SOURCE: "The Devil's Advocate," in The Sunday Times, London, June 12, 1994, p. 1.

Mortimer is a noted English playwright, novelist, scriptwriter, lawyer, and critic. In the following review, he commends Grisham's storytelling ability and attention to detail in The Chamber.

All over the world, and particularly in America, lawyers are giving up trying to woo juries and are concentrating their powers of persuasion on the bestseller lists and film rights. Turning author has numerous advantages for the courtroom advocate; nobody will land on death row, or even in prison, if you fail. There's no need to put on a suit, leave home, crawl to your senior partner or be polite to judges. If you succeed, you may become rich beyond the dreams of even the most successful criminal defender.

Furthermore, you have, at your fingertips, material which most novelists would give their word processors to possess. No need to research...