The Whistler

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A high-stakes thrill ride through the darkest corners of the Sunshine State, from the author hailed as “the best thriller writer alive” by Ken Follett

“Riveting . . . an elaborate conspiracy.”—The New York Times Book Review

We expect our judges to be honest and wise. Their integrity is the bedrock of the entire judicial system. We trust them to ensure fair trials, to protect the rights of all litigants, to punish those who do wrong, and to oversee the flow of justice. But what happens when a judge bends the law or takes a bribe?

Lacy Stoltz is an investigator for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct. It is her job to respond to complaints dealing with judicial misconduct. After nine years with the Board, she knows that most problems are caused by incompetence, not corruption.

But a corruption case eventually crosses her desk. A previously disbarred lawyer is back in business, and he claims to know of a Florida judge who has stolen more money than all other crooked judges combined. And not just crooked judges in Florida. All judges, from all states, and throughout United States history. And now he wants to put a stop to it. His only client is a person who knows the truth and wants to blow the whistle and collect millions under Florida law. When the case is assigned to Lacy, she immediately suspects that this one could be dangerous.

Dangerous is one thing. Deadly is something else.

Critic reviews

“Riveting . . . finely drawn . . . The Whistler centers on an elaborate conspiracy involving an Indian reservation, an organized crime syndicate and a crooked judge skimming a small fortune from the tribal casino’s monthly haul.”—The New York Times Book Review

“A main character who’s a seriously appealing woman . . . a whistle-blower who secretly calls attention to corruption . . . a strong and frightening sense of place . . . Grisham’s on his game.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“A fascinating look at judicial corruption . . . an entirely convincing story and one of Grisham’s best. I can’t think of another major American novelist since Sinclair Lewis who has so effectively targeted social and political ills in our society. In Grisham’s case, it is time at least to recognize that at his best he is not simply the author of entertaining legal thrillers but an important novelistic critic of our society. In more than 30 novels, he has often used his exceptional storytelling skills to take a hard look at injustice and corruption in the legal world and in our society as a whole.”—Patrick Anderson, The Washington Post

“Grisham’s latest involves the rich and powerful and an abuse of the justice system. Grisham novels are crowd-pleasers because he knows how to satisfy readers who want to see injustice crushed, and justice truly prevails for those who cannot buy influence.”—Associated Press

“Grisham has become an institution. For more than 25 years now he’s been our guide to the byways and backwaters of our legal system, superb in particular at ferreting out its vulnerabilities and dramatizing their abuse in gripping style. He excels at describing injustice and corruption. Grisham’s legal knowledge is impressive, and his ability to convey it unparalleled in popular fiction.”—USA Today

cracking good yarn

What did you like best about The Whistler? What did you like least?

The story was craftily constructed like a spider weaves a web, first with a broad framework and then filling in the details. As for the dirty rotten scoundrels, I won't give away the ending. Some of the writing did not sound like Grisham, though, a trait I've noticed in some of his recent books. The narrator was, without a doubt, the worst I've ever heard. Thank goodness the story was so good, otherwise I would not have been able to get beyond the first chapter.

Boring and poorly narrated.

What did you like best about The Whistler? What did you like least?

Slow to develop, incomplete character, and boring plot.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Predictable.

What didn’t you like about Cassandra Campbell’s performance?

Does female voice well, but gets all jumbled up with male characters.

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

No.

Grisham is getting lazy.

Mediocre predictable story. Long on legal speak, short on character substance. I would not recommend.

The voice acting is horrible

Would you try another book from John Grisham and/or Cassandra Campbell?

From John Grisham, yes, from Cassandra Campbell, definitely no. The voice acting is horrible at best, I should have read the reviews before placing the order.

Would you be willing to try another book from John Grisham? Why or why not?

Yes. The first two chapters are not so intriguing to me, but other people say it's not the best book of John Grisham, so I suppose it won't hurt to try another book.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Cassandra Campbell?

I am not sure. Cassandra Campbell is the first narrator I have, I don't know any other.

Did The Whistler inspire you to do anything?

Not sure at this moment. Still far from finishing the book.

Good Story Lousy Reader

Story is good and keeps interest high. I struggle with this reader. All characters sound almost the same wether male or female.
Why not spend a few dollars and hire two readers one for the male parts and one for the female parts.