Witness to a Trial

A Short Story Prequel to The Whistler

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

AN ORIGINAL E-SHORT • This prequel to John Grisham’s #1 New York Times bestseller The Whistler delivers a startling and original courtroom drama.

In one small-town courthouse, the stakes are unbearably high for nearly everyone present: A judge presiding over his first murder trial. A defense attorney in over his head. A prosecutor out for blood and glory. The accused, who is possibly innocent. And the killer, who may have just committed the perfect crime. Witness to a Trial packs all the tension, suspense, and twists of John Grisham’s acclaimed legal thrillers into one edge-of-your-seat story.

Critic reviews

Praise for John Grisham’s #1 New York Times bestseller Witness to a Trial

“Riveting . . . finely drawn . . . The Whistler centers on an elaborate conspiracy involving an Indian reservation, an organized crime syndicate and a crooked judge skimming a small fortune from the tribal casino’s monthly haul.”—The New York Times Book Review

“A main character who’s a seriously appealing woman . . . a whistle-blower who secretly calls attention to corruption . . . a strong and frightening sense of place . . . Grisham’s on his game.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“A fascinating look at judicial corruption . . . an entirely convincing story and one of Grisham’s best. I can’t think of another major American novelist since Sinclair Lewis who has so effectively targeted social and political ills in our society. In Grisham’s case, it is time at least to recognize that at his best he is not simply the author of entertaining legal thrillers but an important novelistic critic of our society. In more than 30 novels, he has often used his exceptional storytelling skills to take a hard look at injustice and corruption in the legal world and in our society as a whole.”—Patrick Anderson, The Washington Post

“Grisham’s latest involves the rich and powerful and an abuse of the justice system. Grisham novels are crowd-pleasers because he knows how to satisfy readers who want to see injustice crushed, and justice truly prevails for those who cannot buy influence.”—Associated Press

“Grisham has become an institution. For more than 25 years now he’s been our guide to the byways and backwaters of our legal system, superb in particular at ferreting out its vulnerabilities and dramatizing their abuse in gripping style. He excels at describing injustice and corruption. Grisham’s legal knowledge is impressive, and his ability to convey it unparalleled in popular fiction.”—USA Today

mediocre story .. mediocre performance

predictable story told with a fairly monotone performance . this was certainly nothing too exciting .

wow

loved it. still relevant today . I love the short books listened to it in 1 day.

Not worth paying for. - cute prequal

Good idea to have a prequal but not worth paying for. Annoyed this wasn't free or just an opening chapter. going over to read the next book now.

Fair

It was ok. It was too one sided for the prosecution. The defense didn’t have a chance

Enjoywd This

Where does Witness to a Trial rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 10

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

No, I was relaxed while listening

What does Mark Deakins bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He allowed me to relax and listen rather than holding a book

If you could rename Witness to a Trial, what would you call it?

Title is perfect

Any additional comments?

Loved the prequel, off to read the Whistler