The Racketeer

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: JD Jackson

Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins

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

Good gripping Grisham

Another riveting story by a master story teller. This is sit in your drive-way good. The best Grisham? I don't know. But wonderfully fun, fast paced with a satisfying conclusion. Five Huzzahs.

Not your typical Grisham

Once again, Grisham winds a good story around interesting characters. Through the last third of the of the book the reader cannot help but wonder why the main character is doing all these things to another character. Grisham does tie it all up in the end. Over all the book is well worth the time.

One of John Grisham's Best

This book is the first of John Grisham's books I have read for quite some time. Several years ago I had read some of his first books and enjoyed them tremendously. At the time i read his book, 'The Firm' I became fascinated by reading fiction dealing concerning the legal profession. I find this book to be one of his best along those lines. It is about a man who lost his license to practice law because he was sentenced to prison for engaging in racketeering.

The story is filed with mystery, intrigue and kept me guessing the whole way through. The characters were very defined and it was easy to relate to them. The twists and turns of the story added to the suspense.

The narrator was very good and added to the listening experience. i don't remember ever listening to him narrating any of the many other audiobooks.

I recommend this book to all who enjoy mystery and suspense novels and to those that are interested in reading about stories with a twist set in the legal field or prison system.

You will not determine the ending.

What did you love best about The Racketeer?

The conclusion.

What other book might you compare The Racketeer to and why?

It is similar to Grisham;s books.

What does J.D. Jackson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think he provides more characterization.

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

Yes

it's john grisham

Any additional comments?

it is always a pleasure to listen to a Grisham Novel .... It was a pretty good story. I think Mr. Grisham has a good idea of how law enforcement works..... ....charge them with everything under the sun and squeeze them for all their worth .... I will listen to it again

Another home run

I love that Mr. Grisham can keep me spellbound without the need of profanity and overt sexual scenes. More writers should take notice and perhaps they would gain more readers. Thank you, John Grisham!

Kept me Guessing Until the End!

In true Grisham form the story had me on my toes and wondering until the very end. The twists and turns kept me interested throughout the story!

Good first half

I started off enjoying the book, essentially until Bannister was released. Then the story evolved into a tedious description of an implausible plan. Both he and Vanessa seemed skilled in deception beyond their capability.

Also, since this book is in the first person, how would Bannister know what was going on outside of his personal existence.

Excellent reading by Jackson.

John Grisham is always a good bet!

Any additional comments?

Enjoyed the book. I listened while traveling and had no trouble catching up where I had to pause and feeling "connected" to the story. I think I will listen to it again and will probably catch several things I missed first time around. Very good!

Riveting story and narration

One of my favorite authors, John Grisham excells in his story telling abilities A little raw in a couple of spots, but I am guessing it's there to open the reader up to the stark gruesome possibilities of being behind bars with more seasoned criminals.