, but to be entertained, and believe me, this book does accomplish that mission. I enjoyed it as much as any Grisham nover I have ever read, and I have read (or listened) to all of them. Do yourself a favor and forget some of the more critical reviews. Just go buy the damn book, and if you want a real treat, listen to Michael Beck's reading of it, and I promise you, you will not regret your decision. I only hope Grisham might be thinking of a sequel...............
|
Rich stay rich and the poor stay poor!!!! ( yvonnekypke )
I thought this book was ok. I was just so disappointed and angry with the ending!!!! I would have liked to know more not just be left hanging. Overall not my favorite John Grisham, I hope he is not loosing his touch!
|
|
View Larger
Add to Cart 
