The Testament - John Grisham

I think that everyone probably has a number of safe-bet authors. You know the sort I mean? They're the authors where, when you are in a bookshop hurriedly looking for something to read, you can grab their latest offering and know that you are going to be entertained. Well, for a long time, John Grisham was one of mine. Then I read 'Playing for Pizza' and, I'm afraid, his stock in my eyes went down considerably. However, everyone can have a bad day (or a bad book!) and so I decided to give him another go with 'The Testament'. I'm happy to say that with this book we are back to absolutely classic Grisham. The plot is not complicated. Self-made ...  Read the complete review

Eighty-year-old Troy Phelan jumps out of his wheelchair, practically runs across the room out onto the terrace and dives from the top floor of his 14 storey building to his death. The sick, sad, lonely self made multi billionaire knew that he wanted to die, knew that his family wouldn't mourn him much and wanted to cause them as much grief as he could by setting the scene for the last act of his life. A short time before his death Troy who was one of the richest men in the USA was examined by 3 notable psychiatrists and pronounced sound in mind. Then he signed a 90 page professionally prepared will sharing his billions out equally amongst his 6 children from ...  Read the complete review

I recently read John Grisham’s The Testament, and I must say, I was impressed! The first few chapters are told in the first person to ease you in and see the story from a real person’s perspective. This leads up to somebody rich and important (worth $11bn) dying, and the rest of the story is about the splitting of the will. The main person to benefit from this will is known to be a missionary working somewhere in the Brazilian jungle. A rave lawyer who just happens to be a drunk is sent in to find her. The book being John Grisham, there is also some courtroom drama, and a twist in the tale. Well worth a read! ...  Read the complete review

To continue on the theme of John Grisham books comes the next one I found on my shelf as I work through all the old Books I?ve read. In fact looking at my bookcase there are more books by him in there than any other author, which I suppose really shows the kind of effect The Brethren had on my reading habits. The Testament is another of my favourite books by Grisham. As far as I?m aware before we go any further, this is one of the few yet to be turned into a film. As a former Lawyer Grisham bases most of his books on this field and although at first this probably doesn?t sound appealing he somehow manages to bring it to live and turn it into a gripping read. He ...  Read the complete review

The Testament is yet another superbly written book by John Grisham. Grisham specialises in writing crime books that involve lawyers, but the testament is yet again different and refreshing. Here is the basic storyline: Troy Phelan is a self-made billionaire, who has made his money, married, divorced, play around, used his power and influence and remained successful. Troy has is now quite old but still has all his faculties. He also has 3 ex-wives and 6 children, all of whom what a fair piece of the Phelan fortune. The family has insisted that Troy must prove his is still mentally capable (for his heirs) so he has organised a new will. His family ...  Read the complete review