Bookquote.net Bookquote.net – Books Review and Quote site
Related Articles
| Categories | True Crime |
| Author | John Grisham |
| Publisher | Random House Large Print; Large type / Large print edition (October 15, 2024) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 544 pages |
| Item Weight | 2.31 pounds |
| Dimensions |
6.05 x 1.12 x 9.17 inches |
I. Book introduction
In John Grisham’s first work of nonfiction since The Innocent Man, “the master of the legal thriller” (Associated Press) teams up with Jim McCloskey, “the godfather of the innocence movement” (Texas Monthly), to share ten harrowing true stories of wrongful convictions.
“Each of these stories is told with astonishing power. They are packed with human drama, with acts of shocking villainy and breathtaking courage. But these are more than just gripping true stories—they are a clarion call for reforming the tragic flaws in our criminal justice system.”—David Grann, New York Times bestselling author of Killers of the Flower Moon
John Grisham is known worldwide for his bestselling novels, but it’s his real-life passion for justice that led to his work with Jim McCloskey of Centurion Ministries, the first organization dedicated to exonerating innocent people who have been wrongly convicted. Together they offer an inside look at the many injustices in our criminal justice system.
A fundamental principle of our legal system is a presumption of innocence, but once someone has been found guilty, there is very little room to prove doubt. These ten true stories shed light on Americans who were innocent but found guilty and forced to sacrifice friends, families, and decades of their lives to prison while the guilty parties remained free. In each of the stories, John Grisham and Jim McCloskey recount the dramatic hard-fought battles for exoneration. They take a close look at what leads to wrongful convictions in the first place and the racism, misconduct, flawed testimony, and corruption in the court system that can make them so hard to reverse.
Impeccably researched and told with page-turning suspense as only John Grisham can deliver, Framed is the story of winning freedom when the battle already seems lost and the deck is stacked against you.
Editorial Reviews
“The flaws and lethal errors that condemn innocent people in the American legal system have caused too many for too long to needlessly suffer. Jim McCloskey and John Grisham are towering figures in law and literature shining an urgent, compelling, and critically important light on the heartbreaking wrongful convictions that compromise our legal system and remain a national tragedy.”—Bryan Stevenson, New York Times bestselling author of Just Mercy
“Framed should come with a warning label: Be prepared never to look at the justice system the same way again. In this collection of ten shocking wrongful-conviction cases, each stranger than fiction, you’ll come away outraged by how easily so many prosecutions can and do run off the rails: investigative tunnel vision, coached witnesses, compromised jailhouse snitches, junk science, cultural bias, crooked prosecutors, and even biased judges. How grateful we all should be to John Grisham and Jim McCloskey—for raising the alarm and crusading for true justice.”—Robert Kolker, New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Valley Road
“In this essential collaboration, John Grisham and Jim McCloskey vividly demonstrate the need to run just as fast, if not faster, to exonerate the innocent as to punish the guilty. In ten shocking true stories, they not only convey the devastating impact of wrongful convictions on each affected person but also sound the alarm for all of us—there but for the grace of God, go I. These are remarkable stories of injustice that need to be told. And retold.”—Preet Bharara, former U.S. Attorney and New York Times bestselling author of Doing Justice
“These ten stories—bitter, gritty, and heartbreaking—will astound you, will inspire you, will bring your blood up to a roiling boil. Here are crimes of egregious malfeasance, perpetrated by cops, prosecutors, and jurists, that often seem more sinister than the original crimes these authorities were supposed to impartially resolve. Grisham and McCloskey, writing in crisp, propulsive prose, remind us how much hard and thoughtful work we still have to do to make America’s legal system equitable, transparent, and fair.”—Hampton Sides, New York Times bestselling author of The Wide Wide Sea
“The truth eventually came out in these cases, but that does little to lessen the impact of this sobering look at what happens when we turn a blind eye to injustice. A powerful and infuriating must-read about ineptitude and injustice in America’s legal system.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Gripping . . . Both men deliver a series of thoroughly researched spellbinders. The results are equal parts fascinating and infuriating.”—Publishers Weekly
About John Grisham
John Grisham (born February 8, 1955 in Jonesboro, Arkansas) is an American novelist, lawyer and former member of the 7th district of the Mississippi House of Representatives, known for his popular legal thrillers. According to the American Academy of Achievement, Grisham has written 28 consecutive number-one fiction bestsellers, and his books have sold 300 million copies worldwide. Along with Tom Clancy and J. K. Rowling, Grisham is one of only three authors to have sold two million copies on a first printing.
Grisham graduated from Mississippi State University and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1981. He practised criminal law for about a decade and served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1983 to 1990.
Grisham’s first novel, A Time to Kill, was published in June 1989, four years after he began writing it. Grisham’s first bestseller, The Firm, sold more than seven million copies. The book was adapted into a 1993 feature film of the same name, starring Tom Cruise, and a 2012 TV series which continues the story ten years after the events of the film and novel. Seven of his other novels have also been adapted into films: The Chamber, The Client, A Painted House, The Pelican Brief, The Rainmaker, The Runaway Jury, and Skipping Christmas.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he’s not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John Girsham lives on a farm in central Virginia.
II. Reviewer: Framed
| Here is a summary of the book Review “Framed by John Grisham”. Helps you have the most overview of the book without searching through time. Please access “BookQuote.Net” regularly or save it to keep track and update the latest information. |
1. SHARON ORLOPP reviews for Framed
I am a huge John Grishman fan. Nonfiction is my favorite genre, so his book The Innocent Man, as well as the documentary movie by the same name, intrigued me. Now Grisham has partnered with Jim McCloskey, founder of Centurion Ministries, to share the stories of ten innocent people wrongfully convicted.
These powerful, tragic, horrific stories call into question all aspects of our justice system: police, investigators, attorneys, judges, jailhouse snitches, witnesses, and “experts.” Many of those who were wrongfully incarcerated continued to maintain their innocence despite agonizingly long years waiting for a response to their appeals.
DNA has helped overturn some wrong convictions, but the large majority of the change needs to occur before a trial even begins.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Highly recommend!
2. KASA COTUGNO reviews for Framed
If there ever was required reading on true crime, this would top the list. In alternating chapters, Grisham and McCloskey present cases of justice miscarried resulting in the unwarranted incarceration of ten innocent people, many of which were railroaded into confessions after being beaten down in “interrogation” nightmares. Anyone who thinks that tv and literature depictions of police procedure is an accurate depiction should read this. What enraged me the most was the blind eye cast by authorities who would overlook exonerating material, sure that they “had their man.” Hence the rush to judgment. It took me a while to read as I had to put it down occasionally since it was so strong and disturbing, but don’t let that stop anyone from what is a well written, involving page turner.
3. NICOLE reviews for Framed
I’ve been a Grisham fan since I was a teenager, but I haven’t loved his more recent books. I was really excited to find his second non-fiction book about wrongful convictions was coming out on October 15th. It was hands down the best Grisham book I’ve read in a long time! Thank you to Netgalley, Doubleday, John Grisham, and Jim McCloskey for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Framed.
John Grisham partners with Jim McCloskey of Centurion Ministries, a leading organization in exonerating innocent people who’ve been wrongfully convicted to tell the mind-bending stories of ten different wrongful conviction cases. The mental gymnastics that were required to keep up with the corrupt police and judicial practices, trumped up motives, and outright bias in just the first chapter alone made my brain smoke, and seriously question the way America does justice. I’ve read several books on this topic, and each and every one of these stories are important because they showcase the dire need for reform in the justice system that never comes. There are certainly people who should be imprisoned, but jailing just one innocent person for years, decades, or taking their life is an unconscionable “travesty of justice.”
4. VALLERI reviews for Framed
Talk about man’s inhumanity to man!
Framed is not an easy book to read. In fact, after reading the first story I was unsure if I would be able to read any more. These are stories of corruption and outright manipulation by the systems that are supposed to protect us. As I read the tragic occurrences of innocent people being convicted (and their lives destroyed) I found the stories to be equal parts horrifying and heartwrenching.
It’s not a book I will soon forget.
My thanks to both #DoubledayBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Framed. This book has an expected publication date of October 15, 2024.
5. KATIE reviews for Framed
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
WOW. I had to digest this a chapter or two at a time because at times it was so heavy and dark that it was hard to stomach. Everyone needs to read this. Each chapter is a new story on a true case of those wrongfully convicted, with one even going so far as an execution. Grisham is such a dynamic powerhouse of a story-teller. You could just feel his hatred for these flawed prosecutors, judges and witnesses dripping off of his stories. There were times in his chapters that he described practices so ridiculous that if it wasn’t real life, I would’ve almost laughed and the sheer idiocy of it all. And then McCloskey as a co-author adds important perspective with his passionate work with Centurion, spending years working to free these innocent people who have had their lives destroyed by the legal system.
This is an absolutely impactful and important book. Can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on this in October.
6. JON BENDER reviews for Framed
This book is phenomenal, amazing, and infuriating.
Grisham and McCloskey instantly has you NEEDING to know the outcome of each case.
You hear stories and see in movies about corrupt law enforcement and legal teams but my goodness. To read, in great detail, about the dirty tactics used in interrogations and using false witnesses because egos of the involved officers, prosecutors, and judges were so fragile.
This makes you want to donate to legal teams fighting to reverse horrible decisions, write letters to judges or governors, or heck, even become a lawyer yourself to get involved with Centurion Ministries and find more of these cases.
7. DWON reviews for Framed
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This collection of true stories is as infuriating as it is heartbreaking. It is hard to believe how blatantly our legal system has failed so many innocent people. The fact that it was literally impossible for most of these innocent people to commit the crimes they were imprisoned for committing meant nothing to the prosecutors, investigators and detectives. It will make me second guess even reporting a crime if I ever witness one because apparently that can get you life in prison depending on which detectives and prosecutors are assigned to the case. These stories were all insane. I highly recommend this for anyone that is interested in true crime (or even fictional crime because most of these stories are unbelievable even though they are true).
8. WHITNEY SHEIBEL reviews for Framed
Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey is a compelling and eye-opening exploration of the grave injustices within the criminal justice system. It’s actually infuriating and downright scary that people could be locked up for decades or even executed, despite there being clear evidence that they are innocent.
As a lover of true crime, I was shocked to discover how easily people could be wrongfully imprisoned. The book vividly illustrates the shocking reality of corruption, including prosecutors lying, hiding exculpatory evidence, and building cases on flimsy hunches rather than solid proof. It also reveals law enforcement misconduct, such as subornation of perjury, secret deals with criminals, coercing witnesses into false testimony, and relying on discredited forensic analysts. Misogyny and racial biases further taint the process, which demonstrate how these injustices can occur across racial lines and highlight the pervasive nature of prosecutorial misconduct in the pursuit of convictions.
The book delves into the practice of using jailhouse snitches and false confessions, which have plagued the American criminal system. The book tells us that in nearly 25 percent of DNA exonerations to date, false confessions were coerced, often exacerbated by police deception during interrogations. The book also describes how people, eager to prove their innocence, often mistakenly trust the police, agreeing to polygraph tests that can be manipulated by law enforcement (Seriously, don’t agree to one! Ask for a lawyer).
Among the twenty-one defendants caught in the web of ten wrongful convictions, four landed on death row, two came within days of execution, and tragically, one was executed. The racial makeup of these twenty-one is evenly split, with ten white and eleven Black individuals, highlighting that such injustices can occur across racial lines.
The book reveals that, in some cases, the actual perpetrators were right under the police’s noses from the beginning and, in some instances, even became key witnesses for the prosecution. It also covers egregious misconduct, such as reliance on junk science and violation of proper forensic standards. As you read each case, you can tell how pervasive the corruption and blatant disregard for facts or DNA evidence is. The evidence cleared the individuals but those involved in the case chose to ignore it and made excuses to justify why it wasn’t relevant or why it was wrong.
Framed also details the vital work of Centurion Ministries, which have dedicated efforts to uncovering wrongful convictions and securing justice for those wrongfully imprisoned. These organizations, alongside the impactful storytelling in Framed, bring crucial attention to the flaws in the justice system and the real human cost of these injustices. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in justice, human rights, and the sobering realities of the legal system
Thank you to the publisher Double Day Books
for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley
9. DENISE reviews for Framed
I received an ARC from Goodreads and was intrigued at the fact John Grisham wrote a nonfiction book.
This book was intense! I had to put it down several times because I was so upset at the blatant injustice done to each of these victims. I felt like I was punched in the stomach at times when reading about corrupt judges, attorneys, police officers, investigators and “eye witnesses”. Thank the good Lord there are people that do not give up on someone who has been (for lack of a better word) raped by the justice system.
This book is very good and I am so glad I was offered the chance to read it. I am passing it on to family members as I type! Don’t pass this one by if you like true crime.
10. KATHRYN E HAGEN reviews for Framed
“Framed” is an extremely important book. Imagine being falsely imprisoned, sometimes for more than 20 years before someone comes to your aid. This book is maddening and heartbreaking.
Both authors, John Grisham and Jim McCloskey, have worked to free the innocent. Grisham serves on the boards of the Innocence Project and Centurion Ministries. McCloskey founded Centurion Ministries, which has rescued 70 innocent people from life or death sentences.
This book contains 10 heart-wrenching accounts of crimes where the wrong people were blamed. In several cases, corrupt police officers or prosecutors covered up exculpatory evidence. In another, a man was executed for killing his children by burning down their house. Local experts said this was a case of arson. It was not. No crime had been committed–except for the killing of an innocent man.
I recommend “Framed.” The accounts are well-written and clearly describe the events surrounding the cases. Again, the book will make you furious and it will break your heart.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader’s copy. This is my honest review.
III. Framed Quotes
The best book quotes from Framed by John Grisham
“society had the political gumption to change unfair laws, practices, and procedures, we could avoid virtually all wrongful convictions.”
Regarding bloodstain analysis, the report issued a number of critical warnings and ended with: “The uncertainties associated with bloodstain-pattern analysis are enormous.”
“In a 2001 study, twenty -five well-known bite mark experts were given four identical sets of bite marks and asked to compare them with seven sets of dental molds. The error rate was an astonishing 63.5 percent. Only one-third accurately “matched” the marks with the teeth. Almost all of them continued consulting and testifying in bite mark cases as if the study meant nothing.
…
But, science be damned. Bite mark analysis is still allowed in most jurisdictions; sought by prosecutors , presented by experts, approved by judges, believed by jurors, and rubber-stamped by appellate courts.”
Excerpted from Framed by John Grisham
….
Note: Above are quotes and excerpts from the book “Framed by John Grisham”. If you find it interesting and useful, don’t forget to buy paper books to support the Author and Publisher!
| The above content has been collected from various sources on the internet. Click the Share button to recommend the book to your friends! |
BookQuote.Net Sincerely Introduced!
