The Runaway Jury - John Grisham

The Runaway Jury

By John Grisham

  • Release Date: 1997-01-27
  • Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 202 Ratings

Description

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Every jury has a leader, and the verdict belongs to them.

They are at the center of a multimillion-dollar legal hurricane: twelve men and women who have been investigated, watched, manipulated, and harassed by high-priced lawyers and consultants who will stop at nothing to secure a verdict. Now the jury must make a decision in the most explosive civil trial of the century, a precedent-setting lawsuit against a giant tobacco company. But only a handful of people know the truth: that this jury has a leader, and the verdict belongs to him.

He is known only as Juror #2. But he has a name, a past, and he has planned his every move with the help of a beautiful woman on the outside. Now, while a corporate empire hangs in the balance, while a grieving family waits, and while lawyers are plunged into a battle for their careers, the truth about Juror #2 is about to explode in a cross fire of greed and corruption—and with justice fighting for its life.

Don’t miss John Grisham’s new book, THE EXCHANGE: AFTER THE FIRM!

Reviews

  • Great Book

    5
    By zoezoebrt
    This kept me entertained and guessing the entire time. As an avid reader, it’s been awhile since a book has caught my attention like this one has.
  • Ladies and gentlemen of the jury....

    4
    By JoeCoolRunnings
    It's been about a year or two since I first read this one. "The Runaway Jury" was the second title by Grisham that I read. (Or was it the first? I don't really remember.) I plead guilty to seeing the film adaptation before ever reading the book. But as in any book-to-film comparison, the book is better. I was so caught up in the detailed build-up from chapter to chapter that I hardly paid Nicholas Easter and Marlee's plan any mind until it came up. And each juror from Lonnie Shaver to Col. Frank Herrera has his or her own personality and part of the story. Not over the top or downplayed like the film. Of course, it was not necessarily Nicholas and Marlee that I focused (and do focus) on. Rather it was, and is, the other two main characters: Rankin Fitch, the slippery jury consultant working for the tobacco company; and Wendell Rohr, the laid-back attorney representing the wife of the deceased. I had always seen Rohr as the good sort while seeing Fitch as the bad sort; but even decent lawyers need to check themselves, or be checked. Thus, Marlee has her eye on both Fitch AND Rohr. One highlight is when the jury gets up and recites the Pledge of Allegiance. That took me back to my early school days (elementary school, that is). The novel looks into each juror's part in the plot, and in Fitch's dirty operation. Sort of an ensemble cast deal. Though fictitious, "The Runaway Jury" shows that the legal system is not flawless--or guiltless. Lawyers on the prosecution and defense tables will do anything to get their verdict; even break various rules under the sun or under the cover of darkness. Come to think of it, this novel makes me distrust lawyers, and gives me pause about jury duty. To a degree. Like Grisham's other novel "The Rainmaker", The Runaway Jury implies that big companies feel they have nothing (or rather, too much) to lose. So they turn to the Rankin Fitches of the world--next to their actual lawyers. By the way, there is one thing that the film did do that the I wish the novel had done: Bring Fitch and Rohr together, in a face-to-face confrontation. That would have made the reading even more enjoyable and worth picking up repeatedly. But that's just my opinion. All in all, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, it is the court's decision to rule in favor of Mr. Grisham. For "The Runaway Jury" he is entitled to four out of five stars. The case will be re-examined (i.e., the book will be read again) any time from now. Thank you, court is adjourned.
  • Terrible

    1
    By Tfhjhdwgc
    One of the worst books I've ever read. Not only does he have terrible grammar, but his writing is just truly awful. Grisham should not be allowed to write books.
  • My Favorite

    5
    By Jay5in
    I have read every Grisham novel and just had to swing by to say this one is still my favorite. I loved loved loved the pledge of allegiance. It still makes me laugh out loud.
  • Deserves an award!!

    5
    By BenjaminSiegel
    This is a great book....honest to god one of his best ones (aren't they all?!). A definite MUST READ!!
  • The Runaway Jury

    5
    By nickswitz
    I finished this book in one day! Grisham kept us wondering until the end if Nicholas and Marlee were going to use their power for good or evil.
  • Runaway Jury

    4
    By i_Phone_101
    Great Read!!
  • Fantastic book!!

    5
    By Wick2009
    This is a really good book, took me a week or so to finish it. I'd really suggest this one if like books you can't stop reading....GREAT BOOK