View source for Gray Mountain by John Grisham

{{infobox1
|title=Gray Mountain 
|author=John Grisham
|reviewer= Jo Heffer
|genre=Crime
|summary=Two small town lawyers, Donovan Gray and Samantha Kofner, take on the might of some devious coal companies who have never played by the rules. As a result, many of their previous employees are both dying and destitute. All they ask for is some compensation and dignity to live with for the rest of their lives. However, the coal companies don’t see things the same way and are not prepared to give an inch. Will Donovan and Samantha be able to ensure that justice is done?  
|rating=4.5 
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=512
|publisher=Hodder Paperbacks
|date=July 2015
|isbn= 978-1444765656
|website= http://www.jgrisham.com/
|video= tsKSrQHYruY
|cover=1444765655
|aznuk=1444765655
|aznus=1444765655
}}

John Grisham is the master of the legal thriller having written more than twenty of them. His latest book, Gray Mountain, takes on a similar theme to many of them with a small-town lawyer taking on the might and wrath of the big companies. In this case, the story takes place in Appalachia deep in the heart of Coal Country. The coal companies are the bad guys, treating their workers badly and cutting corners when it comes to health and safety and following the correct procedures.

Donovan Gray is a small-town lawyer who is not afraid to take them on. Unfortunately, when you take on the big guys, you acquire a number of enemies who will do everything that they can to stop you revealing the truth. Also involved is Samantha Kofner, a corporate City lawyer who ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Having lost her job in her big-city firm, due to the recession, she finds herself taking up an unpaid internship with Mattie, Donovan's aunt, at the Mountain Legal Aid Clinic. Whilst trying her hardest not to, Samantha becomes caught up in Donovan's quest for justice and as a consequence, she also needs to keep looking over her shoulder. 

The story that follows is a fast-paced and intriguing pursuit where the two lawyers work to expose the wrongs that have been done. Also, as a legal aid lawyer, Samantha takes on a number of other cases of poor folk who have suffered more than their share of injustices. These human stories are quite moving and Samantha finds herself becoming more and more involved in the lives of her clients. These small stories provide a good balance with the main legal action. There is also a little love interest so you might say that there is something in this novel for all readers.

Like all John Grisham novels, Gray Mountain is filled with suspense that will hook the reader in and keep their attention throughout. However, fans who enjoy the drama of the courtroom may be a little disappointed as not much action actually takes place within the courthouse. This is compensated for by what is a gripping story and the desire to see the ruthless coal companies receive their comeuppance. With interesting and realistic characters, this is a very enjoyable read. There are moments of true suspense that keeps you wanting to read on until the very end.

We recently read [[The Racketeer by John Grisham|THe Racketeer]] and [[Ford County by John Grisham|Ford County]] - and we enjoyed them too!

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