The Reckoning

 

Shirley J.                  Adult Fiction                        Prisoners of War, Small town life, betrayal, murder

The Reckoning by John Grisham   448 pages

Killer book!  Literally and figuratively.   Excellent story with gritty details that will put the reader right in the middle of everything taking place.  It is riveting.  This story is so good you won't be able to put it down and if you must you will race back to it first chance you get.  The story takes place in rural Mississippi with flashbacks to other locales and incidents.  There is the small town feel of hero worship for a local man, gossip because they can and unanswered questions that push some over the edge.   It is a story of pain, survival, betrayal, and consequences.  The reader will really feel for these characters as each has their own story which leads them to do what they do.  It is an excellent blend of emotions.  You will admire, feel sorry for, crave justice, hate the dirty dealings going on and be mesmerized by what happens.  I can't praise this book enough.   It captures the reader from beginning to end.   There are some pretty weighty ethical dilemmas dealt with here, I think this one is best for mature teens on up.  Great book.