A Time to Kill: A Novel

· Jake Brigance Book 1 · Sold by Vintage
467 reviews
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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • John Grisham’s first novel is a searing courtroom drama that probes the savage depths of racial violence and introduced the world to fearless lawyer Jake Brigance.

“John Grisham may well be the best American storyteller writing today.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer

The life of a ten-year-old black girl is shattered by two drunken and remorseless white men. The mostly white town of Clanton in Ford County, Mississippi, reacts with shock and horror at the inhuman crime—until the girl’s father acquires an assault rifle and takes justice into his own hands.

For ten days, as burning crosses and the crack of sniper fire spread through the streets of Clanton, the nation sits spellbound as defense attorney Jake Brigance struggles to save his client’s life—and then his own.

Look for all of John Grisham’s gripping Jake Brigance novels:
A Time to Kill
Sycamore Row
A Time for Mercy
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • John Grisham’s first novel is a searing courtroom drama that probes the savage depths of racial violence and introduced the world to fearless lawyer Jake Brigance. “John Grisham may well be the best American storyteller writing today.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer Th...

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Ratings and reviews

467 reviews
A Google user
December 29, 2010
I think that "A Time To Kill" is Mr. Grisham's best book so far. I've read many of his other novels, some are great, and some are so-so, but this novel ranks at the top. It is full of different issues like rape, murder, kkk, racism, etc. The plot just keeps on building and building. Just when you think that it is about to slow down something else happens. I recommend this book to all the folks. Enjoy it!
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Carlos Garcia
August 12, 2026
Alright. This was my second endeavour into the world of Grisham. Despite my 3.75 rating (kinda low for me), it wasn't a bad book. It had plenty going for it to make it an interesting read. The VERY BEGINNING of the book really takes you on a disturbing ride. The rape and near murder of a little Black girl...no spoilers since if you don't know about this book and movie by now, you've been living under a rock! The second act is the actual murders of the rapists. My opinion, Not Guilty! A completely justified killing. I will say this books takes you on a longer ride than necessary. It felt at least 100 pages too long. The one thing I will applaud this book for is the use of language. I'm so happy they added language that would have been used in the scene and time in which this book is trying to portray. No PC garbage and no woke rewrites. Great job. The ending was bland, my second bland John Grisham ending. 3.75/5
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Marie Tagert
February 13, 2015
I liked this book. I like the outcome and it was who'll written. I could've done without the language in certain parts. That's the only reason I didn't give it five stars.
5 people found this review helpful
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About the author

John Grisham is the author of numerous #1 bestsellers, including The Firm, A Time to Kill, The Rainmaker, The Innocent Man, The Whistler, The Boys from Biloxi, and many more. His books have been translated into nearly fifty languages. 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. Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and 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. He lives on a farm in central Virginia.
John Grisham is the author of numerous #1 bestsellers, including The Firm, A Time to Kill, The Rainmaker, The Innocent Man, The Whistler, The Boys from Biloxi, and many more. His books have been translated into nearly fifty languages. Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal...

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