One Sentence Summary
John Grisham’s A Time for Mercy is a legal thriller which follows lawyer Jake Brigance to the rural town of Clanton in Mississippi, as he fights the case of a young man accused of murdering a police officer.
Book Genre
A Time for Mercy is a legal thriller.
Main Topic of the Book
The main topic of A Time for Mercy is the legal battle of a young man from a small town in Mississippi, who is accused of murdering a police officer.
Key Ideas
- The pursuit of justice in the face of powerful forces.
- Competing rights of victims and offenders.
- The difficulty of figuring out who is right and who is wrong.
- The responsibility of lawyers to uphold the laws of the land and defend their clients.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
In A Time for Mercy, lawyer Jake Brigance is called to the small town of Clanton in Mississippi to defend a young man named Drew Gamble, who is accused of murdering a police officer. During the trial, Jake faces a powerful and well-connected district attorney as well as a hostile judge. Against all odds, Jake and his team are determined to see justice done for Drew. As the trial progresses, Jake digs up evidence that reveals shocking secrets in the town of Clanton as he tries to prove Drew’s innocence and free him from the death penalty.
Key Takeaways
- The power of justice and hope.
- The importance of staying true to one’s beliefs.
- The struggles of serving justice against powerful forces.
- The consequences of secret and hidden information.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
John Grisham is one of the world’s bestselling authors. He has written a number of legal thrillers, including The Firm and The Rainmaker. He is also the author of many other bestselling novels.
Target Audience
A Time for Mercy is targeted towards adult readers who enjoy legal thrillers andJohn Grisham’s works.
Publisher and First Publication Date
A Time for Mercy was published by Doubleday in October of 2020.