One Sentence Summary
The Reckoning by John Grisham is a legal thriller novel set in America during World War II about a man wrongfully accused of murder who is determined to find out the truth and clear his name.
Book Genre
The Reckoning is a legal thriller novel.
Main Topic of the Book
The main topic of The Reckoning is a man wrongfully accused of murder who sets out to prove his innocence.
Key Ideas
- The power of perseverance and determination.
- How war affects civilians and impacts justice and the legal system.
- The importance of seeking justice and truth.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
- Part I: The Chase – During World War II in rural Mississippi, the main character is wrongfully accused and arrested for murder and goes on the run.
- Part II: The Trial – The main character is forced to face trial and much of the story revolves around his struggle to prove his innocence.
- Part III: The Reckoning – The main character comes face to face with the truth and seeks redemption.
Key Takeaways
- It is possible to overcome adversity when driven by a strong desire for justice.
- The cost of war is greater than what is seen on the surface.
- Even the most unjust of situations may be turned around through perseverance and dedication.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
John Grisham is a renowned author and lawyer who has written more than thirty books, and authored several important works of non-fiction. He has sold more than 250 million copies of his books and is known worldwide as a bestselling author of legal thrillers. In 2018, Grisham was inducted into the International Literature Hall of Fame for his work to popularize legal thrillers.
Target Audience
The target audience of The Reckoning is readers who enjoy legal thrillers and suspense stories.
Publisher and First Publication Date
The Reckoning was published by Doubleday on October 23, 2018.