The Guardians: A Novel

Great read characters super. Story line clear and addictive easy to read. Great author he never dusappoints

Book Review - This is the John Grisham I enjoy - writing about well-fleshed out characters you love, and characters you love to hate. And the suspense in this narrative keeps the reader highly engaged. “The Guardian” has a great story line about the value of a human life and social injustice and the one black cop he writes about in the story is the only kind, caring, and trustworthy police officer in the entire book. The main character, Cullen Post, is someone you'd love to know and call "friend.” He is a disillusioned attorney that becomes an Episcopal priest. Cullen ends up volunteering as an attorney for a non-profit 'innocence project' that attempts to free a prisoner who was wrongfully convicted. The book is well written with interesting plot twists and turns and the characters are memorable. Grisham starts the suspense immediately and continues to build it throughout the story. The book was entertaining as well as informative. It is a quick and easy read and continues to show Grisham as a top-notch story teller. This book is one of Grisham’s ‘must reads.’ I guarantee you that it will pull at your “heartstrings!”

An interesting, fast paced read which covers a lot of ground. The story lines are good and ring true to the real world. Truly enjoyable.

A steady moving plot that completely kept me engaged from beginning to end. Dedication to truth, Corruption, Intimidation, Remorse and Forgiveness are all on display here. Great read.

A former clergy collar waring lawyer fights with words to get men off of death-row before time runs out for three men behind bars. the book is fast paces, but you need not be a law student to enjoy this book. I use to read the author's books frequently, until the one book after another appeared similarly to his previously written books. Even one of my favorite writers can get burned-out with constant writing. However, I enjoyed the various characters and their varied backgrounds. For instance, the main character had a background in religion and law. He had a nervous breakdown and turns within. This is current, since everyone is speaking of mental health. Good mental health is as important as a health heart, kidneys, the many organ we relay on to make it to retirement. It was refreshing to read about a next door neighbor, and not the wealthy Techy who makes millions of dollars and does not have to worry about paying his office rent and supporting his car notes. The main character is interesting, because, money does not drive him. He needs a balanced life, but he can't afford one and he is aware of his weak areas. I could hardly put the book down. The book was not action-packed, but fast paced, and kept me guessing. Gresham is an excellent writer and I can tell by his story lines that is well-rounded and can place himself in various individuals shoes. I won't wait another ten years before I start reading his books again. I recommend this book, it is a good summer read.

I enjoyed the plot and subplots immensely. I was able to stay attuned to all the ins and outs, and I like that in a book. I would recommend it to others. I will point out, however, that 2 things caught my attention. Mazy couldn’t have gone to Morehouse - it’s all male. And then Kingsport, TN - it is in Eastern Tennessee, not Western. (I live just over the mountain in Western NC).

John Grisham has been a favorite author for many years, all the way back to "The Pelican Brief". I have read almost all of his books including non-fiction and the Theodore Boone young adult series, so it was a no brainer when I saw this for sale. Unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed. Yes, it has the normal plot twists, and fast action, and characters that you seem to know. However, and I understand this was more of a passion project type of novel... but to me, there were far too many characters both major and minor. I understand the reason, as the book is about one of the innocence projects that tries to free people wrongly convicted. Because of that, I understand the need for the main character to be traveling around, and working with several clients each with their own backstory. At the same time, that very need became confusing when trying to keep everyone straight. Names seemed to get lost, as did the story for each client and the pieces of each of the alleged crimes. For me, it would have been better to just focus on 1 or maybe 2 because as written it seems like 5-6 books rolled into one. Again, I understand it is an important cause, but I think it could have been better illuminated by focusing on less. Does it mean that I will stop reading John Grisham? Absolutely not, well maybe the sort of companion non-fiction book on wrongful convictions and similar ones. I have skipped a few just because the subject matter didn't interest me, or I didn't care for the sample. which I didn't read for this book. In the end, for me this book was just kind of "meh". Don't let me stop you though, go ahead and read it for yourself and make your own decision. As always, that is the truth.

Good story about good people getting a leg up on the powerful and privileged for a change. Fast paced and well written.