48 pages • 1 hour read
A Time to Kill
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Book Brief
672
Novel • Fiction
Mississippi • 1980s
1989
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In John Grisham’s 1988 novel A Time to Kill, attorney Jake Brigance defends Carl Lee Hailey, who avenges his daughter's traumatic assault by killing her attackers, amidst the backdrop of racially charged Mississippi. Sensitive topics such as violence, assault, and racial tensions are central to the story.
Suspenseful
Gritty
Emotional
Challenging
Dark
Reviews & Readership
809,388 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
A Time to Kill by John Grisham grapples with morality, justice, and race in a Southern courtroom drama. Reviewers appreciate its intense legal suspense and complex characters. Criticisms include its occasionally stereotypical portrayals and predictability. Despite mixed insights, the novel is widely regarded as a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read A Time to Kill?
Readers who enjoy legal thrillers with moral dilemmas and social commentary will appreciate John Grisham's A Time to Kill. It appeals to fans of Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent and Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird for its gripping courtroom drama and exploration of racial tensions in the Deep South.
809,388 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
672
Novel • Fiction
Mississippi • 1980s
1989
Adult
18+ years
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