The Reckoning
October 1946, Clanton, Mississippi.
Pete Banning was Clanton, Mississippi's favorite son--a decorated World War II hero, the patriarch of a prominent family, a farmer, father, neighbor, and a faithful member of the Methodist church. Then one cool October morning he rose early, drove into town, walked into the church, and calmly shot and killed his pastor and friend, the Reverend Dexter Bell. As if the murder weren't shocking enough, it was even more baffling that Pete's only statement about it--to the sheriff, to his lawyers, to the judge, to the jury, and to his family--was: "I have nothing to say."
Pete was not afraid of death and was willing to take his motive to the grave.
John Grisham takes us on an incredible journey, from the Jim Crow South to the jungles of the Philippines during World War II; from an insane asylum filled with secrets to the Clanton courtroom where Pete's defense attorney tries desperately to save him. Reminiscent of the finest tradition of Southern Gothic storytelling, 'The Reckoning' would not be complete without Grisham's signature layers of legal suspense, and he delivers on every page.
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John Grisham
John Grisham’s name is synonymous with legal thrillers that not only captivate but also ignite deeper conversations about justice, morality, and the American legal system. With his storytelling prowess, he has transformed complex legal cases into gripping, page-turning narratives that millions of readers have come to trust and love.
Born in 1955 in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Grisham’s early life was rooted in the small-town South—a setting that would influence much of his later work. After earning his law degree from the University of Mississippi, Grisham practiced law for nearly a decade, focusing on criminal defense and personal injury. It was during these years that he discovered the dramatic possibilities of the legal world, experiences that would lay the foundation for his debut novel, A Time to Kill (1989). Though initially met with lukewarm reception, it ultimately gained the recognition it deserved, particularly after Grisham’s breakout success with The Firm (1991).
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