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Book Review of The Whistler: A Novel

The Whistler: A Novel
perryfran avatar reviewed on + 1223 more book reviews


I have been a Grisham fan ever since reading THE FIRM when it first came out in the early 90s and I have to say that so far, I haven't read one of his novels that I didn't like. I haven't read all of them but the ones I have read have for the most part been taut page-turners. THE WHISTLER was no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed this one from start to finish and I'll be looking forward to reading his next novel and some of the older ones that I haven't yet gotten to.

This one is about a whistle-blower who made some major charges against a female judge in Florida. The judge apparently is involved in a wide range of misconduct including accepting bribes to ensure court cases go the way of a group of gangsters called the Coast mafia. She has hidden these illicit gains well using offshore banks and converting cash to jewels, gold, and other high-priced assets. The whistle-blower has made the complaint to the Board of Judicial Conduct (BJC), a group who investigates misconduct by judges but who do not carry guns. Lacy Stolz and her partner, Hugo Hatch, are the investigators assigned to the case. Greg Myers, an ex-attorney and ex-con has the information needed to investigate the case and works for the "whistler". Myers informs them about the Coast Mafia and their involvement in the establishment and workings of a Florida Native American casino where loads of money is being skimmed and used in part to bribe the judge.

This novel kept me turning the pages and as usual, I would recommend it to Grisham fans. I have read a few negative reviews of this book and some of Grisham's other recent fare, but I feel this is one of his best on par with some of his earlier novels.