This is the fifteenth book I’ve read by Grisham this year and he’s still entertaining me, although to be completely transparent I should say that therThis is the fifteenth book I’ve read by Grisham this year and he’s still entertaining me, although to be completely transparent I should say that there is little too much commonality with The Partner, as this is also about a lone man taking on the federal government, although in this case the main protagonist is an African American. Wrongly convicted former lawyer, is in an open prison in the fifth year of his ten year sentence when he hears news of the brutal murder of a judge; he surprises the FBI when he tells them that for freedom, immunity and the reward money he can give them the killer; a killer that they have found zero trace of! This is the fascinating story of a trained lawyer playing cat and mouse with the federal authorities. This was such a fun read with the story taking multiple left turns. Another Grisham 8 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
A savage rape of single-mother Rhoda Kassellaw, is perpetrated in sight and sound of her young children, before she is murdered by, rapist-murderer DaA savage rape of single-mother Rhoda Kassellaw, is perpetrated in sight and sound of her young children, before she is murdered by, rapist-murderer Danny Padgitt, a reckless and callous younger member of the Padgitt crime-family, the dominant and most powerful organised crime gang in the vicinity of the Rhoda's town of residence in Mississippi. This is the story of a young man from the North taking over the town's newspaper who got involved with the murder case, alongside African-American matriarch Miss Callie, and their slow and exhaustive search for justice for Rhoda and her children. [image] Seriously, John Grisham, where have you been all my reading life? The decades long pursuit of real justice against uncompromising forces is set against the loud backdrop of racial integration, the Viet Nam War, the emergence of drug cartels and mostly through the eyes of a northern state born publisher running a newspaper in the South. The northern lens makes it even more interesting because Grisham uses it to talk about a lot of the good things about the South from the community spirit and the food through to the their religious fervour and pride of their States. This is all on top of a superb story, that this time looks how organised crime so easily manipulates a criminal justice system where capitalism and greed is king. Yet another 8 out of 12 Four Star jam by Grisham for me. [image] 2024 read...more
John Puller book 1: John Puller is an army investigator of Jack Reacher-like size and effectiveness, but with a brother in military prison and a formeJohn Puller book 1: John Puller is an army investigator of Jack Reacher-like size and effectiveness, but with a brother in military prison and a former many starred general father beginning to show signs of Dementia; known to most as just 'Puller', he is sent to the West Virginian small coal-mining town Drake to investigate the brutal murder of an army man with access to US secrets, and the associated murder of all his family! Alongside the local female sheriff, the situation quickly escalates as another two corpses are found nearby! A competent and well constructed series opener, although with a Jack Reacher-like protagonist it's hard to ever feel a sense of jeopardy as these A-type male characters are essentially written as supermen. A 7 out of 12, Three Star jam. [image] 2024 read...more
East London resident, young psychologist Kit Quinn was viciously attacked by a man with mental issues, Michael Doll; a year or so later recovered but East London resident, young psychologist Kit Quinn was viciously attacked by a man with mental issues, Michael Doll; a year or so later recovered but scarred for life Kit is given a consultancy role on the vicious murder of a homeless girl, when it turns out that Michael Doll is the prime suspect; thing is, Kit is almost 100% sure that he didn't do it! [image] The husband and wife team that is 'Nicci French' simple don't know how to write a bad book. This one centred on a morally driven young women's inherent need for the truth and refusal to accept circumstantial evidence as fact; and above all an innate refusal to judge a book, i.e., a person, by their cover / external character portrayal. This is a typical French read, in that within a few pages I was trapped knowing that I had to find out who the killer really was, or indeed if Michael Doll had pulled the wool over Kit's eyes. Nicely constructed 8 out of 12, Four Star multiple murder-mystery read. [image] 2024 read...more
The more I read John Grisham the more I see his uncanny likeness to Stephen King, both write bestselling immersive stories that are all on the peripheThe more I read John Grisham the more I see his uncanny likeness to Stephen King, both write bestselling immersive stories that are all on the periphery political and critical of the failings of capitalism in the States and of the shocking hypocrisy of many of the enfranchised and self-asserted religious. This one is a gem of a read where a small town lawyer manages to get a massive settlement from a corporation that through the dumping of toxic materials had caused the local water to become undrinkable and resulted in numerous cases of cancer and deaths! But this is America, land of the empowered and franchised, so the corporation realising that they would be liable for 1,000s of lawsuits if the decision stands get to work on their appeal, and decide that the only way to get out of this jam is to 'fix' the adjudicating State Supreme Court. [image] This David and Goliath story more cemented in reality than fable, is put well together by Grisham, showing just how little the American Constitution doses for those without power, money and contacts. Grisham makes the post settlement moves of a corporation against the rocks intensely interesting, and it all resonates even more now with the American Supreme Court more politicised than ever! I had no idea of the breadth (and politics) of Grisham's writing before starting on my Grisham journey, but I am so happy I started it. 8 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] b>2024...more
Reclusive eccentric self-made billionaire Tory Phelan, changed his will one more time before taking a suicide nosedive on to concrete. His mostly awfuReclusive eccentric self-made billionaire Tory Phelan, changed his will one more time before taking a suicide nosedive on to concrete. His mostly awful (partially because of his neglect and deep business focus) multiple ex-wives and his children begin making plans and spending money before his testament is read; and these relatives are horrified and angered when the last will and testament is read out giving the 11 billion dollar fortune to a n illegitimate daughter who has spent the last decade as a religious relief worker working with a primitive tribe in the deepest jungles of Brazil. [image] This was like two books in one, one book was about the greedy family and their unscrupulous lawyers trying to get the testament over turned = interesting; the other book was about a drug and drink addicted lawyer using the quest for the will beneficiary in deepest Brazil as a way for rebuilding his life yet again = boring! This is the weakest Grisham I have read to date, with so much time spent on the down-for-the-count lawyer finding a reason to live in the jungles of Brazil; the mostly repulsive family and just as bad lawyers I could have done with seeing a lot more of. A 6 out of 12 Three Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
Up and coming corporate lawyer Michael Brock is held hostage alongside eight other lawyers by what appears to be a homeless and deranged black man. AfUp and coming corporate lawyer Michael Brock is held hostage alongside eight other lawyers by what appears to be a homeless and deranged black man. After the siege comes to the tragic expected end, Michael just can't let it go; and eventually finds himself looking into the plight of the hostage taker and what drove him to choose the law firm he works at as a target. The only way Michael can come to terms with the reality of the urban existence for many and the ongoing homeless epidemic is to become a street lawyer, but this will me giving almost up everything he has worked for, including is personal relationships! [image] The one thing two of my favoured writers Stephen King and John Grisham have in common is that they both continually dive into the plight of the American disenfranchised in their storytelling; this is a superb read, that is built round the story of a white lawyer not accepting the 'crazy black man' trope; and around how American capitalism creates and persecutes its homeless. My favourite Grisham to date; I just love the big bucks mainstream storytellers telling real stories about real America. A 9, yes 9 out of 12, Four Star cracker of a read. [image] 2024 read...more
The Broker got his hands on some world-changing tech and had the world in his palms when it all came crashing down and the only way to save the rest oThe Broker got his hands on some world-changing tech and had the world in his palms when it all came crashing down and the only way to save the rest of his family an friends was to go to prison. The outgoing President is convinced to pardon the Broker by the FBI. Why did the FBI want him pardoned? Because hopefully they can get some essential intel from whomever comes to kill the Broker. This is thee story of how the Broker using his brokering skills to navigate his post-prison life and tries to keep himself and his loved ones safer form multiple external and internal threats. Sounds a bit boring? Well, this one is a pretty tame Grisham, and it's only the Broker's personal struggles with post-prison faux deep-witness protection life that kept me reading. A subdued 6 out of 12, Three Star jam :) [image] 2024 read...more
Third in his Harvard graduation class Mitchell McDeere gets the job opportunity of a lifetime with a Memphis lawyer firm offering huge earnings now anThird in his Harvard graduation class Mitchell McDeere gets the job opportunity of a lifetime with a Memphis lawyer firm offering huge earnings now and in the future, great perks and even a low-rate starter mortgage; the fact that they have no non-white or female lawyers he is prepared to overlook; they demand absolute loyalty and want him and his wife to become part of their extended family. It's only when he's knee deep in his new job that he realises that he may have a made a mistake they he can never get out of! [image] One of Grisham's signature books, and it's a monster. A delightfully insidious conspiracy is slowly revealed leaving the protagonist in a very difficult situation. An interesting take on us against them, but it's the law firm that fascinated me - is there always a price for any sort of utopia, even for a business? A no holds barred suspense filled legal thriller that truly made Grisham into the commercial storytelling global leader that he is today and has been for decades. An 8 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
In a minimum security prison three convicted former members of the judiciary hold court over all internal disputes amongst their fellow prisoners; theIn a minimum security prison three convicted former members of the judiciary hold court over all internal disputes amongst their fellow prisoners; these three men are the Brethren. The thing is these three are criminally minded and unknown to everyone else they are running a letter-writing sting operation on men of any prominence (as in with money or means) hiding in the homosexual closet. Things take a turn when they ensnare a man of national renown and prominence! As ever for me with Grisham a well laid out reality, a basic concept and a surprising story thereafter, but I sometimes feel that Grisham's swerve to unforeseen story progression are not as interesting as the cliched path he could have taken, like in this case. Still a gripping read, a 7 out of 12 three stars. [image] 2024 read...more
Irish mother Sive is visiting with her family, her husband's friend group; Sive and her kids are on the London Underground when she is separated from Irish mother Sive is visiting with her family, her husband's friend group; Sive and her kids are on the London Underground when she is separated from her two toddler daughters, and she can only watch in shock and horror when the tube train they alighted speeds off from the platform, where she remains with her baby boy! In utter shock, but with many calls made, she is momentarily relieved when she gets a London Transport call back... only to find only one of her missing daughters is found on the tube train!!!! [image] Where's her six year old daughter? A nail biting suspense packed read that details the previous three days alongside the continuing search for the missing child. A top drawer missing child read that entertains from start to finish. Loved it! An 8 out of 12 Four Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
Another big court action against the tobacco industry is doomed to fail as usual with the powerful and highly effective consultant working for the 'biAnother big court action against the tobacco industry is doomed to fail as usual with the powerful and highly effective consultant working for the 'big four' tobacco companies using any means necessary to prevent any anti-tobacco legal precedents. Unknown to them another group has been actively trying to get on to one of their juries, and in this case they finally do! An innovative look at the American legal system and how the abuse of power can compromise it; and in this case how 'white-hats' can play them at their own game. A 6 out of 12, Three Stars marked down mainly because of nowhere enough of actual court/trial action for me; although I now have an intense urge to watch the cinematic adaptation :) [image] 2024 read...more
They were finally going to have some adult-time going for drinks next door, babysitter-less but with baby monitor in hand, they thought it would be OKThey were finally going to have some adult-time going for drinks next door, babysitter-less but with baby monitor in hand, they thought it would be OK, until their baby went missing! It looks like a kidnapping and the evidence points towards the parents, but this whodunnit is chock full of "oh damn" moments as the writer took me on a roller coaster journey at which point every cast member looked suspect! Very Saturday-night-movie, but pretty interesting as a result, and all to be taken with a pinch of salt. 7 out of 12, Three Star 'fun'-mystery read. [image] 2024 read...more
Young lawyer Adam Hill has had only one real goal over the last few years, and he's finally made it, he gets to defend KKK-member, avid racist and conYoung lawyer Adam Hill has had only one real goal over the last few years, and he's finally made it, he gets to defend KKK-member, avid racist and convicted double Jewish child killer from his death penalty in The Chamber, a gas chamber! Oh, and one other thing, this avowed racist killer is Adam's grandfather. [image] Yes, I have been extremely late to the Grisham party, but boy oh boy some of his early works have been worth the wait! So many creators try and take a firm look at capital punishment but this young man confronts his family's dark past, whilst not comprehending why a Government would consider murder in the name of justice, is a beautifully weighted book look at one of the core reasons why America still has a lot of growing to do. A Grisham must-read, and I salute him, being already a commercial writer at this juncture, daring to tell a death row story from the viewpoint of a true bad-guy! 8 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
Eleven year old Mark, after a traumatic altercation with a man hellbent on killing himself, knows the location of a murdered senator, information thatEleven year old Mark, after a traumatic altercation with a man hellbent on killing himself, knows the location of a murdered senator, information that only the mafia killer himself, knows! Mark, his young brother, his single-mum and their maverick woman lawyer not only have to navigate around the lethal intentions of the mafia, but the determined FBI and courts that are desperate for that information! [image] This is a remarkable commercial book in so many ways from the multi-faceted not-at-all-stereotypical characters through to such a well though out lead in the eleven year old, so well defining and balancing the vulnerability and the precociousness of a child that young! The story itself is an unrelenting siege on Mark and his family by people that want to either silence him or force him to testify. I am very much enjoying my first time journey into the worlds of Grisham so far. An 8 out of 12 Four Star read for me. [image] 2024 read...more
Two of the American Supreme Court are murdered on the same night! The list of potential suspects is endless, but when the brilliant (and beautiful) laTwo of the American Supreme Court are murdered on the same night! The list of potential suspects is endless, but when the brilliant (and beautiful) law student Darby Shaw shares her detailed speculative 'Pelican Brief' with her lecturer lover who shares it with his FBI connections, her entire life is blown apart... literally! Darby can't trust anyone, her people, the cops, the federal authorities, the media, because her brief pointed a finger at Washington! [image] Despite almost the entire male cast lusting over Darby, this a work ahead of its time with a woman lead in a mostly man's world having the smarts and instincts to stay alive and eventually maybe have her say. A gripping and compelling game of cat and mouse, that is that more absorbing because it has multiple points of view including those of the assassin and the White House. These earlier Grisham books... I can see why they made his career! An 8 out of 12 Four Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
Loading...
