The Reckoning: A Novel

I have read all of your books. I even called you my favorite author, until now. Waited the entire book to find out the clever way John Grisham would come to a happy ending and explain what Pete meant when he said " I know what I am doing", only to find out he did not know what he was doing. The gory Bataan section which had no connection to the main story was totally out of place unless you were trying to prove Pete loved killing and shooting people in the face. Most depressing story you have ever written. You said you had no qualms, must have lost them in the dirt.

Its a very long, detailed and elaborate build up to a very weak overall tale. I did appreciate some of the historical accuracy and the care Grisham takes in staying true to the era and bringing us into it. I remain disappointed in the story itself. Some of the characters make absurd decisions even given the setting and it stretches belief that they were made. It's almost like, with the opening paragraph we were told a lie and promised a payoff that never comes.

Really?? This huge build up all through this long, and often disturbing narrative only to fizzle out at the end with no huge revelation - only one that most of us had already guessed. What was the point? What was the redeeming issue? Nothing that's what.