The Testament

John Grisham’s The Testament (1999) is part legal suspense thriller, part adventure story. It begins with the suicide of an elderly billionaire, Troy Phelan. After he leaves his inheritance to an unknown daughter, Rachel, a missionary somewhere in Brazil’s wetlands, his remaining children and their greedy lawyers wage a battle over his inheritance. Meanwhile, Nate O’Riley, a jaded litigator with an alcohol addiction, is sent to track down Rachel, almost losing his life but ultimately finding his purpose.

Grisham began his career as a lawyer before turning to writing. He has written more than 50 books, primarily in the legal suspense genre, 46 of which were consecutive bestsellers in the number one spot. Some of Grisham's works include The Reckoning (2018), The Boys from Biloxi (2022), and Sparring Partners (2022).

This guide refers to the Kindle edition.

Content Warning: The source text includes discussion of sexual exploitation, alcoholism, suicide, and racism against Black and Indigenous people. The guide quotes Grisham’s use of the term “Indian” when referring to Indigenous people.

Plot Summary

Nearing 80, reclusive eccentric Troy Phelan has amassed a financial empire and can indulge his every whim, but he has no one to share it with and no reason to go on living.