Sycamore Row by John Grisham – Four Stars

Four Stars … I always enjoy a good, fast read, and John Grisham never fails to provide that for me. I was excited to read “Sycamore Row,” a follow-up to “A Time to Kill.” Having also seen the movie, “A Time to Kill,” I had to laugh many times as Jake Brigance’s voice (the main character of both novels and who was played by Matthew McConaughey in the movie) always came through as the movie star’s voice while I was reading – I could literally hear his smooth, Southern accent!

Anyway, down to business – this is a book review. I was drawn in immediately as Seth Hubbard, a man dying of cancer, takes his own life. Hubbard was not a well-known, or a well-liked man, but he was a man who had persevered in life, no matter what it threw at him. Before taking his life, he wrote a new will leaving the bulk of his fortune to the black maid that looked after him during the final months of his illness. Also, in the will, he appointed the only lawyer he trusted to make sure his will was executed to the letter of his wishes – Jake Brigance.

The story takes place in the South, so you can imagine the buildup of drama that takes place. Hubbard’s children, who have been cut out of a massive fortune, hire their own lawyers. A will that Hubbard previously made is presented as one that was written while Hubbard was of sound mind, and it had left his fortune to his children.

The reason why Hubbard left his fortune to the black maid is the centre of the controversy, and the trial takes many twists and turns as each side tries to prove their case.

Sycamore Row kept me turning the pages right up to the end. It is well worth curling up in your favorite reading place to read yet another John Grisham book. I can hardly wait for the movie (and hopefully, Matthew McConaughey will play the part of Jake Brigance!)