Theodore Boone by John Grisham (Hodder and Stoughton)
John Grisham has world-class pedigree for telling a rattling good yarn and has brought his talent to the youth market.
Enter Theodore Boone, a 13-year-old budding legal eagle, the son of two lawyers, who takes it upon himself to solve the minor legal issues of his friends. An only child, Theodore is an equal in this aspirational household and knows the characters of the court and the law to such an extent his teacher uses him as a role model.
His busy parents leave Theodore to his own devices – and devices he has in spades.
With a murder trial opening that consumes the town, Theodore is unexpectedly thrown in to the action and could hold the key to the trial. A rattling good yarn yes, but will British teenagers like the character of Theodore, who comes across as a bit of a know-all? I suspect not.
In addition, explanations of legal points come across as lectures, rather a surprise for such an applauded writer.
A cliffhanger leaves the way open for a sequel – let’s hope with a more rounded, boyish hero. He deserves another chance.
Theodore Boone is now available in paperback.