57 pages • 1 hour read
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448
Novel • Fiction
Florida • Contemporary
2019
Adult
18+ years
The Guardians, narrated by lawyer and Episcopal pastor Cullen Post, follows his work with Guardian Ministries to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals. The story centers on two cases: Duke Russell, a white man wrongfully convicted of rape and murder, and Quincy Miller, a Black man framed for killing a lawyer. Post and his team uncover corruption, coerced testimonies, and a drug cartel's involvement, ultimately exonerating Quincy. The book addresses challenging topics, including violence, drug use, and systemic racism.
Suspenseful
Mysterious
Challenging
Dark
Emotional
193,084 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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John Grisham's The Guardians is praised for its gripping narrative and compelling social justice themes. Readers appreciate the powerful portrayal of wrongful convictions and the dedication of the protagonist. However, some critics find the plot predictable and the pacing uneven. Overall, the book shines in its depiction of legal battles and moral convictions.
A reader who enjoys The Guardians by John Grisham is likely to appreciate legal thrillers and intricately woven narratives about justice and ethical dilemmas. Fans of Grisham's previous works, as well as those who enjoy Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent or Michael Connelly's The Lincoln Lawyer, will find this novel compelling.
193,084 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Quincy Miller
A 51-year-old man who has been wrongfully imprisoned for 22 years, claiming innocence in a murder case which forms the main plotline, highlighting systemic issues in the criminal justice system.
Tyler Townsend
The defense lawyer who initially represents Quincy, known for his competent defense but later intimidated away from appealing, paving a path in the narrative that parallels Cullen Post's journey.
Bradley Pfitzner
A former sheriff involved in the wrongful framing of Quincy, driven by personal benefit and serving as an example of corruption within the criminal justice system.
Duke Russell
Another wrongfully convicted man whose case is resolved through DNA evidence, representing a secondary plotline dealing with practical and scientific issues in the justice system.
Dr. Kyle Benderschmidt
An expert witness whose legitimate scientific testimony helps counteract unreliable forensic evidence in the story, bringing professional credibility to the case.
Carrie Holland Pruitt
A young woman who falsely testifies as part of a manipulated court process, representing vulnerable individuals caught up in a corrupt judicial system.
Francois Tatum (“Frankie”)
A former inmate and the first person Post helped exonerate, now working for Guardian Ministries and providing crucial, albeit legally questionable, support to the organization.
448
Novel • Fiction
Florida • Contemporary
2019
Adult
18+ years
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