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| Categories | Thrillers & Suspense |
| Author | John Grisham |
| Publisher | Doubleday (September 27, 2016) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 37 pages |
| Item Weight | |
| Dimensions |
I. Book introduction
“Witness to a Trial” A startling and original courtroom drama from New York Times #1 Best Seller John Grisham that is the prequel to his newest legal thriller, The Whistler. An Original E-Short.
- A judge’s first murder trial.
- A defense attorney in over his head.
- A prosecutor out for blood and glory.
- The accused, who is possibly innocent.
- And the killer, who may have just committed the perfect crime.
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: Witness to a Trial
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1. RON K reviews for Witness to a Trial
Witness to a trial by John Grisham has a small type subtitle: A Short Story Prequel to The Whistler. I did not notice those words as I downloaded it from a Kindle Unlimited list. John Grisham is one of my favorite authors; I will read anything he writes but I had never read any short stories by him. I was curious to see his writing style in a new style of writing. I should have paid attention to the subtitle. There is no ending to this short story, at least in the mind of this reader. The way Grisham ended it cannot be allowed to stand. Just after the conclusion, there is a small icon above which are the words “Find out what happened next …” I should have known.
I will buy The Whistler but I would have bought it anyway without this teaser. Why? See above. This short story was interesting in its style of presentation. Grisham divides the story by the roles each character plays. So we have a section called The Judge, one called The Defendant, and so on. The reader gets to see limited (it is a short story) background information about each character. What got the character to where the person is today, the trial? And, as far as characters, who is The Spectator, a man of shifting identities?
This is an entertaining short read. Labeled a prequel, Grisham could weave this tale into almost any part of The Whistler. I look forward to reading further stories of justice gone wrong and recommend any Grisham novel as a guaranteed great read.
2. ROBIN LANDRY reviews for Witness to a Trial
I’m such a Grisham fan that I’ll read anything he writes. This is a very short story(30 minutes tops), that introduces you to the heartbreaking trial of a native american man who is set up for the murder of his wife and his best friend, by a paid assassin who works for the people who want to bring in casino onto the tribes land. Two men stand against the building of what they feel is more ‘white man’s poison’. Both men are eliminated as a problem, one is dead, the other on trial for a double murder.
Grisham draws his characters so well that the reader can’t help but ache for the innocent, and wish the guilty a lengthy and painful death. Lucky, Grisham gives us a flawed hero of a lawyer who can balance out the scales of justice, or sometimes not . . . I can’t wait for The Whistler, and love that I have already been introduced to the compelling characters of the story.
3. BREN reviews for Witness to a Trial
“The Prosecutor. His first name was Wagner, an extremely odd choice by his mother, but then it was her maiden name and she thought it fit him nicely, at least in the hospital. By the age of ten, though, he hated it for many reasons and chopped it in half. He’d gone by Wag for the past thirty years. Wag Dunlap. The voters seemed to like the oddness of his name.
― John Grisham, Witness to a Trial
Do you know how LONG it’s been since I read a Grisham book? To long!
I have not yet read the book “The Whistler” but I plan to. This was the prequel and it was GOOD.
I do not know how he does it but Grisham always gets you involved by the first few pages. So few authors can do that.
I love the whole format of this. It made me want to read the novel.
I have been a fan of his for years but there are still so many of his books I’ve yet to read.
In this one — and I do not want to say to much — a man is on trial for killing his wife and her lover who also happens to be a close friend of the man on trial.
We learn about everybody in the courtroom, their motivation for being there, their thoughts, their feelings. It’s all condensed but in a compact way that immediately takes you inside the minds of everybody involved.
It also makes you furious for reasons I do not want to say. I wonder what the book The Whistler will be like. I plan to read it soon.
I’ve missed you, Grisham! Good to be back on the Grisham train.
4. FRED reviews for Witness to a Trial
A nice short 1 day read. At a crime scene, Brunswick County Sheriff Pickett found 2 nude bodies in a Tappacola tribal family home, Son Razko (best friend) & Eileen Mace (wife) shot with 2 bullets in each of their heads, in her home. Det. Willard found Junior Mace (husband) unconscious in his truck outside a frequently visited bar with a Smith & Weston with 2 bullets left. Making him the obvious defendant killing his best friend & wife cheating on him?!
An inexperienced Defense Lawyer Larry Swoboda asked & assigned by Judge McDover to the case.
The prosecutor, Wag Dunlap, hunted for his first death verdict. Witnesses were all against Junior.
- The bartender said Junior was always in a good mood but seemed depressed that night going to sit down in his truck.
- Ballistics expert matched the 4 bullets in the murders to the Smith & Weston found in his truck.
- State pathologist study verified laboratory samples for diagnostic & forensic purposes.
- Louise Razko cried not believing Son, her husband & Eilleen, her friend would cheat!
- Wilton Mace, Todd’s brother knew they loved each other.
Larry Swoboda’s alibi that Junior’s propane pipups & deliveries would keep him away from his house when the murders could have happened – were defeated.
The jury was bias – 9 white, 3 black & no native Indian. All 12 had no problem with a death verdict & “talked” in the jury room before the trial was over.
A spectator, named Delgado, from organized crime, came & went but not noticed by any during the trial. Two major trial flaws. Junior was never tested for drugs (depression?). Gun never reviewed for prints (wiped?). The bias jury’s verdict would be guilty. Delgado’s assignment was complete & he was thrilled as Junior was walked away in handcuffs.
The Chief did not like Son Razko & Junior Mace “agitating” the tribe at their last meeting against a white man’s casino on Tribal ground. This would now be easily overturned in their next meeting for his tribe’s Prosperity (growth was around the corner).
5. KACEEY reviews for Witness to a Trial
This is a prequel to John Grisham’s latest – The Whistler coming out in next few weeks.
A quick introduction to the characters and trial that will dominate this book.
The perfect muder….or the perfect set up….
Junior Mace, a Tappacola Indian, finds himself on trial for the muder of his wife and close friend. Claiming his innocence, Junior knows a conspiracy involving his tribe and big business are behind this accusation of murder.
John Grisham is one of the best for courtroom drama. Can’t wait!
6. SANDI reviews for Witness to a Trial
This is an ebook prequel to the recently released John Grisham “The Whistler”.
Having already started The Whistler I am a bit confused. At this time there is only one character that I see that crosses over into the novel and I have yet to make acquaintance with her – she has just been mentioned in passing. However I do believe she will be a major character before the novel is completed. As for the other mentioned characters in this 23 page eBook – I will just have to wait and see.
This short prequel did do its work! I am now more curious than ever to see where The Whistler is going.
7. DEBRA reviews for Witness to a Trial
I had not realised this was a prequel to The Whistler until I came to pick it up after I had read The Whistler and although I enjoyed this short story I would highly recommend picking this up before reading The Whistler as it is a great introduction to characters and the plot.
I enjoyed this and it certainly did add more to the main story, but definitely should read this first!
8. DONNA LEWIS reviews for Witness to a Trial
Grisham’s short story (prequel to “The Whistler”) tells a very clear picture of justice in the Florida panhandle for a Native American tried for murder of his wife and best friend. Grisham is able to say a lot in a few short paragraphs. One of my favorite authors!
9. WALLY reviews for Witness to a Trial
Finished this morning the 1st of september 2018 good read four stars really liked it kindle library loaner prequel to the whistler and that is next. now over to wally with the weather.
Thank you wally, but before we get to the weather, we’re planning to make another batch of bread and butter pickles today, plus some salsa, garden ready, cukes ready, a goodly amount of tomatoes need s few things from the store and way i go. bet the rush. now on to the weather.
Take it away wally.
10. LISA reviews for Witness to a Trial
SUMMARY
WITNESS TO A TRIAL is a prequel to the recently released JOHN GRISHAM book, The Whistler. It’s a must read for readers of the Whistler. Like The Whistler, it is set in the Florida Panhandle (love it!) A man and woman are found shot dead in bed. Both are married to other people. Junior Mace a Tappacola Indian and the woman’s husband, is on trial for the murder. The prosecutor has the gun with Juniors fingerprints on it. Junior said he is being framed. It’s all might be about a tribal vote to put a casino on tribal lands.
REVIEW
Like most all of JOHN GRISHAM’s books, it is easy to read and captivating. I listened to the audiobook in the car and it made for a quick trip. Although it is a very short book. If you’ve already read The Whistler you know how the trial ends, and this tells you why. If you haven’t, read this first! It’s a great warm-up for the book. The characters and the plot are masterfully developed and dropped into a courtroom where things aren’t quite what they seem.
III. Witness to a Trial Quotes
The best book quotes from Witness to a Trial by John Grisham
“The Defense Lawyer. His name was Larry Swoboda, age thirty-one, an aspiring criminal defense lawyer from Panama City.”
“The seventh witness was Todd Short, the first of two jailhouse snitches.”
“The eighth witness called by the State was Digger Robles, another jailhouse snitch.”
“The Prosecutor. His first name was Wagner, an extremely odd choice by his mother, but then it was her maiden name and she thought it fit him nicely, at least in the hospital. By the age of ten, though, he hated it for many reasons and chopped it in half. He’d gone by Wag for the past thirty years. Wag Dunlap. The voters seemed to like the oddness of his name.”
Excerpted from Witness to a Trial by John Grisham
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Note: Above are quotes and excerpts from the book “Witness to a Trial: A Short Story Prequel to The Whistler by John Grisham”. If you find it interesting and useful, don’t forget to buy paper books to support the Author and Publisher!
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