In his most astonishing legal thriller to date, John Grisham explores small-town justice gone horribly wrong in his first non-fiction novel. Ron Williamson was the first player selected from the State of Oklahoma in the major league draught of 1971. He bid his hometown of Ada farewell when he joined with the Oakland A's and moved away to chase his major league goals. His goals had been dashed by a damaged arm and bad habits?drinking, using drugs, and women?six years later when he returned. He started displaying symptoms of mental illness. He moved in with his mother and slept 20 hours a day on her sofa because he was unable to retain a job. They were suspicious of Dennis Fritz and Ron Williamson for reasons that were never made clear. In 1987, the two were were taken into custody and charged with murder. The prosecution's case was based solely on dubious science and the testimony of jailhouse informants and criminals because there was no physical proof. Dennis Fritz received a life sentence after being proven guilty. To Death Row, Ron Williamson was assigned. This book will startle you if you think that in America, you are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If you support the death sentence, this book will make you uncomfortable. This book will enrage you if you believe that the criminal justice system is impartial.