Let me start by saying not everyone likes Grisham. Some people think he is too popular to be good. I used to have that same snobbish opinion. I am a Ph.D. and figured if he was so popular he could not be good. But going on vacation one year, I grabbed one and loved it. They are generally quite entertaining, and often are thought-provoking.

To date, I have read almost every Grisham book there is, and now that I commute a good deal, got this on audio. If you like Grisham, you should like this book. It is not his most profound, nor the most unique, but with this book he delivers a good story, some good characters, and the usual relatively entertaining plot.

What might be relatively unique about this book is the main character-- he is African-American, which IS unique in much of modern fiction, but that is not what I am referring to. I am not sure, but I think this book is the first time Grisham has his protagonist do the type of thing he does. I won't tell you more, as it would be a spoiler, but I think this might be the first time Grisham pulls this particular stunt with a main character.

The narrator is brilliant, and brings the story to life. Keep this narrator coming back!

The story is that of a struggling young lawyer in a rural town who is apparently unwittingly caught up in fraud, and is wrongfully convicted by the government. Halfway through his sentence, a federal judge is killed, and our protagonist knows who did it. He uses his deep knowledge of the law to earn his release, but then has to go into witness protection. The guy he ratted out is part of a drug family and they don't forgive or forget.

I would recommend this to anyone who has listened to John G. novels in the past and enjoyed them. In a number of ways, it had some of the twists and turns of his previous novels.

I have listened to all his books. They are fine. The "good" thing about them is that they are all unrelated. So each one starts from scratch and you need to get to know all the characters to really understand them and appreciate them.

This book was a big disappointment. Usually Grisham's books make for a good read or listen. This one did not grab my attention or imagination at all until the last 20% of the novel. Even then it really did not lead in to the ending. Also, while it was obviously fiction, when the setting is quasi "real life" it should bear a remote semblance to reality. This one surely did not. That being said, a different narrator may have improved it somewhat. Narration was slow and monotone.

interestingly jumps around!

Malcolm - a second chance at life.

He fit the part

No, but it kept my attention

The bad guy gets what he deserves.

I've already listened to "The Racketeer" twice. I enjoyed it so much I wanted to listen again and catch all the subtle hints that were dropped early in the novel.

"The Racketeer" reminded me very much of Grisham's early works that I enjoyed so much. The characters were very likable, even if they were a bit shady.

I always look forward to John Grisham's books because he never fails to deliver a great read. As usual, I couldn't put the book down and when I had to, I could hardly wait to get back to reading it once again.

JD Jackson has a warm , believable voice; good pacing.
Story line becomes technical and boring and unbelievable.

nope

warm tone, varied pace, clarity.

first third was good.

We travel alot so listening to books passes the time. In fact, we passed our stop we were so into the book

For me, listening is capturing the action live. Although after I listened my husband read the book and couldn't put it down. But when I listen it's like hearing a movie and the picture is vivid in my mind.

It compares to the Shawshank redemtion. Engrossing.

characterization of voice. Each one is an individual.

Fascinating story and legally believable if not accurate.

The reader carried me right thru the story.....

I never knew what would happen next

The ease that he took on each character

The whole story was moving and believable