The Boys from Biloxi is historical fiction set in Mississippi and reflects on the organized underworld, criminal activities, political corruption, and the abuse of power in a small coastal town. The story is told from the objective third-person point of view. The novel's tone is journalistic, and the author carefully reports the incidents taking place without being judgmental and cautiously presents the characters in a pleasant way. The novel's mood is sanguine despite presenting a dark historical period, but the nasty events are overcome with optimism. The novel's central character, Keith Rudy, presents the political reforms and anti-corruption agenda. At the same time, the story's antagonist is Hugh, who represents the underworld criminal gangs and corrupt institutions. There is a major conflict in the novel when Rudy and Malco's families collide in the courtrooms, and they both belong to opposing forces of reform and corruption.
The novel opens by presenting two young friends, Keith and Hugh, who grow up playing together. Keith and Hugh are baseball stars and have big dreams of playing in the Major Leagues in the future. However, these two boys come from different backgrounds and respectively look up to their fathers as role models. Keith's father is a renowned prosecutor, while Hugh's father is a gang leader of the underworld criminal group that operates nightclubs and theft. The theme of the dark Biloxi manifests itself when the reader learns that despite the Gulf Coastal town having the most beautiful beaches and luxurious vocational places, it is also the most dangerous town. Gangs and underworld criminals like Hugh's father run the town. The gangs collect money from residents unlawfully, and those who refuse are killed. Consequently, despite the glittering Biloxi, it is the worst place to live.
Keith decides to follow in his father's footsteps, and he studies law and later becomes a famous lawyer in town. The primary objective of Keith is to fight the evils in Biloxi and ensure all the corrupt people are jailed to restore order. Therefore, Grisham builds the theme of law by closely following Keith's passion and objectives. However, the fight against the corrupt forces will be challenging for Keith because the corrupt people are the most powerful and untouchables in the town. On the other hand, Hugh follows in his father's footsteps and becomes a criminal leader operating his father's dark businesses and illegal activities. Interestingly, Keith and Hugh's families clash in the courtrooms. Keith must make tough choices to prosecute his childhood family friend for being involved in criminal activities destabilizing the town.
