The Runaway Jury, Week 3

Welcome to Week 3 of the Online Book Club discussion of The Runaway Jury.

Did you enjoy reading this section? I was glad that I got more information about Marlee and Nicholas. I feel like I understand a bit better when they are hoping will happen at the end of the trial. 

What do you think of Marlee? She definitely has a plan and is not intimidated by anyone. I thought she was so brave to stand up to Fitch, even after he started digging in her past life. She didn't show him that she was scared. Were you surprised when she finally laid out her plan? She told Fitch that she and Nicholas could get the jury to agree to vote against the prosecution, as long as Fitch paid her enough. I was a little surprised. I knew that she and Nicholas had some sort of plan, but I really didn't expect that they would be willing to manipulate a jury for money. I thought Nicholas had more morals than that. I wonder if there is more to the story. Do you really think Marlee has the same deal set up with the prosecution? I find it hard to imagine that Rohr and his team would be willing to work with someone like Marlee, but maybe they would. 

I really couldn't believe how shady Fitch and his men were throughout this section. I couldn't believe how they leaned on family members to ensure votes. The whole thing with Hoppy Dupree was especially sad because he seemed like a nice man that really wanted to do the right things. I don't think he ever would have wanted to manipulate a jury had he not thought that he was caught in an FBI sting. I know he agreed to the manipulation, but it was under extreme duress. 

Did you expect that Fitch would send his goons back to Nicholas's apartment? I was surprised that they were bold enough to go back there. And, I was surprised that Nicholas had left his computer and discs behind. I would think he would have wanted to keep those more safe. I really wasn't expecting the men to set a huge fire as they left. They really could have hurt a lot of people. 

Do you think it sounds exciting or boring to be a part of a jury? I think it sounds kind of interesting, but it also sounds boring. I couldn't believe how long some of the people talked while giving their testimony. I think it would be hard to listen and focus for that long. And, I think, for this trial, the scientific information could get a little tedious. I also think it would be hard to keep an open mind throughout the different testimonies. I think it would be really easy to make up your mind at the beginning and decide to not listen anymore. It would be hard to truly be impartial. 

One of the most surprising things to me was that the jury convinced the lawyers to pay for them to have an adventure around New Orleans. I wonder if that is something that actually happens! I couldn't believe all of the perks the jury got throughout this section. 

What do you think is going to happen in the last section? Do you feel like you know how the book will end? Do you think you have all of the jurors figured out? Are you anxious to read the last section and finally figure out everything? 

Before you go, check out this interview in which John Grisham discusses other writers that inspire him. Have you read anything from one of the authors he mentions? 

Thanks for following along again this week. Don't forget to leave a comment to let me know what you thought of the section! I'm excited to hear what you think of the ending of the book next week!