The Reckoning earns a solid 3.75 out of 5. It’s a fantastically written novel, no surprise from Grisham, whose command over language and pacing explains why he moves books by the truckload. The atmosphere and story pull you in right away, and the world he builds is rich and believable.

That said, I didn’t love that the central mystery holds out until the very last chapter. I would have preferred an earlier reveal with more room for the story to breathe after. The structure also made it feel like two books in one, with the war flashbacks reading almost like their own separate novel. Still, it’s a gripping read with plenty to admire.