Rating: 
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable!
Review: The 1970s . . .a small town in the South is the setting for this latest Grisham novel. That, plus the colorful cast of eccentric characters might be dangerously cliched material in any other author's hands, but not in Grisham's. This book is like a cross between "A Painted House" and some of his better known courtroom books. It's actually not so much a "mystery" as it is just a good story, interestingly told. Also recommended: The Firm, Bark of the Dogwood, Capital Crimes
Rating:
Summary: sad it had to end....
Review: This is one of his better books, and I was sad to see it end...it definitely needs a sequel. It has been a while since he wrote a book where you truly cared about the characters. This is a must read for Grisham devotees.
Rating: 
Summary: Mailed It In
Review: While Grisham's description of small town Southern America might make for an interesting read as a New Yorker piece, in this alleged 'mystery' novel, it becomes tedious and a bore. Has anyone born since 1960 not read or heard all of this before ? If the background patronizes us, then the plot insults. Anyone moderately well read mystery reader will call this one about 100 pages before the finish line. Mr. Grisham, take a year off.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant and mature
Review: Grisham has tried his hand at most genres: thrillers, mystery, literary, writings with an obvious legal bent. And it seems that all of his experimentation and soul-searching has finally come to fruition, for THE LAST JUROR is somewhat a combination of all of his styles, settings, and talent. As with all novels set in the South, THE JUROR is full of colorful characters, great atmosphere, tension, and a sense of intrigue. But while the characters are colorful and easily identifiable, they're not cardboard cut-outs--they're real people with depth and feeling. Grisham has always been one of the best writers out there, but this time he's surpased anything done so far. This is a fine book, full of mature writing by one of America's best-known authors. It should not be missed. Also recommended: The Life of Pi, Bark of the Dogwood, The Five People you Meet in Heaven
Rating: 
Summary: Part sociology, part mystery (4.5 stars)
Review: Probably the best part of "The Last Juror" is the author's capture of life in the deep South in 1970: its slowness, the bypassing of modernity, the overindulgence in good bourbon to get through the day, the corrupt political system, the influence of powerful families, the racial divide, etc. But this placid way of life is harshly disrupted when a son, Danny, of the powerful, insulated crime family, the Padgitt's, that has dominated rural Ford county for decades, is accused of rape and murder. It is also the opportunity for the newly arrived Willie Traynor, fresh from dropping out of an "Ivy League"college after five uninspiring years and the surprising new owner (even to him) via his kindly grandmother of the county newspaper in serious decline, to make something of himself. The Ford County Times dramatically increases circulation as it follows the Padgitt affair. The author follows Willie and his ad hoc assemblage of employees and his dealings with courthouse hanger-ons. By far the most interesting part of the book beyond the murder and its fallout is the relationship that Willie developes with the Ruffin family of the Lowdown section of town, especially with the matriarch, Miss Callie. Willie draws strength from the resolve of that family in overcoming the racial barriers of the South in those times. The last chapter of the Padgitt affair begins with the release of Danny after only serving nine years of a life sentence. Everyone's worst fears are realized when a series of what seems to be revenge murders begins. The author brings the threads of Willie's newspaper ownership, the Ruffin family, and the Padgitt situation to an agreeable conclusion.
Rating:
Summary: What a disappointment!
Review: John Grisham should stop churning out a book a year and focus on regaining the skills he had when he wrote A TIME TO KILL. Each "novel" has become progressively less satifying. I barely skimmed the last hundred pages of THE LAST JUROR.That's it for me with Grisham books.
Rating:
Summary: a slice of ham
Review: Much of the first half of THE LAST JUROR(set in the early '70s in Ford County, Grisham's Yoknapatawpha) concerns a murder, and the arrest, trial, and sentencing of one of the members of the local family of criminals with their own private island (every county has one right?). The story is told from the point of view of Willie Traynor, a young northerner who comes into town and buys the struggling local paper for a song, turning it into a fountain of liberalism the Watergate-era Washington post might have trouble keeping up with.
Danny Padgitt, the accused, is sent off to priaon, vowing revenge on the jurors. Much of the second half of the book is devoted to Willie's crusading editorship, opposing Vietnam, exposing political corruption, etc. By the time Padgitt turns up again and people start dying, the town (and the readers) have almost forgotten about him. Instead, we're treated to interminable descriptions of the Southern cooking and homespun wisdom of Miss Callie, a matriarch of the black community whom Willy befriends. The black characters in THE LAST JUROR are one-dimensionally virtuous and could easily be spun off into some sort of Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. More troubling are the female characters, who are either regular churchgoers or slutty, without exception. Susan Sarandon's character from THE CLIENT could have straightened things out in 100 fewer pages.
At least, I thought as I read, THE LAST JUROR lacks the cynicism that pervades Grisham's recent work, but in the end Willie doesn't seem to care about very much, other than the money he might make from selling the paper.
Rating:
Summary: This is, in my opinion, John Grisham's best book
Review: In my (December 17, 2003) review of "Bleachers", I claimed that "I'm mildly anticipating John Grisham's next legitimate novel--"The Last Juror"--due early next year." In that statement, I should've used the word 'greatly' instead of 'mildly', because Grisham's latest legal-thriller was nothing short of spectacular! I've never read one of Grisham's full-length novels in one day, but I did with "The Last Juror." I bought the copy I have Friday evening (Feb. 6), which I began reading Saturday afternoon (12:30 p.m.) and, pretty much in one sitting, after about twelve hours, finished reading Sunday morning (12:30 a.m.). I loved this book; I've never given a 5-star rating as part of any book review I've written, but "The Last Juror" could be Grisham's best work to date. I find that I can't really compare the novel to any of Grisham's previous "legal-thriller" novels; "The Last Juror" seems to be a cut above what he's put out since 1991. The story was compelling, the plot wasn't as formulaic/predictable, the characters were great; and even Grisham's writing style seemed to have improved (more refreshing and not as boring). If there are readers who have given up on Grisham, then ol' John deserves a second chance because of "The Last Juror."
A Must Read!
Rating:
Summary: The Last Juror
Review: Who is the last juror? These characters are ones I couldn't get enough of. This may be John Grisham's finest work to date. The suspense is intense and the setting is another great tribute as with A Time to Kill, set in Mississippi. Don't miss this one. Grisham fans will love it, and if you're new to John Grisham, you will be hooked!
Rating:
Summary: Characters We Can't Get Enough Of
Review: This was a very good book. I purchased the audio version and listened to it as I traveled from Houston to Atlanta. Grisham is a masterful storyteller, but I think we all agree with that. This book is a social commentary on Small Town, USA and gives one vivid images to nibble on. Who among us can't see Clanton, Missippi or these characters? Like another reviewer, Mr. Grisham could do us all a favor by giving Harry Rex, Judge Noose, and Rufus Buckley more page time. However, I, too, was a little perplexed why it was called the The Last Juror. Maybe someone much more analytical than I can answer that. What Grisham does better than almost anyone else is give us characters we love. Willie is likeable and you want him to succeed. Lucien is a shark and you want to hate him. Harry Rex is...Harry Rex. Danny Padget is a murderer and you want him to fry. The Ruffins are a loving family and Willie might as well be considered the ninth Ruffin(Aside a little confused about the Sam story, Could have been tied up more, but I'm splitting hairs here. Gotta find something to gripe about.) Throughout the novel, minor characters float in to give the book substance. They serve their purpose. I am a Grishamite. I don't love all of his books but I love most of his characters. Next to Baldacci, Pelecanos, and Patterson, he is one of the best. Some of the plots are outlandish and over the top, but that's his perogative. To one interested in a very good book, this one is worth a serious look. Great job, Mr. Grisham.
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