The Summons Audiobook By John Grisham cover art

The Summons

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The Summons

By: John Grisham
Narrated by: Michael Beck
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About this listen

Ray Atlee is a professor of law at the University of Virginia. He's 43, newly single, and still enduring the aftershocks of a surprise divorce. He has a younger brother, Forrest, who redefines the notion of a family's black sheep.

And he has a father, a very sick old man who lives alone in the ancestral home in Clanton, Mississippi. He is known to all as Judge Atlee, a beloved and powerful official who has towered over local law and politics for 40 years. No longer on the bench, the Judge has withdrawn to the Atlee mansion and become a recluse. With the end in sight, Judge Atlee issues a summons for both sons to return home to Clanton, to discuss the details of his estate. It 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, which he prefers now 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.

©2002 Belfry Holdings, Inc. (P)2002 Random House, Inc., Random House Audio, a Division of Random House, Inc.
Legal Suspense Thriller & Suspense Law Fiction Thriller Crime
Engaging Mystery • Surprising Twist • Southern Accent Authenticity • Three-dimensional Characters • Southern Charm
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sometimes his twists are annoying..... and put the money in a Fng safety deposit box lol

2 Aholes and a bag of money

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The best. So captivating!! I’m sure I will read it again one day. One of his best.

Third time reading

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Loved it. Great story, great moral. What would I do iif I were in Raiy's situation?

Great moral, Best Grisham book

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I didn't think an audio book would be as good as reading Grisham but I was wrong. I read half the book and left it on the beach (with my glasses) when rushing to the airport at the end of vacation. A friend let me listen to the last half of her audio book and I really enjoyed it.

Surprisingly good

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I thought this was a great story. Had classic Grisham elements and kept my attention throughout.

One of the best

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I don't understand why so many people have given this book bad ratings. I thought it was excellent. It's a well-written story, full of suspense. I think maybe it would have been better received if it weren't written by Grisham, whose readers probably have different expectations of what his books should be like.

Suspense

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Loved it! Kind of hoping for more. I wish there was a sequel! I recommend!

Great!

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I thought this was a great way to spend a 17 hour car trip going down to North Carolina from Maine. The book was well read and held my interest. Perhaps because the story reminded me so much of my own family helped add to the listening adventure.

I give it a solid 4 stars

Great car book

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I have been reading or listening to John Grisham for a while it seems as if he has lost his edge. While not as bad as some authors he is not as suspenseful as he was.

Not as good

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes - it's a fine example Grisham's story telling abilities.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Summons?

The twist of the end.

What about Michael Beck’s performance did you like?

Michael Beck is a terrific narrator for Grisham's southern location novels.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cared enough about the characters to want to know what happens next.

A sequel, please, Mr. Grisham?

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