The Chamber by John Grisham

The Chamber by John Grisham. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group 1994. ISBN 9780385424721. 486 pages. CN 9298.

In the corridors of Chicago's top law firm: Twenty-six-year-old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal career. Now he is risking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case. Maximum Security Unit, Mississippi State Prison: Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances -- except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson. While the executioners prepare the gas chamber, while the protesters gather and the TV cameras wait, Adam has only days, hours, minutes to save his client. For between the two men is a chasm of shame, family lies, and secrets -- including the one secret that could save Sam Cayhall's life...or cost Adam his. "A dark and thoughtful tale pulsing wit moral uncertainties... Grisham is at his best." --People. "Compelling... Powerful... The Chamberwill make readers think long and hard about the death penalty." -- USA Today. "His best yet." --The Houston Post. "Mesmerizing... with an authority and originality... and with a grasp of literary complexity that makes Scott Turow's novels pale by comparison -- Grisham returns." --San Francisco Chronicle. From the Paperback edition.