I bought this book at Lake Villa (IL) library Used Book sale shelves for $2.00 on 12-27-21.

c. 2020 -- 464 pages -- Hardback -- #3 Jake Brigance -- 9 weeks on the USA Today bestseller list:
#1 (10/22/20)
#2 (10/29/20)
#3 (11/5/20+11/12)
#5 (12/31/20)
#6 (12/24/20)
#7 (11/19/20)
#8 (12/17/20)
#9 (12/10/20)

Back Cover - Monday, August 6, Jake Brigance slept in short little naps interrupted by long stretches of wide-eyed worries about all the things that could go wrong. His dream was to become a great trial lawyer, but, as always on the first morning, he asked himself why anyone would want the stress.

In the courtroom, and in front of the jury, a lawyer has at least ten things on his mind, all crucial. He must concentrate on the witness, either his or an opponent's, and hear every word of the testimony. Should he object, and why? Has he covered all of the facts? Are the jurors listening, and if so do they believe the witness? Do they like the witness? If they're not paying attention, is this beneficial or not? He must observe every move made by his opponent and predict where he is going. What is his strategy? Has he changed in midcourse, or is he laying a trap?

And the Judge -- was he on top of his game?

The final summation was often the most dramatic moment, but preparing it ahead of time was difficult because the witness had not yet been heard. He'd won the Hailey acquittal with a stunning closing argument. Could he do it again? What magic words or phrases could he conjure up to save his client?

I finished reading this book yesterday (3/29/22). I was intently into this family's tale of woe up until the point of the unbudgingly hung jury. So it's not a full bill of mercy. I wonder if Grisham is only using this as a platform for a 4th book in the series since Jake stated that Drew would be with him for a long time. Why would Jake end the trial early without calling his other waiting witnesses if he wasn't going to win the case. The ending made no sense to me.

Release in Sunset Little Free Library.

UPDATE 10/11/22: NO LONGER IN LIBRARY

I released this book in the LFL.