The Runaway Jury, Week 2

Welcome to Week 2 of the Online Book Club discussion of The Runaway Jury.

Did you enjoy the beginning of the book? I felt like I had so many questions about what was going on, so I felt impatient to read and find out more! I wish that the story had unfolded a little quicker, so I could have felt like I understood the story a bit quicker! I was just so confused about Nicholas Easter and what he was up to. I could tell he was important, obviously, but I wasn't really sure what his end game was. 

How do you feel about the defense? They seem very sleezy to me. I just can't believe the lengths they go to to get the outcome they want for the trial. They follow people, they break into Nicholas's apartment, and they threaten people. Were you surprised that they were bold enough to go into Nicholas's apartment? I wasn't really, but I was surprised that Nicholas seemed ready for them and had an undetectable security system. Why would he think that they would come after him? How would he know that was a tactic they employed? Do you think real trials have that much deliberation over each jury member? I guess I didn't realize how much thought went into selecting a jury. 

What do you think about Marlee? Why is she telling Fitch about Nicholas and his outfits? Why does she tell him any information about the jury? I don't feel like knowing what Nicholas is going to wear tells anything about the trial. Is she just trying to get Fitch to trust her, and eventually, she will do more? Do you think she is friends with Nicholas? Is she working with him? I was frustrated not to know more about her by the end of this first section. 

It's really interesting to read about the tobacco industry from 30 years ago. I feel like a trial like this wouldn't be going on in present day because we know so much more about the dangers of smoking. I do think all of the scientific evidence presented in the courtroom would be pretty boring to hear, but it all seems pretty cut and dry. I wonder how the defense is going to combat all of the information the prosecution is presenting. 

At the end of this section, the jury has been sequestered. Why do you think Nicholas is excited about that? He seems to be the only one who thinks it's a good idea. Do you think the jurors are going to get impatient to finish the trial so they can go home? Do you think they will have a harder time throughout the trial if they are together all the time? 

Do you have any guesses as to what is going on? What do you think will happen in the next section? Are you excited to read more? 

Before you go, check out the clip below to hear John Grisham talk about his books being made into movies. Do you think it's interesting that authors don't really have any control over how their story appears on screen? 

I hope you enjoyed this section! Make sure to leave a comment to let me know what you thought. Don't forget to read through chapter 28 before checking back next week!