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Sparring Partners cover art

Sparring Partners

Written by: John Grisham
Narrated by: Jeff Daniels, Ethan Hawke, January LaVoy, John Grisham
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Publisher's Summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • John Grisham is the acknowledged master of the legal thriller. In his first collection of novellas, law is a common thread, but America’s favorite storyteller has several surprises in store.

“Homecoming” takes us back to Ford County, the fictional setting of many of John Grisham’s unforgettable stories. Jake Brigance is back, but he’s not in the courtroom. He’s called upon to help an old friend, Mack Stafford, a former lawyer in Clanton, who three years earlier became a local legend when he stole money from his clients, divorced his wife, filed for bankruptcy, and left his family in the middle of the night, never to be heard from again—until now. Now Mack is back, and he’s leaning on his old pals, Jake and Harry Rex, to help him return. His homecoming does not go as planned.

In “Strawberry Moon,” we meet Cody Wallace, a young death row inmate only three hours away from execution. His lawyers can’t save him, the courts slam the door, and the governor says no to a last-minute request for clemency. As the clock winds down, Cody has one final request.

The “Sparring Partners” are the Malloy brothers, Kirk and Rusty, two successful young lawyers who inherited a once prosperous firm when its founder, their father, was sent to prison. Kirk and Rusty loathe each other, and speak to each other only when necessary. As the firm disintegrates, the resulting fiasco falls into the lap of Diantha Bradshaw, the only person the partners trust. Can she save the Malloys, or does she take a stand for the first time in her career and try to save herself?

By turns suspenseful, hilarious, powerful, and moving, these are three of the greatest stories John Grisham has ever told.

Don’t miss John Grisham’s new book, THE EXCHANGE: AFTER THE FIRM!

©2022 Doubleday (P)2022 Random House Audio

What the critics say

"Grisham’s work—always superior entertainment—is evolving into something more serious, more powerful, more worthy of his exceptional talent."The Washington Post

“The law, by its nature, creates drama, and a new Grisham promises us an inside look at the dirty machineries of process and power, with plenty of entertainment.”Los Angeles Times

What listeners say about Sparring Partners

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Three great stories

John Grisham never disappoints, I enjoyed all three short stories even tho I usually don’t buy them.

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

So Grsham!

Loved it but wanted the pound of fresh spelt out for each story. Only Grisham's would satisfy !

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

Three great stories

I thought all three narrators read together for the various characters not one each, which was a little disappointing. The first story ended so abruptly I was in shock when the second started. It was almost as good. The third was intriguing albeit a little easier to guess the end.
All in all very enjoyable.

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

Short stories

I have come to realize that short stories are not my favorites, as they seem rushed and lack the depth of regular books.

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

3 stories about unscrupulous lawyers

Very intriguing stories that were quite revealing about the shadowy lawyers that exist in the world.
Well told!

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

never a letdown.

reliable writing and good story lines.
good sneaky characters and an enjoyable plot. thanks.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Awful

So boring. Three stories that could not stand on their own. Seemingly all half baked and so tedious to listen to. Don’t waste your time or money. Stay away. These three should never have left the printer. Go listen to anything else.

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