The Client by John Grisham -- Starting June 15th 2022

[Jenn]

n a weedy clearing on the outskirts of Memphis, two boys watch a shiny Lincoln pull up to the curb...Eleven-year-old Mark Sway and his younger brother were sharing a forbidden cigarette when a chance encounter with a suicidal lawyer left Mark knowing a bloody and explosive secret: the whereabouts of the most sought-after dead body in America. Now Mark is caught between a legal system gone mad and a mob killer desperate to cover up his crime. And his only ally is a woman named Reggie Love, who has been a lawyer for all of four years. Prosecutors are willing to break all the rules to make Mark talk. The mob will stop at nothing to keep him quiet. And Reggie will do anything to protect her client --even take a last, desperate gamble that could win Mark his freedom... or cost them both their lives.

[Haley]

Thank you for requesting Aaron! have you read any other books by John Grisham yet?

[Aaron]

Hey. Sorry I haven’t checked on this one yet. I’ve not read anything else by him but I’ve heard good things. Have you read any of his work? I will be starting this tonight.

[Haley]

no worries! I just started, but only have an hour till I have to get ready for work. I've read three other books by him so far and really enjoyed them! I was surprised at how much I found interest in them because a majority of his books are political (which I don't usually find interesting).

ch 1 (view spoiler)[ liking how it's starting off. Mark is very determined it seems like and wants to be in charge of most stations. I'm sure Mark will be getting into some trouble soon... (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Haley wrote: "no worries! I just started, but only have an hour till I have to get ready for work. I've read three other books by him so far and really enjoyed them! I was surprised at how much I found interest ..."

I’m expecting big things to be fair. It seems like most people have read a book by this author.
(view spoiler)[ I think you’re right. He seems to be good at walking into trouble by doing the right thing too often. He does seem like a genuinely nice kid though. I hope he come out of this ok. . (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[ These detectives are catching on quickly. It’s a hard one for Mark because he doesn’t know he’s in danger if he tells the truth but the FBI are figuring him out fast. I think he’ll fully break soon but then he’ll have dangerous people after him. I hope Ricky ends up being ok. (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

Aaron wrote: "Chapter 7
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ they really are! I think Mark might have been safe if he didn't let "romeo" slip out because once they happened, the detective knew something was off. I would like to think that telling the FBI would be the easy thing, but it can easily backfire if the mafia finds out. poor ricky... he witnessed so much that day (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

up to ch 10 (view spoiler)[ Mark is incredibly smart, I'm surprised he found a lawyer so quickly and Reggie seems perfect for him. I have a feeling that her name change may be helpful along the way because it seems like people are assuming the lawyer is a male so if the mafia finds out they won't know who to look for (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

ch 10 (view spoiler)[ wow I wasn't expecting Reggie's divorce to be so harsh... her ex husband was a piece of work!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Haley wrote: "up to ch 10 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I didn’t think of that but you’re probably right. All of this feels like we’re just waiting for the mafia to come after Mark. I hope he gets out of all this alright. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

I do really like Reggie so far. I’m glad we’re learning more about her.

[Aaron]

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[ Marks going through a lot right now. I’m glad his mum will have her job back. Something needs to happen soon. Everyone is in position waiting for Mark to talk but he ain’t gonna do that so they need to break this stalemate. (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

Aaron wrote: "Chapter 17
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I'm hoping they don't find a way to make him talk.. it'll only lead to trouble for his family. When Reggie stood up to Diane's boss I was smiling the entire time. That was incredible!! I do hope something exciting happens soon because it's a lot of back and worth and there's still a good amount of the book to go through (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[ These court parts are really interesting. I hope Mark gets to go back to his family soon. It seems like there’s a lot of book left so something must happen. I don’t think the Sway family will be given good enough protection if Mark does talk. (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

Aaron wrote: "Chapter 24
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I really enjoyed the court parts, especially with Harry as the judge. He is a wonderful character and I love his relationship with Reggie. They both seem to understand each other and not deal with any sort of bs. I agree with you, I don't think there is nearly enough protection if Mark does talk. Since Ricky is stuck in the hospital I feel as if the mafia would go after him if Mark said something. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Haley wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Chapter 24
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Harry was great. They both have the fact that they aren’t interested in being rich in common and that clearly helps them with being good at their jobs. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

I’ve had a bunch of free time today so I’ve gotten through quite a bit of it. Should finish it tomorrow.
Chapter 33
(view spoiler)[ I bet the body is under that boat based on the statement that Mark won’t be going back to Memphis. That was a bit ominous. Not really sure how this witness protection thing works for someone who’s just escaped jail. Sure,y they’d be a little less nice but he is just a kid. (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

Aaron wrote: "I’ve had a bunch of free time today so I’ve gotten through quite a bit of it. Should finish it tomorrow.
Chapter 33
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I was unaware of how many laws and regulations are not set in stone while reading this book. Like some laws apply to adults but it's unclear for kids. Mark honestly has such a wise mind for an eleven-year-old. (hide spoiler)]
I just finished last night and flew through the ending!!

[Aaron]

Haley wrote: "Aaron wrote: "I’ve had a bunch of free time today so I’ve gotten through quite a bit of it. Should finish it tomorrow.
Chapter 33
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]
I just finished last nigh..."
I needed some time to collect my thoughts after finishing it.
(view spoiler)[ it must’ve been a pain for the author to make sure he had all the laws right. I liked this books but I would’ve liked a bit more of an ending. We still don’t know if the FBI got the body or if the Sway’s managed to start a new life. (hide spoiler)]