Once Judge Atlee was a powerful figure in Clatton, Mississipi--a pillar of the community who towered over local law and politics for forty years. Now the judge is a shadow of his former self, a sick, lonely old man who has withdrawn to his sprawling ancestral home. Knowing the end is near, Judge Atlee has issued a summons for his two sons to return to Clanton to discuss his estate. Ray Atlee is the eldes a Virginia law professor, newly single and still enduring the aftershocks of a surprise divorce. Forrest is Ray's younger brother, who redefines the notion of a family's black sheep.
The summons is typed by the judge himself on his handsome old stationery, and gives the date and time for Ray and Forrest to appear in his study. Ray reluctantly heads south to his hometown, to the place where he grew up and now prefers to avoid. But the family meeting does not take place. The judge dies too soon, and in doing so leaves behind a shocking secret known only to Ray.

Great book, a mystery until the last few pages

Typical Grisham, probably not in the league of "The Juror" ot "The Last Juror" but a good read nonetheless.

"A PLEASURE TO READ...A GOOD YARN"
Once Judge Atlee was a powerful figure in Clanton, Mississippi-a pillar of the community who towered over local law and politics for forty years. Now the judge is a shadow of his former self, a sick, lonely old man who has withdrawn to his sprawling ancestral home. Knowing the end is near, Judge Atlee has issued a summons for his two sons to return to Clanton to discuss his estate. Ray Atlee is the eldest, a Virginia law professor, newly single and still enduring the aftershocks of a surprise divorce. Forrest is Ray's younger brother, who redefines the notion of a family's black sheep.
The summons is typed by the judge himself, on his handsome old stationery, and gives the date and time for Ray and Forrest to appear in his study. Ray reluctantly heads south to his hometown, to the place where he grew up and now prefers to avoid. But the family meeting does not take place. The judge dies too soon, and in doing so leaves behind a shocking secret known only to Ray.
And perhaps someone else.
"THE SUMMONS RANKS AS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE IN MANY YEARS...[WITH] AN ENDING TOO DELICIOUS AND MORALLY INSTRUCTIVE TO GIVE AWAY."

Fun Read. Typical of Grisham but one of his better works.

An interesting story of what you could end up doing if you, all of a sudden, acquired--in a not very clear way--several million dollars.

Very interesting book with a tricky ending!

This book is a fast moving, compelling story of Ray Atlee, a lawyer who has been summoned by his dying father to discuss his estate. When he arrives at his ancestral home, he finds many unexpected surprises. This book has many unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader wanting to continue reading far into the night.

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An easy read. I finished it in 24 hrs. It keeps you going until the very end. Nicely written.

This story is about a man who is an important-powerful figure in Mississippi. The man knows his life will soon end and drafts his will. The will was to be discussed between himself and his 2 sons during a family meeting. However, the family meeting doesn't take place. When the sons arrive to discuss the will, their father has died.

The 2 sons, in reviewing the will uncover a shocking secret that their Father has kept for his entire life.

This is a very good book. A lot of twists and turns. The story keeps you interested throughout. A real page turner.

This one is a bit different, but it will keep you reading. Very good, and a little different from his earlier books.

Once Judge Atlee was a powerful figure in Clanton, Mississippi- a pillar of the community who towered over local law and politics for forty years. Now the judge is a shdow of his former self, a sick, lonely old man who has withdrawn to his sprawling ancestral home. Knowing the end is near, Jude Atlee has issued a summons for his two sons to return to Clanton to discuss his estate. Ray Atlee is the eldest, a Viginia law professor, newly single and still enduring the aftershocks of a surprised divorce. Forest is Ray's younger brother, who redefines the notion of a family's black sheep. The summons is typed by the judge himself, on his handsome old stationery, and gives the date and time for Ray and Forest to appear in his study. Ray reluctantly heads south to his hometown,to the place where he grew up and now prefers to avoid. But the family meeting does not take place. The judge dies too soon, and in doing so leaves behind a socking secret known only to Ray. And perhaps someone else.

Not a typical John Grisham novel in that it does not deal directly with a courtroom and trial, but it does involve a former judge...old and dying..who summons his two sons back to his sprawling ancestral home to discuss his estate and how he wants it handled. But he doesn't live long enough to make his wishes known and it's up to the sons to discover what he wanted done...and along with it secrets that have been buried for a long time.

How can you go wrong with Grisham?

Another great novel by Grisham, a little different than what you would expect but still great.

Interesting story line. I enjoyed it and felt it was a little different from Grisham's others.

Law professor Ray Atlee and his prodigal brother, Forrest, are summoned home to Clanton, Mississippi, by their ailing father to discuss his will. But when Ray arrives the judge is already dead, and the one-page document dividing his meager estate between the two sons seems crystal clear. What it doesn't mention, however, is the small fortune in cash Ray discovers hidden in the old man's house--$3 million he can't account for and doesn't mention to brother Forrest, either.
Ray's efforts to keep his find a secret, figure out where it came from, and hide it from a nameless extortioner, who seems to know more about it than he does, culminate in a denouement with an almost biblical twist. Harry Rex is back and Grisham fans (I am one) will enjoy this one.

Once Judge Atlee was a powerful figure in Clanton, Mississippi -- a pillar of the community who towered over local law and politics for forty years. Now the judge is a sick, lonely old man. Knowing the end is near, he has issued a summons for his two sons to return to Clanton to discuss his estate. But the family meeting does not take place. The judge dies too soon, and in doing so leaves behind a shocking secret.

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