Grisham is noted for his legal thrillers. Usually the protagonist is a lawyer, a judge or some other officer of the court. This one is a bit different – the protagonist is a small-town newspaper editor. The legal aspect is due to his coverage of a sensational murder trial in a small Mississippi town. The “last juror” chosen was an elderly black woman with whom he formed a long-term bond – an unusual relationship in the 1960s/1970s Mississippi.
The sensational trial was for Danny Paggett, a young member of the county’s most notorious criminal family. Everyone knew that the family grew and sold marijuana and trafficked in other illegal drugs, including moonshine. But they were wealthy and could buy the cooperation of the county sheriff and got away with everything. Until the rape and murder of a young mother. Everyone was relieved when Danny was charged and convicted, then sent away for life. But they were disappointed that he had not received the death penalty.
Before being sent away he told the jury that he would come back to kill all of them. While disturbing, the threat seemed empty. Until he was pardoned after only 9 years in prison.
Then the murders of the jurors began. Two of the 3 jurors who voted against the death penalty were shot dead by a very skilled sniper. Would the “last juror” – the editor’s close friend – be next? The entire town was on edge, hoping that Danny would be charged and sent back to prison.
Would the sniper be caught? Would it be Danny? That is the mystery in the book. But that mystery doesn’t really develop until late in the narrative – about three quarters of the way through. Most of the book reads like the autobiography of a small-town newspaper editor from the years of the Vietnam War.
Grisham is always entertaining. This is not his best work, but it is a worthwhile read.
7 out of 10.