Helpful Score: 7
Grisham grips you from page one and takes you on a wild ride that has so many twists that you will lose count. The protagonist, Malcolm, narrates his account of the facts and activities, and with each piece of the puzzle the reader understands more and more of what Malcolm's motivations really are. I'm trying hard not to give away any spoilers, while still conveying how fascinating this book was to read. Grisham is a true story-teller and not once does he fail to make me want to turn the next page to see what's next. The story has a satisfying, non-rushed ending, too.
Helpful Score: 5
I enjoyed this book even though it wasn't the traditional legal thriller Grisham is known for. This book is fiction not really based on facts. Still the book held my interest and I kept reading to find out what else was going to happen. The story comes about piece by piece as I tried to figure out what was going on. I'd recommend this book to other Grisham fans.
Helpful Score: 4
All I can say is this: Having been to federal prison twice, Grisham got this one right. Grisham weaved an excellent tail starring an attorney possibly jailed for a crime that he didn't commit. The grand conspiracy just had him caught up. But when the news broadcasts show a prominent federal judge found dead, the attorney takes action to solve the crime from behind the walls in exchange for his freedom. Oh, man I liked this one. The lawyer threw it all at the prison warden and FBI agents to do the ultimate... Read it and find out what. I had the luxury to listen to this over a few days in Audible, and it was excellent storytelling.
Helpful Score: 3
Here is another good one from Grisham. Maybe it is because I haven't read any of his books in a couple of years, but the middle of the book had me wondering 'why?', and the ending caught me completely by surprise.
Helpful Score: 2
I enjoyed this page turner. It is not a traditional Grisham as it is not in the court room, but certainly filled with legal lingo. This book posed the question...is it ok to root for the bad guy?! I thoroughly enjoyed it and it took but two sittings to get through it.
Interesting read, moves quickly. Enjoyed the ending.
I really enjoyed this latest Grisham legal thriller. I always enjoy Grisham but it's been a while since I last read one of his thrillers (I did read Calico Joe recently) -- I have several others on my shelf that I need to get to. Anyway, as far as The Racketeer, I found it to be a page-turner with a really unexpected twist to the story about half-way through. The plot is basically about a Federal prison inmate who was wrongly accused in a RICO charge. He makes a deal with the Feds by revealing his knowledge of who murdered a Federal judge. For this he receives a full pardon and a new identity including plastic surgery to change his looks. But, is his story to the Feds the truth or is he playing them? Like I said, a good twist to the story which makes you wonder what is going on but in the end it all sorts out nicely. High recommendation!
Best Grisham in awhile. Totally unexpected plot. If you loved The Firm, read this one. Quick, fascinating and had me wondering how he came up with the plot. Very original.
When I want a story that keeps me on the edge of my seat guessing what is coming next before having the rug ripped out from under me, I know choosing a John Grisham novel will fit the bill.
What begins as a story about a man who has spent the last several years in prison turns into a novel of intrigue and suspense as the main character, Malcolm Bannister, finds himself in the center of a high profile case involving the murder of a federal judge. In exchange for his freedom and federal protection, Malcolm agrees to provide the identity of the murderer in addition to why the judge was killed.
The most interesting thing about this story for me is how the story takes on a life of its own with the numerous plot twists and turns. As each layer of this intricate and complicated plot is peeled back, I found myself more and more surprised.
I highly recommend this story if you are a fan of mysteries or thrillers that surprise you throughout the story.
What begins as a story about a man who has spent the last several years in prison turns into a novel of intrigue and suspense as the main character, Malcolm Bannister, finds himself in the center of a high profile case involving the murder of a federal judge. In exchange for his freedom and federal protection, Malcolm agrees to provide the identity of the murderer in addition to why the judge was killed.
The most interesting thing about this story for me is how the story takes on a life of its own with the numerous plot twists and turns. As each layer of this intricate and complicated plot is peeled back, I found myself more and more surprised.
I highly recommend this story if you are a fan of mysteries or thrillers that surprise you throughout the story.
Wow! Where do you even start when the author is John Grisham. Such a legal mind that can produce some of the story-telling ever! During some of the scenes where the story has now made a 90degree turn and I'm sitting in my chair asking him where in the world are you going with this? Like all his other books, he takes a lot of shortcuts and twisty paths to get to the final action, which will leave you shaking your head. John Grisham is absolutely one of my favorites and I think about his books long after I've read the last page.
Loved this book! Couldn't put it down. This is one of Grisham's better books. As always, he is easy to read and easy to follow even in his convoluted plots. I think you will enjoy this book as well! This is his new paperback.
Genny
Genny
I loved this book - it kept my interest from beginning to end and never lost it. It surprised me which few books do; I usually rate a book on how quickly I figure out what's coming as I read. I truly didn't see this one coming at all until it was almost over. Highly recommend.
Alice K. (ilflatlander) - , reviewed The Racketeer (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 130 more book reviews
This is one of the better Grisham books. Loved it!
This is without a doubt one of the best books I have ever read! Love Grisham books, but this one was superb! The story held me all the way through...it's so cleverly written that you don't know what's really going on until the very end! Sweet!
My favorite John Grisham book so far! Fast paced, good story, well written.
Another great legal thriller by Grisham! This time a lawyer has been sent to jail on trumped up charges and becomes a competent jailhouse lawyer to his prison friends. He hatches a scheme to get out of jail and the fun begins. This plan will not be revealed until the very end. What a great ride!!
good story; good read
exciting and great ending
Grisham's standard of each book being better than the one before still applies.
Definitely not the usual John Grisham book. I was completely lost and about halfway through I was asking myself why??? Why is he spending so much time on something completely unrelated to what I thought the book was about. Of course it was related after all but I was still lost. I never knew what was going on in this book. Even so, it was a very good read because John Grisham knows how to tell a good story. I read all the way to the end and laughed at the ending. How could I read an entire book without ever understanding what was happening and still say that I enjoyed it very much? But there it is.
I found it boring at times. Too many characters to keep track of.
Excellent excellent excellent- just when you think you know what's going on, you find out more. Another one of my favorites from John Grisham.
Excellent book ! Kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I literally had trouble putting it down.
MS. OLLIE W. (HollyWoods627) reviewed The Racketeer (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 20 more book reviews
I did not read the book. I got it as a gift for someone.
