In 1970, one of Mississippi's more colorful weekly newspapers, The Ford County Times, went bankrupt. To the surprise and dismay of many, ownership was assumed by a 23-year-old college dropout, named Willie Traynor. The future of the paper looked grim until a young mother was brutally raped and murdered by a member of the notorious Padgitt family. Willie Traynor reported all the gruesome details, and his newspaper began to prosper. The murderer, Danny Padgitt, was tried before a packed courthouse in Clanton, Mississippi. The trial came to a startling and dramatic end when the defendant threatened revenge against the jurors if they convicted him. Nevertheless, they found him guilty, and he was sentenced to life in prison. But in Mississippi in 1970, "life" didn't necessarily mean "life," and nine years later Danny Padgitt managed to get himself paroled. He returned to Ford County, and the retribution began.

The Last Juror: A Novel by John Grisham is a gripping legal thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Set in a small Mississippi town, the story follows a young journalist named Willie Traynor as he covers the trial of a notorious rapist and murderer. As the trial unfolds, Willie becomes deeply involved in the case and uncovers shocking secrets that could change the course of the trial and the town's history. With its compelling characters, suspenseful plot, and expertly crafted writing, The Last Juror is a must-read for fans of John Grisham and legal thrillers.