John Grisham's "The Confession"

Since I began reviewing books earnestly in early August, I can count on one hand the books that have caused me to lose valuable beauty sleep (and I mean valuable!) – John Grisham’s “The Confession” joins the illustrious list of page turners. Still recovering from finally calling it a day at 3:30am this morning, I attacked the final 60 pages with gusto this evening. Also available in the US at Amazon US

Fortunately (or is that unfortunately) – I’ve always been compared to Margaret Thatcher – certainly by my work colleagues who can’t understand how I function on just four hours sleep a night – it’s a talent! Maybe I’m Iron Man 3, certainly not the Iron Lady!

Grisham’s “The Confession” is a masterpiece in suspense. The narrative is taut and has a wonderful flow to it ensuring an enviable pace from beginning to end. The characters are engaging and on the whole believable. You have your usual mix of characters; some nice, some not so nice and one or two downright heroic – they all combine to sell a poignant story effortlessly.

“An innocent man is days from execution. Only a guilty man can save him.”

That in a nutshell is the premise behind the story. Donté Drumm, a popular, black, football star in the small East Texas city of Sloan, has been on death row since 1999 for a murder he didn’t commit. He has always maintained his innocence but has stood by over the years, helplessly watching appeal after appeal, failing to secure his release.

Nicole Yarber was a popular high school cheerleader. She was brutally raped and murdered in 1998 – her body was never found. The lack of evidence didn’t stop the local police and they arrested Drumm following an anonymous tip off, concocted a false timeline and forced a guilty confession. Travis Boyette, a serial rapist and the real murderer of Nicole Yarber stood by laughing as Drumm was arrested and convicted.

Nine years later while on parole following a prison sentence for an unrelated crime, Boyette walks into the office of Lutheran Reverend Keith Schroeder in Kansas, 400 miles away, admitting to the murder. Boyette has an inoperable brain tumour and only has a matter of months left to live but his biggest battle will be to convince Keith he is telling the truth.

Boyette’s story has a profound effect on Keith and the minister battles ethical demons before he takes the next step.

Another key player in this thriller is maverick lawyer Robbie Flak who has steadfastly stood by Donté Drumm since his incarceration. Robbie is multifaceted and comes across as a complex character but Grisham uses this to great effect. His background staff fights tirelessly to save Donté Drumm from the needle.

As Donté’s clock slowly evaporates, the narrative tightens and becomes more atmospheric. The intensity is palpable and Grisham sucks you in, takes you one way, then the other. You have no inkling as to how it will play out – a page turner this most certainly is.

At times, the book reads like a biography, it all feels so realistic. Never forced, “The Confession” hits the mark on all counts. Although my first John Grisham novel, I hope it won’t be my last. When a book (or author) has you so caught up in the plot that you feel as if you are holding your breath, waiting for a particular outcome – mission accomplished.

Outstanding.

Published by Century (Random House) – available in UK from Book Depository, Amazon & Amazon US