Rating: 
Summary: Better than most
Review: This book, while not your typical Grisham (what is now that he's changed styles often?), is by far better than most other reads out on the market today. Our book club thinks long and hard before taking on a new book, and the three we've read recently (LITTLE CHILDREN, Jackson Tippett McCrae's THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD, and THE LAST JUROR) are all excellent and worth every cent. No, THE LAST JUROR isn't a page turner, but then it's not supposed to be. If you enjoyed some of Grisham's non-legal book, you'll definitely like this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Where has John Gone??
Review: Don't waste your money buying this book. It plodded along with no plot that I could find. Some reviews made it sound like the old John Grisham but this book failed miserably.
Rating: 
Summary: Another solid Grisham offering
Review: "The Last Juror" is the latest novel out of the Grisham factory of legal thrillers. This one is set back in Ford County, the setting of his first novel "A Time to Kill", but we also see Clanton, which I believe was the town from "The Chamber". I have not been very impressed with Grisham's work when he has strayed away from the legal world, but this novel is a step back in that direction. To be perfectly honest, Grisham puts one foot back into the legal matters that he has made his career on, but his other foot is in the day to day style of story he told in "A Painted House." This was an excellent blend of Grisham's two literary worlds. The setting is 1970's Mississippi. Willie Traynor. Willie is a young reporter for the local newspaper, who, in an interesting set of circumstances, is able to buy the newspaper and become the new owner of the local paper. For perhaps the first time in one of Grisham's legal novels, the protagonist is not someone who is directly connected to the law. The future of the paper does not look good. It was failing quickly (thus Willie was able to purchase the paper), and it doesn't look like Willie has much chance to significantly increase the number of readers...at least not until the brutal rape and murder (committed in front of the victim's children) with the suspect being part of a family with a deservedly poor reputation. Willie begins reporting every aspect of the case and the trial (and does not hide his bias), sales of the paper begins to soar. We are taken through the trial (and years later when what happened becomes an issue again) through the eyes of Willie Traynor. Willie began as an outsider to Clanton, but as time passes he becomes an accepted (if colorful) member of Ford County. I have always liked Grisham's legal books, and this one is no different. While Grisham may never be nominated for the highest literary awards, his books are fast paced and entertaining and fun to read. That's important, to read something that you enjoy, and I have enjoyed nearly ever book Grisham has put out. They are similar and follow a formula, but Grisham is good enough (and is maturing as a writer) that for the brief amount of time that it takes to read his book, we are brought into Grisham's world.
Rating:
Summary: A breath of fresh air
Review: While the on-the-surface synopsis of The Last Juror may indicate it to be just another in a long line of murder mystery and courtroom thriller, it is anything but. And...this is a good thing. While certain elements of the novel tend to be formulaic, there exists, however, a refreshing vibrancy that emanates from the wistful idealism of our hero protagonist Willie Traynor and his anything but unlikable friend and confidant Miss Callie. For Grisham fans, it is a return to the idyllic fictional Mississippi town of Clanton in Ford County set in the 1970s -- last visited in A Time To Kill. Also reprising their roles are the enigmatic divorce lawyer Harry Rex and the slimy and slippery Lucien Wilbanks. What makes this book unique and refreshing is that it is not a mere "legal thriller" recounting a courtroom drama ad nauseam. Told from a callow journalist's point of view, it serves to break the mold of sorts. We are taken along for the bumpy, yet highly enjoyable ride as Willie Traynor opines with admirable conviction in his editorials for his newly acquired Clanton Times on topics ranging from Vietnam, Bargain Center, the Padgitt trial, etc. Traynor's idealism and courage of conviction are contagious and make the book worth reading alone. Grisham's well-placed humor, able characterization, & seemingly effortless insertion of multidimensional supporting characters such as Sam, Lucien, Margaret, & Baggy also add to the story immensely. Good stuff.
Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 Stars...A Bumpy, Memorable Ride
Review: My reaction to Grisham's recent books has been varied. In "The Summons" and "The Brethren", he seemed to have grown bored of his own writing, whereas "A Painted House" and "Skipping Christmas" were attempts at new and great things. "The Last Juror" starts off with a long character sketch, as though Grisham didn't have a better way to kick things off, but then he speeds us into a gripping story. He introduces us to some memorable characters, and, as always, his dialogue and insights into human nature are superlative. We witness a murder and the resulting trial through the eyes of a green newspaper editor. We come to love and despise some of the townspeople. And we wait for the dreaded moment when the murderer gets paroled, vowing revenge on his trial jurors. If Grisham had skipped the whole second part of the book, he would have done nothing to disturb the plot. The book would qualify as a breakneck thriller. Instead, he spends a number of chapters providing a look at small town life in the early 70s. War, racism, and capitalism are tackled--with commendable wisdom, yes--but the story drags. Once we wade through to the third part, the story takes off again. And Grisham adds a believable twist at the end. I put this one down feeling that it was one of his best ever, save the social exposition in the middle section. "The Last Juror" will not be Grisham's last word. Thank heavens!
Rating:
Summary: Grisham¿s Greatest
Review: Using a small Mississippi town during the 1970s as a backdrop, John Grisham renders, what I believe, is his finest novel. Unforgettable characters, traumatic events, unforeseen twists and a life-like conclusion combine to create this fast-paced read. Too many of Grisham's books, in my opinion, conclude with forced endings. It is almost as if the author is worn-out by the plot and his characters so he forces the story into an unreal finish. That is not the case with this book. Set in the south during desegregation, the end of the Viet Nam War and the beginning of suburban and rural sprawl, Grisham characters are believable. They reflect the times in which they live. They live; they die. They enjoy success; they struggle with life's dilemmas. This is not your typical Grisham novel. I, for one, am grateful for that. Novelists should grow with experience. With this book, Grisham leaps from the category of "popular novelist" to "great writer."
Rating: 
Summary: Wandering read
Review: This book is like a donut, it doesn't have a middle. What it does have are the kinds of characters you have come to expect from a Grisham novel set in the south: hard drinking lawyers, corrupt cops and bad guys. The plot is pretty basic. A horrible rape and murder takes place. The bad guy is apprehended and sent away for a couple of years, then he gets out and jury members start dropping over dead. The problem is the ten years in between. Grisham fills this void with his social commentary on the Vietnam War, race relations and the rest. Willie, the main character and accidental newspaper editor comes of age during the time. The story moves along like a rudderless ship on a calm sea. Most of us buy his books hoping to read another Rainmaker or the Firm or the Testament. This book was probably an effort to write. It certainly was an effort to read.
Rating:
Summary: A Delightful Novel
Review: Fans of John Grisham will surely like his newest novel, The Last Juror. It takes place in Ford County, Mississippi, the fictional county John Grisham has so wonderfully created. What was so delightful about this book, was how it portrayed small town America. Mr. Grisham has so vividly detailed Ford County, that after reading this book I felt like I had been there. This book will, of course, please those seeking a legal thriller. It was a quick read, that I had trouble putting down.
Rating:
Summary: 3 1/2 Stars -- Worth Reading But Not What I Expected!
Review: I had anticipated that The Last Juror was going to be like what I found many of Grisham's other books to be -- a suspenseful, legal thriller. The Last Juor is none of these things. It is not suspenseful and it is not thrilling. What it is, however, is one of Grisham's best books from a more literary standpoint. The Last Juror is primarily about what life in a small town in Mississippi was like during the 1970s told from the perspective of the new owner of the local newspaper, 23-year old Willie Traynor. Grisham covers important events from that time period, including religion, racism, segregation, economic concerns and the Vietnam war. Based on the description in the jacket cover about a rape/murder and the fact that the story takes place in the same town (Clanton) as his first, and excellent, book, A Time To Kill, I expected The Last Juror to be one of his better legal thrillers. Despite my not getting what I expected, I enjoyed Grisham's latest book, and found he's grown considerably in his ability to convey warmth and sentiment and to create strong, true-to-life, multi-dimensional characters. If you can overcome the fact that this is not the typical Grisham legal thriller, I think you will enjoy The Last Juror. If, however, you won't be satisfied without the usual amount of suspense, action and surprises on which Grisham has built his enormous reputation, then you should avoid this book. The Last Juror is not Grisham's best book by far, but it is worth reading. If you decide to read this book, I hope you enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Grisham Abandons Success Formula - Again
Review: Normally, I can not put a Grisham book down. The Firm, The Client, The Street Lawyer, The King of Torts all have that fast paced excitement we expect from a Grisham legal thriller. Such is not the case with The Last Juror. Although there are some interesting parts, this book reads much more slowly and lacks the excitement of most Grisham novels. The Last Juror is much more about life in a small southern town than it is a suspense novel. If you liked The Painted House then you will probably like this book too (I didn't like The Painted House at all). Just don't expect it to be a legal thriller.
| 
