The Guardians

A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Michael Beck

Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • A classic legal thriller—with a twist. • "A suspenseful thriller mixed with powerful themes such as false incarceration, the death penalty and how the legal system shows prejudice.” —Associated Press

In the small Florida town of Seabrook, a young lawyer named Keith Russo was shot dead at his desk as he worked late one night. The killer left no clues. There were no witnesses, no one with a motive. But the police soon came to suspect Quincy Miller, a young Black man who was once a client of Russo’s.

Quincy was tried, convicted, and sent to prison for life. For twenty-two years he languished in prison, maintaining his innocence. But no one was listening. He had no lawyer, no advocate on the outside. In desperation, he writes a letter to Guardian Ministries, a small nonprofit run by Cullen Post, a lawyer who is also an Episcopal minister.

Guardian accepts only a few innocence cases at a time. Cullen Post travels the country fighting wrongful convictions and taking on clients forgotten by the system. With Quincy Miller, though, he gets far more than he bargained for. Powerful, ruthless people murdered Keith Russo, and they do not want Quincy Miller exonerated.

They killed one lawyer twenty-two years ago, and they will kill another without a second thought.

Don’t miss John Grisham’s new book, THE EXCHANGE: AFTER THE FIRM, coming soon!

©2019 John Grisham (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Terrific…affecting…Grisham has done it again. Such creative longevity is not that unusual in the suspense genre, but what is rare is Grisham’s feat of keeping up the pace of producing, on average, a novel a year without a notable diminishment of ingenuity or literary quality.”—Maureen Corrigan, The Washington Post

“Grisham again delivers a suspenseful thriller mixed with powerful themes such as false incarceration, the death penalty and how the legal system shows prejudice. The Guardian team of characters is first-rate.”– Associated Press

“With his début, 1989’s A Time to Kill, Grisham established himself as a skilled storyteller, a writer who can nimbly portray complex characters who overcome their fears and flaws to pursue justice. Thirty years later, his authorial prowess glows again in this riveting tale.”—Fredericksburg Free Lance Star

Another great one

About two thirds of the way through, I started stalling, to preserve the enjoyment. A little further, and I decided to just start over when I finished. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, and new details I probably missed the first time.

Grisham’s best book yet

Although this book is fictionalized many of these accounts truly happened in real life. It’s astonishing how corrupt and evil human beings can be and that there are truly some good people left in this world.

a fantastic listen

thoroughly enjoyed this book. the narrator is as good as everyone raves. one of those books I eagerly listened to any chance I got and am now sad it's done. won't describe plot... others have. just download and enjoy a compelling story that makes me want to change professions.

Good story and a great narration

I have read many of Grisham’s books and this is one of the good one. The story doesn’t go too long to become dragging. Good balance. Overall good story.

Better endings are a must.

Finally, a Grisham novel that has an ending that doesn't wish you hadn't listened. Hope there is more to come.

Based on a real case

I really enjoyed. this book and knowing that it was based on a real court case intrigued me even more to listen to it. Some parts that drag on but then it picked right back up again. All in all I would definitely recommend this book. Please be sure to listen to the author's notes at the end to hear about the real person, Joe Bryan but this book is based on.

a very well told sad story of reality

I was surprised by this book. I was captivated by the story and the narrator was excellent. certainly worth a listen.

Wonderful

Loved this book. I’ve read or listened to all of John Grisham’s books and this was one of my favorites. Michael Beck did an excellent job narrating as always.

Excellent

Grisham really moved me with this story. And the afterward tore at my heart. There has to be a better way.

As always, Michael Becks performance was excellent. I hope Audible always pairs him with Grisham.

The Guardians is a GREAt read!

Loved it! John Grisham has done it again, and Michael Beck is a fabulous narrator! This was a "page turner" for me. Relevant and timely...so well done!