The Runaway Jury by John Grisham (1996, Hardcover)

Runaway Jury was an extremely good novel, engaging and intriguing from the very first page to the last. Nicholas Easter portrays a juror whose past is shrouded in mystery, with no traceable history whatsoever. Centering on a trial that pits the widow of a man who died of lung cancer versus the tobacco industry, Grisham weaves a tale of suspense and guile, a modern-day David and Goliath with a twist.

Easter has a hidden agenda for sitting in the jury box, and his mysterious past (or absence thereof) frustrates and puzzles the tobacco companies' jury analysts. As they dig further, it becomes apparent that Nicholas' presence on the jury is intended to sway the verdict, one way or another. His accomplice, Claire, is his contact on the outside, and together they play the game so very well...convincing Fitch that they will, for a fee, buy him the verdict for the Big Four's case.

You could say that the core issue of this novel was ripped from the headlines, wonderfully embellished upon. And, in my opinion, given a wonderful shove in the right direction (hey, who doesn't dream of going up against a big corporation, and be able to walk away victorious, thumbing one's nose at them?).

The scenarios and schemes that Nicholas and Claire have invented, and put into effect are at times humorous, risky, and absolutely thrilling. The final twist of the knife at the end is poetic justice, as Nicholas and Claire's motives are finally revealed.

I was really pleased with this book, reading at a near-nonstop pace. Runaway Jury is a great read, my personal favorite out of all Grisham's works.