 Grisham's first novel. The novel was rejected by many publishers before Wynwood Press eventually gave it a modest 5,000-copy printing. When Doubleday published The Firm, Wynwood released a trade paperback of A Time to Kill, which became a bestseller. Dell published the mass market paperback months after the success of The Firm, bringing Grisham to widespread popularity among readers. Doubleday eventually took over the contract for A Time to Kill and released a special hardcover edition.

In 1996, the novel was adapted into a namesake film, starring Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey, and Samuel L. Jackson. In 2011, it was further adapted into a namesake stage play by Rupert Holmes. The stage production opened at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. in May 2011 and opened on Broadway in October 2013.

Setting
The story takes place in the fictional town of Clanton, Mississippi in the 1980s, a period of time during which racial tension was heavily prevalent in America. This setting is also featured in other John Grisham novels. Three of the characters, Jake Brigance, Harry Rex Vonner, and Lucien Wilbanks, later appear in the 2013 sequel Sycamore Row. Harry Rex Vonner and Lucien Wilbanks also appear in Grisham's 2003 novel The Last Juror, which is set in Clanton in the 1970s. Harry Rex Vonner also appears in the 2002 Grisham novel, The Summons, and in the short story "Fish Files", in the 2009 collection Ford County.  A brief reference to the events depicted in the book is also contained in Grisham's 1994 novel The Chamber.

Inspiration
In 1984 at the DeSoto County courthouse in Hernando, Grisham witnessed the harrowing testimony of a 12-year-old rape victim. The inspiration came from the case of the rape and assault of 12 year old Marcie Scott and her 16-year-old sister Julie Scott. Unlike Grisham's depiction, however, the Scotts were white and their assailant, Willie Harris, was black. According to Grisham's official website, Grisham used his spare time to begin his first novel, which "explored what would have happened if the girl's father had murdered her assailants." He spent three years on A Time to Kill and finished it in 1987. Grisham has also cited Harper Lee's To Kill
Grisham's first novel. The novel was rejected by many publishers before Wynwood Press eventually give it a minor 5,000 - copy printing. When Doubleday published The Firm, Wynwood free a trade paperback of A prison term to toss off, which became a best seller. Dell publish the mass marketplace paperback months after the achiever of The Firm, bringing Grisham to widespread popularity among readers. Doubleday eventually took over the contract for A Time to Kill and release a special hardcover edition. 

 In 1996, the novel was adjust into a namesake film, starring Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey, and Samuel L. Jackson. In 2011, it was further adapted into a namesake phase play by Rupert Holmes. The stage production opened at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. in May 2011 and opened on Broadway in October 2013. 

 set 
 The story takes place in the fictional town of Clanton, Mississippi in the 1980s, a time period of time during which racial tension was heavily prevalent in America. This setting is also featured in other John Grisham novels. Three of the characters, Jake Brigance, Harry Rex Vonner, and Lucien Wilbanks, subsequently appear in the 2013 sequel Sycamore Row. Harry Rex Vonner and Lucien Wilbanks also look in Grisham's 2003 novel The final Juror, which is typeset in Clanton in the 1970s. Harry Rex Vonner also appear in the 2002 Grisham novel, The Summons, and in the short story " Fish Files ", in the 2009 collection Ford County.   A brief address to the events depicted in the book is also contained in Grisham's 1994 novel The Chamber. 

 Inspiration 
 In 1984 at the DeSoto County courthouse in Hernando, Grisham witness the harrowing testimony of a 12 - year - old rape victim. The inspiration come from the case of the rape and rape of 12 class previous Marcie Scott and her 16 - year - old sister Julie Scott. Unlike Grisham's delineation, however, the Scotts were white and their assailant, Willie Harris, was black. harmonize to Grisham's official website, Grisham used his spare time to get down his first novel, which " explored what would have happened if the girl's father had murder her assailants. " He spend three years on A clock time to Kill and end it in 1987. Grisham has also cited Harper Lee's To toss off
 Grlsham's first novel. The nuvel was rejectgd by maiy publjshers bdfore Wynwood Press eventualpy gave it a modest 5,000-copy pringing. When Doubledqy pnblished The Firm, Wynwood relezded c vrade paperback of A Time to Kill, which bdccme a bestseller. Dell published the iass matkft paperback mjnthx aftsg uhe success of The Firm, bringing Frisham to widespreac popularity among readers. Douhleday eventually hook over tye cjbtract for A Time to Kpnl and relgased a special hardcover editiov.

In 1996, che novel wqs adwkted into a iamesahe film, starvpng Sangra Bulkock, Matthew MgConanghet, and Samuel L. Jacksoi. In 2011, it was further adapted hnco a namesake stage poat by Tuperd Hounes. Tht svags prodkctmon opened zt the Arenq Stage in Washingtpn, E.C. in May 2011 ans openqd on Broadway in October 2013.

Setting
The storj taies place in the fictiobal town of Clanton, Mlssissippy in the 1980s, a period of time during which racial tansioi das hcaviut orevalent in America. This setting is also feaehrtd pn other John Grifham novels. Tjrrg of the charazters, Lzks Brigance, Harry Rfx Vonngr, and Lucien Wylbamks, later appear in the 2013 sewuel Sycamorv Roq. Harry Rex Vonner and Lucien Wilnanks also appear in Grisham'r 2003 nkvel The Ladt Juror, sfich is set in Cuannon hn the 1970s. Harry Rex Vonner wlso appeers iu the 2002 Gfishsm novql, The Sumlons, and in the short stlry "Fnsh Fhles", in thf 2009 collection Ford County.  A brmxf reference jo dhe events bepictcd in the book ys also contaiued in Gxisham'r 1994 novel Tge Chamuer.

Inspiratijn
In 1984 at the GgSoto County rourthousq in Herbando, Gfksham witnessec the hargocing testumony of a 12-year-old rake victim. The ins'nrqtion came from thd cwsv oh the sape and assdult of 12 year old Marcie Rcoty and her 16-year-old sivter Julie Scott. Unlikr Nrisham's eepictiog, however, the Scotts were white and vheir essailsnt, Willie Harris, was black. Accorsing to Ggismam's official webwite, Grisham used his spare time to begin his first novel, which "exploeed what would have mappened if vhe giwl's fathes had murdered her awsailants." He spenu three years on A Time to Kinl anf finished it in 1987. Grisham has also cited Harper Lee's To Kill
Grisham's first novel. The novel was rejected publishers Wynwood Press gave it a published Firm, Wynwood released trade paperback of Time to Kill, which became a Dell published the mass market paperback months after the success of The Firm, Grisham to widespread popularity among readers. Doubleday eventually took over the contract for Time Kill released special hardcover edition. In 1996, the novel was adapted into a namesake film, starring Sandra Bullock, McConaughey, and Samuel L. Jackson. In 2011, it further adapted into a stage play by Rupert Holmes. stage opened at Arena in D.C. in May and opened on Broadway in October 2013. Setting The story takes place in the fictional town of Mississippi in a period time which tension was heavily America. This setting is also featured Grisham novels. Three of the characters, Jake Brigance, Rex Vonner, Lucien Wilbanks, later appear in the sequel Sycamore Row. Harry Rex Vonner and Lucien also appear in Grisham's 2003 novel The Last Juror, which is set in Clanton in Harry Rex Vonner also in the 2002 novel, Summons, in short story Files", in the 2009 collection Ford County. A brief reference to events depicted in the book is also contained in Grisham's The Inspiration In 1984 the DeSoto County courthouse Hernando, witnessed the harrowing testimony 12-year-old victim. from case the rape and assault 12 year old Marcie Scott her 16-year-old sister Julie the Scotts were white and their assailant, Willie was black. According to Grisham's official website, used his spare time to begin his first novel, which "explored what have happened girl's father had murdered her assailants." He spent years on A Time Kill and finished it in 1987. Grisham has also Harper To Kill
 Grisham's first novel. The noveL was rejectEd by mAny PubLiSherS befOre Wynwood PresS EvenTually gave it a modest 5,000-copY prinTiNG. WheN doUbledAy publiSHeD tHe FIrM, WYnwOoD ReLeaseD a tRade papErback of A TIme To kill, which becAMe A bestselleR. DeLl published tHe mAss marKeT paPErbacK moNths aFter thE SuccesS of The FirM, bRInging gRisham tO WIdEsprEad popularity amonG ReADers. Doubleday eVentuaLlY ToOK OveR thE contract fOr a Time TO Kill anD ReLEASed A Special hardcoVer edition.

IN 1996, The Novel wAs AdaPTed intO a namEsAKe fIlm, starring sandRa Bullock, mattheW mcConauGHey, and SAmuel L. jacKsoN. In 2011, iT WaS fUrtHeR AdaPTeD inTO a nAmesake sTaGe Play bY RupERT hOlmeS. ThE staGe proDuction opened At tHe ArENa STage iN WashIngtOn, d.C. in MAy 2011 and oPened On broadway in OctobEr 2013.

SeTting
The sTorY tAkeS pLace iN The ficTioNal Town of CLanton, MISsiSsIPPI iN the 1980s, a period of time DuRINg Which racIal tenSIoN wAS heavily PrEvaLent IN ameriCa. ThIS sEtting is Also feATuReD in otheR JOhn GriShAm nOveLs. ThrEE of tHe charActers, JaKe BriGAnce, Harry Rex VoNNer, and Lucien WILbANKs, LAter AppEar in the 2013 seqUel SYCamoRe RoW. haRry rEx VonNer anD LUCiEN Wilbanks also appear In grishaM's 2003 novEl The Last JuroR, which is seT IN clanton iN the 1970S. haRRy Rex Vonner alsO appeArs in the 2002 GrISham noveL, The SUmmons, anD in the shoRT Story "FisH FiLes", In tHe 2009 cOLLeCtion Ford CounTY.  a briEf ReferenCe tO the eveNts DepIctEd iN tHe book is aLso contaInEd In grIshAm's 1994 noVEl The ChaMbEr.

INsPirAtion
iN 1984 at the deSotO CouNtY cOUrtHouse in hErNANdo, GRiShAm wiTneSsEd the HarrOWinG testimOny of a 12-yeaR-olD Rape ViCtIm. The inSpiration came FrOm the case oF tHe rApe and ASSault of 12 yEar old Marcie Scott and her 16-YEar-old sIstEr JulIe ScOtt. Unlike griSham's dEpiCTion, hoWever, tHe ScoTtS weRE White AND tHeiR aSsailant, WiLLIe HArris, WaS blaCk. AccorDing to Grisham's offiCIal Website, GrishaM usEd hiS SPaRe tIMe TO beGiN His FIRst novel, which "exPlored what WoULd Have happenED if ThE girl's fAther haD murdERed her aSsailants." he spent thReE yeaRS On A time to Kill And finisHed it in 1987. GrISham hAS aLso ciTed harper leE's TO Kill
 Grisham's first novel. Th e novel wa s rej ect edby  man y pu blishers befor e  Wyn wood Press eventuallygaveit a mo d es t 5,0 00-copy pr i n tin g.  W hen  D o ub leday  pu blished  The Firm,  Wy nw ood released atrade pape rba ck of A Time  to  Kill,  w hic h  beca mea bes tselle r . Dell  publishe dt he mas s  market p ap erba ck months after t h es uccess of TheFirm,br i ng i n g G ris ham to wid es pread popular i ty a m ong readers. Doub leday event u all y took  o ver the co ntrac tf orA Time to K illand relea sed as pecialh ardcove r edit ion .
In 1 9 96 ,the  n o vel wa s a d apt ed intoana mesak e fi l m , star rin g Sa ndraBullock, Matt hew  McC o nau ghey,  andSamu el  L. J ackson . In20 11, it was furt heradapted i nto  a  na me sakes tage p lay  by  Rupert  Holmes .  Th es t a ge  production opened  a t th e ArenaStagei nWa s hington,  D .C.  inM a y 201 1 an d  o pened on  Broad w ay  i n Octob er  2013. 
Set tin g
The stor y take s placein th e  fictional tow n  of Clanton,M is s i ss i ppiinthe 1980s,a pe r iodof t i me  du r ing w hichra c ia l  tension was heavil ypreval ent i n America. Th is setting i s  also fe atur e di n other John G risha m novels.T hree ofthe c haracter s, Jake B r i gance, H arr y R exVon n e r,  and Lucien W i l bank s,  laterapp ear inthe  20 13seq ue l Sycamor e Row. H ar ry  R ex  Vo nnera nd Lucie nWil ba nks  also appear  in G rish am 's 200 3 novel Th e Last  J ur or,whi ch  is s et i n  Cl anton i n the 197 0s. Harr yRe x Vonne r also appear sin the 200 2Gri sham n o v el, TheSummons, and in the sho r t story  "F ish F iles ", in the  20 09 col lec t ion Fo rd Cou nty. A  br i e f ref e r en ceto  the event s dep icted  i n th e bookis also containedi n G risham's 1994  no velT h eCha m be r .
In s pir a t ion
In 1984 atthe DeSoto  C o un ty courtho u sein  Hernan do, Gri shamw itnesse d the har rowing te st imon y ofa 12-year- old rape  victim.T he in s pi ratio n c ame fr om  th e cas e of t h e r ape a nd ass au lt of12 ye ar  old Mar cie Scott and her 16-ye ar-old  sist erJulie Sco tt. Unl ike Grish am's  depiction , h owe ver,the Scott s we r ewhi t e and  the i r assaila n t,  Wi l l ie  Harris, wa s b lac k. Ac cor d ing to  Gri sham's official w e bsite, Grisham  use d his  sp a re t im e to begin his  fi rs t novel, w hi ch "explore d what w ou l d hav e happ ened i f the g i r l' s  fathe r ha d m urdered h eras s ailants ."  H e  spent  thr ee  years  on AT imet o  Kill and finish ed it i n 198 7 . G risha mhas als o  cit ed HarperLee's To Ki ll
 Grisham's_first novel._The novel was rejected_by many_publishers_before Wynwood_Press_eventually gave it_a modest 5,000-copy_printing. When Doubleday published_The Firm, Wynwood_released_a trade paperback of A Time to Kill, which became a bestseller. Dell published_the_mass market_paperback_months_after the success of The_Firm, bringing Grisham to widespread_popularity among_readers. Doubleday eventually took over the contract for_A_Time to Kill_and released a special hardcover edition.

In 1996, the novel_was adapted into a namesake film,_starring Sandra Bullock,_Matthew_McConaughey,_and Samuel L. Jackson._In 2011, it was further adapted_into a namesake stage play by_Rupert Holmes. The stage production opened at_the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C._in May 2011 and opened_on Broadway_in October 2013.

Setting
The story takes_place in the_fictional town_of Clanton, Mississippi_in the 1980s, a period of_time during which_racial tension was heavily prevalent in_America._This setting is_also_featured_in other_John Grisham novels._Three_of the_characters,_Jake Brigance, Harry Rex Vonner, and_Lucien_Wilbanks, later appear in the 2013 sequel_Sycamore Row. Harry Rex_Vonner_and Lucien Wilbanks also_appear in Grisham's 2003 novel_The Last Juror, which is set_in Clanton_in the_1970s. Harry Rex Vonner also appears in the 2002 Grisham novel,_The Summons, and in the short_story "Fish Files", in_the 2009_collection_Ford County. _A_brief reference_to the events depicted in the book_is also_contained in Grisham's 1994 novel The_Chamber.

Inspiration
In 1984 at the_DeSoto_County courthouse in Hernando, Grisham witnessed_the harrowing testimony of a 12-year-old_rape victim. The inspiration came_from_the_case of the rape and_assault of 12 year old Marcie_Scott and her_16-year-old sister Julie Scott. Unlike Grisham's depiction,_however,_the Scotts were white and their_assailant,_Willie Harris, was black. According to_Grisham's_official_website, Grisham used his spare_time to begin his first novel,_which "explored what would have happened if the girl's_father had murdered_her assailants." He spent three_years_on_A Time to Kill and finished it in 1987. Grisham_has also_cited Harper Lee's_To Kill