The Summons: A Novel Mass Market Paperback – February 28, 2012

Another novel by Grisham I couldn’t put down. Who dunnit and where to run.Highly recommended. I wish the story could continue yet the ending was almost enough. hahaha

Book Review - In “The Summons,” Judge Atlee is a beloved and powerful official who has towered over local law and politics for forty years. No longer on the bench, the Judge has withdrawn to his Mississippi mansion and become a recluse. With the end in sight, Judge Atlee issues a summons for both his sons to return home to Clanton, Mississippi to discuss the details of his estate. It is typed by the Judge himself, on his handsome old stationery, and gives the date and time for the sons, Ray and Forrest to appear in his study. Ray reluctantly heads south, to his hometown, to the place where he grew up, which he prefers now to avoid. But the family meeting does not take place. The Judge dies too soon, and in doing so leaves behind a shocking secret known only to Ray and perhaps someone else. I really enjoyed this book! Different enough plot to catch you by surprise and good enough story to not easily put down. It has a little bit of law, a little bit of psychology and the struggles of typical substance recovery (a good lesson for those not familiar with substance abuse). It also has just enough mystery and suspense to keep you glued, and just enough in lessons of tolerance in teaching how to love and accept those family members trying to change and the difficult loved ones that we cannot change. What I did enjoy the most was the weaknesses and fears of the main character. I enjoyed watching him mature and develop throughout the story. Although this John Grisham novel is not one of my top favorite Grisham books, it's still pretty darn good.

A really great ending for a story that was ultimately about greed. A nice surprise as well. Gois job John Grisham.

I've read and enjoyed many of Grisham's books. This is the first one that really let me down. Grisham's major appeal to me is his ability to combine descriptive detail with page-turning narrative development. He's really good at it but not so evident in this one. There were pages which were... well... boring. I was not too impressed with the ending because he seemed to just throw together some scenarios that, at first reminded me of some of his earlier works, but then as the events resolved they were pretty bland.Further, this book builds on some characters from earlier works set in the imaginary town of Clanton, MS. However, the storyline ignored many other characters that should have had at least a cameo appearance. I cannot imagine a funeral for Judge Atlee where Jake Brigance was not immediately visible. Also there is a different sheriff. These were mere annoyances but still, why build a story around the life and legacy of a great judge and then virtually strip his narrative from its original setting.All this having been said, I'm glad I read the book Grisham is worth reading even when he's not in top form.

Judge Atlee was dying and summoned his two sons, Ray and Forrest with an invitation, "Please make arrangements to appear in my study on Sunday, May 7, at 5 P.M. to discuss the administration of my estate. Sincerely, Reuben V. Atlee."Ray thought he was in Clanton before Forrest, and went to the study to find that the Judge had died. He looked around for some papers, but instead found 106 thousand dollars. He hid it in the broom closet until he could think what to do with it. His brother Forrest had a drinking and drug problem and had been in and out of rehabs which the Judge always paid for. And then he continued his drinking and drug problem until the next rehab, so Ray didn't think he should tell him about the money. Also, he knew the Judge didn't make that kind of money, and couldn't save that much, either. Where did he get that kind of money?As the story continues, the money takes priority, the estate is settled, but Ray is usually in a panic because he kept the money in the truck of his car. This goes on for awhile; Ray finds out that his father gambled so Ray tried his had at it, too. He was nervous about the money, and it was too much to put in a bank. Eventually, Forrest drinks too much and ends up in rehab again. There is a great deal of intrigue as Ray's home is ransacked, and he is followed, and harassed. Their family home burns down, and the money is missing. Later, when Forrest is in a very expensive rehab, Ray goes to visit him, and finds out that he had been with his father several days before Ray got there, and helped him with the morphine pump. He also knew about the money before Ray got there. He hired people to scare his brother. and got the money away from Ray. The end discussion was that Ray thought Forrest would waste it on booze and drugs. Forrest was wary of Ray because he gambled with some of the money, and looked at airplanes to buy so he would spend it faster than Forrest would. They tried to reach an agreement after he left Rehab but Forrest remarked that he still was a Professor making a substantial living. Ray suggested they share it, but nothing was decided at the end.The money was given to the Judge for a favor he did for someone, and they put the money in a bag and left it at his home.

Clean novel that was in near new shape.

Although I don’t think this is one of his best I enjoyed it and as usual was happy with the ending. It’s a study in the corrupting influence of money. A law professor, whose father was a respected judge, finds him dead upon responding to a summons home. When he finds a hidden fortune in cash, the source of which seems a mystery, he embarks on a journey to find its origin and struggles with his desire to keep it rather than share it with his brother.

That was a good book until the very unsatisfying ending. I hope the story is finished sooner rather than later.