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The Racketeer
Given the importance of what they do, and the controversies that often surround them, and the violent people they sometimes confront, it is remarkable that in the history of the USA only four active federal judges have been murdered.
Judge Raymond Fawcett just became number five.
His body was found in the small basement of a lakeside cabin he had built himself and frequently used on weekends. When he did not show up for a trial on Monday morning, his law clerks panicked, called the FBI, and in due course the agents found the crime scene. There was no forced entry, no struggle, just two dead bodies - Judge Fawcett and his young secretary.
I did not know Judge Fawcett, but I know who killed him, and why.
I am a lawyer, and I am in prison.
It's a long story.
Judge Raymond Fawcett just became number five.
His body was found in the small basement of a lakeside cabin he had built himself and frequently used on weekends. When he did not show up for a trial on Monday morning, his law clerks panicked, called the FBI, and in due course the agents found the crime scene. There was no forced entry, no struggle, just two dead bodies - Judge Fawcett and his young secretary.
I did not know Judge Fawcett, but I know who killed him, and why.
I am a lawyer, and I am in prison.
It's a long story.
343 pages, Hardcover
First published October 23, 2012
9943 people are currently reading
28126 people want to read
About the author
John Grisham
490 books90.3k followersJohn Grisham is the author of more than fifty consecutive #1 bestsellers, which have been translated into nearly fifty languages. His recent books include Framed, Camino Ghosts and The Exchange: After the Firm.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 8,983 reviews
November 18, 2020
The John Grishman of yore has resurfaced with this book. Just when I am beginning to doubt that he is still capable of creating works of the same calibre as his earlier outputs, he came up with this book that is so engrossing I am sure his wayward fans would be resurrected. To say that this has come in the most opportune time is an understatement.
November 23, 2012
The reason I have read all of John Grisham's legal novels is that I like the idea of the little guy taking on the big guy, the bully, the "man" in general. I don't even care if the little guy wins as long as he puts up a good fight. In this story I kept waiting for Mal/Max to become the good guy. The guy that fights the system for the wronged, that avenges his mistreatment by making sure the system works for the next underdog. It didn't happen. Turns out Mal/Max is just a thug, and robs other thugs to help yet other thugs get wealth that they don't deserve, and haven't earned. The people we are supposed to be cheering on (I assume) are drug dealers, thieves, and in general just bad people. Mal/Max is self righteous and preachy of others, but somehow justifies his behavior as acceptable. This is my take on Mal/Max: he is a thief, a deadbeat dad, a hypocrite, a liar, a con man, a manipulator, a murderer (if not by his own hand), a whiner, and a horrible lawyer since he couldn't even defend himself against bogus charges. This is not a person I can cheer for. I found myself repeatedly hoping something bad would happen to him and his co-horts (I am not proud of those feelings, but since this is a fictional character, I stand by them).
July 27, 2018
Oh, how the mighty have fallen! Grisham splats facedown with this mess. Trying for genius protagonist to outsmart everyone around him, instead of clever plans, Grisham relies on a smart mouth. Meanwhile the author dumbs-down everyone else so far they should be wearing special helmets and riding a short bus.
The Feebees are right outta Mayberry, the "hero" is a DICK and none of the story is even remotely credible. Grisham didnt even try. The book starts with the feds being led around by the nose by a conviceted fellon who claims to know who killed a judge- no evidence, just a jail house snitch who claims to have a lead, and before he'll even give them the lead he wants his sentence commuted. So they do it- without any incling he might tell the truth at some future point after he is released and that the info will be useful.
And then it gets even dumber. Its to the point even his simple math is faulty. My last grisham book ever.
The Feebees are right outta Mayberry, the "hero" is a DICK and none of the story is even remotely credible. Grisham didnt even try. The book starts with the feds being led around by the nose by a conviceted fellon who claims to know who killed a judge- no evidence, just a jail house snitch who claims to have a lead, and before he'll even give them the lead he wants his sentence commuted. So they do it- without any incling he might tell the truth at some future point after he is released and that the info will be useful.
And then it gets even dumber. Its to the point even his simple math is faulty. My last grisham book ever.
July 15, 2024
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 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.
2024 read
2024 read
February 5, 2015
John Grisham is Back with a Winner!
I haven’t read a John Grisham book in a long time. This little gem was picked up recently and it was a pleasant surprise. It moved along at a good pace, had an excellent story line, first class dialogue, and will definitely keep the reader on the edge. It is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.
I haven’t read a John Grisham book in a long time. This little gem was picked up recently and it was a pleasant surprise. It moved along at a good pace, had an excellent story line, first class dialogue, and will definitely keep the reader on the edge. It is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.
February 4, 2013
I'm not going to waste my time with an extensive review of this book because I have wasted enough time reading it. I will start by saying that I have loved every one of John Grisham's books until this one. (and I've read every one).
Here is a short list of the problems with this book:
1.) The main character is an unlikable hypocrite. Grisham presents Bannister as a character we should root for. A man who was beaten down by the federal government. He really is a deadbeat dad who can't take two minutes off from perpetrating a huge fraud to go see his son or his father.
2.) There is absolutely NO character development. The mysterious woman who suddenly appears as Bannister's lover halfway through the book is given no personality. I didn't know her or care about her and if she had suddenly died the story wouldn't have changed a bit.
3.) The outcome is obvious half way through the book. I actually almost quit with 50+ pages to go because they were so pointless.
4.) No plot twists, no drama, no climactic moment. Not much more needs to be said here. There is nothing remotely interesting in these 350+ pages.
If you are wondering why I kept reading this book it is because it doesn't become obvious how useless this story is until more than halfway through the book. The whole time I was hoping that something would happen to change my opinion but it never did. I am writing this review to warn you not to waste your time reading this book. You can get more entertainment staring at a blank wall.
Here is a short list of the problems with this book:
1.) The main character is an unlikable hypocrite. Grisham presents Bannister as a character we should root for. A man who was beaten down by the federal government. He really is a deadbeat dad who can't take two minutes off from perpetrating a huge fraud to go see his son or his father.
2.) There is absolutely NO character development. The mysterious woman who suddenly appears as Bannister's lover halfway through the book is given no personality. I didn't know her or care about her and if she had suddenly died the story wouldn't have changed a bit.
3.) The outcome is obvious half way through the book. I actually almost quit with 50+ pages to go because they were so pointless.
4.) No plot twists, no drama, no climactic moment. Not much more needs to be said here. There is nothing remotely interesting in these 350+ pages.
If you are wondering why I kept reading this book it is because it doesn't become obvious how useless this story is until more than halfway through the book. The whole time I was hoping that something would happen to change my opinion but it never did. I am writing this review to warn you not to waste your time reading this book. You can get more entertainment staring at a blank wall.
August 27, 2025
Who killed the Judge?
The one who knows will tell the FBI, but he wants out of jail first.
Sound simple? Hold on for the ride folks!
WARNING!
Never start a new book at night as you are starting to fall asleep, especially one that is steeped with thrilling twists and turns and interesting legal angles that keep you wanting to turn pages. Because when you do, suddenly you will look at the clock, and wonder, where has the night gone – and is it morning already?
But, regardless of one sleepless night, oh my goodness, that was a gripping, amazing, page-turning, imaginative tale.
Thank you Mr. Grisham, once again for bringing back my faith in suspenseful storytelling. And regardless of what some reviewers may have thought, you didn’t disappoint me…although, I am looking forward to a nap later.
The one who knows will tell the FBI, but he wants out of jail first.
Sound simple? Hold on for the ride folks!
WARNING!
Never start a new book at night as you are starting to fall asleep, especially one that is steeped with thrilling twists and turns and interesting legal angles that keep you wanting to turn pages. Because when you do, suddenly you will look at the clock, and wonder, where has the night gone – and is it morning already?
But, regardless of one sleepless night, oh my goodness, that was a gripping, amazing, page-turning, imaginative tale.
Thank you Mr. Grisham, once again for bringing back my faith in suspenseful storytelling. And regardless of what some reviewers may have thought, you didn’t disappoint me…although, I am looking forward to a nap later.
November 3, 2021
Malcolm Bannister was an attorney in a small firm when he was inadvertently caught up in a money laundering scheme, convicted under the RICO statutes, and sent to federal prison. There he became a 'prison lawyer' helping other convicts with their appeals. etc.
When Judge Fawcett - a federal judge in Virginia - is murdered, Bannister contacts the FBI, claiming he will name the killer in exchange for immediate release from prison.
This happens, and once he is free Bannister, with help from a woman he met in the visitor's room at prison, embarks on an elaborate scheme to enrich himself. To say more would be a spoiler.
I will say, however, that Bannister's scheme is completely unbelievable - to the point where I consider this almost a fantasy novel. Moreover, Bannister is an unlikable character who - though he claims to be bereft by his divorce and loss of his son - completely forgets about the boy, making no attempt whatsoever to see or contact him once he's out of prison.
This book is slow, boring, and poorly plotted. The characters are two-dimensional and uninteresting. I almost can't believe John Grisham wrote this book. 🥴
I'd recommend skipping this one.
You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/
February 14, 2016
I felt as though the only reason this was written was so Denzel Washington could star in the film adaptation. The movie could possibly be alright so I would encourage you to wait, but don't be too disappointed if it is a waist of time as well.
March 9, 2019
A fairly decent plot by Mr. Grisham in this smarter than you thriller. 8 of 10 stars
January 24, 2013
Certainly an interesting story but one that almost seemed too pat. At the end after reading the book, I found the author's note saying that none of it was real and that he had not done a lot of research on the topic. I don't mind fiction and in fact read a lot of it and have enjoyed Grisham's work in the past. I just found that afterwards it left a sour feeling to read his comments. Perhaps it is the sign of a good storywriter that he didn't need to research and that this story just flowed but it almost left me wondering if he's such a powerhouse author that the public will acclaim anything he writes regardless of the effort put into it. I don't know I almost felt more of a spectator to the action in the book rather than a participant or even as a willing supporter of the main character. I just never felt as engaged as I'd expect to for a "grisham novel". It was okay but not great. While the story was readable and the premise different, it was almost forgettable. I never really felt as if I cared about the characters. In the beginning - it was possible to connect/engage but by the end -not really. It was if the person who was narrating the story almost was as disengaged as I was. Ho hum.
November 30, 2022
“Perhaps in another era, a trial was an exercise in the presentation of facts, the search for truth, and the finding of justice. Now a trial is a contest in which one side will win and the other side will lose. Each side expects the other to bend the rules or to cheat, so neither side plays fair. The truth is lost in the melee.”
The opening premise of The Racketeer is an interesting one, but the story moves in a different direction after about 100 pages. The rest of the novel is a long con on a new character. You’ll learn the reasons for the con at the very end, but by that point I was past caring much. The book is written with Mr. Grisham’s trademarked easygoing style, and it’s structured like The Pelican Brief, but it’s not nearly as good. Disappointing.
August 9, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another incredible story by John Grisham!
Another incredible story by John Grisham!
January 10, 2014
When a federal judge named Raymond Fawcett is found murdered in his isolated mountain cabin, mysteries abound. The most important question is why did a judge of very modest means need the large state-of-the-art safe that was found hidden behind a bookcase?
Not surprisingly, the safe is now empty. The judge's young secretary who was found murdered beside him, had been tortured before she was killed. the assumption is that the killers tortured her to force the judge to open the safe before killing the two of them.
Since Fawcett is only the fifth active federal judge ever to have been murdered, the F.B.I. assembles a huge task force to track down the killer or killers, but the task force is virtually at a standstill. No one has any idea what might have been in the judge's safe and the careful killers left no trace of themselves behind. There are no witnesses, no clues of any kind, and no real suspects.
Meanwhile, not far from the crime scene, disbarred attorney Malcolm Bannister sits in a federal prison camp near Frostburg, Maryland, with five years left on a ten-year stretch. Bannister is actually an innocent victim who got caught up in a net thrown by an ambitious prosecuting attorney who abused the RICO statues to convict him. Naturally Bannister is unhappy, but he now has an ace up his sleeve because he knows what was in the safe and who killed Judge Fawcett to get it.
Through the warden, Bannister contacts the F.B.I. and offers to make a trade: his freedom for the information he alone possesses. His offer sets off a great game of cat-and-mouse between Bannister and the authorities. As usual, Grisham keeps you turning the pages, one after another, and the first half of the book is especially gripping.
My only complaint about it is that the second half doesn't really live up to the promise of the first half. There's a significant turn in the action that occurs about halfway through and from that point on the action gets a bit sluggish and the book starts to feel like it's gone on perhaps a bit longer than necessary. But that's a relatively minor complaint; this is a fun read and a good way to spend an evening or two. It also raises some chilling questions about the way in which federal authorities may use and possibly abuse their powers. At a time when the news is focused on the ways in which the NSA and other government agencies are tracking our phone calls, e-mails and other activities, this theme takes on an added relevance.
Not surprisingly, the safe is now empty. The judge's young secretary who was found murdered beside him, had been tortured before she was killed. the assumption is that the killers tortured her to force the judge to open the safe before killing the two of them.
Since Fawcett is only the fifth active federal judge ever to have been murdered, the F.B.I. assembles a huge task force to track down the killer or killers, but the task force is virtually at a standstill. No one has any idea what might have been in the judge's safe and the careful killers left no trace of themselves behind. There are no witnesses, no clues of any kind, and no real suspects.
Meanwhile, not far from the crime scene, disbarred attorney Malcolm Bannister sits in a federal prison camp near Frostburg, Maryland, with five years left on a ten-year stretch. Bannister is actually an innocent victim who got caught up in a net thrown by an ambitious prosecuting attorney who abused the RICO statues to convict him. Naturally Bannister is unhappy, but he now has an ace up his sleeve because he knows what was in the safe and who killed Judge Fawcett to get it.
Through the warden, Bannister contacts the F.B.I. and offers to make a trade: his freedom for the information he alone possesses. His offer sets off a great game of cat-and-mouse between Bannister and the authorities. As usual, Grisham keeps you turning the pages, one after another, and the first half of the book is especially gripping.
My only complaint about it is that the second half doesn't really live up to the promise of the first half. There's a significant turn in the action that occurs about halfway through and from that point on the action gets a bit sluggish and the book starts to feel like it's gone on perhaps a bit longer than necessary. But that's a relatively minor complaint; this is a fun read and a good way to spend an evening or two. It also raises some chilling questions about the way in which federal authorities may use and possibly abuse their powers. At a time when the news is focused on the ways in which the NSA and other government agencies are tracking our phone calls, e-mails and other activities, this theme takes on an added relevance.
November 1, 2012
Starts off with a bang telling a somewhat formulaic "man against the system" story.
Despite having seen it before, it's still fun to watch Grisham's main character (former lawyer and wrongly imprisoned Malcolm Bannister) execute an end-run around the powers-that-be. It is well a thought-out and executed scenario that while unrealistic at times, leaves the reader in a wistful mode wishing it could be so, as Bannister is likeable and has the reader rooting for him.
Midway through the novel, the plot takes a tangental swerve into another story line leaving the readers to feel that they are reading another book altogether. The initial sense of danger for Bannister also seems to disappear. From this point, he seems to have free rein with little to no threat of consequence.
Still, it is a fun read and at times could be likened to a primer on a long con.
Despite having seen it before, it's still fun to watch Grisham's main character (former lawyer and wrongly imprisoned Malcolm Bannister) execute an end-run around the powers-that-be. It is well a thought-out and executed scenario that while unrealistic at times, leaves the reader in a wistful mode wishing it could be so, as Bannister is likeable and has the reader rooting for him.
Midway through the novel, the plot takes a tangental swerve into another story line leaving the readers to feel that they are reading another book altogether. The initial sense of danger for Bannister also seems to disappear. From this point, he seems to have free rein with little to no threat of consequence.
Still, it is a fun read and at times could be likened to a primer on a long con.
December 23, 2019
That was some seriously elaborate racketeering.
September 7, 2013
THE RACKETEER is the first John Grisham novel I have read in ten years-I hadn't realized it had been so long until I looked at the release date of The Last Juror (which I read when it first came out). Why I waited so long I do not know, they are always fun and quick reads, with lots of twists and turns.
When I looked on the back of the book describing the plot, I almost put it back on the shelf. It sounded so similar to The Pelican Brief. A dead judge..environmental issue...but reading further I saw how different it was going to be...
Malcolm Bannister is a former attorney serving a ten year sentence for a crime he didn't commit. When a federal judge and his secretary are brutally murdered, Malcolm sees his chance at freedom. He knows who murdered them and why. This could very well be his get out of jail free card.
John Grisham has still got it! This is an entertaining novel, which in pure Grisham fashion, pits the good guy against the powerful-shades of grey-not so good guys (in this case the F.B.I and the US criminal justice system). It is interesting, and informative-without being too preachy-and looooooooads of fun,fun,fun!
When I looked on the back of the book describing the plot, I almost put it back on the shelf. It sounded so similar to The Pelican Brief. A dead judge..environmental issue...but reading further I saw how different it was going to be...
Malcolm Bannister is a former attorney serving a ten year sentence for a crime he didn't commit. When a federal judge and his secretary are brutally murdered, Malcolm sees his chance at freedom. He knows who murdered them and why. This could very well be his get out of jail free card.
John Grisham has still got it! This is an entertaining novel, which in pure Grisham fashion, pits the good guy against the powerful-shades of grey-not so good guys (in this case the F.B.I and the US criminal justice system). It is interesting, and informative-without being too preachy-and looooooooads of fun,fun,fun!
June 22, 2013
"The Racketeer" is the best Grisham and one of the best crime/thrillers I have ever read. Written in an easy-to-read, straight-forward style, the plot mixes brilliant complexity and multiple surprises in a high-tension manner that doesn't end until the last page. That's all I can say, because to say more, even a single word, might interfere with the joy I think you will have experiencing this book for yourself.
January 20, 2021
Malcolm Bannister is a disbarred attorney,who finds himself in jail serving a ten year sentence.This time,the main character happens to be black and his sentence is for legal violations he didn't deliberately commit.
As he ponders his future,he hatches a plan to get himself out.He knows who killed a federal judge and that is the key to his freedom.He wants to be placed in the Witness Protection Programme,have a surgically altered face and given a new identity.
His original sentence may have been unjust,but now he just doesn't want to get out of prison.Now,he also wants to get even with the government for convicting him.
He has a plan to get his hands on a lot of money at the expense of the federal government.Will he succeed in killing two birds with one stone ?
A fairly enjoyable legal thriller by John Grisham.
As he ponders his future,he hatches a plan to get himself out.He knows who killed a federal judge and that is the key to his freedom.He wants to be placed in the Witness Protection Programme,have a surgically altered face and given a new identity.
His original sentence may have been unjust,but now he just doesn't want to get out of prison.Now,he also wants to get even with the government for convicting him.
He has a plan to get his hands on a lot of money at the expense of the federal government.Will he succeed in killing two birds with one stone ?
A fairly enjoyable legal thriller by John Grisham.
February 6, 2015
This was a fun and twisted story where you are never quite sure what is going on. Grisham does a good job of crafting an unbelievable tale of a falsely accused victim working our federal system to his advantage and turning his bad luck into "gold" .
February 9, 2023
A typical John Grisham style legal thriller it is a wonderful study in the working of the witness protection program of US. The beginning is dramatic and one expects fast paced action to follow only to be disappointed by a weak climax.
September 12, 2013
Malcolm Bannister is a largely unsuccessful lawyer who was imprisoned by an overly aggressive government prosecutor when he accidentally turned his law firm into a shell company for a shady crook who needed to launder a lot of money. Two years in a minimum-security prison camp are sufficient to turn him from a struggling bungler into a mastermind, and the tangled web of deception he weaves begins when Bannister approaches the FBI with information that can help them solve the execution-style murder of a federal judge. Although at first the plot seems straightforward -- Bannister turns state's evidence and is then ostensibly pursued by the man whom he helpd indict's friends -- by novel's midpoint Bannister reveals himself to be an unreliable narrator, whose machinations and ultimate motive are as confusing to the reader as they are to his victims. It's as if upon pulling the first rabbit out of his hat, Bannister was so impressed with himself that he kept doing it -- "And another! And another! And another!" The resulting frenzy and self-congratulatory antics quickly grew tiresome. The Racketeer is somewhat reminiscent of The Partner, in that the main character is in the middle of an extensive and extremely complicated con that will make him very rich, but unlike that work's character in that instead of wanting to be left alone, Bannister goes out of his way to entrap people and cackle at his brilliance. I hoped earnestly that things would go awry, but every part of his plan falls into place in this light-action 'thriller' loaded with unsympathetic characters, leading to a smug conclusion that made me wonder if I could get the receipt for this book and return it.
I'll let the author's note speak for itself..
"Almost nothing in the previous 340-odd pages is based on reality. Research, hardly a priority, was rarely called upon. Accuracy was not deemed crucial. Long paragraphs of fiction were used to avoid looking up facts."
The Racketeer has earned the distinction of being my least-favorite Grisham novel among all of his adult fiction. It has the merit of an interesting cover, though. I do like hats.
I'll let the author's note speak for itself..
"Almost nothing in the previous 340-odd pages is based on reality. Research, hardly a priority, was rarely called upon. Accuracy was not deemed crucial. Long paragraphs of fiction were used to avoid looking up facts."
The Racketeer has earned the distinction of being my least-favorite Grisham novel among all of his adult fiction. It has the merit of an interesting cover, though. I do like hats.
December 30, 2017
Rounding off the year with another book in the "Read" shelf from my once-one-of-the-favourite authors who is fast falling off my favourite lists.
I picked up this e-book with great hopes of getting a good courtroom drama, what with the blurb mentioning about a Supreme Court judge being murdered and the protagonist being a lawyer behind bars (the author has introduced a black lawyer as a protagonist). However, my hopes were dashed as I progressed through the book. The plot is about how a lawyer unravels the mystery behind the killing of a Supreme Court judge and his escapades from the FBI and the judicial system. The motive and the plot was surprisingly good but there was a lot to be desired in the way the story has been narrated.
No more Grisham for me for quite some time now. I am almost done with him at least for the next few months unless I come across a really good one. Folks, by the way, you can recommend to me if you come across any of his books published after circa 2016, which are good reads.
I picked up this e-book with great hopes of getting a good courtroom drama, what with the blurb mentioning about a Supreme Court judge being murdered and the protagonist being a lawyer behind bars (the author has introduced a black lawyer as a protagonist). However, my hopes were dashed as I progressed through the book. The plot is about how a lawyer unravels the mystery behind the killing of a Supreme Court judge and his escapades from the FBI and the judicial system. The motive and the plot was surprisingly good but there was a lot to be desired in the way the story has been narrated.
No more Grisham for me for quite some time now. I am almost done with him at least for the next few months unless I come across a really good one. Folks, by the way, you can recommend to me if you come across any of his books published after circa 2016, which are good reads.
September 9, 2025
در اصل امتیازش دو و نیم بود ولی به خاطر گل روی خواهرزاده جانم، یاشا، که منو از بی کتابی نجات داد، سه امتیاز دادم.
April 6, 2017
John Grisham Walks on the Dark Side, for a Change
When you’re reading somebody’s 25th novel — the 31st of all the books he’s written — you’d be right to expect that he’d gotten the hang of writing. Especially if the guy had already sold more than a quarter of a billion copies of his work. And so it is with John Grisham’s fiendishly clever new novel, The Racketeer. It’s another winner from a man who’s been turning them out for more than two decades.
One aspect of Grisham’s fiendishness is his capacity to surprise, not just with twists and turns of plot — he’s great at that — but also by switching gears emotionally. For example, his most recent crime story before The Racketeer was The Litigators. That was a very funny book. The Racketeer isn’t (unless you have a tendency to cackle whenever a crook outsmarts the FBI). Grisham’s spare, no-nonsense style varies little, but he has a rare gift to make the most improbable characters both credible and likable. But no matter how sly and underhanded, his leading characters are almost always guys (or gals) in white hats.
Malcolm Bannister is Grisham’s protagonist here. Bannister is a hapless small-town attorney in Virginia who seems to have lost his white hat. He’s about halfway through an unjustified ten-year sentence in the Federal pen for violating the RICO act — yet another brilliant example of the FBI’s manipulation of that misbegotten law. He is 43, a former Marine, African-American, and wicked smart. Oh, and has he got a yen to get even with the FBI!
Suffice it to say that, at the outset, this book’s title is ironic. By the end it’s anything but ironic. And all the fun lies in how Bannister gets there. If you can guess how he does it before the plot fully unfolds, you’re a better person than me.
By the way, another of Grisham’s tendencies is to show off his liberal, reformist side, and The Racketeer is no different in that respect. Here, he takes on the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Prepare to be horrified.
(From www.malwarwickonbooks.com)
When you’re reading somebody’s 25th novel — the 31st of all the books he’s written — you’d be right to expect that he’d gotten the hang of writing. Especially if the guy had already sold more than a quarter of a billion copies of his work. And so it is with John Grisham’s fiendishly clever new novel, The Racketeer. It’s another winner from a man who’s been turning them out for more than two decades.
One aspect of Grisham’s fiendishness is his capacity to surprise, not just with twists and turns of plot — he’s great at that — but also by switching gears emotionally. For example, his most recent crime story before The Racketeer was The Litigators. That was a very funny book. The Racketeer isn’t (unless you have a tendency to cackle whenever a crook outsmarts the FBI). Grisham’s spare, no-nonsense style varies little, but he has a rare gift to make the most improbable characters both credible and likable. But no matter how sly and underhanded, his leading characters are almost always guys (or gals) in white hats.
Malcolm Bannister is Grisham’s protagonist here. Bannister is a hapless small-town attorney in Virginia who seems to have lost his white hat. He’s about halfway through an unjustified ten-year sentence in the Federal pen for violating the RICO act — yet another brilliant example of the FBI’s manipulation of that misbegotten law. He is 43, a former Marine, African-American, and wicked smart. Oh, and has he got a yen to get even with the FBI!
Suffice it to say that, at the outset, this book’s title is ironic. By the end it’s anything but ironic. And all the fun lies in how Bannister gets there. If you can guess how he does it before the plot fully unfolds, you’re a better person than me.
By the way, another of Grisham’s tendencies is to show off his liberal, reformist side, and The Racketeer is no different in that respect. Here, he takes on the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Prepare to be horrified.
(From www.malwarwickonbooks.com)
January 10, 2013
I hadn't read a John Grisham in quite awhile and had been meaning to read this so I picked it up. It was just meh. I mean, it was the kind of story where the plot just unraveled and nothing else happened. There was no climax. No omg moments---just a plan that used the whole book to describe its unwinding. The other thing was the characters were not particularly memorable and there was no one to root for so I ended up reading it with a sense of detachment.
March 3, 2020
Καλό ήταν, δεν μπορώ να πω. Βέβαια εγώ το πήρα χωρίς καν να κοιτάξω το οπισθόφυλλο πιστεύοντας ότι η υπόθεση θα είναι καθαρά δικαστικού περιεχομένου (με δίκες και τέτοια δηλαδή), και κάτι τέτοιο ήθελα να διαβάσω, αλλά αυτό δεν ήταν ακριβώς έτσι. Πιο πολύ σε ήπιο αστυνομικό μου έκανε αλλά τέλος πάντων.
Καλό ήταν πάντως, καλογραμμένο, κυλούσε εύκολα, δεν μάντεψα και το τέλος, όλα μια χαρά, αλλά δεν ανυπομονούσα να το πιάσω στα χέρια μου.
Καλό ήταν πάντως, καλογραμμένο, κυλούσε εύκολα, δεν μάντεψα και το τέλος, όλα μια χαρά, αλλά δεν ανυπομονούσα να το πιάσω στα χέρια μου.
September 30, 2018
"I am a lawyer, and I am in prison. It's a long story."
I love this opening line. It does not disappoint.
It is interesting as an innocent black lawyer goes to prison. (You find this out right away.) Then you follow the FBI investigating a murdered Federal Judge who looks like he was corrupt. I love Grisham's discretion when the lawyer gets a makeover. I think you will too. I'll never forget that character.
The innocent lawyer finds out and is able to use this to get out of prison. That is when the fun begins. I just don't want to tell you too much, but you will not see the ending coming.
You will travel to Virginia, Miami, a few Caribbean islands and their jails, see fake passports used, people tricked, and the good guy running. The Feds can not figure out how the bad guys find his changed identity.
Fun book, that I could not wait to get back too and keep reading to see what was next.
I love this opening line. It does not disappoint.
It is interesting as an innocent black lawyer goes to prison. (You find this out right away.) Then you follow the FBI investigating a murdered Federal Judge who looks like he was corrupt. I love Grisham's discretion when the lawyer gets a makeover. I think you will too. I'll never forget that character.
The innocent lawyer finds out and is able to use this to get out of prison. That is when the fun begins. I just don't want to tell you too much, but you will not see the ending coming.
You will travel to Virginia, Miami, a few Caribbean islands and their jails, see fake passports used, people tricked, and the good guy running. The Feds can not figure out how the bad guys find his changed identity.
Fun book, that I could not wait to get back too and keep reading to see what was next.
April 28, 2022
Three and a half stars
Malcolm Bannister, is a black ex lawyer who was disbarred and sentenced to ten years prison for a crime he claims to have no knowledge of committing. His attempts at appeal have all failed. Half way through his prison term at Frostberg, where his only regular visitor is his father, he learns that judge, the Honourable Raymond Fawcett along with Naomi Clair his secretary and the young woman he was having a relationship with, are found murdered. Fawcett’s safe is open with nothing left behind. Whatever was in the safe was likely what got him and his secretary killed. This is the moment Bannister has been waiting for. His opportunity for gain. He sets his plan into action telling the FBI he knows who the killer is. In return he wants his freedom, the reward money for info about the murders and a new identity under witness protection. Will they go for it? Will he gain his freedom? And if so where will that lead?
Let me say at the outset I am not a huge Grisham reader. I think I have probably only read two or three of his books. But this sounded an interesting change of pace for me. It is definitely readable and it kept me interested to see how it would play out, even if at times it did seem to get lost in the details. I wasn’t enamoured of the main character, even less so as the novel progressed, and the FBI seemed a bit clueless. Despite that I did want to keep reading. And it takes some interesting turns along the way.
An enjoyable read that should appeal to many. Towards the end I was turning the pages quickly. Interesting, if a little far-fetched, but one that many readers will no doubt enjoy.
Malcolm Bannister, is a black ex lawyer who was disbarred and sentenced to ten years prison for a crime he claims to have no knowledge of committing. His attempts at appeal have all failed. Half way through his prison term at Frostberg, where his only regular visitor is his father, he learns that judge, the Honourable Raymond Fawcett along with Naomi Clair his secretary and the young woman he was having a relationship with, are found murdered. Fawcett’s safe is open with nothing left behind. Whatever was in the safe was likely what got him and his secretary killed. This is the moment Bannister has been waiting for. His opportunity for gain. He sets his plan into action telling the FBI he knows who the killer is. In return he wants his freedom, the reward money for info about the murders and a new identity under witness protection. Will they go for it? Will he gain his freedom? And if so where will that lead?
Let me say at the outset I am not a huge Grisham reader. I think I have probably only read two or three of his books. But this sounded an interesting change of pace for me. It is definitely readable and it kept me interested to see how it would play out, even if at times it did seem to get lost in the details. I wasn’t enamoured of the main character, even less so as the novel progressed, and the FBI seemed a bit clueless. Despite that I did want to keep reading. And it takes some interesting turns along the way.
An enjoyable read that should appeal to many. Towards the end I was turning the pages quickly. Interesting, if a little far-fetched, but one that many readers will no doubt enjoy.
March 11, 2013
Grisham returns with another sensational book, whose time on the NYT Bestseller's list is no fluke. Filled with great plot, wonderful dialogue and detailed narration, the book pushes the legal genre to include jailhouse law and the skirting of it, in its many forms. Grisham, ever the masterful legal mind, as included angles with which I would have never associated 'the law' or legal writing, and does so in such a way that the reader can simple become an active observer in the journey. A little of everything in this grab bag of legal fiction, peppered with just the right amount of humour.
Taking the main character's first person narrative in imbuing the African American male perspective is surely another of Grisham's greater feats. While it could have been that the book was narrated by such a man that brought the character off the page, but the detail and thoroughly impressive cross-racial narrative construction was flawless, to me, a lowly Caucasian. I was so impressed with the story and Grisham's sense of detail that I almost forgot who I was and what was going on.
Kudos, Mr. Grisham on a sensational piece of work!
Taking the main character's first person narrative in imbuing the African American male perspective is surely another of Grisham's greater feats. While it could have been that the book was narrated by such a man that brought the character off the page, but the detail and thoroughly impressive cross-racial narrative construction was flawless, to me, a lowly Caucasian. I was so impressed with the story and Grisham's sense of detail that I almost forgot who I was and what was going on.
Kudos, Mr. Grisham on a sensational piece of work!
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