• The Racketeer

  • By: John Grisham
  • Narrated by: JD Jackson
  • Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (10,835 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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    5,628
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    3,355
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    1,281
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Story
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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
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

John Grisham has done it again

I really like the book. Had turns and twist to it. l have been a Grisham fan since the Firm. I put this book in the same category. would make a good movie.

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

Grisham does it again!

If you could sum up The Racketeer in three words, what would they be?

Excellent Grisham style!

Any additional comments?

In his typical fashion, Grisham once again creates a novel of suspense that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

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

Fabulous

I loved this book. Could not stop listening. John Grisham never fails to write terrific intriguing novels.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good but a little slow

Would you listen to The Racketeer again? Why?

Yes, it was engaging, however, I agree with other reviewers that it moves slowly

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

Other Grisham books

Which character – as performed by J.D. Jackson – was your favorite?

Malcomb

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

His release

Any additional comments?

Worth the listen but not as good as his classics. I would rate it actually about a 3.5

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Another great Grisham read!!!

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

It is one of the better books I've listened to on Audiobooks.

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

This is typical Grisham and I love all of his books. The legal aspect is what appeals to me the most.

Which character – as performed by J.D. Jackson – was your favorite?

I loved Malcom Bannister and how smart he was through out the book.

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

I couldn't wait till I was alone in my car to listen...it was my special treat to myself

Any additional comments?

JD Jackson has an extraordinary voice..it kept me interested through the entire book.

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

Captivating

If you could sum up The Racketeer in three words, what would they be?

interestingly jumps around!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Malcolm - a second chance at life.

What about J.D. Jackson’s performance did you like?

He fit the part

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

No, but it kept my attention

Any additional comments?

The bad guy gets what he deserves.

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

GREAT! GREAT! GREAT!

awesome narrator he kept me engaged. the story flowed no slow or deadspots .. nothing dragged at anytime . i really enjoyed the book.i could see this coming as a movie!

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

Fantastic book

Fantastic book, one fantastic voice. I’m spoiled wish he was the voice for many books. Loved it had to stop to spread out the time, otherwise it would have been finished same day.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I couldn’t put it down!

It’s a good thing this was a book on tape because I literally couldn’t put it “down”!
Grisham is the best storyteller there is. This book is phenomenal!

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

Grisham at his best!

Gripping from start to finish. It will have you guessing to the very end, even when you think you’ve figured it out, another twist throws you down a different path.

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