I grabbed this book before learning that it was one of Grisham’s few non-fiction books. In fact, I didn’t learn that until I started reading it while in Europe on the ATW-2. I don’t often read non-fiction, but I like Grisham so decided to give it a shot. I still am not a big fan of non-fiction but it wasn’t a waste of my time.
This is the true story of the murder of Debra Sue Carter in Ada OK in 1982. The police were baffled but after four years arrested Ron Williamson, a former star athlete who was struggling with physical and mental issues, and Dennis Fritz, a friend of his. They both denied being involved but they were put on trial and, despite the lack of physical evidence linking them to the crime, were convicted and sent to prision – Fritz for life and Williamson to death row.
It took 11 years but both were eventually exonerated and released due to DNA evidence excluding both.
This is a story of how innocent people can be arrested and convicted despite much “reasonable doubt.”
Grisham is a talented writer and he tells the whole story in a very readable way.
But it is non-fiction 5 out of 10.