Doubleday The Boys from Biloxi: A Legal Thriller

This is quite different from John Grisham's usual fast paced, intense legal thrillers; it's more of a tale told over many decades involving two families whose sons loves will overlap and intertwine in a somewhat predictable but heartfelt manner. I don't know enough about American history to know how much of this is accurate, I just know that I loved the story and was completely absorbed in it all.Some classic Grisham is there - there are lawyers and trials and legal manoeuvres but, ultimately, it is a tale of two boys from Biloxi and, by the end, I felt as though they were real people. It had everything I want in a story - fully rounded characters, drama, suspense, heart, sadness and joy. I can understand why some Grisham fans may not love this one as much as others but, for me, it was beautiful writing and a fascinating story.

This parcel was left on our doorstep and picked up by my husband. If it had been handed to me I should have refused to accept it. Initialy I orderdered one copy for my husband as a birthday present and you will note from my history that I usually order a second copy for a Mr William Read .However despite all effort and with Mr Read's address clearly shown on your site I was unable to follow my normal practice. I had seen recently that there were there copies shown as been ordered for deliver here and was aghast and deleted all but the one copy for my husband.So all in all what should have been a nice birthday surprise seems to have ended up as an expensive nightmare.

This writer sets the bar high with a seemingly never- ending flow of wonderful legal tales. So this one took me up short because it never really catches fire. It is more historical recollection than novel and I think the worse for it. It is probably an important tale but the characters are mere ciphers for the narrative and there is very little dialogue. A pleasant enough informative read but hard to engage with.

After reading some of Grishams more recent insipid novels I was wondering if ( a ) they were ghost written or ( B ) he had lost his way . But having recently finishing " The Boys from Biloxi " Its Grisham back to his brilliant best .

I know it is important to flesh out characters at the beginning of a book but when I had finished Chapter 10, I just gave up. I am sure a plot would have emerged later in the book but was too bored to continue. After The Firm and The Pelican Brief plus lots of others which I have really enjoyed, this was a big disappointment. I have already given it to the local charity shop.