The setting in The Runaway Jury by John Grisham is actually pretty recent to the time it was written. We know that the story takes place around the early to mid 1990’s and we know this because the main character, Nicholas, graduated from college in 1993 and the action in the book isn’t too far afterwords. The trial itself takes place in Biloxi, Mississippi where most of the characters participate in the various activities that the city has to offer. Given the fact that the book is relatively modern and takes place in an existing place, this book could definitely happen today. In fact, it may be more probable to happen today because medical research and technological advancements have provided definitive proof that cigarettes and the smoking of any tobacco in general can lead to lung cancer. Lastly, The Runaway Jury is a very realistic book in which very realistic characters and events take place in a extremely realistic circumstance.