Janis K. (scrapbooklady) reviewed on 6/25/2007 + 472 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

Laying aside his law dramas for another break (like he did with "A Painted House" and "Skipping Christmas"), John Grisham instead brings us "The Broker" sort of an espionage filled spy story... The protagonist is Joel Backman, a former high-powered Washington stockbroker that's hiding some big secrets and is now serving a 20-year prison sentence is solitary confinement. In the waning hours of his 4-year and HIGHLY unsuccessful presidency, Arthur Morgan is pressured by the head of the CIA to pardon Backman. The plan is to smuggle Backman out of the country and sit back and watch to see just who kills him. The CIA believes that the Russians, Chinese, Israelis, and Saudis all have reasons to go after the man. Within a few hours, Backman is transferred out of prison and into Italy...He's quickly given a fake background and a fake name (Marco) and soon begins adjusting to life in Italy. Sure, he's not allowed to have contact with anyone from his past life nor is he allowed to travel anywhere but anything beats prison. One reviewer of this book said "It has major motion picture written all over it" and that's true. It has potential to be a great movie, despite the fact that it's only a good book. It's entertaining and I'm really fond of the protagonist, but it goes on a little too long I guess. Having said that, I must suddenly contradict myself. I felt the novel ended too abruptly;
I wanted to know more about Backman and just kind of cuts the audience off. Whatever though. It's a pretty good book that's worth reading that's better than some of Grisham's other recent literary efforts.

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