Heres a review of**The Appeal** by JohnGrisham, as performed on the audio CD version by MichaelBeck.
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### What works
* The premise grabs you: a small town in Mississippi wins a massive verdict against a chemical company for toxicwaste dumping; the fight shifts to the states Supreme Court and the dark interplay between money, politics and justice makes for a tense framework.
* MichaelBecks narration pulls the listener in with a calm, measured Southern drawl that lends credibility to the setting. He handles the courtroom scenes and shifts of tone with competence, making the characters feel human and the stakes real.
* The novel takes the familiar big corporation vs underdog town legal thriller setup and layers in the corruption of judicial elections and the idea of literally buying a seat on the court. That is a timely element and adds a surprising dimension to what might otherwise have been a standard Grisham legalthriller.
* The production quality in the audio version is solid, making this a good option if you prefer listening to reading.
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### What doesnt quite land
* Despite the strong setup, the characters feel somewhat onedimensional. The villains are very bad, the heroes very good, and theres little moral ambiguity. That works to an extent for a thriller, but it also means the story occasionally lacks depth.
* The ending is divisive. Rather than a neat good triumphs resolution, the conclusion leaves threads open and draws out a sourer view of how justice and politics mingle. That may fit the theme but for readers/listeners looking for closure, it can feel unsatisfying.
* The pacing is uneven. The early half builds well, but parts of the middle drag a bit with exposition about judicial campaigns and machinations, and some listeners have found themselves waiting for the action to pick up again.
* Because Grisham leans into the message (the danger of electing judges, how money warps the system), there are moments when the narrative feels a bit heavyhanded in its commentary rather than purely suspensedriven.
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### My verdict
If you enjoy Grishams brand of legal thrillers and youre comfortable with a somewhat darker and more cynical ending, this audio CD version is a strong listening experience. MichaelBeck delivers a solid performance and the premise is compelling. However, if youre looking for a classic law & order wins in the end narrative with clean resolution, you may feel a bit frustrated by how the story wraps up.
**Recommended for**: fans of legal thrillers, listeners interested in how justice, elections and money can intersect in the courts, and those who appreciate a narrator who delivers with clarity and tone.
**Less ideal for**: listeners who dislike ambiguity or want every loose end tied up; those who prefer their legal thrillers to focus more on courtroom drama than on politicalmachinery behind the scenes.
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