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Cover of The Guardians by John GrishamThe Guardians
Modern · Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

The Guardians

by John Grisham
2019 · 384 pages · Fiction
Lifetime bestseller
≈ 10 hours to read · about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

In the small north Florida town of Seabrook, a young lawyer named Keith Russo was shot dead at his desk late one night. With no clues, witnesses or real suspects, the police settled on Quincy Miller, a young Black man who had once been his client. Years later, a lawyer who works to free the wrongfully convicted takes on Quincy's case.

Why it's worth reading

It spent 2 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was one of the ten best-selling books of 2019.

You'll love it if you liked

Good to know

It's inspired by real wrongful-conviction cases. It stands alone.

By the numbers

70.2Must-Read Score
  • Readers52 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Bestseller59 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Why it made the list

Bestseller
#1 New York Times bestseller (2 weeks at #1)One of the ten best-selling books of 2019 (Publishers Weekly)

Reads as

Gripping

How we rank

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Explore the best-of lists

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Quick answers

Is The Guardians worth reading?

Yes. It spent 2 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was one of the ten best-selling books of 2019. It ranks #1,273 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 70.2 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is The Guardians about?

In the small north Florida town of Seabrook, a young lawyer named Keith Russo was shot dead at his desk late one night. With no clues, witnesses or real suspects, the police settled on Quincy Miller, a young Black man who had once been his client. Years later, a lawyer who works to free the wrongfully convicted takes on Quincy's case.

How long does it take to read The Guardians?

About 10 hours (384 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after The Guardians?

If you liked it, try A Time for Mercy by John Grisham, The Firm by John Grisham or Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson.