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The Summons cover art

The Summons

By: John Grisham
Narrated by: Michael Beck
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Summary

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 forty 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No longer on the bench, the Judge has withdrawn to the Atlee mansion and become a recluse.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, LLC

Critic reviews

"No one tells a story better than Grisham" ( Evening Standard)

What listeners say about The Summons

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You can’t go wrong with John Grisham

It’s very rarely I haven’t enjoyed a book written by John Grisham. TBH I’ve read most of them and I can’t actually remember a book I haven’t enjoyed. I think there was one but I can’t remember what it was! The narrator was good until he tried an English accent but, thankfully, that wasn’t for very long. Grisham tells a good story and the only problem is that I only bought it last night but I’ve finished it already! Can’t stop listening but sad that it’s ended.

6 people found this helpful

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Excellent

Loved this. Had read & enjoyed Sycamore Road, and loved that this was a sort of follow-on. Highly recommended.

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Gripping story

Great story. As usual Grisham has you on the edge of your seat. Well read too.

1 person found this helpful

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A disappointing ending

Any additional comments?

The book was good, as expected from Grisham. However, the ending was frustrating, leaving unanswered questions - such as how Ray would manage to avoid prosection. The ending seemed rushed and as though the required word count had been met.

1 person found this helpful

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Ok

Having read most of the authors books I guess I was expecting more, it was ok but a bit predictable

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Not his best..........

Big fan of the author but this was far from his best. Lack of depth. I'd suggest any other book.........

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Didn’t enjoy this one

I’ve previously enjoyed all of the Grisham books I’ve read but this one didn’t grab me at all. I found it quite boring. Nothing really happens it. It felt like a chore to get through to the end.

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A Morality Tale?

I was perplexed initially but have decided it I about. not what we have. but what we do with what we have. and what a mess when we mess up!!

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  • 08-04-23

Dull

Not worth the time - dull and predictable from start to finish. Will not buy any mor if his.

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Really enjoyable listen!

I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book.It is the first John Grisham book and I will certainly look for more .Very cinamagraphic. Also really enjoyed narators performance. Only slight criticism was English accent at the end which varied between several very different dialects. Having said that, did not detract from an otherwise excellent performance.I was sorry when book ended.