This is a set of three short novels/short stories. I enjoyed the first two well enough, but the third and longest novella, Sparring Partners, didn't have a single likeable character in the story, so it was hard to get invested in the plot. ( )

This is a set of three novellas. I was a bit surprised to see it listed as Jake Brigance #4 because he only appears in one of the three.

The first novella takes the reader back to Clanton and Jake Brigance (along with other Clanton regulars) when former attorney Mack Stafford contacts Jake about returning to Clanton (wanting to make sure there are no pending charges against him).

The second novella takes us to death row, where an inmate who was sentenced at age 15 (and is now 29) is in his last few hours before his execution. I liked Miss Iris who sent him books.

And the third novella deals with the law firm of Malloy and Malloy. Founder Bolton Malloy is serving a 10 year manslaughter sentence. He's been disbarred but is still trying to run the law firm via an agreement he made his sons sign prior to his incarceration. His sons can't stand each other and a third lawyer (Diantha) ends up being the go between. There are lots of twists and turns to the story and readers are left to infer what happens to many of the characters based on narrative. ( )

Sparring Partners by John Grisham (2023)
Sparring partners is a set of three novellas involving criminal activity that ends in escape, death, or restructure. The stories are called: Homecoming, Strawberry Moon, and Sparring Partners.

I have read many of the novels of John Grisham, a master writer of legal thrillers. It is so enjoyable to read his prose that is simple and direct on the surface but complex in the deep content.
In Homecoming an independent lawyer in a small town becomes fed up with his legal practice. For years, he has been grubbing for client dollars in the shadow of a large law firm that gathers most of the legal activity in the town.

Strawberry Moon is a novel about a young man reviewing his life while incarcerated in a prison cell on “Death Row.”

Sparring Partners is the most complex story involving a very successful but troubled family law firm that has spawned dirty deals, envy, and hatred among the three managing partners over the years. Brother against brother, father against sons, partners against each other is the name of the game in the lucrative law firm.

The three themes can be summarized by the following questions. First, can you go home after betraying family and law partners? Second, can insight and peace be achieved when sins of the past were not completely caused by the will of the person facing the consequences. Finally, who do you trust in a thriving law firm with a history of shady legal maneuvers and family partners infighting?

Guilt is a toxic legacy that affects individual and group decisions that determine the outcome of legal sparring and main bouts. Sparring Partners is an enjoyable reading experience. ( )

There are three stories in this book, and two of them left me "meh". The third however, Strawberry Moon, is a little gem of writing with a character, Cole, you don't soon forget. More like this one, please, Mr. Grisham. ( )

Three great short stories somewhat different than the normal Grisham, but equally enjoyable. I listened to audiobook ( )