The Racketeer

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: J. D. Jackson

Length: 12 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

Number-one best-seller John Grisham returns with his most suspenseful thriller yet. 

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 the USA only four active federal judges have been murdered. 

Judge Raymond Fawcett just became number five. 

His body was found in the small basement of a lakeside cabin he had built himself and frequently used on weekends. When he did not show up for a trial on Monday morning, his law clerks panicked, called the FBI, and in due course the agents found the crime scene. There was no forced entry, no struggle, just two dead bodies - Judge Fawcett and his young secretary. 

I did not know Judge Fawcett, but I know who killed him, and why. 

I am a lawyer, and I am in prison. 

It's a long story. 

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

Critic Reviews

"Grisham is brilliantly comic in a novel that is full of zest and brimming with memorable characters and rich storylines." (The Sunday Times)

"Superbly plotted legal thriller." (Sunday Express)

"The best thriller writer alive" (Ken Follett, Evening Standard)

Hung Jury

I could not reach a unanimous decision on this book.

The Racketeer kept me engaged throughout, yet as I listened I found myself waiting for drama that did not eventuate. Not that there wasn't drama in this book, it just wasn't as dramatic as I expected. I enjoyed the characters and the story, but found the surprise ending a bit unrewarding.

J.D. Jackson was excellent, keeping the characters nicely separated within a predominantly first-person narrative.

A Little Differnt But A great Book

As with most of the Grisham books I've listened too, I loved this book. I didn't guess the ending, and didn't try to - I just enjoyed where the story took me. I always find John Grisham's books easy to read, and while they are always on a law based theme, I like the variety amongst them. With many books I find I am reading waiting for the big twist or revelation at the end. Rarely do I do this with these books as they're enjoyable throughout. This was no exception. Thumbs up from me.

J. D. Jackson was outstanding with the delivery of the story

Not your usual legal thriller.

This is not actually a 'legal thriller', more like "one man against the system". Our Hero tells the story of he schemed to get out of jail and this plot line climaxes about halfway though the book, so you know that there will be more twists in the tale. Without spoiling things too much, the second half of the book sees the tables turned as Our Hero goes on the offensive to try to get some satisfaction.
I enjoyed the pacing, which made me want to listen just a little bit longer to see where the cunning plan was going. The narrator was good and I can recommend this as something in the genre that is also a little bit different.

Held my interest right to the very last word

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, a great story, so many twists and turns that you wouldn't expect. Easy to follow and a great thriller

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

The unexpected story line held you captivated right to the end

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

Jackson was easy to listen to, believable, his voice fitting the Characters and the pace of the book.

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

It was all good

Any additional comments?

Well written, kept you interested and captivated to the very end. My only regret was that the book finished. Loved it!!!

WORTH THE CREDIT

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I haven't listened to a John Grisham for a while so had forgotten what a good storyteller he is. It had enough twists and turns to keep it really interesting . Definitely recommend.

His best so far

A compelling listen as the tension builds and the plot unfolds. One of his best.

ordered audible book by mistake

What would have made The Racketeer better?

i would have enjoyed actually reading the book

What do you think your next listen will be?

nothing

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

i dont know if i like this book as i have not read it yet and i am not hearing impaired so i will not listen to it

Any additional comments?

i am new to kindle and i will need to be more careful when ordering books.

Fantastic

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Great story as usual

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

The Rain Maker. First person narrative

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

Phonetics

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

Quinn's interrogation

Any additional comments?

It's a must read! Oh, is it a must listen instead?

One of Grisham's best

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

Great Unique Plot

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

Grisham's "Testament" as it keeps you guessing until the end

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

He is one of the best. Read with enthusiasm.

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

Many moments of intrigue

Quite good.

I do enjoy a good plot and this story has one I liked. The narration is good, so thanks.

Brilliant Again

I eagerly awaited this release and was not disappointed. Brilliant story – I totally failed to see the final twist. Looking forward to the next novel.

The Racketeer

Excellent book and excellently read by J D Jackson! So many crime novels are predictable but this one absolutely wasn't. Also, it is quite rare I find to have a narrator who reads so well. Many authors are let down by their readers I think. There is a tendency (particularly with British narrators, I note) to read with a stereotyped stress pattern following a trend in broadcasting these days which lends to misunderstanding of the original meaning. They have a tendency to stress the wrong word eg she LIFTED up the book or she PULLED out the pack of cigarrettes ... infuriating! When American readers read badly it seems to be because they adopt a very bored sounding continuous drone. However, J D Jackson reads supremely well and is an example to follow! Enough ranting ... The story is well crafted, the story pulls you in and the reading is great

An enthralling story

I've enjoyed many of Grisham's books and this is a cracker. It's an intriguing story with twists and turns and a surprising ending. The reader is good. Recommended.

Could do better...

I'll admit I'm a fan of John Grisham's books and have several of his audiobooks. Such a shame then that this release wasn't up to his normal high standards. I guessed the plot and whodunnit very early on and was disappointed when I discovered I'd been right all along. (I usually NEVER guess the villain)

The overall story starts well but very soon starts to clog up with too many red herring characters and plot twists that don't actually go anywhere.

Not John Grisham's best

This wasn't as gripping as other of his books I have read. Some of the detail of Federal law etc is lost a bit on someone who resides outside of the United States. Aspects of the witness protection program set up were interesting. Bit mundane

Very disappointing

Read all of his previous books and was really looking forward to this. Big let down. Daft unbelievable story. Bad all round. Can't believe I wasted money and time on it.

Not his best

The plot is weak and the ending predicable. I really enjoyed it until the halfway point but once I guessed the ending it was a case of going through the motions. Fans of the author maybe a little disappointed and interestingly the authors note at the end made me feel like it was a novel to fulfill part of a book deal.

Nicely paced, well read story

Whilst I did foresee the main twist to this story right at the very beginning that did not detract in any way from my enjoyment of this audible book. This is a very good listen and the twists and detail that I had not foreseen added far greater depth to the plot. This is my 2nd Grisham audible and the 1st by this reader - both suit me very well.

A Great Thriller by John Grisham once again

John Grisham did his miracle again. And J.D.Jackson delivered it. Very interesting plot, with unexpected twists - finally a thriller with an end I could never guess.

A bit long winded

This book is well read but I found it a bit too meandering. If I lost total concentration (which I tend to do) I would sometimes be completely lost with what was going on and have to rewind it! After keeping going I did find the last quarter of the book did grab me but I could of done without a lot of the first three quarters.