has been awhile since i've read a Grisham book -- was growing a bit tired of them. This one is a bit different than the others. While other reviewers did not like the war part of the story , saying it wasn't very relevant, I actually see this as two separate stories. You can take part II out of the equation and it would stand alone, as would 1 and 3 stand together. As horrible as it was to read, I did enjoy reading about that arena of the war , since we don't hear much about it. I would have liked him to explain where he got his history from to write it though.
Good read. I actually thought the ending was a bit predictable, but that's just me.

I enjoyed the book; not a typical Grisham book.

The Reckoning, John Grisham, author, Michael Beck, narrator
Read very well by a narrator who interpreted each character individually, with perfect tone and emotion so that each one was delineated and unique when they were presented, this is one of Grisham’s better novels. Happily, it does not feel as many of his novels lately have, as one written strictly for the screen, although it would certainly make an interesting and engaging movie. The history of the times, during the 1940’s, is presented accurately.
The main theme of the novel seems to be about family secrets. Pete Banning is a farmer and land owner in Clanton, Mississippi. The Banning farm has been handed down to his family from generation to generation, and the name Banning is well respected in town. They are well-to-do, they treat their farmhands well, and they attend church with a well-respected minister, the Reverend Bell. They have a lovely family with two well-behaved children who are on their way to successful lives.
Essentially, the novel is a murder mystery, but it is also partly the story of the romance between Pete and Liza Sweeney. It develops mightily, also, into a war story when Pete is called up to fight in World War II and sent to the Philippines. For a time he is presumed missing and killed in action. The brutal stories about WWII, are completely captivating and even shocking, in some cases.
When the presumed dead Pete returns unexpectedly, to the the shock and joy of his family and friends, his life has been forever changed by his experiences, war injuries and memories. Everyone else, family and friends, have already mourned his loss, and they have attempted to move on. Now they have to welcome the decorated war hero back, after a lengthy hospital stay, and they seem overjoyed.
When Pete suddenly murders the minister of the church, in cold blood, shock and disbelief is the first reaction. Why would Pete, suddenly, and without explanation, commit the murder and refuse to speak about it to anyone, not even his lawyer? The only glitch in the family picture of the Bannings is the fact that Liza had suffered an unexplained nervous breakdown and was recovering in a mental hospital. However, at the time of the murder, the children were being well educated, the farm had a good year, and they seemed to have hope for Liza’s eventual return.
As the story develops, the novel reveals the racism of the past. The jails do not treat white and black prisoners in the same way. They are not housed or fed in the same way. The black prisoners sentences for crimes are more severe and often unjust. Blacks and whites may not fraternize openly. The inequality and injustice is highlighted, not with malice, but with honesty.
The book then goes on to expose small town politics, the practices of some unethical lawyers and the level to which they will go in order to win. It exposes the politics that influence the ruling of some judges. It exposes the collateral damage of a crime to one’s family, even to those not directly involved. It reveals the greed and the vengeance that will overtake some people. It does not dwell on forgiveness or redemption, but rather, some times, on the letter of the law, when the letter of the law is without compassion. Mostly, however, it exposes the catastrophic harm that a lie, made up under intense circumstances, can eventually cause.
I thought that the best part of the novel was the war story in the Phillippines. It covered Pete’s experiences. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Pete Banning knew he would be called up, and he was eager to serve his country. His wife Liza and his children, Stella and Joel who were teens, hoped for his safe return. When he was missing and presumed dead, they had to pick up the pieces of their lives and continue. How they did that, is the crux of the story, but it is not revealed until the very end.
Unfortunately, it is that very ending, which the reader will wait patiently for, that is disappointing. For most of the story, it feels so authentic that the reader will wonder if it is based on a true story, but it is not. When the conclusion is revealed, the authenticity fades somewhat, and the story loses its greatness. Still, it is one of his better works, and I recommend it.