Originally published in the Canberra Weekly on 17 November 2022.
This review can also be found on the Canberra Weekly website.
Make sure to also check out my extended reviews for Call of Empire and The Boys from Biloxi.
Tag: John Grisham
The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (Trade Paperback – 18 October 2022)
Series: Standalone
Length: 454 pages
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Legendary crime fiction author John Grisham returns with another impressive read, this time combining a complex, multi-generation character narrative with some excellent legal thriller elements to create the amazing novel, The Boys from Biloxi.
As I have mentioned a few times on this blog, last year I finally got the chance to read something from renowned author John Grisham. The author of multiple iconic legal thrillers, Grisham was a major author whose work I had only consumed by way of film adaptations. Luckily, I was able to fix that by checking out his 2021 release, The Judge’s List, which followed a complex investigation into a dangerous serial killer who was also a successful judge. I had an outstanding time reading The Judge’s List, and it made me determined to check out some more of Grisham’s books, especially his new releases. This included the fantastic short-story collection he released earlier this year, Sparring Partners, and his latest book, The Boys from Biloxi. The Boys from Biloxi is an intriguing standalone novel that proved to be quite excellent, and I am very glad I got my hands on it.
In the heartlands of Mississippi, the city of Biloxi is notorious for its vice, lawlessness and general lack of morals. A successful fishing and tourism spot on the coast, over time Biloxi became known as a place where all manner of gambling, drinking, drugs, girls and every other vice could be found. However, the battle for the soul of Biloxi is about to begin as two families go to war.
Jesse Rudy and Lance Malco are both second-generation Americans. The sons of hardworking immigrants, Jesse and Lance grew up on the streets of Biloxi, learning the value of the American way and hoping to make something for themselves by choosing very different paths in life. While Jesse chose to become a lawyer, working himself tirelessly to get his degree, Lance used his father’s money to invest in the seedy clubs of Biloxi. Both are happy in their respective lives, but, despite the close friendship of their sons, Keith Rudy and Hugh Malco, the two families are about to go to war.
After years of watching the corruption of Biloxi reach new heights, Jesse Rudy embarks on a mission to clean up the coast and works to become the city’s district attorney. His first target is Lance Malco, whose has become Biloxi’s biggest crime lord, controlling multiple illegal night clubs and bringing a brutal gang war to the city. As the two men go head to head, their sons soon follow in their footsteps, with Keith going to school to become a crusading lawyer, while Hugh becomes a thug for his father. Before long it becomes clear that only one family can remain in Biloxi, and the loser will not survive their defeat.
Grisham continues to showcase why he is so highly regarded with another awesome and captivating read in The Boys from Biloxi. Making great use of historical Biloxi, this fascinating crime fiction novel told a wonderful tale of crime and legal shenanigans that turned two families against each other over the course of decades.
I got pretty hooked on this novel right away, especially as Grisham started everything off by painting a cool picture of Biloxi, which promised to be quite a unique setting. The author swiftly compounded my interest by quickly and effectively introducing the reader to the Rudy and Malco families and showcasing their history. The early chapters of the book seek to build up the four main characters of the story, Jesse Rudy and Lance Malco, and their sons, Keith and Hugh. Grisham paints a multi-generational tale around them, simultaneously diving into how each character grew into their destined roles, as well as the friendship that Keith and Hugh had as children. These key characters are built up extremely quickly at the start of the novel, and before long you are really invested in their narratives, especially as there are some interesting contrasts between the adults, with Lance becoming a vicious criminal, while Jesse works hard to find his calling as a lawyer.
After all this substantial but necessary character and setting development, Grisham starts diving into the meat of the story, the conflict between the two families, and the wider fate of Biloxi, all of which is shown from the perspective of an intriguing range of characters. This starts when Jesse Rudy decides to run for district attorney, promising to clean up Biloxi and shut down the illegal clubs owned by Lance Malco, leading to a protracted battle over many years. The two sides engage in all manner of endeavours, including political runs, criminal investigations, turf wars and more, all while the younger characters grow up and start getting interested in their respective father’s worlds. There are some great scenes spread out through this elaborate narrative, including several entertaining trials, where the lawyer characters battle it out in the courtroom. Grisham clearly has some fun with these courtroom scenes, not only because the legal thriller elements are his bread and butter, but because it gives him the opportunity to come up with some ridiculous and fun legal manoeuvres that the characters utilise to win their cases.
The battle between the two families soon becomes the primary focus of the book, eclipsing some of the other storylines and character arcs going on simultaneously. There are some key and memorable scenes chucked into the centre of the book that really change the nature of the story, and it helps to focus the plot onto the younger generation of the respective families as Keith and Hugh continue their father’s war. The pace really picks up in the second half, and Grisham does an amazing job of bringing all the various plot points together, with some key moments cleverly set up much earlier in the book. Everything wraps up extremely well towards the end, and the characters all end up in some interesting and emotionally heavy positions. While the conclusion is mostly satisfying, Grisham does end everything on a rather sorrowful note that will stick in the reader’s mind. An overall exceptional read, and you will find it extremely hard not to get swept into this powerful and captivating narrative.
One of the things that I felt really enhanced this already cool story was the great setting of Biloxi, Mississippi. Now, I must admit that I thought Biloxi was a fictional city while I was reading this book (I had honestly never heard of it before), especially as Grisham really built it as the vice capital of the south. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was real, and I was really impressed with the way that Grisham utilised it as a background setting in this book. Grisham spends a substantial amount of time exploring and examining Biloxi throughout the book, and the early chapters of The Boys from Biloxi, contain a very in-depth and fascinating look at Biloxi’s history, culture, and the people who lived there. While the characters of this story are fictional, some of the key plot events are real, and I loved how Grisham was able to work historical events, such as hurricanes, the influence of the Dixie Mafia, and Biloxi’s changing society into his compelling narrative. The author really shows all sides of Biloxi throughout this book, including its position as a hub for immigration early in the 20th century, its role during World War II, as well as how it became known for its clubs, casinos, and other areas of vice throughout its history. Due to how the story is structured, Grisham spends quite a lot of time examining various parts of Biloxi’s culture and position in Mississippi, and you really get to understand its heart and soul, even with some of the over-the-top story elements. I also appreciated seeing the characters interacting with the city throughout the lengthy course of the book’s plot, and it was great to see some of the characters grow from children to adults, all while living in Biloxi. This was an amazing setting for this very clever book, and I really appreciated the outstanding story that Grisham was able to wrap around Biloxi. I will certainly not be forgetting that Biloxi is a real city for a very long time, and it sounds like a very interesting place to visit.
Finally, I must highlight the many great characters featured throughout The Boys from Biloxi. Grisham writes a compelling cast for this impressive story, and I enjoyed getting to know the various fictional inhabitants of Biloxi, especially as the author decided to make most of them very big personalities. Most of the focus is on the key members of the Rudy and Malco families, particularly the family patriarchs and their eldest sons, around whom this war is fought. As such, Grisham spends quite a lot of time building these four characters up and showing the key events that turned them into the men who would fight over the soul of Biloxi. These characters proved to be very compelling to follow, and Grisham writes a compelling and heartfelt tale around them, filled with love, regrets and the powerful influences that change people. I did feel that, at times, Grisham did make the four main characters a little too perfect, as all of them tend to succeed and excel at everything they put their mind to, and frankly it did get a little tiring to see them be the very best at every sport, job and academic pursuit they tried out. However, you do really get close to these characters, especially once their war gets even more personal and dangerous. Throw in a massive group of distinctive and memorable supporting characters, most of whom have personalities and personas to match the outrageous city of Biloxi, and The Boys from Biloxi has an excellent cast who help to enhance this very entertaining read in so many fun ways.
John Grisham presents another exceptional and highly entertaining crime fiction read with the brilliant new book, The Boys from Biloxi. One-part historical fiction read, one-part character-driven tale, and one-part legal crime thriller, The Boys from Biloxi was an amazing read that follows a feud between two families that lasted generations. Deeply compelling and filled with some exciting and fun scenes, The Boys from Biloxi is a highly recommended novel that I had a wonderful time reading.
WWW Wednesday – 9 November 2022
WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words, where bloggers share the books that they’ve recently finished, what they are currently reading and what books they are planning to read next. Essentially you have to answer three questions (the Three Ws):
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
So, let’s get to it.
What are you currently reading?
The Orphans by Fiona McIntosh (Trade Paperback)
Dragon Mage by M. L. Spencer (Audiobook)
What did you recently finish reading?
The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham (Trade Paperback)
Star Wars: The High Republic: Path of Deceit by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland
Call of Empire by Peter Watt (Trade Paperback)
What do you think you’ll read next?
Firefly: What Makes Us Mighty by M. K. England
That’s it for this week, check back in next Wednesday to see what progress I’ve made on my reading and what books I’ll be looking at next.
WWW Wednesday – 2 November 2022
WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words, where bloggers share the books that they’ve recently finished, what they are currently reading and what books they are planning to read next. Essentially you have to answer three questions (the Three Ws):
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
So, let’s get to it.
What are you currently reading?
The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham (Trade Paperback)
Star Wars: The High Republic: Path of Deceit by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland
What did you recently finish reading?
Seventeen by John Brownlow (Trade Paperback)
Warhammer 40,000: The Wraithbone Phoenix by Alec Worley (Audiobook)
Desert Star by Michael Connelly
What do you think you’ll read next?
Firefly: What Makes Us Mighty by M. K. England
That’s it for this week, check back in next Wednesday to see what progress I’ve made on my reading and what books I’ll be looking at next.
Book Haul – 30 October 2022
It has been a while since I have done a Book Haul post, but seeing that I received several interesting books recently, I thought I would quickly do one to highlight some of the best novels I have gotten in the last few weeks. Each of the below books sound extremely cool and captivating, and I cannot wait to see how they all turn out.
Desert Star by Michael Connelly
The first book I have recently received is the latest fantastic crime fiction novel from the legendary Michael Connelly, Desert Star. This new Connelly book brings back two of the author’s best protagonists, Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch, for another intense investigation, this time focusing on cold case that has haunted Bosch for years. These two characters have had some amazing team-ups in books like Dark Sacred Night, The Night Fire and The Dark Hours, and I am excited to see how this next investigation turns out. Based on my experience with Connelly, Desert Star easily has the potential to be one of the best crime fiction books of 2022 and I will pretty much be reading it the moment I finish putting up this book haul post.
The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham
From one crime fiction legend to another, the next book I have recently received is the new John Grisham novel, The Boys from Biloxi. I haven’t had as much experience with Grisham’s novels as I would have liked, but I did really enjoy his last two books, The Judge’s List and Sparring Partners. As such, I am very intrigued by this new release, which will apparently focus on a long-running feud between two families, which will force two friends to face each other in the courtroom. Sure to contain an intense and deeply captivating narrative, I love the sound of The Boys from Biloxi and I think it has a great deal of potential.
The Bookseller of Inverness by S. G. MacLean
After finishing off her Damian Seeker series, one of the most impressive authors of historical crime fiction, S. G. MacLean returns with an exciting new novel, The Bookseller of Inverness. This book will follow a fugitive Scottish rebel turned simple bookseller who finds themselves amid murders and conspiracies after their identity is discovered. I love the idea of a conflicted former rebel forced to investigate a murder in the middle of Inverness while secrets from his past are revealed, and I cannot wait to see how this novel unfolds. I deeply enjoyed MacLean’s previous series, including Destroying Angel and The Bear Pit, and I am glad I managed to get a copy of her latest book.
The Tilt by Chris Hammer
I have been meaning to read some of Chris Hammer’s books for a while now. One of the leading authors of Australian crime fiction, Hammer has always been an author I’ve meant to read, but never had the time. 2022 might be the year that finally changes as I just got a copy of his latest book, The Tilt. This new book will see a detective return to the small town she grew up in, to investigate a cold case. However, the case becomes far more personal for her, especially when it appears that her family might be involved in the killing. I have been having a wonderful time with Australian fiction this year and I am very hopeful that The Tilt will continue that trend.
The Girl From Guernica by Karen Robards
I was very intrigued when I received a copy of the awesome sounding historical drama, The Girl from Guernica by Karen Robards. Set during World War II, The Girl from Guernica will follow a vengeful Spanish girl who joins the resistance against the Nazis after her mother is killed and embarks on a deadly game to get revenge. I love the cool plot synopsis associated with this book and I have no doubt I will have an amazing time reading it.
Firefly: What Makes Us Mighty by M. K. England
There has been some truly amazing tie-in novels and comics associated with the iconic Firefly television series in recent years, and I have been lucky enough to read them all so far. The latest offering for us Firefly fans is the new tie-in novel, What Makes Us Mighty by M. K. England, which sees the crew of Serenity forced into another deadly situation when a job goes south. I always have a lot of fun when reading Firefly books and I look forward to seeing this new author’s take on the excellent characters from the show.
Star Wars: Crimson Reign by Charles Soule and Steven Cummings
I have also splashed out recently for some cool new comics, including several great Star Wars comics. This includes the second entry in the Crimson Dawn series of comics, Crimson Reign, written by one of the leading architects Star Wars fiction at the moment, Charles Soule. Crimson Reign follows the recently renewed Crimson Dawn crime syndicate, who are determined to make their mark on the galaxy by taking down Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader. To that end, their leader, Lady Qi’ra, puts in place a series of plans to give her everything she needs to fight the Sith. I have already read this intriguing comic and I liked how it continued some of the excellent storylines started in War of the Bounty Hunters. I look forward to seeing how this entire saga comes together in the future, but for now, Crimson Reign is a must-read for all fans of the current Star Wars comics.
Star Wars: Volume Four: Crimson Reign by Charles Soule
I also grabbed the fourth volume of the current Star Wars comic series, also by Charles Soule. The tie-in to the Crimson Reign comic I mentioned above, this new Star Wars volume continues several of the storylines from the previous series, while also exploring the fallout of War of the Bounty Hunters. This latest volume is pretty damn epic, and I love the mixture of storylines, including Luke’s continued attempt to reconnect with the Force after finding out that Darth Vader is his father, while Leia has a final confrontation with a deadly new enemy who bears a massive grudge against her. One of the strongest Star Wars comic series out there at the moment, this is a great new volume I deeply enjoyed.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
The final book I recently got was the highly anticipated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic, The Last Ronin. Written by an all-star team, including the legendary Kevin Eastman, The Last Ronin envisions a future where the Turtles have been defeated and brutally killed off. Only one of them remains alive and he has returned to a dystopian New York to get revenge on the man responsible for his family’s death. A taught and powerful comic about revenge and regret, The Last Ronin was an epic read that lived up to all the hype surrounding it. An absolute must read for all fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I am really glad that I finally have a copy of this cool comic.
Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post. As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in. Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.
Top Ten Tuesday – Books on my Spring 2022 TBR
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics. The official Top Ten Tuesday topic for this week was around books I got for my personal library, however, I decided to instead move up my quarterly post about the best upcoming books to read (TBR) for the following three months. This is a regular post I do at the start of each season, and as this Tuesday is just before Spring (Autumn for folks in the Northern Hemisphere), this is the ideal time to put this up.
For this list, I have come up with 10 of the most anticipated novels that are coming out between 1 September 2022 and 30 November 2022. There are quite a few very cool novels set for release in the next few months that I am extremely excited for, including some of my most anticipated books of the year. Due to how impressive some of these upcoming books are, it took me a little while to finalise my list but I was eventually able to whittle it down into a Top Ten list (with a few honourable mentions). I have primarily used the Australian publication dates to reflect when I will be able to get these awesome novels, and these might be somewhat different to the rest of the world. I have previously discussed a number of these books before in prior Top Ten Tuesdays and Waiting on Wednesday articles and I think all of them will turn out to be pretty incredible reads. I have extremely excited for the next three months as quite a few up these upcoming reads are easily going to be amongst the best books of 2022.
Honourable Mentions:
Falling Sky by Harry Sidebottom – 13 October 2022
An epic adventure from one of the best current authors of historical fiction, Harry Sidebottom. Set to bring back his best protagonist for a ton of historical action and intrigue in the Alps, Falling Sky is going to be a lot of fun and I cannot wait to read it.
The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham – 18 October 2022
After having a fantastic time with Grisham’s latest legal thrillers, The Judge’s List and Sparring Partners, I am quite keen to read something else from this iconic crime fiction author. Luckily his new book, The Boys from Biloxi, sounds very impressive and I know I am going to have a blast getting through it.
Friends Like These by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez – 1 November 2022
Last year, Jennifer Lynn Alvarez greatly impressed me her first young adult thriller, Lies Like Wildfire, which ended up being one of the best debuts of 2021. I loved the complex and clever story that Alvarez featured in Lies Like Wildfire, and it looks like she’s set to continue her awesome young adult thriller ways with the upcoming Friends Like These, which explore the deadly consequences of a drunken party.
Death to the Emperor by Simon Scarrow – 8 November 2022
I will of course be grabbing the latest historical fiction epic from one of my favourite authors, Simon Scarrow, when it comes out in November. Scarrow’s last few books have all been very exciting and I cannot wait to read Death to the Emperor when it comes out, especially as it sets his long-running Roman protagonists against a massed rebellion in Britain.
Top Ten List:
Fairy Tale by Stephen King – 6 September 2022
First on this list is the upcoming fantasy novel from legendary author Stephen King, Fairy Tale. I have been deeply enjoying King’s last few books, such as the fantastic Later and the epic Billy Summers, and I am very keen to see King dive into a dark fantasy novel. Set around a young boy who finds himself drawn into a dark realm of fairies and magic, Fairy Tale promises to be an exceptional read, and I know I am going to have a blast with it.
Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir – 13 September 2022
Since her impressive debut in 2019 with Gideon the Ninth, Tamsyn Muir has been one of the most intriguing science fiction authors out there. Not only was her first book a ton of fun with its dark story around a group of space-faring necromancers, but her sequel, Harrow the Ninth, was a truly exceptional read that ended up being one of the best books and audiobooks of 2020. I am exceedingly excited to see what happens in the third book, Nona the Ninth, and it looks let to continue the fantastic body-swapping antics of the previous two novels. Nona the Ninth is likely to be one of the best and most distinctive science fiction reads of 2022, and I am very excited for it as a result.
Oath of Loyalty by Kyle Mills – 13 September 2022
There are some excellent long-running spy thriller series at there now, but one of my favourites is the action-packed Mitch Rapp novels. Originally written by Vince Flynn, the Mitch Rapp novels follow the titular spy and assassin as he lays waste to America’s enemies around the world. The last several novels, such as Red War, Lethal Agent, Total Power, and Enemy at the Gates, have been written by Kyle Mills and feature some amazing narratives to them. I have been having an outstanding time getting through this series recently, and the next novel, Oath of Loyalty, looks set to be another awesome read. Oath of Loyalty will continue the feud between Rapp and the new US president and will force Rapp to defend his family when they are sold out to a deadly and unstoppable group of assassins. I love the sound of this epic read and I know I am going to have an amazing time with it.
The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman – 15 September 2022
There was no way I can possibly exclude the upcoming Richard Osman novel, The Bullet that Missed, from this list. The third book in the Thursday Murder Club, which follows on from the exceptional The Thursday Murder Club (one of the best debuts of 2020) and The Man Who Died Twice (one of the best books and audiobooks of 2021), The Bullet that Missed will bring back Osman’s fun group of crime solving senior citizens and set them on a new case. I love the sound of this amazing book and I can’t wait to start reading it.
The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik – 20 September 2022
Easily one of my most anticipated books coming out in the next few months is The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik. The third and final book in Novik’s exquisite and epic Scholomance trilogy, The Golden Enclaves will finally provide some closure to readers following the impressive first two novels, A Deadly Education and The Last Graduate. Both books have had perfect, dark magical school narratives, and I have had such an incredible time reading them. However, I have been dying to check out The Golden Enclaves for a year now, especially after that brutal cliff-hanger at the end of The Last Graduate, and I am just going to absorb this book the moment I get my hands on it.
Khaos by Jeremy Robinson – 18 October 2022
I have no doubt that one of the most exciting and action-packed novels of the next three months is going to be Khaos by Jeremy Robinson. Following on from Robinson’s fantastic and fun novels, Tribe, The Dark, and Mind Bullet, Khaos will set three groups of Robinson’s protagonists on a joint mission to Hades to free the gods and titans for an upcoming war. This book has so much damn potential and I can’t wait to see what chaos happens in Khaos.
Usagi Yojimbo: Crossroads by Stan Sakai – 25 October 2022
After already being blessed with one volume of the incredible Usagi Yojimbo comic series this year with Tengu War!, I am exceeding happy that we are getting another volume with Crossroads. Crossroads looks set to enthrall readers with several great new stories, and I am very excited to see how Sakai continues his iconic comics. There is a very good reason why this is one of my favourite comic series of all time, and I cannot wait to get another volume extremely soon.
The Voyage of the Forgotten by Nick Martell – 3 November 2022
Another epic trilogy that is coming to an end in the next few months is Nick Martell’s Legacy of the Mercenary King series with the third and final book, The Voyage of the Forgotten. I have been absolutely and incredibly impressed with Martell’s first two novels, The Kingdom of Liars and The Two-Faced Queen, both of which have been exceptional five-star reads. I am extremely excited for the final book, and I cannot wait to see how Martell will wrap up the multiple complex and captivating storylines. There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that The Voyage of the Forgotten is going to be one of the top books of the year and it is going to be something truly epic.
Desert Star by Michael Connelly – 8 November 2022
Another must-read I must include on this list is the next book from acclaimed crime-fiction author Michael Connelly. His new book, Desert Star, is the latest entry in his Ballard of Bosch series, which has already featured three amazing reads, Dark Sacred Night, The Night Fire and The Dark Hours. This new book sets the great protagonists on another intriguing case, and I look forward to seeing how Connelly sets out his new great mystery.
Star Wars: The High Republic: Convergence by Zoraida Cordova – 15 November 2022
The final book I want to highlight on this list is the new upcoming Star Wars novel, Convergence by Zoraida Cordova. Convergence is part of The High Republic sub-series and will set up the entire next phase of the High Republic. This new phase serves as a prequel to the previous High Republic novels, and I am very curious to see how everything ties together. This should be a very awesome Star Wars novel and I am sure I am going to have a lot of fun reading it.
Well, that is the end of my Top Ten list. I think it turned out pretty well and it does a good job of capturing all my most anticipated books for the next three months. Each of the above should be extremely epic, and I cannot wait to read each of them soon. Let me know which of the above you are most excited for and stay tuned for reviews of them in the next few months. In the meantime, it looks like I have quite a few books to get through soon and they should all be pretty awesome.
Waiting on Wednesday – The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham
Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy. I run this segment in conjunction with the Can’t-Wait Wednesday meme that is currently running at Wishful Endings. Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them. For this latest Waiting on Wednesday I check out the next brilliant novel from legendary author John Grisham, The Boys from Biloxi.
There are many great and impressive crime fiction writers out there now, but one whose work tends to shine over the vast majority is the critically acclaimed John Grisham. The author of a vast library of novels and with a career spanning over 30 years, Grisham has definitely entered the crime fiction hall of fame, and his focus on legal thrillers has produced some exceptional reads. I am fairly new to reading Grisham’s work, having only checked out two of his novels so far, last years The Judge’s List and the recent short-story collection Sparring Partners. Both books were exciting and fun pieces of fiction from Grisham, and I deeply enjoyed their unique and powerful stories. As such, I have been keeping an eye out for Grisham’s next book and I was pretty pleased to see that he has a new one coming out in a few months with The Boys from Biloxi.
The Boys from Biloxi, which is set for release on 18 October 2022, is a fantastic and gripping sounding crime fiction novel that will combine legal thriller elements with intense character interactions. Set in the depths of Mississippi, The Boys from Biloxi will follow two lifetime friends who find themselves on opposite sides of a massive family feud. One protagonist will be the son of the town’s fierce prosecutor, while the other will grow up as part of the criminal underworld. Throughout the course of this book, this friendship will break down and the two families will face off for survival and pride, with everything eventually being settled in the courtroom. I love the sound of this awesome book, and I cannot wait to see what sort of elaborate and deeply personal story Grisham will weave together here. I have no doubt that The Boys from Biloxi will be another exceptional novel from John Grisham, and this may end up being one of the best books of the year.
Plot Synopsis:
#1 New York Times bestselling author John Grisham returns to Mississippi in his most gripping legal thriller yet, the riveting story of two sons of immigrant families who grow up as friends, but ultimately find themselves on opposite sides of the law. Grisham’s trademark twists and turns will keep you tearing through the pages until the stunning conclusion.
For most of the last hundred years, Biloxi was known for its beaches, resorts, and seafood industry. But it had a darker side. It was also notorious for corruption and vice, everything from gambling, prostitution, bootleg liquor, and drugs to contract killings. The vice was controlled by small cabal of mobsters, many of them rumored to be members of the Dixie Mafia.
Keith Rudy and Hugh Malco grew up in Biloxi in the sixties and were childhood friends, as well as Little League all-stars. But as teenagers, their lives took them in different directions. Keith’s father became a legendary prosecutor, determined to “clean up the Coast.” Hugh’s father became the “Boss” of Biloxi’s criminal underground. Keith went to law school and followed in his father’s footsteps. Hugh preferred the nightlife and worked in his father’s clubs. The two families were headed for a showdown, one that would happen in a courtroom.
Life itself hangs in the balance in The Boys from Biloxi, a sweeping saga rich with history and with a large cast of unforgettable characters.
Sparring Partners by John Grisham
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (Trade Paperback – 31 May 2022)
Series: Standalone/Short Story
Length: 306 pages
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
In the mood for more legal thriller awesomeness from the mind of legendary author John Grisham? Then make sure to grab a copy of his new short story collection, Sparring Partners.
John Grisham is an author who needs very little introduction, especially after dominating the thriller field for over 30 years. However, I must admit that I only recently checked out his work with the 2021 book, The Judge’s List. The Judge’s List was an extremely captivating novel that saw a determined investigator dive into allegations that a sitting judge was also a devious serial killer. I really enjoyed this fantastic book and it definitely convinced me that I needed to read more of Grisham’s books. Well, I recently got the opportunity to do so when I picked up a copy of Grisham’s latest release, the short story collection Sparring Partners.
Sparring Partners is an intriguing book that contains three of Grisham’s compelling short stories. Made up of Homecoming, Strawberry Moon and the story Sparring Partners, this collection was an awesome and fun read that will really appeal to established Grisham fans. I personally had a great time with it, and I ended up getting through it in three short intervals, knocking off one story at a time. All three stories are quite entertaining in their own right, and together they prove to be an excellent and awesome exploration of Grisham’s style and love of the legal thriller.
The first of these stories is Homecoming, which takes the reader back to Ford County, which has served as the fictional setting of many of Grisham’s novels. This story follows a small group of lawyers who find themselves in a unique situation when a disgraced former colleague returns to the fold. Homecoming starts when small-time lawyer Jake Brigance suddenly receives a letter from long-lost friend and fellow lawyer Mack Stafford. Years ago, Mack suddenly and unexpectantly fell off the grid, taking a stack of money from his clients and vanishing to parts unknown. Considered a legend by the local legal community, Mack left behind a wife and two kids, and no one has ever understood the reasons for his disappearance. Now, Mack is determined to return to Ford County and wants Jake and his friend Harry Rex Vonner to help navigate the waiting legal difficulties. But as Jake and Harry work to secure Mack’s return, some members of Ford County are less than eager to see him come back and will ensure that retribution is waiting for him if he does.
Now I must admit that the first entry in this book is probably the weakest, as Homecoming does not have the most gripping narrative of the three short stories in Sparring Partners, mainly due to its low stakes. However, it still proves to be a very compelling and interesting narrative that sees a disgraced fugitive lawyer who went through a major mid-life crisis attempt to return to the scene of the crime. Loaded with characters with big personalities, this proves to be a very entertaining entry, and I enjoyed the unique and character-driven narrative that it contained. Grisham provides some intriguing insights into small-town lawyering, while also taking the time to dive into some of the more significant characters. There is a great focus on the character of Mack, especially around why he did what he did, and I really enjoyed the moving moments that looked at the impact his actions had on his family. However, I did think that the story, while fast paced and interesting, was a bit bland and it never really went anywhere. Still, this was a great introduction to the sort of stories you can expect in Sparring Partners and I had a wonderful time reading it.
The next entry in Sparring Partners is the powerful and intimate story, Strawberry Moon. Set inside a death row of a prison, Strawberry Moon follows Cody Wallace, a young inmate with only three hours left until his execution. Waiting for his final moments while his lawyer tries and fails to save him, Cody reminisces on his life and the poor choices, tragedies, and an unfair system that led him there. But as the last minutes of his life tick away before him, Cody has just one request to the guards around him, one that will make all the difference in the world to him.
Strawberry Moon was the most powerful and heartbreaking of all the three stories contained within Sparring Partners and it serves as the emotional heart of the entire volume. Grisham paints a grim and realistic picture of a young man who is about to be executed, by examining this remarkable figure’s remaining three hours. Grisham has produced a deeply compelling and concise narrative that reader will swiftly get drawn into. The story of Cody Wallace is beyond tragic, and the slow reveal of what he did and why he is about to die really gets to you, especially as it is interposed with scenes from his current existence and mentality, which has resulted in spending half his life in death row. Watching Cody take pleasure in some of the little things he has as he waits to die is extremely moving, as are his final interactions with some of the more important people in his life, even if they are only passing acquaintances. This story also serves as a rather blistering indictment of the death penalty system, and Grisham really got his point across extremely well, showing a mostly innocent person get killed for reasons outside of his control. Easily the best of the three stories contained within Sparring Partners, I had an incredible time with Strawberry Moon, and you will get hit hard in the feels when you read this one.
The final story is the amusing and fast-paced story Sparring Partners, which shares the name of the volume. Sparring Partners follows the unusual firm of Malloy & Malloy, a storied, family-operated law firm that is going through its greatest challenge. With the Malloy family patriarch currently in prison for murder, the two remaining Malloy lawyers, brothers Kirk and Rusty, attempt to manage the firm in his stead. However, the two brothers are polar opposites of each other and have very different ideas about how the firm should be run. With their feud reaching an all-time high, the firm is in dire straits, and only their neutral colleague, Diantha Bradshaw, seems capable of saving it from ruin. But Diantha has very different plans, and the firm of Malloy & Malloy may be in some real trouble.
This final story is a great entry as well, and it is definitely the most entertaining piece in the entire book. Following a law firm in crisis, this was a fantastic and fun blend of legal thriller and family drama, as the entire lawyer family goes at each other trying to win. Grisham sets the entire scenario up extremely well and shows the multiple conflicts, manipulations and twists in an awesome way. None of the characters in this story are likeable, and it proves quite enjoyable to watch them fight and bicker throughout Sparring Partners, especially as many of them get what they deserve at the end. While this entry did feature an extremely convoluted murder and investigation, which was a bit silly, there were a lot of good elements in Sparring Partners, and I had an awesome time getting through it. A fantastic concluding story for this excellent book!
Overall, Sparring Partners was an interesting read to get through, and I quite enjoyed the various snapshots into Grisham’s imagination and writing style. All three stories have some excellent merits, and while they aren’t the author’s best work they were very entertaining and compelling. I loved the mixture of legal scenarios and interesting characters featured within this book, and Grisham’s ability to craft together a concise story even in shortform was on full display. While Sparring Partners is very accessible to readers unfamiliar to Grisham’s previous works, this is probably best enjoyed by those fans of the author who are hankering for more of his unique stories in between books. I had a great time reading it and it gave me some more insights into an author I am still not amazingly familiar with.
Book Haul – 21 May 2022
I have been having an absolutely fantastic couple of week for books, as I have been lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from some of my local publishers. These novels include some truly awesome new releases, several of which I have been eagerly awaiting for some time. I am extremely keen to check out all of the books below and they should make for some amazing reads.
Against All Gods by Miles Cameron
The first recently received novel I want to talk about is Against All Gods by Miles Cameron. I just got an advanced copy of this awesome book and I am extremely excited to check it out, especially as Cameron’s recent fantasy and science fiction novels (such as Cold Iron, Dark Forge and Artifact Space) have been exceedingly good. Against All Gods is the start of a new series from Cameron that will see a world dominated by powerful gods thrown into chaos as one chaotic deity attempts to instigate a conflict between men and gods. This one sounds like a ton of fun and if Cameron’s past books are anything to go by, this is going to be an massively impressive book.
Sparring Partners by John Grisham
Last year I finally got around to reading something from legendary thriller author John Grisham, with his awesome 2021 release The Judge’s List. This was an outstanding and compelling read and I am rather eager to check out some more of his writing. Luckily for me I’ve just received a copy of his latest release, Sparring Partners, which contains several legal-thriller based short stories. I am extremely curious to see what happens in these shorter pieces of fiction and I reckon this will be a pretty entertaining read.
Black River by Matthew Spencer
I was very happy to receive a copy of the upcoming thriller novel Black River by Australian author Matthew Spencer which has the potential to be one of the best debuts of 2022. Black River is a deeply intriguing Australian thriller that sees a troubled journalist drawn into a brutal murder and the hunt for a serial killer. I always love checking out great new Australian authors and I have a feeling this is going to be something special.
The Dark by Sharon Bolton
Another intriguing thriller I received was The Dark from veteran author Sharon Bolton. Part of her established Lacey Flint series, The Dark sees the series protagonist intervene when a baby is snatched from its pram and thrown into the Thames. However, Lacey’s actions soon make her a target for a group of rabid incels and she must survive their subsequent terror attacks. I think this sounds like a particularly intriguing, if intense, read, and I can’t wait to check out Bolton’s writing for the first time.
The Collarbound by Rebecca Zahabi
I have also received a copy of The Collarbound by Rebecca Zahabi, an interesting fantasy debut that has a lot of potential. Following two damaged protagonists stuck in a magical warzone, The Collarbound sounds like an amazing read and I am very curious to check it out.
Eversion by Alastair Reynolds
Ooh, a fun and compelling steampunk read from awesome author Alastair Reynolds. I love the idea of a zeppelin based story and I am very interested in exploring this first book in Reynolds’ new series.
The Darkest Sin by D. V. Bishop
The final book I got a copy of is the historical murder mystery The Darkest Sin by D. V. Bishop. The sequel to one of my favourite debuts of 2021, City of Vengeance, The Darkest Sin will continue some of the awesome storylines from the first book as it follows protagonist Cesare Aldo as he investigates a deadly murder in a convent in 16th century Florence. At the same time his protégé investigates a second murder that has dangerous connections to Aldo and could result in his death. I can’t wait to see how Bishop continues this fantastic series and I know I am going to have a great time with The Darkest Sin.
Well that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post. As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in. Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.
Top Ten Tuesday – Favourite New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2021
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics. The official topic for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday was 2021 releases I was excited to read but didn’t get to, however, I addressed that topic in my post last week. So instead of covering that, this week I will look at my favourite new-to-me authors that I discovered in 2021. This is a list I have covered for the last couple of years (make sure to check out my 2019 and 2020 versions), and it is one that I always have fun doing.
Each year I am lucky enough to read a great number of awesome novels and this often includes some that were written by authors whose work I was previously unfamiliar with. 2021 was a good example of this as there were an incredible collection of amazing novels written by authors who were completely new to me. This included some debuting authors, as well as more established writers whose work I only got around to this year. Many of these new-to-me authors produced some truly exceptional reads, some of which I consider to be some of the best books released in 2021, and I really feel the need to highlight them here. As a result, this list may feature a bit of overlap with my top books, pre-2021 books and audiobooks lists of 2021 that I have previously published on this blog.
To appear on this list, the book had to be one I read last year and be written by an author who I was unfamiliar with before 2021. If I had not read anything from this author before last year, it was eligible for this latest list, although I did exclude debut novels as I had another list prepared for them. Despite this, I ended up with a massive list of potential inclusions on this list, as it appears that I read a ton of great new authors in the last year. Despite my best efforts, I had a very hard time whittling this list down, so in the end I decided to face the inevitable and leave it as a top 20 list. While I still had to exclude several great authors whose books I really liked, I think that I came up with a good overall list that represents which authors I am really glad that I decided to try out for the first time last year.
Top Twenty List:
William King – Trollslayer, Skavenslayer, Daemonslayer, and Dragonslayer
Well, let us start this list off with an author I read multiple books from in 2021 with William King. I was in a real Warhammer mood in 2021, and as part of the that I decided to check out the iconic Gotrek and Felix series that was initially written by King. This great series follows a deranged dwarf Slayer and his reluctant human companion as they travel around the Warhammer Fantasy world looking for a monster bad enough to give Gotrek the heroic death he desperately wants. I really love this amazing series and I ended up reading the first four of King’s Gotrek and Felix books in 2021, Trollslayer, Skavenslayer, Daemonslayer and Dragonslayer, each of which were a lot of fun. I have even kept reading King’s books in 2022, having only recently read and reviewed the fifth Gotrek and Felix novel, Beastslayer. I fully intend to keep reading this series this year when I get a chance, and I reckon I will finish off King’s entire run on this series extremely soon.
Jeremy Robinson – The Dark and Mind Bullet
The other new-to-me author who I read more than one book from in 2021 was Jeremy Robinson, an awesome author known for his over-the-top science fiction and horror books. I was initially drawn to Robinson’s interesting dark horror read, The Dark, which sets a group of protagonists against a deadly demonic invasion, and which had a brilliant story to it. I ended up enjoying it so much that I decided to check out any other books that Robinson had coming out in 2021 and that led me to his latest release, Mind Bullet, which follows a psychic assassin who finds himself being hunted by a cadre of unconventional and superpowered hitmen. I had an absolute blast reading these cool books, and the both received easy five-star ratings from me. Due to how much fun I had with these books I plan to read a hell of a lot more from Robinson this year, especially as he has some cool releases on the way.
Tess Sharpe – The Girls I’ve Been
One of the more interesting authors I checked out in 2021 was young adult author Tess Sharpe who wowed me with her cool novel, The Girls I’ve Been. This fantastic novel followed a teenage former con-artist who is forced to revert to her old ways to save herself and her friends from vicious bank robbers. Clever, compelling and deeply thrilling, I have so much love for this novel and I cannot wait to see what cool books Sharpe rights in the future.
John Gwynne – The Shadow of the Gods
One of the best new-to-me authors I read last year was legendary fantasy author John Gwynne. Gwynne, who has written some very highly regarded dark fantasy books in the past presented The Shadow of the Gods last year, which was the first book in his new Bloodsworn Saga series. I initially hadn’t planned to read this book but after hearing so many positive reviews about it I changed my mind and was extremely glad that I did. The Shadow of the Gods was an epic and captivating read that featured action and adventure in an awesome, Viking-inspired fantasy landscape. This was such an incredible book (with a really amazing cover) and it made me an instant fan of this author. I cannot wait to see where this series goes next, and I really need to go back and read some of Gwynne’s earlier series.
I was also lucky enough to read the fantastic historical thriller Resistance towards the end of last year written by relatively new author Mara Timon. Resistance was a sequel to Timon’s 2020 debut City of Spies and contains a great story about a female spy dropped into occupied Normandy shortly before the D-Day landings. This was an excellent spy thriller and I look forward to seeing what other cool books Timon writes in the future.
Nate Crowley – The Twice-Dead King: Ruin
Another great new-to-me author of Warhammer fiction I read last year was the insanely talented Nate Crowley who presented his first The Twice-Dead King novel, Ruin. Ruin followed a banished Necron prince as he attempts to save his former empire from internal corruption and destructive outside forces. Breathing amazing life into essentially dead characters, this was a fantastic and intense Warhammer read that I had a great time with. I cannot wait to see how the series continues in 2022 and I will also try to read some of Crowley’s other cool Warhammer releases.
I was very excited to check out a book from Japanese thriller author Kotaro Isaka last year with Bullet Train. A translation of his 2010 novel Maria Beetle, this book featured a complex and quirky tale about several assassins trapped on the same bullet train. I had an incredible time with this book, especially as Isaka loaded it with some amazing twists and very unique characters. Thanks to the success of this book, and the cool upcoming (if somewhat whitewashed) film adaptation of Bullet Train, several of the author’s other novels are being translated and I look forward to seeing what other crazy adventures he has come up with.
Kelly Rimmer – The Warsaw Orphan
Another great new author I found in 2021 was historical drama writer Kelly Rimmer whose latest book, The Warsaw Orphan, was an outstanding and powerful read. Set in Warsaw during the Nazi occupation, this book follows a group of people who attempt to save Jewish children from the Ghetto. A heartbreaking and riveting read, The Warsaw Orphan was an amazing book and I will be keeping an eye out for more of Rimmer’s stuff in the future.
One of the best books I had the pleasure to read in 2021 was Project Hail Mary, an impressive and clever science fiction novel by bestselling author Andy Weir. I have been meaning to read some of Weir’s books for years, especially after seeing the movie adaptation of The Martian, but I never got the chance. As such I was extremely keen to read his latest book when it came out last year and boy did Project Hail Mary deliver. Containing an epic and brilliant story filled with realistic science, I loved every second I spent reading this book and I honestly could not put it down. I am now a firm fan of the author and I fully intend to read the rest of Weir’s works as soon as possible.
Josh Reynolds – Kal Jerico: Sinner’s Bounty
There was no way that I couldn’t check out fantastic author Josh Reynolds this year especially after I saw that he had brought back one of my favourite Warhammer 40,000 characters, Kal Jerico. This cool new book, Sinner’s Bounty, sets the titular bounty hunter and his friends on an insane journey into the depths of their Hive City to retrieve a wanted man. Forced to contend with rival bounty hunters, monsters, mutants, and gangs, this was an amazing read and I will be checking out more of Reynolds’ Warhammer books in the future, especially if they feature Kal Jerico.
I was very lucky to grab a novel from amazing Australian author Sarah Bailey this year. Her latest book, The Housemate, was a brilliant novel that saw a disturbed reporter attempt to solve a notorious crime that had been haunting her for years. Incredibly powerful, compelling and intense, this was one of the best Australian books of 2021 and I will be very interested to see what other cool books Bailey writes in the future.
Steve Cavanagh – The Devil’s Advocate
Easily one of the more entertaining books I read in 2021 was the fun and wildly addictive legal thriller by Steve Cavanagh, The Devil’s Advocate. The sixth book in his Eddie Flynn series, The Devil’s Advocate was a great novel that saw its former conman turned defence attorney protagonist attempt to stop a murderous prosecutor determined to send an innocent man to death row. I had an amazing time with this compelling and over-the-top read, and I now really want to go back and read the rest of the awesome novels in this cool series.
Another instant favourite new author I checked out last year was impressive well-established fantasy author Anthony Ryan. Ryan is another author who I have been meaning to read for a while and it turns out I have been really missing out. His latest book, The Pariah, was an excellent and compelling first entry in a great new series that follows a young scribe as he journeys around a fantasy world trying to find his purpose. An epic first book, I cannot wait to see how this series continues and I know I am going to love it.
John Grisham – The Judge’s List
Perhaps one of the biggest names on this list is bestselling author John Grisham, who has been at the top of the crime fiction genre for decades. Grisham is one of those massive authors whose work I have been meaning to read for a very long time but never got the chance. Well, that all changed last year when I received a copy of his latest book, The Judge’s List, which sets some clever protagonists against a dangerous serial killer who is also a sitting judge. I had an incredible time with The Judge’s List, and I am fully planning to check out the rest of Grisham’s catalogue to see what I have been missing out on.
Wow there were so many awesome new-to-me Warhammer authors I checked out last year and one of the best was Dan Abnett. Abnett has written a ton of awesome Warhammer novels over the years, but the first book of his I decided to check out was First and Only, the initial book of his iconic Gaunt’s Ghosts series. Following a regiment of Imperial Guard soldiers as they fight through a gauntlet of traitors, rivals and conspiracies, this was an outstanding novel and I cannot wait to see what happens in the rest of this impressive series.
A. W. Hammond – The Paris Collaborator
I had a great time checking out thriller author A. W. Hammond for the first time in 2021. Hammond, who also writes under the name Alex Hammond, produced an exceptional and fun historical thriller last year with The Paris Collaborator. Set in the last days of the German occupation of Paris, this cool book follows a French investigator who is hired to find several missing men around the city. Filled with cool action, intense twists and some excellent historical moments, this was a great read and I will be keeping an eye out for more of Hammond’s novels in the future.
Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman – All of Us Villains
I am slightly cheating here by including two authors in the one entry, but as this was the first time I had read anything from either of them and they were collaborating on the same book, I think I can make an exception. These two authors were Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman, a great team of established authors who collaborated for the first time to create the amazing All of Us Villains. All of Us Villains was an excellent and entertaining young adult fantasy book that followed seven champions forced into a magical death tournament with the entire world watching. Loaded with amazing characters and brutal magic, this was an awesome book and I am extremely glad I decided to check out this intriguing team of authors last year.
Max Barry – The 22 Murders of Madison May
I had been meaning to read something from talented Australian author Max Barry for a while, especially as he has written some great and compelling sounding science fiction reads. I finally got a chance last year when I received a copy of Barry’s latest book, The 22 Murders of Madison May. This was a cool book that saw a women attempt to stop a deranged stalker from killing every version of his obsession, actress Madison May, in the multiverse. I deeply enjoyed this complex and entertaining story and I will have to grab some more stuff from Barry in the future.
Grady Hendrix – The Final Girl Support Group
One author I have been hearing a lot of buzz around over the years is Grady Hendrix, who has written several intriguing and unique horror hybrid novels. Due to all the positive stuff I have heard about this author I decided to check out one of their books last year with their 2021 release, The Final Girl Support Group. Set in a world were the survivors of iconic slasher scenarios have formed a support group, this cool novel follows these paranoid and damaged protagonists as they attempt to survive a new monster who is determined to kill them. An impressive homage to iconic slasher films that cleverly deconstructs the genre, this was a very fun read and I am extremely glad I decided to check out Grady Hendrix last year.
The final top new-to-me author I read last year was Australian author S. R. White, who released their second novel Prisoner. This was an enjoyable and captivating Australian murder mystery novel that had a very gritty and realistic feel to it, especially in some impressive interrogation scenes. An excellent novel from a great new author I will have to read more of in the future.
Well, that’s the end of this latest Top Ten list. I think it turned out rather well and it encapsulates some of the best new authors I checked out in 2021. I look forward to reading more books from these authors in the future and I have no doubt they will produce more epic and incredible reads. Make sure to let me know which new authors you enjoyed in 2021 in the comments below and make sure to check back next week for another exciting list.
The Unseen Library 