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TL;DR: Eleven-year-old Mark Sway witnesses the suicide of a mob lawyer, who tells him before he dies where the body of a murdered U.S. senator is buried. The FBI and the mob both want what Mark knows. Terrified, Mark hires lawyer Reggie Love for one dollar, and she fights to protect him and his family.
Table of Contents
The Client at a Glance
| Author | John Grisham |
| First published | 1993 |
| Type | Legal thriller |
| Best for | readers who want a fast thriller with a young hero |
The Client is a legal thriller by John Grisham, published in 1993. It pairs a brave boy with a tough, caring lawyer. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes suicide, threats and violence.
Main Characters
- Mark Sway: An eleven-year-old boy with a dangerous secret.
- Reggie Love: A determined lawyer who defends Mark.
- Roy Foltrigg: An ambitious federal prosecutor.
- Barry “The Blade” Muldanno: A mob hitman.
- Jerome Clifford: A mob lawyer who takes his life.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
The secret
Mark and his younger brother, Ricky, sneak into the woods to smoke. They see a man, Jerome Clifford, trying to kill himself in his car. Mark tries to stop him, but Clifford tells him where Muldanno buried a murdered senator before shooting himself. Ricky goes into shock.
Pressure
The FBI and federal prosecutor Roy Foltrigg want Mark to tell what he knows. The mob, led by Muldanno, wants to silence him. Mark lies, fearing for his family.
Reggie Love
Mark hires Reggie Love, a lawyer with a troubled past, paying her one dollar. Reggie protects his rights and stands up to the FBI and Foltrigg.
Danger
The mob threatens Mark and burns his family's trailer. Mark is held in juvenile detention when he refuses to talk. He escapes and goes with Reggie to New Orleans to find the body himself.
The deal
Mark and Reggie find the body, and the mob is caught nearby. Reggie negotiates a deal: Mark and his family enter witness protection, with a new home and care for Ricky. Mark says goodbye to Reggie.
5 Key Takeaways
- Children can be brave in impossible situations.
- Everyone deserves a strong advocate.
- Powerful people do not always act in your interest.
- Trust must be earned.
- Courage includes knowing when to ask for help.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The truth can be a dangerous burden.
- A good lawyer protects the vulnerable.
- Loyalty to family drives brave choices.
Who Should Read The Client?
Read The Client if you enjoy thrillers with a young hero. It suits teens and adults.
About John Grisham
John Grisham, born in 1955, turned to writing after a decade practicing law in Mississippi. His bestselling legal thrillers include The Firm, The Pelican Brief and A Time to Kill. He often writes about ordinary people standing up to powerful institutions. The Client was adapted into a 1994 film and a TV series.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of The Client:
- Why does Mark lie at first?
- Why is Reggie Love such a good lawyer for him?
- Was witness protection the right ending?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether The Client is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of The Client, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is fast and exciting, one of Grisham's most popular books.
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What to Read Next
- The Pelican Brief by John Grisham: a young woman hunted by killers
- Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham: a young legal hero
- Holes by Louis Sachar: a brave boy faces injustice
Related: A Time to Kill by John Grisham: Summary and Key Takeaways · The Pelican Brief by John Grisham: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Client about?
A boy who knows where a murdered senator is buried is hunted by the mob and pressured by the FBI.
Who wrote it?
John Grisham, in 1993.
Who is Reggie Love?
Mark's lawyer, who takes his case for one dollar.
Where is the body buried?
In the garage of a house in New Orleans.
What happens to Mark's family?
They enter witness protection.
Is there a film?
Yes, the 1994 film with Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones.
What age is it for?
Teens and adults.
How long is it?
About 420 pages.
Who is Ricky?
Mark's younger brother, who goes into shock.
Where is it set?
Mainly in Memphis and New Orleans.
Who is Roy Foltrigg?
An ambitious federal prosecutor who pressures Mark.
Who are the main characters in The Client?
The main characters are Mark Sway, Reggie Love, Roy Foltrigg, Barry “The Blade” Muldanno and Jerome Clifford. Mark Sway: An eleven-year-old boy with a dangerous secret. Reggie Love: A determined lawyer who defends Mark. Roy Foltrigg: An ambitious federal prosecutor.
Is The Client worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a fast thriller with a young hero. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.