Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Pelican Brief. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Law student Darby Shaw's brief correctly names the oil tycoon Victor Mattiece as the man behind the murders of two Supreme Court justices. With reporter Gray Grantham, she exposes the plot, which reaches into the White House, and then disappears to a Caribbean island, where Gray later joins her.
Quick facts
– Book: The Pelican Brief by John Grisham
– First published: 1992
– Type: A legal thriller
– Tone of the ending: Tense and satisfying
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Two Supreme Court justices are assassinated on the same night. Darby, a Tulane student, writes a brief suggesting that Mattiece ordered the killings to change the court's makeup so he can drill on protected land in Louisiana. Her professor and lover passes it on, and he is killed by a car bomb. Darby goes on the run.
What Happens at the End of The Pelican Brief
Darby contacts Gray Grantham of the Washington Post. Together they find a lawyer who knew about Mattiece's plans and gather evidence, while killers follow them. Gray publishes the story, which shows the President's chief of staff tried to bury the brief. The FBI protects Darby. Mattiece flees the country, and the White House is shaken. Darby goes into hiding, and Gray visits her.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The brief turns out to be right.
- The story reaches the White House.
- Darby survives by trusting Gray.
- She chooses a new life in hiding.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Darby Shaw | Disappears to the Caribbean |
| Gray Grantham | Publishes the story |
| Victor Mattiece | Exposed and flees |
| Thomas Callahan | Killed by a car bomb |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the power of journalism and the danger of corporate influence on government.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers find the ending too neat, while others enjoy the satisfaction. The book is a classic of 1990s political thrillers.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Corruption. Money reaches the highest offices.
Courage. Darby risks everything.
Truth. The press exposes the plot.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Pelican Brief as tense and satisfying. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected John Grisham to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are tense and satisfying will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how John Grisham closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1993 film with Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington follows the book's ending closely.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Pelican Brief with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about corruption, and do you agree with John Grisham's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as tense and satisfying, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces corruption and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what John Grisham leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Pelican Brief often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Pelican Brief earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Pelican Brief on Amazon
Books to Read After The Pelican Brief
- The Firm by John Grisham
- All the President's Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
Related: The Pelican Brief by John Grisham: Summary and Key Takeaways · The Judge’s List by John Grisham: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Pelican Brief?
Law student Darby Shaw's brief correctly names the oil tycoon Victor Mattiece as the man behind the murders of two Supreme Court justices. With reporter Gray Grantham, she exposes the plot, which reaches into the White House, and then disappears to a Caribbean island, where Gray later joins her.
Is the ending of The Pelican Brief happy or sad?
Most readers call it tense and satisfying.
What does the ending of The Pelican Brief mean?
The ending shows the power of journalism and the danger of corporate influence on government.
Is the ending of The Pelican Brief the same in the adaptation?
The 1993 film with Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington follows the book's ending closely.
Who wrote The Pelican Brief and when was it published?
The Pelican Brief was written by John Grisham and first published in 1992.
Is The Pelican Brief worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy legal thrillers. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how John Grisham prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Pelican Brief before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.