When I first read ‘The Brethren’ by John Grisham two years ago, I could barely put the book down to even grab a bite. The author skillfully grabbed my attention with his intriguing take on a looming presidential election and the shady dealings of three convicts in prison. With his story-telling prowess, he spun a smooth yarn about how the two seemingly different worlds were linked together by one innocuous letter.

Thus, it was with great anticipation that I picked up another book, ‘The Summons’ by the very same writer, looking forward to a few late nights of devouring the book into the wee hours of the morning.

Despite the rave reviews on the cover and the inside of the book, I found myself just a tad disappointed after I had turned its last page. True, Mr. Grisham had once again produced a book that captured my attention with its exciting twists and turns as well as giving me insight into the dark side of the human race. However, I found that the thrill and suspense came a little too late in the story, leaving a sense of unfulfilled promise that lingered long after closing the book.

In ‘The Summons’, brothers Ray Atlee and Forrest Atlee have each received a summons from their ailing father, Judge Atlee to return to their hometown, Clanton to discuss his estate. Ray Atlee is the elder son, a recently divorced Virginia law professor whereas Forrest is the black sheep of the family, constantly being ferried in and out of various rehabilitation centres.

Upon reaching Clayton however, Ray finds things not as they should be and stumbles upon a shocking secret. Burdened by his discovery, he finds himself on the run with an unknown enemy always lurking just a few steps away, waiting for Ray lets his guard down. Ray, unnerved and desperate, seeks the truth behind the secret he guards jealously with his life as he is forced to reexamine the enigma that is his father.

Another pet peeve I had with the book was that the readers were only offered a short glimpse into Forrest’s character, not giving us the chance to fully explore the reasons behind his actions and words. On the other hand, maybe it was Mr. Grisham’s intention to leave Forrest’s ulterior motives in the shadows, giving his readers free rein over their own imaginations.

All in all, the delicious twist towards the ending definitely makes this book a worthwhile investment although the middle part of the book was moving a little too slowly for my liking, with Ray slowly but surely progressing on the right path to unraveling the mystery connecting his father, the secret and the phantom stalker. Give it a try, and tell me whether you agree with me.

Rating: ★★★★☆ -- Good