The Chamber Audiobook By John Grisham cover art

The Chamber

A Novel

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The Chamber

By: John Grisham
Narrated by: Alexander Adams
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About this listen

In the corridors of Chicago's top law firm:

Twenty-six-year-old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal career. Now he is risking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case.

Maximum Security Unit, Mississippi State Prison:

Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances - except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson. While the executioners prepare the gas chamber, while the protesters gather and the TV cameras wait, Adam has only days, hours, minutes to save his client. For between the two men is a chasm of shame, family lies, and secrets - including the one secret that could save Sam Cayhall's life...or cost Adam his.

"A dark and thoughtful tale pulsing wit moral uncertainties...Grisham is at his best." (People)

"Compelling.... Powerful.... The Chamber will make readers think long and hard about the death penalty." (USA Today)

©1994 John Grisham (P)1999 Random House, Inc., Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House, Inc.
Legal Suspense Thriller Fiction
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Critic reviews

"His best yet." (The Houston Post)

"Mesmerizing...with an authority and originality...and with a grasp of literary complexity that makes Scott Turow's novels pale by comparison - Grisham returns." (San Francisco Chronicle)

Featured Article: The Essential John Grisham in Audio


John Grisham is best known for his fast-paced legal thrillers and mysteries, many of which have been adapted for television and film. Because he’s so prolific and has been writing for decades, it can be difficult to know where to begin when selecting a title from his impressive back catalog. And Grisham is definitely a jack-of-all-trades: he’s written not only legal thrillers, but nonfiction, a series for kids, some humorous novels, and recently, a new mystery series outside of the legal thriller genre. To help you decide which Grisham gem to download next, we’ve compiled a list of the very best.

What listeners say about The Chamber

Average customer ratings
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Walk in his shower shoes

What did you love best about The Chamber?

I like any book that can help us to see into another person. Even a fictional person. Racism and hate and understanding and forgiveness and tolerance. There are some very harsh elements, there would have to be for the story to take place primarily on death row. I felt for the characters. I like a book that may help me see the other side of an argument in a new light.

What does Michael Beck bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator was very good. I enjoyed his voice. I only once or twice thought his intonation was off and that is really nitpicking because he was good.

Any additional comments?

This was one of the first books that I got on my Audible acct. way back in 2002. It is now 2012. Ten years of listening and I thought I would listen to all of them over and write a quick review (finally) for each one. At the time that I got this book, I was also listening to Jonathan Kerlerman and Robert Ludlum. My tastes have changed, I do not like horrible killings and rapes that have a lot of details. I would rather have a light heart warming story. I have kids now and life is complicated enough. When I read I want to escape to a simple story with conflict that may be resolved. Though this book does not have a simple conflict, and the subject matter is hard, the story is still heart warming. There are harsh words and it is impossible to tell a story that includes racism with out using dialog that I would rather not hear but I'm glad I read the book 10 years ago, and I'm glad I read the book today.

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14 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Well written, thought provoking book

This book was well written with deep, complex and real characters. Topic is difficult and thought provoking. Narrator was EXCELLENT!!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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beautiful story

such a poignant story! a masterful creation of love repentance kindness and moving past one's family history to create one of your own

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Another classic Grisham...well worth the read

Pretty sure only Grisham can make you fond of a racist murderer to the point of nearly shedding a tear at the end of the book.

As an opponent of the death penalty I found subject matter very interesting as well.

The ending left a little to be desired. Performance was outstanding...even the singing was on point! 😀

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Awesome

Where does The Chamber rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Right at the top

What about Michael Beck’s performance did you like?

I loved the performance it kept me on the edge of my seat!!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Unsure

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointed

Love John Grisham - but this book was subpar for him. It didn't grab me like most of his books do and I forced my way through the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Sometimes a happy ending isn't the point

Very suspenseful and thought provoking
Can love transcend truly evil deeds?
Gresham whacks another homer over the wall!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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It was okay

I thought that the story had the potential to create more suspense & drama, but it fell flat. I spent the majority of the story expecting something more to happen, and then it wouldn't. Don't get me wrong, it's still an interesting story with good character development. But don't expect suspense or twist & turns. It's not that kind of story.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Narrator

Michael Beck has a way of making this story come alive. Hope to find Michael Beck narrating other books
This book was great

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Intriguing story that could use a twist

The details in the writing make the story so real but a twist by the villain would have really made it soar. Instead it’s a brutal mundane day in the world. Not to say the story isn’t compelling but rather it’s practically the regular liberal take on the death penalty.

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