The Reckoning cover

The Reckoning

by John Grisham

Narrated by Michael Beck

4.06 ABR Score (127.1K ratings)
★ 3.75 Goodreads (103.6K) ★ 4.1 Audible (23.6K)
17h 36m Released 2018 Thriller

Why Listen to This Audiobook?

Pete Banning shot his pastor, confessed immediately, and refused to say why — even as they strapped him to the electric chair — and Grisham makes you wait 17 hours to find out if the answer was worth it.

  • Great if you want: Southern Gothic mystery with a slow historical payoff
  • Listening experience: deliberate and moody — pivots hard into WWII history midway through
  • Narration: Beck's restrained delivery mirrors Pete Banning's maddening silence well
  • Skip if: structural detours frustrate you — the mystery stalls for hours

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About This Audiobook

In post-war Mississippi, a decorated World War II hero shatters his community when he walks into his Methodist church and murders the beloved pastor in cold blood. Pete Banning offers no explanation for his shocking act, refusing to speak even as his family's reputation crumbles and his own death sentence looms. The mystery deepens as the story unfolds across multiple timelines, revealing the dark secrets that connect a small Southern town's present turmoil to the brutal realities of wartime Philippines and the Jim Crow South.

Michael Beck delivers a masterful performance that captures the brooding atmosphere of Grisham's Southern Gothic tale. His measured narration mirrors the deliberate pacing of the mystery, allowing listeners to absorb the weight of each revelation as the complex timeline shifts between past and present. Beck's authentic regional accents bring the Mississippi setting to life without caricature, while his nuanced portrayal of Pete Banning maintains the character's enigmatic nature throughout the lengthy runtime. The audio format enhances the story's courtroom drama and family secrets, making this slower-burn thriller particularly compelling for listeners who appreciate character-driven narratives.