Review: The Associate

The Associate by John Grisham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The 17th book of Grisham's read. Gave it three stars not because it wasn't an interesting book--it was fairly engrossing. The life of an associate in a big Wall Street Law Firm would not be for me, no matter the financial future that is possible, though not guaranteed. i'd rather have a life, thank you. What caused the less than stellar rating resulted from the sense that JG had reached 400 pages and decided he was bored and he'd spent enough billable hours on this particular tale. So instead of wrapping it up, he ended it all.

Now, i realize not every crime has a solution and not every criminal is apprehended in real life--but in fiction, I look for fiction. Bennie's disappearance is bearable but it would be nice to have some clue as to who employed him and which of the partners was also subject to his pressure to reveal inside info. Perhaps, Grisham, as he has done with other characters, brings Kyle McAvoy back in a future tome--but since there is no indication of a series based on old Kyle, I'm afraid the mystery will remain as will the fate of Kyle and his, maybe, relationship with Dale. Very unsatisfying.

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Review: The Appeal

The Appeal by John Grisham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We've all been bombarded by political ads on TV, radio and social media. Our mailboxes and emails have been filled with glossy pamphlets and post cards showing candidates for all sorts of offices. Almost all of them show the candidate with his/her family or glad handing constituents or roaming in some pastoral setting or urban neighborhood, usually one that is impoverished and filled with minority voters. Well, read this book if you'd like an insight into how those ads, pamphlets etc come into being--what sham groups are organized to be listed as sponsors, or where the money comes from, or if not clear how the donors are hidden from view. They all do it--no matter the party--and we are all hood-winked into giving our vote to the" best " i.e. most honest candidate. Ha

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Review: The Broker

The Broker by John Grisham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Surprise Joel Backman, the President on his last day in office has granted you a pardon! You've just gotten 14 years back to live your life as a free man. The CIA will give you a new name, move you to Italy, teach you the language and soon you will be on your own.

You know, if something seems to good to be true, it usually is. So, now that you are Marco, under the care of Luigi, no one is going to tell you your days are numbered. Only thing is, no one knows, including the CIA, who wants you dead! But that's the whole reason for the release--the CIA wants to know who wants you dead. It's a matter of national security. Buon Giorno!

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Review: The Last Juror

The Last Juror by John Grisham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ten years of change in Mississippi bracketed within the story of a horrendous rape-murder case and the murder of several of the jurors in the case. Both the history of change and the cases are gripping and fascinating. The ending is satisfying all around.

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