48 pages 1 hour read

John Grisham

A Time to Kill

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1989

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In John Grisham’s 1988 novel A Time to Kill, attorney Jake Brigance defends Carl Lee Hailey, who avenges his daughter's traumatic assault by killing her attackers, amidst the backdrop of racially charged Mississippi. Sensitive topics such as violence, assault, and racial tensions are central to the story.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

A Time to Kill by John Grisham grapples with morality, justice, and race in a Southern courtroom drama. Reviewers appreciate its intense legal suspense and complex characters. Criticisms include its occasionally stereotypical portrayals and predictability. Despite mixed insights, the novel is widely regarded as a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Time to Kill?

Readers who enjoy legal thrillers with moral dilemmas and social commentary will appreciate John Grisham's A Time to Kill. It appeals to fans of Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent and Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird for its gripping courtroom drama and exploration of racial tensions in the Deep South.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Themes

Relationships: Daughters & Sons

Genre

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction