logo

54 pages 1 hour read

The Confession

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2010

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
John Grisham

The Confession

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2010
Book Details
Pages

515

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Texas • 2000s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

610L

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

John Grisham's The Confession follows a defense attorney and a Lutheran minister's desperate efforts to prevent the execution of an innocent man on death row after a dying career criminal confesses to a brutal crime committed a decade earlier. The story highlights the failings of the American justice system, particularly concerning political and racial biases. The novel features graphic descriptions of violence, sexual assault, and rape, as well as the state-sponsored killing of an innocent person.

Suspenseful

Dark

Emotional

Challenging

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

4.2

94,323 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Confession by John Grisham is praised for its gripping plot and relevant social commentary. Critics appreciate its intense narrative and thought-provoking examination of the justice system. However, some note the character development is lacking and the resolution feels rushed. Overall, it's a compelling read with significant real-world ties.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Confession?

Readers who enjoy legal thrillers with moral dilemmas and intense courtroom drama, similar to John Grisham's other works like The Firm or Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent, will be captivated by The Confession. Fans of suspense and explorations of justice will find it engaging.

4.2

94,323 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Character List

Robbie Flak

A tenacious defense attorney dedicated to fighting for justice, especially in the case of Donté Drumm, facing numerous challenges as he takes on the legal system.

A mild-mannered Lutheran pastor from Topeka, Kansas, whose life is profoundly changed when Travis Boyette confesses to him about a murder, leading Schroeder to confront the injustices of the legal system.

A young man wrongfully convicted of murder, whose tragic fate lies at the heart of the novel's exploration of the justice system.

A manipulative and dangerous criminal who confesses to a murder for which Donté Drumm is facing execution, adding complexity to the investigation.

Book Details
Pages

515

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Texas • 2000s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

610L

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.