The Reckoning, by John Grisham

I'm one of those readers who reads a new John Grisham book as soon as I can grab it.  That said, as much as I was looking forward to The Reckoning, and as much as I enjoyed reading it, I was ultimately very disappointed.

The Reckoning opens with Pete Banning, pillar of the community, war hero, faithful church member, walking into his pastor's office and shooting him, killing him in cold blood.  He doesn't try to hide it, doesn't contest his conviction, and is executed without a word in his defense.  His motives go to the grave with him.

At one point in his trial, the defense lawyer offers a lengthy description and testimony about his service in World War 2.  He was a POW in the Philippines, suffered in the Bataan Death March, escaped, and fought heroically as a guerrilla for several years, until the end of the war.  The prosecution stepped in at some point and argued that as heroic as Pete was, it has nothing to do with the pastor's murder or the trial.

After the execution, Grisham jumps back in time to Pete's military service.  He includes a lengthy, detailed description of a part of WW2 history about which I knew little.  Assuming it's at least loosely based on historical facts, and that Pete's exploits are based on the experiences of real soldiers, Grisham shines in his dramatizing this historical moment.  I'm grateful to have this perspective, and inspired to read more about the Pacific theater.  However, I have to agree with the lawyer: this had very little to do with the story at hand. 

Then back to the present, in which Pete's sister, widow, and children are dealing with the aftermath, and facing a legal challenge from the pastor's widow, who is seeking damages.  So what's the big secret? Why did Pete murder his pastor?  You think you sort of know as you read.  When the answer is finally revealed in the final few pages of the book, it's sort of what you think but not quite.  Ultimately, I thought, "This is what Grisham was driving at the whole time?  Yawn." 

Yes, Grisham tells some great WW2 stories.  Yes, he writes in a way that compels me to keep reading.  Yes, it's nice to return to this post-WW2 era in the south, where Grisham's talent shines.  Yes, there is some legal and courtroom drama that we expect from Grisham.  Despite all that, the whole thing doesn't work together very well.  The Reckoning will make Grisham's readers long for some of his stronger legal fiction