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Jake Brigance #4
Sparring Partners
#1 New York Times bestselling author John Grisham is the acknowledged master of the legal thriller. In his first collection of novellas, law is a common thread, but America’s favorite storyteller has several surprises in store.
“Homecoming” takes us back to Ford County, the fictional setting of many of John Grisham’s unforgettable stories. Jake Brigance is back, but he’s not in the courtroom. He’s called upon to help an old friend, Mack Stafford, a former lawyer in Clanton, who three years earlier became a local legend when he stole money from his clients, divorced his wife, filed for bankruptcy, and left his family in the middle of the night, never to be heard from again—until now. Now Mack is back, and he’s leaning on his old pals, Jake and Harry Rex, to help him return. His homecoming does not go as planned.
In “Strawberry Moon,” we meet Cody Wallace, a young death row inmate only three hours away from execution. His lawyers can’t save him, the courts slam the door, and the governor says no to a last-minute request for clemency. As the clock winds down, Cody has one final request.
The “Sparring Partners” are the Malloy brothers, Kirk and Rusty, two successful young lawyers who inherited a once prosperous firm when its founder, their father, was sent to prison. Kirk and Rusty loathe each other, and speak to each other only when necessary. As the firm disintegrates, the resulting fiasco falls into the lap of Diantha Bradshaw, the only person the partners trust. Can she save the Malloys, or does she take a stand for the first time in her career and try to save herself?
By turns suspenseful, hilarious, powerful, and moving, these are three of the greatest stories John Grisham has ever told.
“Homecoming” takes us back to Ford County, the fictional setting of many of John Grisham’s unforgettable stories. Jake Brigance is back, but he’s not in the courtroom. He’s called upon to help an old friend, Mack Stafford, a former lawyer in Clanton, who three years earlier became a local legend when he stole money from his clients, divorced his wife, filed for bankruptcy, and left his family in the middle of the night, never to be heard from again—until now. Now Mack is back, and he’s leaning on his old pals, Jake and Harry Rex, to help him return. His homecoming does not go as planned.
In “Strawberry Moon,” we meet Cody Wallace, a young death row inmate only three hours away from execution. His lawyers can’t save him, the courts slam the door, and the governor says no to a last-minute request for clemency. As the clock winds down, Cody has one final request.
The “Sparring Partners” are the Malloy brothers, Kirk and Rusty, two successful young lawyers who inherited a once prosperous firm when its founder, their father, was sent to prison. Kirk and Rusty loathe each other, and speak to each other only when necessary. As the firm disintegrates, the resulting fiasco falls into the lap of Diantha Bradshaw, the only person the partners trust. Can she save the Malloys, or does she take a stand for the first time in her career and try to save herself?
By turns suspenseful, hilarious, powerful, and moving, these are three of the greatest stories John Grisham has ever told.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published May 31, 2022
About the author
John Grisham
431 books82.7k followersJohn Grisham is the author of forty-nine consecutive #1 bestsellers, which have been translated into nearly fifty languages. His recent books include The Judge's List, Sooley, and his third Jake Brigance novel, A Time for Mercy, which is being developed by HBO as a limited series.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,318 reviews
January 25, 2022
My latest book, the one I’m still trying to finish, is something new for me. Sparring Partners is a small collection of short novels, known as novellas, they’re too short to be novels and too long to be short stories — thus, novellas. I wrote them for several reasons one of which is I’m still stuck at home with COVID and can’t do anything else, so I’m writing far too much, but most importantly these are stories I’ve had for a long time. I hope you enjoy them.
May 30, 2022
Overall Rating: 4/5
Sparring Partners by John Grisham is a collection of three novellas, each of which is very well-written, distinctive in setting, theme and tone and makes for an intriguing read. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection and would definitely recommend it to both longtime fans of Grisham and also as an interesting introduction to those who are yet to read any of his novels.
“Homecoming” revolves around Mack Stafford, a former lawyer and resident of Clanton, Mississippi, and friends with lawyers Jake Brigance and Harry Rex (who also happens to be his lawyer). Mack disappeared from Clanton after divorcing his wife, declaring bankruptcy, and closing his practice rumored to have skipped town with his clients’ money due to them as part of a settlement. Three years later he makes contact with Jake and expresses his desire to return to Clanton, meet his ex-wife who is terminally ill and reconnect with his daughters who he had left behind. However, his homecoming is more complicated than he anticipated with his family wanting to have nothing to do with him and suspicions about his indiscretions leading to potential legal problems for which he requires the assistance of Jake and Harry. This novella was an average read and my least favorite among the three. With a few familiar characters (it was great to revisit Ford County with Grisham) and many new ones and an intriguing start, it did have some interesting moments but I was a tad disappointed with the way the story ultimately panned out. (My Rating: 3.5/5)
“Strawberry Moon” is an engaging story revolving around 29-year-old death row inmate Cody Wallace, who is hours away from being executed. Incarcerated for a home invasion that resulted in the deaths of his brother/partner in crime and the two residents of the house they were in the process of burgling, his appeals and requests for clemency have been denied and now he waits for the inevitable. The narrative gives us a snapshot of his life on ‘The Row’ and takes us through his final interactions with his lawyer, the prison doctor, the chaplain, his warden, a surprise visitor he has been corresponding with and the guard on duty who grants him his final wish. This was a moving and thought-provoking read. You cannot help but feel sympathy for Cody who was arrested at the young age of fourteen and ponder over the justification for capital punishment. (My rating: 4.5/5)
The final novella, “Sparring Partners”, revolves around St. Louis based law firm Malloy & Malloy and the Malloy brothers, Rusty and Kirk, who couldn’t be any more different in nature, management styles or political inclinations. They barely speak to one another and mostly communicate through ‘unofficial third partner’ Diantha Bradshaw. However, together they run the family law firm after their father was incarcerated for manslaughter and duly disbarred, though his devious efforts to manipulate from behind bars remain a constant factor of irritation. Unfortunately, the firm is in a downward spiral. While the brothers and Diantha are concerned with the survival of the firm, each of them is also motivated by self-interest and is looking to grab a larger slice of the pie from a settlement that Malloy Sr. has kept hidden with the help of his lawyer. What follows is a thrilling sequence of events involving collusion and deceit, bribery and political corruption and financial fraud. The fast-paced narrative, well-developed characters and intriguing plot kept me glued to the pages with this one. (My rating: 4.5/5)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book is due for release on May 31, 2022.
Sparring Partners by John Grisham is a collection of three novellas, each of which is very well-written, distinctive in setting, theme and tone and makes for an intriguing read. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection and would definitely recommend it to both longtime fans of Grisham and also as an interesting introduction to those who are yet to read any of his novels.
“Homecoming” revolves around Mack Stafford, a former lawyer and resident of Clanton, Mississippi, and friends with lawyers Jake Brigance and Harry Rex (who also happens to be his lawyer). Mack disappeared from Clanton after divorcing his wife, declaring bankruptcy, and closing his practice rumored to have skipped town with his clients’ money due to them as part of a settlement. Three years later he makes contact with Jake and expresses his desire to return to Clanton, meet his ex-wife who is terminally ill and reconnect with his daughters who he had left behind. However, his homecoming is more complicated than he anticipated with his family wanting to have nothing to do with him and suspicions about his indiscretions leading to potential legal problems for which he requires the assistance of Jake and Harry. This novella was an average read and my least favorite among the three. With a few familiar characters (it was great to revisit Ford County with Grisham) and many new ones and an intriguing start, it did have some interesting moments but I was a tad disappointed with the way the story ultimately panned out. (My Rating: 3.5/5)
“Strawberry Moon” is an engaging story revolving around 29-year-old death row inmate Cody Wallace, who is hours away from being executed. Incarcerated for a home invasion that resulted in the deaths of his brother/partner in crime and the two residents of the house they were in the process of burgling, his appeals and requests for clemency have been denied and now he waits for the inevitable. The narrative gives us a snapshot of his life on ‘The Row’ and takes us through his final interactions with his lawyer, the prison doctor, the chaplain, his warden, a surprise visitor he has been corresponding with and the guard on duty who grants him his final wish. This was a moving and thought-provoking read. You cannot help but feel sympathy for Cody who was arrested at the young age of fourteen and ponder over the justification for capital punishment. (My rating: 4.5/5)
The final novella, “Sparring Partners”, revolves around St. Louis based law firm Malloy & Malloy and the Malloy brothers, Rusty and Kirk, who couldn’t be any more different in nature, management styles or political inclinations. They barely speak to one another and mostly communicate through ‘unofficial third partner’ Diantha Bradshaw. However, together they run the family law firm after their father was incarcerated for manslaughter and duly disbarred, though his devious efforts to manipulate from behind bars remain a constant factor of irritation. Unfortunately, the firm is in a downward spiral. While the brothers and Diantha are concerned with the survival of the firm, each of them is also motivated by self-interest and is looking to grab a larger slice of the pie from a settlement that Malloy Sr. has kept hidden with the help of his lawyer. What follows is a thrilling sequence of events involving collusion and deceit, bribery and political corruption and financial fraud. The fast-paced narrative, well-developed characters and intriguing plot kept me glued to the pages with this one. (My rating: 4.5/5)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book is due for release on May 31, 2022.
July 3, 2022
This is a collection of three really good new novellas from Grisham. These are not courtroom legal thrillers per se but people's stories.
The first story Homecoming is set in Clanton, Mississippi featuring Jake Brigance, the main lawyer in A Time to Kill. His old friend who fled the US with clients' money, and possibly committed a bankruptcy fraud claim wants to return and reunite with his family. What would Jake do? (Narrated by Jeff Daniels) 4⭐
Short but impactful, Strawberry Moon is the shortest story of the three about a death row inmate, arrested when he was fourteen. Now at twenty-nine, Cody is the youngest to face execution. I really enjoy Cody's story and his conversation with prison guard Marvin. A moving story. (Narrated by Ethan Hawke. He's really good and should narrate more books!) 5⭐
Sparring Partners is set in St. Louis, Missouri involving two lawyer brothers who hated one another but are forced to run the law firm "Malloy & Malloy" after their father was sent to prison for killing their mother. No one likes the mother so that wasn't the issue. Diantha Bradshaw is the mediator, the go-between, and the unofficial third partner. A bit of family drama, betrayal, and greed. Fun stuff! (Narrated by January LaVoy) 4⭐
The first story Homecoming is set in Clanton, Mississippi featuring Jake Brigance, the main lawyer in A Time to Kill. His old friend who fled the US with clients' money, and possibly committed a bankruptcy fraud claim wants to return and reunite with his family. What would Jake do? (Narrated by Jeff Daniels) 4⭐
Short but impactful, Strawberry Moon is the shortest story of the three about a death row inmate, arrested when he was fourteen. Now at twenty-nine, Cody is the youngest to face execution. I really enjoy Cody's story and his conversation with prison guard Marvin. A moving story. (Narrated by Ethan Hawke. He's really good and should narrate more books!) 5⭐
Sparring Partners is set in St. Louis, Missouri involving two lawyer brothers who hated one another but are forced to run the law firm "Malloy & Malloy" after their father was sent to prison for killing their mother. No one likes the mother so that wasn't the issue. Diantha Bradshaw is the mediator, the go-between, and the unofficial third partner. A bit of family drama, betrayal, and greed. Fun stuff! (Narrated by January LaVoy) 4⭐
June 4, 2022
This book with 3 new short stories was, in my opinion, underwhelming, and I can’t even say that it was entertaining.
The first story, with Jake Brigance, one of my favourite characters created by Grisham, started so well and it was so promising, but then it felt like the author lost direction or ran out of creativity.
The second story, which had everything to be touching or heartbreaking, was very repetitive and the dialogues were a bit cheesy.
The third story, which is the title of this book, also started very well, but everything happened too fast, with too many characters and an unsatisfying conclusion.
Quite unremarkable.
Each story felt like a draft for a possible novel.
Yet, I have not lost hope and I will still rush to the store (or public library) to obtain his books.
The first story, with Jake Brigance, one of my favourite characters created by Grisham, started so well and it was so promising, but then it felt like the author lost direction or ran out of creativity.
The second story, which had everything to be touching or heartbreaking, was very repetitive and the dialogues were a bit cheesy.
The third story, which is the title of this book, also started very well, but everything happened too fast, with too many characters and an unsatisfying conclusion.
Quite unremarkable.
Each story felt like a draft for a possible novel.
Yet, I have not lost hope and I will still rush to the store (or public library) to obtain his books.
February 13, 2023
John Grisham is masterful and Sparring Partners doesn't disappoint. What is unique about this book is that it is three short stories.
All three stories are fast-paced, page-turning thrillers that can't be put down.
The first story, Homecoming, is about Jake Brigance, an attorney that is in other Grisham books. Jake is asked to help an attorney who fled the country after illegally taking some settlement money.
Strawberry Moon, the second story, is about an inmate on Death Row on his last day before his execution.
The third story, Sparring Partners, is about two brothers who are running their father's law firm. Their father is in prison for killing their mother.
Highly recommend!
All three stories are fast-paced, page-turning thrillers that can't be put down.
The first story, Homecoming, is about Jake Brigance, an attorney that is in other Grisham books. Jake is asked to help an attorney who fled the country after illegally taking some settlement money.
Strawberry Moon, the second story, is about an inmate on Death Row on his last day before his execution.
The third story, Sparring Partners, is about two brothers who are running their father's law firm. Their father is in prison for killing their mother.
Highly recommend!
August 19, 2023
A collection of three short stories/or novellas.
I had the book and the audio, but was super disappointed. So much so, that I didn't even bother to read the last story. I made it to 60% and didn't feel like wasting any more reading time.
The first story featured Jake Brigance, who is a character in his series and I've read a few of them. The beginning hooked me, but nothing much happened and the ending felt unfinished. 🤷♀️
The second one wasn't better.
Grisham has written some of my favorite novels (FIVE star), but he is also hit and miss for me.
Library loan/ published May 31, 2022
I had the book and the audio, but was super disappointed. So much so, that I didn't even bother to read the last story. I made it to 60% and didn't feel like wasting any more reading time.
The first story featured Jake Brigance, who is a character in his series and I've read a few of them. The beginning hooked me, but nothing much happened and the ending felt unfinished. 🤷♀️
The second one wasn't better.
Grisham has written some of my favorite novels (FIVE star), but he is also hit and miss for me.
Library loan/ published May 31, 2022
June 1, 2022
Update 5/31/22: Reposting my review to celebrate that today is publication day!
Sparring Partners is John Grisham’s first collection of novellas. The best of the three, also the shortest one, is the middle one, “Strawberry Moon,” which follows a Death Row inmate named Cody Wallace over the final three hours before his execution. Much of the story revolves around a visit from the elderly woman who has been sending him hundreds of old paperback books over the years. It’s a sad story, subtle in its critique of imposing the death penalty on for crimes committed by minors (that kind of subtlety is not common for Mr. Grisham). “Strawberry Moon” is all about regret, and it’s a good little story. 4 stars.
The first story is “Homecoming,” set in Ford County and featuring Jake Brigance. But it’s really about a former lawyer named Mack Stafford who years ago stole a windfall settlement from his clients and disappeared, leaving his family behind. Now, a few years later, Mack reaches out because he’d like to return home, if the people he wronged will let him. The story is a very slow burn and really never goes anywhere. But Mack’s attempt to reconcile with his older daughter is poignant, and it’s always fun catching up with Jake and Harry Rex Vonner. 3 stars.
The final story is “Sparring Partners,” and it’s a story about two brothers who hate each other but have to work together at the law firm they inherited when their father went to jail for killing their mother. There are about five characters and each is more crooked than the last, including the protagonist Diantha Bradshaw, who’s purportedly the heroine but is actually as flawed and criminal as the rest of them. 3 stars.
The three stories in Sparring Partners aren’t terrible, but they certainly aren’t “three of the greatest stories John Grisham has ever told.” “Sparring Partners” feels like a true novella, it’s just populated with such unlikable characters that I didn’t enjoy it very much. The other two feel like B-plots that Mr. Grisham couldn’t figure out how to weave into one of his novels. “Strawberry Moon” would have been great in one his other novels about Death Row, and “Homecoming” could have been in either of his more recent Ford County novels. Recommended for Grisham fans, but not the place to start for new readers.
Jake took it to be polite. In lieu of cash fees, he had been paid with watermelons, fresh venison, firewood, repairs to his cars, and more bartered goods and services than he cared to remember. His best lawyer buddy, Harry Rex Vonner, had once taken a John Deere mower as a fee, though it soon broke down. Another lawyer, one who was no longer practicing, had taken sexual favors from a divorce client. When he lost the case, she filed an ethics complaint alleging “substandard performance.”Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for sending me an ARC of Sparring Partners in exchange for an honest review.
Sparring Partners is John Grisham’s first collection of novellas. The best of the three, also the shortest one, is the middle one, “Strawberry Moon,” which follows a Death Row inmate named Cody Wallace over the final three hours before his execution. Much of the story revolves around a visit from the elderly woman who has been sending him hundreds of old paperback books over the years. It’s a sad story, subtle in its critique of imposing the death penalty on for crimes committed by minors (that kind of subtlety is not common for Mr. Grisham). “Strawberry Moon” is all about regret, and it’s a good little story. 4 stars.
The first story is “Homecoming,” set in Ford County and featuring Jake Brigance. But it’s really about a former lawyer named Mack Stafford who years ago stole a windfall settlement from his clients and disappeared, leaving his family behind. Now, a few years later, Mack reaches out because he’d like to return home, if the people he wronged will let him. The story is a very slow burn and really never goes anywhere. But Mack’s attempt to reconcile with his older daughter is poignant, and it’s always fun catching up with Jake and Harry Rex Vonner. 3 stars.
The final story is “Sparring Partners,” and it’s a story about two brothers who hate each other but have to work together at the law firm they inherited when their father went to jail for killing their mother. There are about five characters and each is more crooked than the last, including the protagonist Diantha Bradshaw, who’s purportedly the heroine but is actually as flawed and criminal as the rest of them. 3 stars.
The three stories in Sparring Partners aren’t terrible, but they certainly aren’t “three of the greatest stories John Grisham has ever told.” “Sparring Partners” feels like a true novella, it’s just populated with such unlikable characters that I didn’t enjoy it very much. The other two feel like B-plots that Mr. Grisham couldn’t figure out how to weave into one of his novels. “Strawberry Moon” would have been great in one his other novels about Death Row, and “Homecoming” could have been in either of his more recent Ford County novels. Recommended for Grisham fans, but not the place to start for new readers.
May 25, 2022
This is classic Grisham with three novellas taking us back into familiar territory in multiple ways. "Homecoming" stars our old friend Jake and the dilemma of a lawyer on the lam. "Strawberry Moon" takes us back to Death Row at Parchman and we spend the last day with an inmate who has lined his cell with nearly 2,000 paperback novels. Loved his many book references and the visit with the sweet little lady who helped him build that collection. Finally, a family feud in St. Louis (Hello, to my home state of Missouri.) is the focus of the final chapter--"Sparring Partners." Something happens with a Speckled King Snake that I hope NEVER EVER happens to me. Eeek! Totally enjoyed this collection and I hope you do as well.
Many thanks to Doubleday and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to Doubleday and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2022
This book is a compilation of three Grisham novellas.
Unfortunately, John Grisham went "0 for 3" with this reader.
I listened to the full-cast audiobook and all of the narrators did an outstanding job.
It was Grisham's storylines that did not resonate with me.
Full disclosure: I am a fan of Grisham's earlier novels but not his most recent ones.
Perhaps my tastes have changed but I miss the "old" Grisham.
Unfortunately, John Grisham went "0 for 3" with this reader.
I listened to the full-cast audiobook and all of the narrators did an outstanding job.
It was Grisham's storylines that did not resonate with me.
Full disclosure: I am a fan of Grisham's earlier novels but not his most recent ones.
Perhaps my tastes have changed but I miss the "old" Grisham.
April 23, 2022
Having written a positive review of 'Sooley' Grisham's most recent book, I was contacted by Doubleday offering a 'bound, pre-release galley" in exchange for use of it. Flattered, I was eager to read it once it arrived.
Broken into three novellas, the first one brings Jake Brigance back in "Homecoming"; unfortunately it was disappointing due to predictability and lackluster characters. Rather than belabor the topic and fill in the details, suffice it to say it falls short of 'A Time To Kill', the best of all stories involving Jake.
Moving to the next one, its a feeble attempt at "Just Mercy" with a death row convict on edge as his execution nears. Hail Mary passes by his attorney and efforts for re-trials and pardons fail. Once again, it was predictable from start to finish.
And now the good news!
In the final story, its hard not to think that Grisham pulled the plot from Trump and his henchmen who as you know were all pardoned.
With this story we meet the imprisoned father of a successful family law firm who was convicted of involvement with the death of his wife. While in prison, his two disjointed sons do their best to win litigation trials and both lack the devious nature of Dad. Hatred for one another increases over time until they learn of their father's scheme. Having kept a tobacco case settlement secret from them, he'd funneled the annual $3M to offshore accounts. Eager to get out of prison, he contrives yet another scheme and shares it with the firm's disgruntled manager. It's the old 'little does he know' thing that catches him.
All in all its not a complete failure since Grisham is a master of pacing, suspense and the legal arena. That said, I honestly cannot recommend this unless you're one of the millions of Grisham fans. I found 'Sooley' far more to my liking due to it NOT being another legal thriller.
Broken into three novellas, the first one brings Jake Brigance back in "Homecoming"; unfortunately it was disappointing due to predictability and lackluster characters. Rather than belabor the topic and fill in the details, suffice it to say it falls short of 'A Time To Kill', the best of all stories involving Jake.
Moving to the next one, its a feeble attempt at "Just Mercy" with a death row convict on edge as his execution nears. Hail Mary passes by his attorney and efforts for re-trials and pardons fail. Once again, it was predictable from start to finish.
And now the good news!
In the final story, its hard not to think that Grisham pulled the plot from Trump and his henchmen who as you know were all pardoned.
With this story we meet the imprisoned father of a successful family law firm who was convicted of involvement with the death of his wife. While in prison, his two disjointed sons do their best to win litigation trials and both lack the devious nature of Dad. Hatred for one another increases over time until they learn of their father's scheme. Having kept a tobacco case settlement secret from them, he'd funneled the annual $3M to offshore accounts. Eager to get out of prison, he contrives yet another scheme and shares it with the firm's disgruntled manager. It's the old 'little does he know' thing that catches him.
All in all its not a complete failure since Grisham is a master of pacing, suspense and the legal arena. That said, I honestly cannot recommend this unless you're one of the millions of Grisham fans. I found 'Sooley' far more to my liking due to it NOT being another legal thriller.
June 15, 2022
Three short stories are the basis of Sparring Partners, the latest John Grisham novel. The first novella is a Jake Brigance tale where he assists a former fellow attorney from Ford County who disappeared three years earlier. Next is a heartfelt story of a young man on death row, hours before his execution. Finally, the saga of two brothers, young lawyers trying to save their controlling father’s law firm, yet they can't stand each other. A typical collection, reflecting John Grisham’s inevitable narrative style and a thoroughly enjoyable read with a five star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
June 4, 2022
Not one of Grisham's best, by a long shot. Save your money!
Three novellas: nice character development, but in the end, really didn't go anywhere.
Finished the book very disappointed there was no resolution. Maybe in one or more future books? Any way, after I read the three, frankly I felt that I had wasted my time.
Three novellas: nice character development, but in the end, really didn't go anywhere.
Finished the book very disappointed there was no resolution. Maybe in one or more future books? Any way, after I read the three, frankly I felt that I had wasted my time.
June 27, 2022
3 novellas with the last one and title best. 8 of 10 stars
June 11, 2022
3 short stories from the master of the legal thriller John Grisham - you don't have to ask me twice! Sparring Partners is a fantastic collection of stories from one of my favourite writers.
First we have Homecoming which brings back a fan favourite character in Jake Brigance. An old friend asks for help to return home to see his family without being caught by the law. 3 years ago he left them behind and stole money from clients. We see Jake at his best, doing everything that he can for his mate.
The second story, Strawberry Moon made me cry. This is the shortest of the 3 and the most powerful one in my opinion. This is the story of a 29 year old man on death row. We meet him 3 hours before is impending death. The clock is ticking - can his lawyer produce a last minute miracle?
The final tale is The Sparring Partners. Brothers Kirk and Rusty Malloy who run their fathers law firm while he is is behind bars. The brothers do not get along and use Dianatha Bradshaw as their go-between. The firm is losing money and they come up with a plan to save it - but can they work together?
Legal thriller fans will really enjoy these 3 very different stories. As always with Grisham, we have strong characters and stories that you will get attached to even though they are short.
Thanks to Hachette Australia for sending me an advanced copy to read, Always a delight to read this author.
First we have Homecoming which brings back a fan favourite character in Jake Brigance. An old friend asks for help to return home to see his family without being caught by the law. 3 years ago he left them behind and stole money from clients. We see Jake at his best, doing everything that he can for his mate.
The second story, Strawberry Moon made me cry. This is the shortest of the 3 and the most powerful one in my opinion. This is the story of a 29 year old man on death row. We meet him 3 hours before is impending death. The clock is ticking - can his lawyer produce a last minute miracle?
The final tale is The Sparring Partners. Brothers Kirk and Rusty Malloy who run their fathers law firm while he is is behind bars. The brothers do not get along and use Dianatha Bradshaw as their go-between. The firm is losing money and they come up with a plan to save it - but can they work together?
Legal thriller fans will really enjoy these 3 very different stories. As always with Grisham, we have strong characters and stories that you will get attached to even though they are short.
Thanks to Hachette Australia for sending me an advanced copy to read, Always a delight to read this author.
June 14, 2022
2.5 *s I almost always enjoy reading Grisham
I didn't realize this book was considered to be 3 novellas, IMO, they were not. The first two were ideas for a short story, novel, or novella that just seemed to drift away. The second of these two, IMO, was just unrealistic in character and dialogue; so many parts just didn't seem to hang together at all. The third was pretty interesting
I didn't realize this book was considered to be 3 novellas, IMO, they were not. The first two were ideas for a short story, novel, or novella that just seemed to drift away. The second of these two, IMO, was just unrealistic in character and dialogue; so many parts just didn't seem to hang together at all. The third was pretty interesting
October 2, 2022
This is a collection of three novellas. Needless to say, considering the author, they are all well-written. I enjoyed all three of the novellas; but I think that the second one “Strawberry Moon” was the most interesting particularly the scene between Cody and the retired Nebraska school teacher. Cody was fourteen when he was arrested and sentence to death. He spent fifteen years on death row. The teacher sent him paperback books (the only ones allowed by the prison) every month then Cody would write her about the book. I found the conversation between them on the day of his execution fascinating. He could barely read when arrested and on day of death he was a well-read articulate young man with a great vocabulary. I was intrigued at the choice of books she sent him and which ones he liked best and read many times. He only wanted fiction. This was an enjoyable fast reading book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book was eight hours and fifty-seven minutes. There were three narrators: Jeff Daniels, Ethan Hawke, and January LaVoy with a brief overview of each book by John Grisham.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book was eight hours and fifty-seven minutes. There were three narrators: Jeff Daniels, Ethan Hawke, and January LaVoy with a brief overview of each book by John Grisham.
May 22, 2022
Really good!
July 3, 2022
3 novellas written while John Grisham was sheltering at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Or did he have COVID? In his own review he says "I wrote them for several reasons one of which is I’m still stuck at home with COVID and can’t do anything else".
Homecoming: A return to Ford County and Jake Brigance. In this story Mack Stafford, a former lawyer who had divorced his wife; declared bankruptcy; closed his practice and was rumored to have taken clients’ money wants to return to Clanton, Mississippi. He reaches out to Jake through intermediaries. He wants to reconnect with his wife who is terminally ill with cancer and with his daughters. Three years have passed and it is not that simple. This was a so-so read with a couple of familiar characters. Namely Jake and Harry Rex. The ending was disappointing.
Strawberry Moon: This story revolves around 29-year-old Cody Wallace who is on death row and is hours away from his scheduled execution. Cody was fourteen when he and his brother broke into a house. During the home invasion his brother and the home owners were killed. A horrible and senseless crime but as you read the story you can't but help to feel some sympathy for Cody who was fourteen at the time of the crime. Appeals and requests for clemency have been denied and now the inevitable is a matter of hours away. This was a thought provoking read and leaves the reader wondering about the justification for capital punishment.
Sparring Partners: The third novella centers around the St. Louis law firm of Malloy & Malloy run by brothers Rusty and Kirk. The brothers barely speak to each other. They have their own wings in the law firm. In the middle is Diantha Bradshaw who they use to communicate and keep tabs on the what the other brother is doing. The firm was founded by their father who is incarcerated for manslaughter and disbarred. Now Malloy & Malloy is in a downward spiral. The father continues to manipulate from behind bars. Rusty and Kirk and even Diantha are concerned with the survival of the firm but each of them is motivated by self-interest and an attempt to grab a larger slice of the pie from a settlement that Malloy Sr negotiated and has managed to hide with the help of his accountant.
Homecoming: A return to Ford County and Jake Brigance. In this story Mack Stafford, a former lawyer who had divorced his wife; declared bankruptcy; closed his practice and was rumored to have taken clients’ money wants to return to Clanton, Mississippi. He reaches out to Jake through intermediaries. He wants to reconnect with his wife who is terminally ill with cancer and with his daughters. Three years have passed and it is not that simple. This was a so-so read with a couple of familiar characters. Namely Jake and Harry Rex. The ending was disappointing.
Strawberry Moon: This story revolves around 29-year-old Cody Wallace who is on death row and is hours away from his scheduled execution. Cody was fourteen when he and his brother broke into a house. During the home invasion his brother and the home owners were killed. A horrible and senseless crime but as you read the story you can't but help to feel some sympathy for Cody who was fourteen at the time of the crime. Appeals and requests for clemency have been denied and now the inevitable is a matter of hours away. This was a thought provoking read and leaves the reader wondering about the justification for capital punishment.
Sparring Partners: The third novella centers around the St. Louis law firm of Malloy & Malloy run by brothers Rusty and Kirk. The brothers barely speak to each other. They have their own wings in the law firm. In the middle is Diantha Bradshaw who they use to communicate and keep tabs on the what the other brother is doing. The firm was founded by their father who is incarcerated for manslaughter and disbarred. Now Malloy & Malloy is in a downward spiral. The father continues to manipulate from behind bars. Rusty and Kirk and even Diantha are concerned with the survival of the firm but each of them is motivated by self-interest and an attempt to grab a larger slice of the pie from a settlement that Malloy Sr negotiated and has managed to hide with the help of his accountant.
June 8, 2022
I was not really aware that this book was actually three separate stories. Each story had some merit but they seemed unfinished to me. I am a Grisham fan but I was disappointed by this book.
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June 7, 2022Sparring Partners, Grisham's latest publication, is a set of three stories that the author found to be too short for a full fledged novel, yet too long for a novella.
Homecoming brings us back to Ford County and Jake Brigance. A fellow lawyer, Mack Stafford, contacts Jake out of the blue. Being gone several years after stealing a client's money, leaving his family and escaping the country, he decides it’s time to return and answer for his sins. Or does he?
Strawberry Moon is the story of a young man, Cody Wallace, on death row and just hours away from his execution.
Finally, there is Sparring Partners, where we meet the brothers Rusty and Kirk Malloy, who jointly run their family's law business after their father goes to prison for manslaughter. They can’t stand one another and are as opposite as two brothers can be. The only person either of the brothers trusts is Diantha. Will she be able to reunite them and save the firm from financial ruin?
All three stories are engaging as only Grisham can make them. The audiobook includes narration from Jeff Daniels and Ethan Hawke, among others, and they do a fantastic job. Although they are short stories, I found myself wanting to hear more about the characters, there is some room available for advanced storytelling by Grisham if he ever wishes to revisit them in the future. This is a quick listen and is well worth the time spent as with all his novels.
--Pamela B.
Homecoming brings us back to Ford County and Jake Brigance. A fellow lawyer, Mack Stafford, contacts Jake out of the blue. Being gone several years after stealing a client's money, leaving his family and escaping the country, he decides it’s time to return and answer for his sins. Or does he?
Strawberry Moon is the story of a young man, Cody Wallace, on death row and just hours away from his execution.
Finally, there is Sparring Partners, where we meet the brothers Rusty and Kirk Malloy, who jointly run their family's law business after their father goes to prison for manslaughter. They can’t stand one another and are as opposite as two brothers can be. The only person either of the brothers trusts is Diantha. Will she be able to reunite them and save the firm from financial ruin?
All three stories are engaging as only Grisham can make them. The audiobook includes narration from Jeff Daniels and Ethan Hawke, among others, and they do a fantastic job. Although they are short stories, I found myself wanting to hear more about the characters, there is some room available for advanced storytelling by Grisham if he ever wishes to revisit them in the future. This is a quick listen and is well worth the time spent as with all his novels.
--Pamela B.
September 23, 2022
A collection of three novellas, all in Grisham’s usual oeuvre.
1. Homecoming
This is the new Jake Brigance novella and the reason I (like a lot of other people, I would guess) bought the book. Surprisingly, while I did enjoy it, it was my least favourite story in the book. 3.5 stars
2. Strawberry Moon
The shortest of the three novellas but undoubtedly the best. Really moving stuff. I can’t shake the feeling I’ve read it before, though, which is odd as I think it’s brand new. 5 stars
3. Sparring Partners
The story that gives the book its name, this is a solid slice of Grisham, featuring legal and political corruption. Slightly flat ending, would be my only small criticism. 4 stars
1. Homecoming
This is the new Jake Brigance novella and the reason I (like a lot of other people, I would guess) bought the book. Surprisingly, while I did enjoy it, it was my least favourite story in the book. 3.5 stars
2. Strawberry Moon
The shortest of the three novellas but undoubtedly the best. Really moving stuff. I can’t shake the feeling I’ve read it before, though, which is odd as I think it’s brand new. 5 stars
3. Sparring Partners
The story that gives the book its name, this is a solid slice of Grisham, featuring legal and political corruption. Slightly flat ending, would be my only small criticism. 4 stars
July 22, 2022
I have read some excellent John Grisham novels with the three previous books in this series among them. This one however is a collection of novellas which although are well written and have good characters they failed to completely blow me away. I enjoyed the read I just didn’t love it.
Three short stories starting with ‘Homecoming’ featuring the excellent character Jake Brigance. This time he is not in the courtroom but called on to help a former lawyer and friend Mack Stafford. Mack became a local legend when he stole money from his clients, divorced his wife, filed for bankruptcy, and left his family in the middle of the night, never to be heard from again. That is until now. Mack is back on the scene and is looking for help from his old friends but his homecoming doesn’t go to plan.
In the second story “Strawberry Moon,” a young man on death row named Cody Wallace is to be executed in three hours time. His lawyers have tried everything to save him and the governor has denied any last minute pleas for clemency. With the minutes ticking away Cody has one final request.
The final story is probably the strongest of the three. Kirk and Rusty Malloy are two successful lawyers who inherited the family firm when their father was sent to prison. “Sparring Partners” There is bad blood with the two brothers who rarely speak other than when necessary. With the firm struggling they are forced to use Diantha Bradshaw the only person both brothers trust to operate as a go between. But will Diantha help the brothers save the firm.
The problem for me was just as I started to get into each story it was suddenly all over. I much prefer John Grisham full length novels.
Three short stories starting with ‘Homecoming’ featuring the excellent character Jake Brigance. This time he is not in the courtroom but called on to help a former lawyer and friend Mack Stafford. Mack became a local legend when he stole money from his clients, divorced his wife, filed for bankruptcy, and left his family in the middle of the night, never to be heard from again. That is until now. Mack is back on the scene and is looking for help from his old friends but his homecoming doesn’t go to plan.
In the second story “Strawberry Moon,” a young man on death row named Cody Wallace is to be executed in three hours time. His lawyers have tried everything to save him and the governor has denied any last minute pleas for clemency. With the minutes ticking away Cody has one final request.
The final story is probably the strongest of the three. Kirk and Rusty Malloy are two successful lawyers who inherited the family firm when their father was sent to prison. “Sparring Partners” There is bad blood with the two brothers who rarely speak other than when necessary. With the firm struggling they are forced to use Diantha Bradshaw the only person both brothers trust to operate as a go between. But will Diantha help the brothers save the firm.
The problem for me was just as I started to get into each story it was suddenly all over. I much prefer John Grisham full length novels.
May 1, 2022
I've been a Grisham fan for a long time and have read quite a number of his books ( but not all of them!). So I was very pleased to get a bound galley of Grisham's latest book ( to be published in May 2022). The book consists of three novellas, each one different but, of course, all dealing with legal cases.
The first one is "Homecoming," which places us back in Clanton, Mississippi, with Jake Brigance, the lawyer in "A Time to Kill." The story is about an old friend of Jake's, Mack Stafford, who had disappeared, abandoning his family and his law practice. Now, he wants to come back and he needs Jake and Harry Rex ( his actual lawyer) to help him... 3 stars for this one and no more than that mainly because I wanted more Jake! But good to see Jake again.
"Strawberry Moon," the second story, features Cody Wallace, a young man on death row only hours away from execution. A powerful story--as I expected it to be--and I give it 4 or 4.5 stars.
The third story, "Sparring Partners," is the longest novella and could easily have been developed into a novel. The story concerns the Malloy brothers, Kirk and Rusty, who inherit the law firm (in St. Louis) when the founder, their father, is sent to prison. The two brothers are the "sparring partners" of the title as they hate each other and refuse to even speak with each other. Meanwhile, the father tries to manipulate things from inside the prison...The story engaged me completely and kept me guessing where it was going-- and is my favorite of the three novellas of the book. Easily a 4.5.
Definitely a book for Grisham fans and possibly a good way to be introduced to Grisham if you haven't yet read anything by the author!
Thanks to Goodreads for the bound galley that I received.
The first one is "Homecoming," which places us back in Clanton, Mississippi, with Jake Brigance, the lawyer in "A Time to Kill." The story is about an old friend of Jake's, Mack Stafford, who had disappeared, abandoning his family and his law practice. Now, he wants to come back and he needs Jake and Harry Rex ( his actual lawyer) to help him... 3 stars for this one and no more than that mainly because I wanted more Jake! But good to see Jake again.
"Strawberry Moon," the second story, features Cody Wallace, a young man on death row only hours away from execution. A powerful story--as I expected it to be--and I give it 4 or 4.5 stars.
The third story, "Sparring Partners," is the longest novella and could easily have been developed into a novel. The story concerns the Malloy brothers, Kirk and Rusty, who inherit the law firm (in St. Louis) when the founder, their father, is sent to prison. The two brothers are the "sparring partners" of the title as they hate each other and refuse to even speak with each other. Meanwhile, the father tries to manipulate things from inside the prison...The story engaged me completely and kept me guessing where it was going-- and is my favorite of the three novellas of the book. Easily a 4.5.
Definitely a book for Grisham fans and possibly a good way to be introduced to Grisham if you haven't yet read anything by the author!
Thanks to Goodreads for the bound galley that I received.
October 16, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sparring Partners was an excellent read, I have enjoyed everyone of the Jack Brigance series. John Grisham definitely knows how to do his research and continue to write compelling stories.
Sparring Partners was an excellent read, I have enjoyed everyone of the Jack Brigance series. John Grisham definitely knows how to do his research and continue to write compelling stories.
February 1, 2023
John Grisham is back with three stellar novellas sure to impress those who have enjoyed his stories for years! Using his knowledge of the law and superior writing skills, Grisham offers up these stories to entertain and educate the curious reader. Told from three completely different perspectives and involving a varied cast, Grisham can appeal to all readers with this collection. In one, a series is advanced, while the other two are standalone stories. Wonderful writing and a dry southern sense of humour shine through in this collection, sure to impress most Grisham fans.
Homecoming transports the reader to Ford County, where Grisham has set some of his best novels to date. Jake Brigance, once a young and naive lawyer, has settled and made quite a name for himself. While Brigance has a great courtroom personality, in this piece he is in his law office when he receives a cryptic letter from a friend and fellow lawyer. Mack Stafford was once the talk of Clanton, Mississippi when he stole large sums of his clients’ money and disappeared. Having divorced his wife and disappeared, he’s now ready to come back, just as Lisa is about to die from cancer. While Brigance does not want to get in the middle of things, he is happy to facilitate Mack’s return to town. What was supposed to be a heartfelt reunion with his family and the ability to settle some disputes goes awry and Mack Stafford’s return is anything but joyous!
Strawberry Moon is a great story about a young death row inmate, Cody Wallace, living the final hours before his execution. The law has let him down and the politicians have all but given up on him. He can see the end and wants to put his 29 year life in order. When he makes one final request, it is a little out of the ordinary, but he is adamant that it is the last thing he wants before he can no longer feel or see anything of an earthly nature.
Sparring Partners introduces the reader to the Malloy brothers, Kirk and Rusty. They are sharp lawyers in the St. Louis community and have been managing the family firm since their father was sent to prison. While the Malloy brothers despise one another, they must come together to stop the complete disintegration of their firm. Unable to fully trust one another, they turn to Diantha Bradshaw, who knows all the skeletons in the firm’s closets. While she is willing to help, Diantha may not be enough to keep the Malloys afloat.
This is a great collection of novellas by John Grisham that not only show his writing ability, but also the varied perspectives the law has to offer. Anyone familiar with Grisham’s work will know it is legally vast and usually pulls characters out from their comfort zones at every turn. Grisham’s strong narrative flow and keen attention to detail provide the reader with a fabulous experience as they flip pages. Great to read as a collection or individual pieces when time permits, these are novellas perfect for any occasion. I can only hope that it will pique the interest of readers who may not be familiar with the work of John Grisham and keep them coming back for more!
Kudos, Mr. Grisham, for a wonderful and vastly different collection of stories in this book.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Homecoming transports the reader to Ford County, where Grisham has set some of his best novels to date. Jake Brigance, once a young and naive lawyer, has settled and made quite a name for himself. While Brigance has a great courtroom personality, in this piece he is in his law office when he receives a cryptic letter from a friend and fellow lawyer. Mack Stafford was once the talk of Clanton, Mississippi when he stole large sums of his clients’ money and disappeared. Having divorced his wife and disappeared, he’s now ready to come back, just as Lisa is about to die from cancer. While Brigance does not want to get in the middle of things, he is happy to facilitate Mack’s return to town. What was supposed to be a heartfelt reunion with his family and the ability to settle some disputes goes awry and Mack Stafford’s return is anything but joyous!
Strawberry Moon is a great story about a young death row inmate, Cody Wallace, living the final hours before his execution. The law has let him down and the politicians have all but given up on him. He can see the end and wants to put his 29 year life in order. When he makes one final request, it is a little out of the ordinary, but he is adamant that it is the last thing he wants before he can no longer feel or see anything of an earthly nature.
Sparring Partners introduces the reader to the Malloy brothers, Kirk and Rusty. They are sharp lawyers in the St. Louis community and have been managing the family firm since their father was sent to prison. While the Malloy brothers despise one another, they must come together to stop the complete disintegration of their firm. Unable to fully trust one another, they turn to Diantha Bradshaw, who knows all the skeletons in the firm’s closets. While she is willing to help, Diantha may not be enough to keep the Malloys afloat.
This is a great collection of novellas by John Grisham that not only show his writing ability, but also the varied perspectives the law has to offer. Anyone familiar with Grisham’s work will know it is legally vast and usually pulls characters out from their comfort zones at every turn. Grisham’s strong narrative flow and keen attention to detail provide the reader with a fabulous experience as they flip pages. Great to read as a collection or individual pieces when time permits, these are novellas perfect for any occasion. I can only hope that it will pique the interest of readers who may not be familiar with the work of John Grisham and keep them coming back for more!
Kudos, Mr. Grisham, for a wonderful and vastly different collection of stories in this book.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 1, 2023
Sparring Partners is a book of three novellas by John Grisham, confirming that he is a master storyteller that will keep one turning the pages. The first novella Homecoming was back in the fictional Ford County with the return of Jake Briggance as he is called upon to help an old friend, Mack Stafford, a former lawyer accused of stealing money from his clients and filing for bankruptcy before his sudden disappearance three years ago. But now Stafford needs the help of Jake Briggance and Harry Rex to begin to make amends. However Stafford's homecoming does not go according to plan making for an intriguing story.
In the second novella, Strawberry Moon, we are introduced to twenty-nine year old Cody Wallace, sentenced to death at age fifteen after an armed robbery gone bad. His time on Death Row is about to come to a conclusion as his execution is scheduled that evening barring some last-minute reprieve that his lawyer was desperately trying to secure to no avail. Cody however has one final request. Having long been an opponent of capital punishment, I found this story heartbreaking as we learn more about the short and tragic life of young Cody. But in his prison cell, he had found solace in his books sent to him by a little old woman from Nebraska. This passage says it all:
The third and final novella is Sparring Partners with the three-generation law firm of Malloy & Malloy in downtown St. Louis. However, the patriarch of the firm Bolton Malloy has been in prison for five years after pleading guilty to the murder of his wife. With another five years to serve in his sentence, his sons are left to running the firm. One problem is that the brothers have an intense dislike for one another to the point that Rusty, a flamboyant trial lawyer, has his offices in one wing while his younger brother Kirk practices estate and tax law in the other wing. With a recent loss of a medical malpractice case and a legal malpractice case looming, the firm is in trouble. Things begin to come to a head as Bolton Malloy is plotting his early release from prison and the firm is on the verge of bankruptcy. As the firm begins to disintegrate, the only person trusted by the "sparring partners" is Diantha Bradshaw to save the firm and how she resolves this dilemma is riveting.
In the second novella, Strawberry Moon, we are introduced to twenty-nine year old Cody Wallace, sentenced to death at age fifteen after an armed robbery gone bad. His time on Death Row is about to come to a conclusion as his execution is scheduled that evening barring some last-minute reprieve that his lawyer was desperately trying to secure to no avail. Cody however has one final request. Having long been an opponent of capital punishment, I found this story heartbreaking as we learn more about the short and tragic life of young Cody. But in his prison cell, he had found solace in his books sent to him by a little old woman from Nebraska. This passage says it all:
"The spines of the paperbacks were a lively mix of all colors and brightened his sad little world. When he took a break from reading, he would often sit on his bunk and stare at the walls, covered from floor to ceiling, as high as he could reach, with a dizzying asemblage of stories that had taken him around the world and back many times."
The third and final novella is Sparring Partners with the three-generation law firm of Malloy & Malloy in downtown St. Louis. However, the patriarch of the firm Bolton Malloy has been in prison for five years after pleading guilty to the murder of his wife. With another five years to serve in his sentence, his sons are left to running the firm. One problem is that the brothers have an intense dislike for one another to the point that Rusty, a flamboyant trial lawyer, has his offices in one wing while his younger brother Kirk practices estate and tax law in the other wing. With a recent loss of a medical malpractice case and a legal malpractice case looming, the firm is in trouble. Things begin to come to a head as Bolton Malloy is plotting his early release from prison and the firm is on the verge of bankruptcy. As the firm begins to disintegrate, the only person trusted by the "sparring partners" is Diantha Bradshaw to save the firm and how she resolves this dilemma is riveting.
July 15, 2022
Although I enjoy Grisham’s writings, I am not a fan of novellas and Sparring Partners is composed of three of them.
Homecoming. The time is 1991, the place is Ford County, the setting of other Grisham works. Attorney Mack Stafford disappeared from the town ofClanton; he declared bankruptcy, divorced his wife, abandoned his family. There was a lot of suspicion that he absconded with ill gotten funds. Three years later, he reaches out to attorney Jake Brigance (a Grisham character readers have met in earlier works) because he wants to return home.
Grisham is a talented storyteller; this story is meh.
Strawberry Moon chronicles the last three hours of a young man on death row about to be executed. When he was 14, he and his brother burgled a house resulting in the homeowners and his brother being killed. As an accomplice, he was sentenced to death. Now 19, he reflects back on his history and his life in solitary.
This was a heartbreaking story.
Sparring Partners chronicles a family law practice. The founder is in jail for murdering his wife; his sons who hate each other are driving the business into the ground. All of their unsavory antics are observed by a long suffering associate.
I thought this the best of the three offerings; well worth a read and I loved the ending!
Homecoming. The time is 1991, the place is Ford County, the setting of other Grisham works. Attorney Mack Stafford disappeared from the town ofClanton; he declared bankruptcy, divorced his wife, abandoned his family. There was a lot of suspicion that he absconded with ill gotten funds. Three years later, he reaches out to attorney Jake Brigance (a Grisham character readers have met in earlier works) because he wants to return home.
Grisham is a talented storyteller; this story is meh.
Strawberry Moon chronicles the last three hours of a young man on death row about to be executed. When he was 14, he and his brother burgled a house resulting in the homeowners and his brother being killed. As an accomplice, he was sentenced to death. Now 19, he reflects back on his history and his life in solitary.
This was a heartbreaking story.
Sparring Partners chronicles a family law practice. The founder is in jail for murdering his wife; his sons who hate each other are driving the business into the ground. All of their unsavory antics are observed by a long suffering associate.
I thought this the best of the three offerings; well worth a read and I loved the ending!
June 2, 2022
2.33 aggregate rating of the 3 stories in this collection. Overall, another subpar effort by Grisham, in a set of stories that likely wouldn’t ever see the light of day but for his name and reputation.
Homecoming (2/5) - The initial premise of this story - the lawyer who takes the money and runs - surrounded with the inclusion of familiar Grisham characters and settings set the stage with promise. But then it’s almost as if he quit in the middle, and it ended.
Strawberry Moon (1/5) - Just more of Grisham’s ongoing anti-death penalty obsession, except with a completely unbelievable character and dialogue
Sparring Partners (4/5) - Not a bad effort here; I will give credit where it’s due. Should have taken this story and broadened it into a novel on its own and left the other two stories behind
Homecoming (2/5) - The initial premise of this story - the lawyer who takes the money and runs - surrounded with the inclusion of familiar Grisham characters and settings set the stage with promise. But then it’s almost as if he quit in the middle, and it ended.
Strawberry Moon (1/5) - Just more of Grisham’s ongoing anti-death penalty obsession, except with a completely unbelievable character and dialogue
Sparring Partners (4/5) - Not a bad effort here; I will give credit where it’s due. Should have taken this story and broadened it into a novel on its own and left the other two stories behind
April 16, 2022
Arghhh! These short stories made me craving for more! Great story lines.
June 5, 2022
Three novellas, very different and John Grisham saved the best for last.
Homecoming had an interesting start and Margot was my favourite in the story . She was brave and she didn't back down easily. She knew what she needed to do in the situation she was in.
Strawberry moon was unique, I loved the premise. John Grisham could do more for Wallace and made him more appealing.
Sparring Partners was the focus point of this book. Two brothers who couldn't get along, were forced to work together. John Grisham could develop this story and made it into a standalone. I just got a glimpse of the story and more could be done with the characters.
3.5 stars, I felt incomplete when I was reading them.
Homecoming had an interesting start and Margot was my favourite in the story . She was brave and she didn't back down easily. She knew what she needed to do in the situation she was in.
Strawberry moon was unique, I loved the premise. John Grisham could do more for Wallace and made him more appealing.
Sparring Partners was the focus point of this book. Two brothers who couldn't get along, were forced to work together. John Grisham could develop this story and made it into a standalone. I just got a glimpse of the story and more could be done with the characters.
3.5 stars, I felt incomplete when I was reading them.
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