Since bursting onto the literary scene in 1991 with THE FIRM, John Grisham has penned over 50 books and is one of the world's most successful authors. Not a fall season passes without his name on multiple bestseller lists. Many of his works have been adapted into films or television series.

But Grisham does more than write entertaining books. He is an advocate for revealing some of the deep flaws in the American justice system. He serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and Centurion Ministries, two national organizations that are devoted to freeing wrongly convicted individuals.

"You start reading a John Grisham book and think it will take you several days to complete. Then the chapters unfold, the story pulls you in, and you simply cannot stop reading. THE FRENCH ILLUSION is no exception."

Grisham primarily produces legal-themed novels, but on several occasions he leaves the law as his main subject to direct his writing talent to other issues. THE FRENCH ILLUSION is one of those instances. It is best described as a thriller, but at its core, it makes a clear and direct statement about a bleak and tragic period in modern American history.

As the novel opens, readers meet Paul and Chelsea Tanner, two young Americans who are enjoying their honeymoon in Paris, France. A very noticeable strength of Grisham is his ability to set scenes that range from glamorous cities around the world to tiny impoverished rural communities. Anyone who has had the opportunity to visit Paris will appreciate his depiction of its various venues. But it all takes an evil turn when the Tanners are kidnapped while visiting the Normandy beaches. They are separated and only will be released after paying their captors two million dollars.

The scene shifts to the Unted States, where the families of Paul and Chelsea scramble to acquire funds for the ransom payment. They also honor the instructions of the kidnappers that no law enforcement be notified. However, the authorities eventually become aware of what’s going on. The FBI, CIA and French intelligence all work to solve the puzzle of why American couples are being kidnapped, tortured and held for ransom. I will warn you that some of the torture scenes are not for the squeamish.

You start reading a John Grisham book and think it will take you several days to complete. Then the chapters unfold, the story pulls you in, and you simply cannot stop reading. THE FRENCH ILLUSION is no exception. This mesmerizing thriller is one that you will savor, enjoy and ponder. Prepare yourself for another extraordinary adventure from one of America’s finest writers.