The Brethren

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Frank Muller

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Three disgraced judges plot a major scam from behind bars—with national consequences—in this “crackerjack tale” (Entertainment Weekly) from the master of the legal thriller.

They call themselves the Brethren: a trio of former judges doing time in a Florida federal prison. One was sent up for tax evasion. Another, for skimming bingo profits. The third for a career-ending drunken joyride.

Meeting daily in the prison law library, taking exercise walks in their boxer shorts, these judges-turned-felons can reminisce about old court cases, dispense a little jailhouse justice, and contemplate where their lives went wrong. Or they can use their time in prison to get very rich—very fast.

And so they sit, sprawled in the prison library, furiously writing letters, fine-tuning a wickedly brilliant extortion scheme—while events outside their prison walls begin to erupt. A bizarre presidential election is holding the nation in its grips, and a powerful government figure is pulling some very hidden strings. For the Brethren, the timing couldn’t be better.

Because they’ve just found the perfect victim.

Critic reviews

“Terrific storytelling from one of the masters of the game.”—USA Today

“Gripping . . . engaging . . . will hook you from the first page and won’t let you go.”—New York Post

“Fast-paced and action-packed . . . You’ll be thoroughly entertained.”—New Orleans Times-Picayune

“Deeply absorbing . . . All will be captivated by this clever thriller that presents as crisp a cast as he’s yet devised, and as grippingly sardonic yet bitingly moral a scenario as he’s ever imagined.”—Publishers Weekly

“With startlingly good writing and plotting, Grisham tells an entrancing tale.”—San Antonio Express-News

“Grisham does such a terrific job of inventing clever twists and devising a compelling momentum that readers can’t help but be intrigued.”—Chattanooga Free Press

“Skillfully written and plotted with an eye for logic as well as humor.”—Dallas Morning News

“Entertaining, satisfying . . . The plot is engaging and moves along at a brisk pace. The crisp, laconic prose produces an easy read. The characters are well drawn. The requisite morality issues are present. Grisham displays a gift for capturing contemporary feeling about the law, politics and society.”—Tulsa World

“An intricately plotted tale.”—The Atlanta Constitution

“An exciting read right up to the end.”—The Legal Intelligencer

Good Book - Didn't care for the narrator

Have enjoyed every Grisham book I've read, and this one is no exception. Although I am also sad to hear that the narrator is no longer with us, I have listed to two books he has narrated and find his style somewhat irritating. He does a great job when using the southern drawl for characters, but the narrative can drive you nuts. The book overcomes the narration, and remember, it's only my opinion.

A Fun Listen

The story is classic Grisham in its own right. And Frank Muller's narration is an excellent blending of the story and the presentation.

Favorite Grisham

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

No. Narrator drove me nuts.

How could the performance have been better?

Every single sentence does not require the drama that the narrator seems unable to let go of. If this book wasn't so good, I would have dropped it in a heartbeat.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed the whole way through.

Any additional comments?

Love this book. My favorite Grisham to date. It was funny, interesting, and engaging.

Teddies powers behind the scenes!

It got to be confusing. Wish something would have happened to the 3 at the end with greater control in place

twists and turns

my wife and I enjoyed it very much!! From beginning to mid way, we were wondering how the two worlds would connect!