Sparring Partners

Novellas

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Jeff Daniels, Ethan Hawke, January LaVoy, John Grisham

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • John Grisham is the acknowledged master of the legal thriller. In his first collection of novellas, law is a common thread, but America’s favorite storyteller has several surprises in store.

“Homecoming” takes us back to Ford County, the fictional setting of many of John Grisham’s unforgettable stories. Jake Brigance is back, but he’s not in the courtroom. He’s called upon to help an old friend, Mack Stafford, a former lawyer in Clanton, who three years earlier became a local legend when he stole money from his clients, divorced his wife, filed for bankruptcy, and left his family in the middle of the night, never to be heard from again—until now. Now Mack is back, and he’s leaning on his old pals, Jake and Harry Rex, to help him return. His homecoming does not go as planned.

In “Strawberry Moon,” we meet Cody Wallace, a young death row inmate only three hours away from execution. His lawyers can’t save him, the courts slam the door, and the governor says no to a last-minute request for clemency. As the clock winds down, Cody has one final request.

The “Sparring Partners” are the Malloy brothers, Kirk and Rusty, two successful young lawyers who inherited a once prosperous firm when its founder, their father, was sent to prison. Kirk and Rusty loathe each other, and speak to each other only when necessary. As the firm disintegrates, the resulting fiasco falls into the lap of Diantha Bradshaw, the only person the partners trust. Can she save the Malloys, or does she take a stand for the first time in her career and try to save herself?

By turns suspenseful, hilarious, powerful, and moving, these are three of the greatest stories John Grisham has ever told.

©2022 Doubleday (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Grisham’s work—always superior entertainment—is evolving into something more serious, more powerful, more worthy of his exceptional talent."—The Washington Post

“The law, by its nature, creates drama, and a new Grisham promises us an inside look at the dirty machineries of process and power, with plenty of entertainment.”—Los Angeles Times

Typical John Grisham

Three well constructed stories even though none seemed to have an ending leaving this reader wanting more. Although all three were read well, January LaVoy was close to perfect. One could tell not only when she was speaking as a woman but also as the many different men in her story.

Good Reed

I like Novelas they are shorter and easier to read and especially when they come in a package of three. If you like Grisham this is the perfect package of pleasure for you!

Three novellas without an ending

These three novellas all started strong but didn’t deliver satisfying endings….it seemed liked Grisham lost interest. All three narrators were excellent.

Not disappointed

As always, John Grisham does not disappoint with story or narration selections. The stories were intriguing and satisfying with the length and endings.

Didn’t like the individual story approach

Big Grisham fan but wouldn’t buy this again. I want a 9-10 hour single involved story, not broken up with different novellas. The ending one story and abruptly starting the next created some confusion.

Fabulous read

I enjoyed the first two stories immensely. had a hard time with the third. narration great, story lines wonderful. best reads in a long time.

Legal stories outside the courtroom drama.

Each story brings some insight on the consequences of the legal system outside the verdicts and maneuvering in a courtroom. The voice performances are each outstanding.

Wonderful novellas

As with most John Grisham tales, these stories are engrossing and the imagery is vivid. For each story, I found myself relating easily to the characters even in their circumstances that I hope to never experience.

Perhaps some of the characters can reappear in the future novel.

Not Enough

Mr Grisham needs to expand on each short story. I need to know more as he left me wanting to know what happened.

Mostly great stories

Three good storylines. With one exception. Although I know it’s not real life, I think everyone should get their comeuppance. Everyone doesn’t.