The chief problem Grisham sets for himself in The Client is to present Mark's reluctance to testify as believable. Readers may object that telling the truth would probably solve Mark's problems. Grisham tries to refute this easy answer to the dilemma in three ways. First, the narration goes inside Mark's head to convey his suspicion of authorities, confusion over legal procedures, and fear over what happened with Clifford. Second, the authorities come off almost as malevolent as the mob because they are so focussed only on getting the conviction; they are object lessons in how driven, ambitious lawyers can lose touch with humanity.

All the officials who contact Mark make the same mistake of demanding that a tough kid cooperate, or else.

They are oblivious to their impact on him and blind to other approaches: Grisham gives a sobering comment on how adult figures often treat children.

Third...