The Innocent Man Audiobook By John Grisham cover art

The Innocent Man

Murder and Injustice in a Small Town

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The Innocent Man

By: John Grisham
Narrated by: Craig Wasson
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Number-one New York Times best seller

John Grisham’s first work of nonfiction: a true crime story that will terrify anyone who believes in the presumption of innocence.

Soon to be a Netflix original documentary series

“Both an American tragedy and [Grisham’s] strongest legal thriller yet, all the more gripping because it happens to be true.” (Entertainment Weekly)

In the town of Ada, Oklahoma, Ron Williamson was going to be the next Mickey Mantle. But on his way to the Big Leagues, Ron stumbled, his dreams broken by drinking, drugs, and women. Then, on a winter night in 1982, not far from Ron’s home, a young cocktail waitress named Debra Sue Carter was savagely murdered. The investigation led nowhere. Until, on the flimsiest evidence, it led to Ron Williamson. The washed-up small-town hero was charged, tried, and sentenced to death - in a trial littered with lying witnesses and tainted evidence that would shatter a man’s already broken life, and let a true killer go free.

Impeccably researched, grippingly told, filled with 11th-hour drama, this audio edition of The Innocent Man plays like an edge-of-your-seat legal thriller. It is a book no American can afford to miss.

“Grisham has crafted a legal thriller every bit as suspenseful and fast-paced as his best-selling fiction.” (The Boston Globe)

“A gritty, harrowing true-crime story.” (Time)

“A triumph.” (The Seattle Times)

©2006 Belfry Holdings, Inc (P)2006 Random House Audio
Criminology Freedom & Security History Law Murder Penology Politics & Government Social Sciences True Crime Exciting
Compelling True Story • Well-researched Details • Excellent Narration • Eye-opening Revelations • Captivating Legal Drama
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Many of the elements of John Grisham's best novels are here. Sad to say this was a real life case of two men wrongly accused of murder, sent to death row, and finally, many years later, cleared.

Grisham, with his expertise in the workings (or in this case, misworkings) of our legal system, gives us all a lesson and a wake-up call to ensure that the competence and conduct of every person and agency involved in the process is always above reproach: from the law enforcement agencies doing the investigations, through the attorneys on both sides of the case, to the judges and juries who pass judgement and sentences.

The saddest part of this story is not Mr. Williamson's early death, but the fact that despite being thoroughly cleared by the DNA evidence, the Oklahoma prosecutor never apologized for wrongfully prosecuting, and continued to hold a "sword of Damocles" over both Williamson and Fritz by never ruling them out as suspects in the murder, while the logical suspect and most likely murderer was ignored.

We can, and must, do better.

Grisham's real life thriller

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I've heard interviews with John Grishom where he explains he'd never write another Non-fiction again..that researching it involved far too much research, facts, timelines, interviews etc.

Perhaps that is why this book is so dry. It is filled with so many timelines and facts that it just becomes drone.

I had a difficult time getting through it and staying with it. The reader didn't help!

Too Dry

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I loved the detailed outline of the story and the descriptions of everything...and the law sprinkled throughout. Great read.

Gut wrenching but good!

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This book is necessary. It demonstrates the utter precarious nature of justice. No easy answers.

Sobering

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It is difficult to believe this book is a true story anywhere in America. Mr. Grisham did a fabulous job. I think it’s one of his best works!

Great book

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As I study law now and have worked as a paralegal for both proscution and over 10 years in defense I was mesmerized, emitional, and even more encouraged to finish my law studies and devote my time to defense.

Land of the free maybe not, Definitely the brave.

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Great investigation. I hope DNA testing will confirm or deny justice on all currently on death row.

Fascinating Story.

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This is such an amazing story, but I kept getting drowsy when I would try to read it. The read aloud was outstanding and added so much!

Better than reading!

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I was hooked from the start and can not recommend this book enough! I am shocked at the blatent injustices that took place in the ADA justice system in the 80s and 90s. I watched the Netdlix series first which was great. The book offers up so much great detail, I recommend both the book and the series.

Riveting from start to finish! I highly recommend.

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I’ve been listening to many of Grisham’s legal books recently and was excited to try this book. While Grisham’s legal fiction always contains some twist and turns along the story line, his attempt at legal nonfiction just doesn’t measure up. I found myself zoning out numerous times throughout the book and would need to rewind 5+ minutes to the last thing I remembered. Grisham spends too much time summarizing legal precedents (yes ... more than his legal fiction work) and going into details that don’t add anything to the story. I wish I would have passed on this book!

Grisham’s Nonfiction Doesn’t Measure Up

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