Sycamore Row; John Grisham

Sycamore Row; John Grisham

2013 - Random House Audio

 

Some readers are considering this novel a sequel to A Time to Kill, which Grisham wrote some 25 years ago. Although readers will be transported back to Clanton, MS, 1988 and Attorney Jake Brigance, from the Carl Lee Haley trial returns, I didn't really consider it a sequel.

At the heart of this story is Seth Hubbard, an extremely wealthy man who was dying of lung cancer and is found hanging from a "sycamore" tree.  The day before he died, he left a new will, this one hand-written, in which he leaves the bulk of his estate (90%) to his black maid, Lettie Lang (5%) to his church and (5%) to his brother and excluding his two children.  Was Seth mentally sound when he wrote this will, and if so what compelled him to do what he did? 

Of course, with racial tensions still high in Mississippi at this time,  there are plenty of individuals who plan to do everything in their power to make sure the richest woman in Clanton, Mississippi is not a black woman named Lettie Lang.  A lengthy court battle ensues and Jake has plenty at stake.

This Grisham novel was very good and I liked the way the story unfolded. The reader was Michael Beck who did a great job with the narration and listening made for some entertaining commutes. The character development was good, a fair amount of twists and turns along the way to keep me engaged and curious, and best of all an ending that did not disappoint.  

 

Recommended

4/5 stars 

(library audio)