Dear Reader,
When I published A Time To Kill almost thirty years ago, I never thought about how many books I might eventually write. In fact, I still have no idea.
The Reckoning is number 40, and to commemorate that nice round number I am taking readers back to where it all started, to Ford County, Mississippi. This novel, though, is very different from the others, primarily because it takes place before I was born.
Years ago I heard of a senseless murder in a small town. One prominent man had killed another, and no motive was ever known. I have been captivated by the story ever since, and because I don’t know all the facts, I’ve done what novelists usually do. I’ve simply stolen it and filled in the blanks. Truth is, I’m not sure any of it ever happened in the first place, but I’ve had a great time fictionalizing what I once heard. It was simply too good to pass up.
I hope you enjoy The Reckoning while I’m off to find number 41.
John Grisham
P.S. The cover design for The Reckoning has just been revealed. What you see here is what you’ll get on October 23.