The characters are really well drawn. Jake is extremely likable, principled and the kind of lawyer you'd want in your corner. I also quite enjoy the other supporting legal players - drunken, but canny Lucien Wilbanks, the pronouncements of Harry Rex and the astuteness of Sheriff Ozzie Walls. Before and during the trial a big question in everyone's mind (both the characters and the reader) is 'why did Seth do this'? Eventually, this question does seem to be answered. Still, I kept thinking 'Seth could just have given Lettie the money before he committed suicide and saved everyone a lot of bother.' Why he didn't do this is never satisfactorily answered (for me, anyway). And now comes “A Time for Mercy.” You get the feeling that Grisham, who has written several dozen books by now, has returned to the place closest to his heart. Thirty-one years have passed in the real world since we were first in Clanton, but only five in its fictional life. What happens in a time for mercy?

A disbarred layer in Clanton. Older and alcoholic, he offers advice to Jake Brigance on the murder case in “A Time to Kill.” He used to be the number one attorney in town. Is a time for mercy a true story?

Had there been an instant of doubt, of second-guessing? When his feet left the safety of the ladder, but with his hands still free, had Seth instinctively grabbed the rope above his head and fought desperately until he surrendered? No one would ever know, but it looked doubtful. Later evidence would reveal that Seth had been a man on a mission. This a great courtroom thriller that brings about the subjects of segregation, racial prejudice,handsome white attorney. Just remember, "its not about a fair fight, it's about winning." Even accepting those choices Grisham made, I had serious issues with the story. It was too much like A Time To Kill. I enjoy the characters of Lucien and Harry Rex, but they felt a bit stale because there was no change in their relationships. Race was again the driving force of the narrative, but somehow in a scant three years, the n-bomb count in Ford County dropped from about 1,000 in A Time To Kill to 2 in this book. Either Mr. Grisham decided he was no longer comfortable casually mixing in that word, or he’s decided his original depiction was historically inaccurate (I’m guessing it’s the former). Most of all, I thought the answer to the question of why Seth Hubbard left his estate to Lettie Lamg was telegraphed from very early in the story, so there was less mystery than there should have been.

John Grisham is a recognized virtuoso of the legal detective, skillfully guides the reader through all stages of the proceedings: from filing an application for the opening of an inheritance case to the final point - the verdict of the jury on the validity of the will. And not only to the final, but even to the Solomon's decision, which will suit all participants in the proceedings and will avoid an endless series of appeals that threaten to devour the inheritance with court costs.Seth Hubbard’s testimony at the trial is recorded. It turns out that Seth and Ancil’s grandfather, Cleon Hubbard, stole land from Lettie’s unknown grandfather, Sylvester. Cleon had Sylvester lynched on a tree and then burned down his houses so he could take over his property.

In addition to his already rich legacy, Grisham offers yet another literary genre to you, his devoted readers. In the collection of short stories titled Ford County, you can enjoy reading about vivid characters as they live out their lives in the familiar setting of Grisham’s first novel, A Time to Kill. But the young lawyer is willing to risk everything, and even his reputation, or what was left of it after the Carl Lee Hailey case, and decided to take up cudgels on behalf of Lettie Lang. It is a case fraught with danger, drama and doggedness. How it unfolds is what Grisham’s novels are all about. I love the Deep South setting and the characters Grisham develops here. The tale is compelling and there are elements here that drove me close to tears. It's just brilliant. John Grisham’s books have sold more than 300 million copies in 42 languages. Nine of his novels have been turned into films, including his first one, “A Time to Kill.” Grisham’s latest legal thriller is his sequel to that first novel, set in the same Mississippi town. … The book is titled, “Sycamore Row.” Why are there no more John Grisham movies? As you can imagine, this causes quite the commotion and Seth’s children and grandchildren commence a lawsuit to fight for the money. Jake Brigance was given specific instructions to do whatever it takes to make sure the handwritten will was enforced and a jury trial commences. Things get complicated and ugly fast, with Seth’s family trying to disparage Lettie at every turn so that they can convince the jury that Seth Hubbard was not in his right mind when he wrote the handwritten will. They want that money and will stop at nothing to get it. His handwritten will raises so many questions .. Why would Seth Hubbard leave Lettie Lang all of his money? And was he in his right mind when he wrote it? .. the list goes on.

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Jake Brigance is a handsome, lawyer who has a reputation for his ability to woo a jury. His mentor Lucien, a disbarred, alcoholic attorney and Harry Rex, a devious divorce attorney, all return for a second act in the ongoing saga of race equality during the early 80's in Mississippi. Lawyers and family members start popping out of the woodwork when the dollar amount of the Will is revealed and then it is off to the races. Initially I wasn't going to write a review for this forgettable novel but surprisingly I couldn't forget it. No, Sycamore Row is not a great followup to A Time to KIll. It doesn't even compare to Grisham's The Chamber. Neither does it compare to the one that Tom Cruise starred in. I can't remember the name at this time... but we all know which one I'm talking about. I'm pretty much a die-hard Grisham fan so I will not filter this review. He can afford to get one semi-rant-hateful-disjointed review. So... here we go!