Gray Mountain: A Novel

Written by:
John Grisham
Narrated by:
Catherine Taber

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
118
Narrator
23
Release Date
October 2014
Duration
14 hours 46 minutes
Summary
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • John Grisham has a new hero ... and she’s full of surprises.

The year is 2008 and Samantha Kofer’s career at a huge Wall Street law firm is on the fast track—until the recession hits and she gets downsized, furloughed, escorted out of the building. Samantha, though, is one of the “lucky” associates. She’s offered an opportunity to work at a legal aid clinic for one year without pay, after which there would be a slim chance that she’d get her old job back.

In a matter of days Samantha moves from Manhattan to Brady, Virginia, population 2,200, in the heart of Appalachia, a part of the world she has only read about. Mattie Wyatt, lifelong Brady resident and head of the town’s legal aid clinic, is there to teach her how to “help real people with real problems.” For the first time in her career, Samantha prepares a lawsuit, sees the inside of an actual courtroom, gets scolded by a judge, and receives threats from locals who aren’t so thrilled to have a big-city lawyer in town. And she learns that Brady, like most small towns, harbors some big secrets.

Her new job takes Samantha into the murky and dangerous world of coal mining, where laws are often broken, rules are ignored, regulations are flouted, communities are divided, and the land itself is under attack from Big Coal. Violence is always just around the corner, and within weeks Samantha finds herself engulfed in litigation that turns deadly.

Don’t miss John Grisham’s new book, THE EXCHANGE: AFTER THE FIRM!
Reviews
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Laurie Reeves

The first part of the book was decent, but the protagonist never evolved or came into her own. I stopped listening toward the end when it was apparent she would never do anything interesting herself. He needs to work on his female characters.

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Eleanor Cox

I thought the book was interesting. The information on coal mines and the devastation they have on communities and peoples lives was frightening and still is. I specially like Samantha and Jeff. There were ups and downs in the writing of the book, down mean boring up meaning exciting. I would recommend for reading but I have read better by John Grisham

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mwn

Good story until main event, then it falls apart, gets monotonous, and leads the reader into a lot of worm-holes. That's because this edition is abridged. Basis of story and research behind it is noble--the coal fields and how people like wilber ross take advantage of poor. uneducated people. However once we get beyond the coup de gras, everything serves no purpose except self serving egotism. Grisham writes well, but here he waxes on and on with monotonous drivel.

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John O

I generally like John Grisham books but, this one came off as preachy, agenda ridden, predictable, and quite repetitious throughout. The narration was depressing and boring. The story could have been heavily edited to make an okay read.

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Leonard Gulino

Good entertainment-- well crafted and generally realistic by today's standards.

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Michael Tuziw

My first Grisham and I was disappointed. I can't believe he left so many story lines unresolved. I'm an hour from finishing and am saying, "what about the other storylines?". The narrator sounded dull and disinterested in the story. My biggest problem was that she suffered from a mild case of "William Shatner disease". This book could have been an hour shorter if she didn't constantly pause for... I'm not sure what for!!! The sentences never seemed to flow tho the point where even the main character seemed disinterested.

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Charlotte Upton

I enjoyed the book very much! But I have coal miners in my family...so I guess I could see the issues clearly!

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Sandi Schlabach

Not up to Grisham's previous body and f work. As stated in previous reviews, characters were shallow and the story held little to no intrigue. Subject matter had great potential but was a let down.

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Ann Malkie

Was not one of his best. Provided good historical information; however it did not flow well. Disappointed overall. Will not recommend to others which is too bad as I admire this author.

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Angela Tate

Book was worth the credit. The narration was slow and choppy. I sped it up, which helped, but the sentences never seemed to flow.

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John Reynolds

It was a good read but the ending was not what I expected. Not your typical Grisham ending.

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Beth Adkisson

Very predictable.....Had an interesting subject but no real depth.

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Brent Vartenisian

I have read everyone of Grisham's books ( he actually is my favorite) and there is no way he can be proud of this one. It was very slow and never had any twist that would make for an exciting read. I was very disappointing.

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Charles Wilson

Catherine Taber, the narrator, made this story worth listening to. She is excellent!

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David Sanford

This was not a traditional Grisham novel. As I kept listening, I assumed something would happen to create the mystery. I kept saying to myself "oh, here it is", but it never came. While the book was not horrible, it was not Grisham.

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Jennifer Rosenlieb

Great story ordered another by author, nicely narrated by reader

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James Rhoades

Enjoyed this book though took a while to stay in it. The narrator was hard to understand a times

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patricia vitale

I've read all of John grishams books, this one was written for the bottom line. It lacked originally It held no surprises , it was very predictable. The characters had no depth or core I think mr Grisham farm this out to a first year writing student , he was certainly absent

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Danina Kennedy

Had to work to read this book. It's slow and narrator reads it slow and quiet.

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Lisa Slovin

Such a bore. Plus the reader (who I've liked in other books) didn't help provide the character with any gravitas. Pass on this one...

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Ellen Ratner

I can't believe that Grisham actually wrote this book. The story was weak and the ending left you with a big? why did he write this? The narrator was terrible and if I could get my money back I would like that. Don't waste your time.

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Melissa Yeager

Very disappointed - cannot believe this book made to the best sellers list???

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Marney Lukanc

I liked the story and all the information it produced. It made me think to look at all the mountains in Virginia. It was entertaining. But I expected more out of the book. But it sounds an ongoing pursuit I guess?

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Lance Curtis

He went a little overboard on the anti coal mining angle. He seemed to be preaching a bit too much rather than telling a story. But once I was about half into it, it was pretty good.

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Ron Hubble

Very mediocre ending. Kept waiting on a big twist at the end, which never occurred. It was not a bad read but a bit of a let down.

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Thomas Hackett

Loved the book. Didn't like the narrator. I often had difficulty hearing her.

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Edwin Gienger

An anti coal mining book wrapped in a weak story. Not recommended

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Dee Kranz

Found this book not up to standards of previous books. The book started off strong with meat to the characters and then it just sort of fizzled with a lacklustre ending. Mediocre

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