• The Racketeer

  • By: John Grisham
  • Narrated by: JD Jackson
  • Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (10,832 ratings)

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The Racketeer  By  cover art

The Racketeer

By: John Grisham
Narrated by: JD Jackson
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Publisher's summary

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 this country only four active federal judges have been murdered.

Judge Raymond Fawcett has just become number five.

Who is the Racketeer? And what does he have to do with the judge’s untimely demise? His name, for the moment, is Malcolm Bannister. Job status? Former attorney. Current residence? The Federal Prison Camp near Frostburg, Maryland.

On paper, Malcolm’s situation isn’t looking too good these days, but he’s got an ace up his sleeve. He knows who killed Judge Fawcett, and he knows why. The judge’s body was found in his remote lakeside cabin. There was no forced entry, no struggle, just two dead bodies: Judge Fawcett and his young secretary. And one large, state-of-the-art, extremely secure safe, opened and emptied.

What was in the safe? The FBI would love to know. And Malcolm Bannister would love to tell them. But everything has a price—especially information as explosive as the sequence of events that led to Judge Fawcett’s death. And the Racketeer wasn’t born yesterday....

Nothing is as it seems and everything’s fair game in this wickedly clever new novel from John Grisham, the undisputed master of the legal thriller.

©2012 Belfry Holdings, Inc. (P)2012 Random House Audio

Featured Article: The Essential John Grisham in Audio


John Grisham is best known for his fast-paced legal thrillers and mysteries, many of which have been adapted for television and film. Because he’s so prolific and has been writing for decades, it can be difficult to know where to begin when selecting a title from his impressive back catalog. And Grisham is definitely a jack-of-all-trades: he’s written not only legal thrillers, but nonfiction, a series for kids, some humorous novels, and recently, a new mystery series outside of the legal thriller genre. To help you decide which Grisham gem to download next, we’ve compiled a list of the very best.

What listeners say about The Racketeer

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    5,625
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    3,355
  • 3 Stars
    1,281
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Performance
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
    1,206
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome listen

What did you love best about The Racketeer?

The twists and turns...unpredictable

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Racketeer?

Well I can't tell you that because then I would give away the surprises

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Improbable...but fun

Where does The Racketeer rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I normally don't find the "formula" style of authors like Grisham to be very satisfying, but The Racketeer is an exception. It was a fun listen, improbable...but fun. There is a strong denial of reality in this book, but Grisham manages to keep your attention with enough twists and turns and surprises. I found myself smiling frequently at the sheer audacity of some of the dialgue and events. If you're looking for suspenseful escape this book will fill the bill.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Plodding story line

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It wasn't terrible but I don't care for the story line...this happened then this happened, then I did this then I did that.

Would you ever listen to anything by John Grisham again?

I have liked other stories by Grisham. This was not one of his better ones.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably not.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very good listen

I actually finished this one rather quickly. Couldn't stop listening. Im new to Grisham, and will mostly likely look for another. I recommend.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Slow start

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Took awhile , but got into it.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Interesting story

What didn’t you like about J.D. Jackson’s performance?

He did not seem to be involved with the story.

Do you think The Racketeer needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not sure I would read it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed this unusual grisham book

What did you love best about The Racketeer?

Although it takes a bit of time to understand how all the pieces connect it is really an engaging and fun story.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining easy listen.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Racketeer to be better than the print version?

It's not the best but certainly not the worst book. It's an easy entertaining listen. Great for while driving or at work.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mal

Have you listened to any of J.D. Jackson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No I don't have the time for that with any of the books.

Any additional comments?

None

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Slow moving but intriguing

As always Grisham writes a good story. This develops slowly and really does not surprise you much. I had it on Audible which probably kept me going.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fast Paced Precision

As usual J.Grisham pulled me right into this extremely detailed saga. Plus I really do enjoy how everything fits together with a satisfying ending. JD Jackson's rich voice is plain Easy Listening!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another John Grisham Surprise

John Grisham books grab you and don't let go til the very end. This book did just that!

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