I can’t tell you how long it has been since I read one of John Grisham’s books, but when I realized Sparring Partners contains three novellas, I put myself on the waiting list at the library. I’m a fan of a good collection, whether it’s novellas or short stories. And, Grisham’s book is clever. Although if you read crime novels to see that justice is done, you might question whether there was justice in any of the three stories.
“Homecoming”, my favorite story, marks the return of Jake Brigance, the lawyer from A Time to Kill and several other books. Three years earlier, the news all around Clanton, Mississippi was about a fellow attorney, Mark Stafford, who filed for bankruptcy, divorced his wife, and left his family in the middle of the night. Then, two people show up in Jake’s office with contact information from Stafford, who hasn’t been heard from in three years. Mark wants to visit his daughters, and he needs help from a couple lawyers in town.
I’ll admit I expected more from “Strawberry Moon”. It’s the story of a twenty-nine-year-old on Death Row whose last appeals have run out. Despite the discussion of all of his favorite paperback books, there was something missing in this story for me.
“Sparring Partners” involves two brothers, Rusty and Kirk Malloy, partners in the law firm Malloy & Malloy. Their father still controls the firm, although he’s in prison for killing his wife. But, the brothers hate each other, and everything goes through the firm’s managing director, Diantha Bradshaw. Honestly? I didn’t find a likable character in this story, but it was certainly clever with every lawyer pulling on strings to benefit themself.
It was clever, amusing at times. “Strawberry Moon” was tragic. But, I’ve said it before, maybe just not here. When I used to watch “Law & Order”, I was always a fan of the part of the show dealing with the police investigations, and I sometimes just skipped the legal aspect. I still prefer police procedurals and detective stories, the investigations, over the legal battles. I can admire a twist to the story, though, and Grisham provides several of those in Sparring Partners.
John Grisham’s website is https://www.jgrisham.com/
Sparring Partners by John Grisham. Doubleday, 2022. ISBN 9780385549325 (hardcover), 306p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
Thanks for reading (and reviewing) this so I don’t have to, Lesa.
Ha! You’re welcome, Jeff. Yes, you can skip it now. I didn’t provide spoilers though, so if you ever get curious about the stories…
I will look into this if only to read the Jake Brigance story. I have gobbled up the Jake Brigance books as soon as the were available since falling in love with the characters in Clanton, Mississippi in A Time to Kill.
I really enjoyed the Jake Brigance story, Kaye, so I don’t blame you.
I gave up on Grisham after The Street Lawyer. There’s this scene where he dresses up like he thinks a street lawyer is supposed to look like, and basking in the pleasure of knowing his parents will disapprove…He’s 40 years old…I threw the book across the room.
Well, I’m not sure about that throwing the book across the room, Glen, but, oh, for pete’s sake. You’re so right.
I have read a Time to Kill and that is it, started the Firm when it came out and after 25 pages said no way.
Everyone has different taste, Jeannette. I’m just not really that interested in legal books.