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

King of the Court!

John Grisham writing about a courtroom scene is like watching Picssso paint like Jane Austen writing a ballroom scene like witnessing anyone at the top of their craft perform....but let's talk about something else....:-). It is Grisham's understanding of human nature and human motivation that makes him the true master. Yiu may think Grisham stories are plot driven but it is his ability to write the relationships between people about human interaction that make him the greatest author since Patrick O'Brian another great author of human interaction of Master and Commander fame. I love this story and while Mark Deakins dies a good job here I do find myself longing for the dripping sarcasm of the great Frank Mueller! 5 stars great short story!

Why pay for this?

If you could sum up Witness to a Trial in three words, what would they be?

Like the story and the narrator. What I don't like is soaking me for extra money for something that should be part of the book. A prequel, gimme a break will ya. Didn't books used to have introductions? Now you have to pay for them. I lost faith in you AUDIBLE and after this months credit I'm going to look for an alternative you chiseling bastards.

Any additional comments?

You're a bunch of coporate hack cheap skates to charge for this after all I bought from here. You never offer anything to your customers. Im done with you.

Rip off as separate purchase.

This should have been part of the book. It is a scam to sell the short prequel as a separate publication

Such a large amount of information.

There is so much good information that I will need to read several times. I appreciated all the info about foods.

good story line

The narrator was clean I could see the faces of the people.
can't wait to read The Whistle r to see what happens to the other side.