Name: Gray Mountain
ISBN: 9780385363167

John Grisham

Gray Mountain

Jonathan Tysick

I learned a lot about coal strip mining in the Appalachian mountains (even if it did come off a bit preachy at times) and was entertained. A satisfying ending. However Grisham's female lead was a little flat and the plot not too fast.

Kshitij Bantupalli

This is an amazing book to read. It was my first Grisham, and what a way to start. 
Good plot line, begins slow and works into the story and keeps you on the edge towards the climax. I would recommend this book to any person starting Grisham.

Fran Lewis

Not sure I liked the ending. Seemed more like the first book in a sequel rather than a complete book on its own.

"Coal mining companies are bad. Here's some information about their predatory practices and how those afflicted with black lung are ignored."

Oh wow, well maybe I'll look in into it after the book. But let's keep the story going I think Samantha could become a pro bono based lawyer but I want to see her story.

"Coal mining companies are horrible and they'll kill their opponents indiscriminately and have the FBI on their side."

Well that stinks. I mean I doubt it would happen like that but really, I want to see the protagonist's story. She could be such a great, growing character and could be a narrative against big law.

"COAL MINING IS HORRIBLE!"

*Sigh* Samantha had her book stolen from her. I don't understand why Grisham thought to focus on the platform against coal mining instead of her story. Her story could have been so good! She was beginning to realize there's more to life than corporate law, but coal mining got in the way.

I didn't like it by the end. Mid way things go off the rails and just spiral into a weird plot that not only doesn't make sense logically but I don't think would happen in that way in real life. There's a lot that doesn't add up and frankly I'm disappointed. I hope his newer books aren't all like this.

Les Reynolds

Took a while to get invested in the story. It felt like the agenda got in the way of the story a bit, but I did love the surprise mid-way through the book. Not his best, but still enjoyable.

Gigi V

Chris Andersson

Wingyan Chan

Akinwale Oshodi

The year is 2008 and Samantha Kofer's career at a huge Wall Street law firm is on the fast track--until the recession hits and she is downsized, furloughed, and escorted out of the building. Samantha, though, is offered an opportunity to work at a legal aid clinic for one year without pay, all for a slim chance of getting rehired. In a matter of days Samantha moves from Manhattan to Brady, Virginia, population 2,200, in the heart of Appalachia, a part of the world she has only read about. Samantha's new job takes her into the murky and dangerous world of coal mining, where laws are often broken, communities are divided, and the land itself is under attack. But some of the locals aren't so thrilled to have a big-city lawyer in town, and within weeks Samantha is engulfed in litigation that turns deadly. Because like most small towns, Brady harbors big secrets that some will kill to conceal"--Unedited summary from the book.

Lacy Clagg

Alistair James

Jessica Deaner

A Novel

Lauren Hendrix

'No one does it better than Grisham' - Telegraph Donovan Gray is ruthless and fearless. Just the kind of lawyer you need, deep in small-town Appalachia. Samantha Kofer is a world away from her former life at New York's biggest law firm. If she is going to survive in coal country, she needs to start learning fast. Because as Donovan knows only too well, the mountains have their own laws. And standing up for the truth means putting your life on the line . . . What readers are saying about GRAY MOUNTAIN 'The worst kind of corporate exploitation of the poor in rural areas is exposed . . . Absolute suspense and drama filled the pages' - 5 STARS 'Such a good read' - 5 STARS 'Thoroughly enjoyed every word, sentence and page!' - 5 STARS