Review of 'The Summons' a novel by John Grisham.

The book is available in paperback, hardback and Kindle formats. I am reviewing the paperback version of the novel.


==Brief Synopsis==

When the ageing Judge Atlee a powerful official who has towered over local law and politics for many years, summons his two sons, Ray and Forrest to his deathbed in Mississippi a mysterious chain of events begin.

Ray arrives at his father's home first and to his dismay, finds that his father has already died. Ray alerts the authorities and while waiting for them, he finds a large amount of cash hidden away in his father's study.

The money amounts to three million dollars in used notes. The money cannot be accounted for. Ray panics and although as a law professor, he knows that the money should be declared within his father's estate, he fears that the money may be the result of shady dealings on the judge's behalf, so he packs it into rubbish bags and hides it in his old childhood bedroom.

Ray's younger brother Forrest is a waster, a drug addict and alcoholic who has spent time in prison for drug dealing and has been in and out of rehab for most of his adult life. Ray is concerned that should Forrest get his hands on the money, he will squander it on drugs and probably end up dead of an overdose.

Ray removes the money from his father's home and hides it by storing it in a secure storage facility. His actions have grave repercussions as he finds himself being hounded by an unknown person who seems to know all about his ill-gotten gains.

The plot twists and turns through the events following Judge Atlee's death.

==My Thoughts On The Novel==

I have previously read several novels by John Grisham and have found them very good. Unfortunately, 'The Summons' is not one of the best I have come across. I felt the plot was rather weak in places, the outline of the story is good but the characters lacked depth and believability. I particularly disliked the character of Ray, who I thought was a little naïve considering he was supposed to be a professor of law.

I think the author has created a readable novel which is a little bit of a let down in comparison to his other books. That said, I did enjoy the book and although in my opinion it is not up to Grisham's usual standard, I would certainly read it again.

As thrillers go, this novel is not particularly thrilling and the outcome of the plot left me somewhat disappointed.

Thank you for reading my review of this novel.

©brittle1906 March 2012

N.B. My reviews may be found on other sites under the same user name.