Shambling across the landscape 

searching for salvation

Wondering if it’s real

or a dream people have

How can the common man

know that there is or isn’t

such a thing in this world?

Or any world else that may exist

Not any organized religion

for that is but a scheme

To help people coexist 

though that is just a dream

Salvation from one’s self

can’t be faced in the mirror 

when you rise in the morn

But it keeps you awake at night

Instead of reading Grisham and posting about it, I should be writing. Therefore, I’m going to count this post as “writing” to assuage my guilt. Technically, it is writing, so I guess it’s okay. 

I received “The Judge’s List” for Christmas. That’s when I always get his latest work, no matter when it’s published. My loving wife enjoys seeing the smile on my shining little face when I open a package and discover a Grisham book inside. This year there were two Grisham’s in the package, but the second one is about sports, which automatically moved it to position number two on my reading list.    

“The Judge’s List” starts out a bit slowly. I discovered that when I realized that I’d read the early chapters in brief two or three-chapter sessions. Typically, once I open a Grisham book, I don’t lay it down until I read the last word. However, this difference was something I didn’t consider until I realized how I’d read the last two-thirds of the book. While I was laid-back about the first third, I burned through the final two-thirds non-stop. 

The lead character is making her second appearance in Grisham’s works. Lacy Stoltz works for the fictional Florida Board of Judicial Conduct. Her job consists of investigating charges brought against Judges within her catchment area of the state. She is approached by a woman who alleges that one of the Judges in Lacy’s realm is a murderer. Not just a one-off murderer, but a serial killer who targets people he has put on a list of those he perceives as having wronged him.

  Lacy wants to turn the evidence over to various police agencies, but the accuser has good reasons why that won’t work. Pursuing this case leads to disagreement and danger unlike any seen in previous Grisham books. Grisham sucks you into his character’s lives in a manner I covet and can never duplicate. Without realizing it, you eventually know more about them than you do the people in your own life. Your concern for them is so keen you can’t look away and their thoughts and emotions become your own. 

I know that my assessment of storytelling master John Grisham’s work is inconsequential, but I am blown away by “The Judge’s List.” I hope everyone who views this posting will read the book. It may start out a little slow but hang in there. It’s well worth taking a breath and forging on. Enjoy!