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A review of The Summons

by John Grisham

A Southern law professor and his black sheep brother are called home by their father, only to find him dead and his life full of secrets.

Reviewed by: Catherine McNair
About Catherine McNair

The Summons I've read all of John Grisham's books, and this one didn't disappoint me. As usual, he soon has you turning page after page wondering what is going to happen next. In this story, we have three prominent figures. Ray Atlee, a law professor; his brother, Forrest, who has caused trouble for the family for years with his addictions; and their father, Judge Atlee or "the Judge" as he is often called, who was an important person in their community. Ray and Forrest have moved far away, both to get away from their father's influence. The Judge sends each of them a "summons" to meet with him at their childhood home where he still lives. He is terminally ill, and Ray assumes that he wants to discuss his will and other particulars of his death. What he finds when he arrives, however, is that the Judge is dead and he has hidden 3 million dollars in his home!

Ray is torn about what to do about the money, and is concerned that his father, who was a very respectable man, might have acquired this money illegally. He begins a quest to find out how the money got there, without telling anyone about it at first. Someone does know about it, however, because his home is vandalized and he is harassed. The secret, the fear of who knows about it, and the desire to keep this money consume Ray and all of his thoughts and actions.

His adventures are sometimes comical, and sometimes scary, but I found myself rooting for him the whole way. I wondered how I might cope with the same situation if I ever were in it. It was a great story and entertaining read. As usual, though, too short!

Happy Reading!

Click here to buy this book, or read more about it at Amazon.com: The Summons

Copyright © by Catherine McNair, 2003

Reviewed by Catherine McNair:
-- Four to Score - by Janet Evanovich
-- Cold Tea on a Hot Day - by Curtiss Ann Matlock
-- Flesh and Blood - by Jonathan Kellerman
-- The Shelters of Stone - by Jean M. Auel
-- Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls - by Mary Pipher, Ph.D.
-- The Summons - by John Grisham









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