One of Grisham's most engaging novels.

In my headline, I described this as one of Grisham's most engaging works.  This is a big statement for me, because I can be a Grisham fanatic at times.  I've just about read every single one of his books.   I think the character development is really what gripped me in the Rainmaker.  Some of his works will have incredible stories that can leave you wanting the characters to have more of an identity.  Not here.  The Rainmaker has dozens of characters, and each are intriguing & scarred in their own way.  Not to mention that Grisham basically makes the entire legal system a character in of itself!    Honestly, the main character of Rudy Baylor was quite annoying to me when the novel began.  He was a little too much on the negative side for me.  However, his character really grows as the story goes on.  I love the relationships he develops with Miss Birdie, Dot & Donnie Ray, and especially Deck.   The bond between him and Booker throughout the early part of the book was also quite endearing.  The characters of Leo Drummond & the Great Benefit faces shine an ugly light on the legal system, and this seems to be an intentional jab from the former lawyer Grisham. 

SPOILER ALERT:

The cherry on top of this slam is how the novel ends with Baylor and his love interest leaving town with him becoming a history teacher.