A Time to KillJohn Grisham can write, he doesn't try to wow you with linguistic pyrotechnics. A Time to Kill is a journey to the deep south of USA with all the troubles - and nuances- of entrenched racism .
Sure it's formulaic. There's a crime, a court case, David and Goliath lawyers and the promise( unrealised, but still) of sex. Also violence, I could have done with out the graphic details of the rape but perhaps the readership requires it. It sets up the revenge motive anyway.
A bit of escapism, and who knows, someone might learn not to be racist as a result of it, although I doubt it. What you see is what you get, and this is a racy read. Don't expect too much of Grisham and you won't be disappointed. I like him but I can't say I learn any thing from him or am a better man for having read A Time to Kill. Still, it will kill a few hours , if that's all you want.