The Testament – John Grisham

As I mentioned last year when I read The Runaway Jury, it had been quite a while since I had read any John Grisham novels.  That didn’t necessarily stop me from buying them, though, as, judging by the embossed message on the front, this edition was the first time that the book had seen print in paperback.  That means that the book has been sitting in my to-read drawer for about 13 years or so.

The Testament revolves around the late Troy Phelan, the 10th-richest man in America, and the legal fight of his children as they fight over the inheritance that has been denied them and instead left to their mysterious half-sister, who has dropped out of sight and is a missionary in South America.  As the excluded heirs fight for what they believe is due to them, a disgraced attorney fights to first find, and then protect the interests of the true heir.

I enjoyed the book, but not as much as I enjoyed The Runaway Jury last year.  I’m starting to see how I could have gotten burned out on Grisham’s work 15 years ago or so.  I did like the parts in the South American jungle more than the standard legal parts.  The Pantanal seems like a wondrous place to visit, even if you do have to worry about malaria or dengue fever.  I might need to take a longer break before my next look in on Grisham’s work, but I will most likely take that look.