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  • The Innocent Man

  • Murder and Injustice in a Small Town
  • Written by: John Grisham
  • Narrated by: Craig Wasson
  • Length: 12 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (80 ratings)

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The Innocent Man

Written by: John Grisham
Narrated by: Craig Wasson
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Publisher's Summary

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. 

“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

What listeners say about The Innocent Man

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  • 2019-05-27

Devastating story

I really enjoyed the audiobook version of this - the performance was compelling and natural. I find I’m sometimes distracted from the story when the performance isn’t good, but this was not the case at all. It is also a well-written tragic story that is still taking the lives of two wrongfully convicted men. Much more detail and “character” background than the Netflix series.

This story is specifically focused on Ron Williamson, with some mention of Fontinot and Ward’s cases - I would love a follow up on Ward and Fontinot and the Denice Haraway murder.

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Slow moving

An interesting story that was like listening to a long newspaper report. Too much unimportant detail and missing the drama of Grisham’s fiction. We skipped to the end.

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tough listen!

Long a troublesome, yet story had to be told. Good work! Hope Ron has found peace.

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Heartbreaking

I don’t understand why the police, judges and attorneys didn’t loose their jobs.
I really enjoyed the read, but what a scary situation. It could be us

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injustice due to incompetent police & prosecutor!

Surprised such a injustice took so long to be overturned.
Great book and enjoyed John Grisham's look at the story of these two wrongly accused men.

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John Grisham doesn't disappoint

John Grisham's first foray into non-fiction is as captivating as his other works! It's well researched and sheds a light on the injustices that fill the criminal justice system.

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Outstanding narrative of a true story

John Grisham covered the story in great details which are linked together brilliantly. I coukd not put it down

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Amazing

Even better than the documentary. Loved it but the book was way more in depth

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Gripping stories of innocent.

I absolutely loved the book well written, well read, and heart twisting to listen to.

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