The Racketeer

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: JD Jackson

Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins

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

Vintage Grisham, with a twist

Thank goodness Grisham has realized that he should write about what he knows best--legal thrillers. This isn't just a rerun of typical legal thriller plots; it's better, deeper, and has a different type of protagonist. He lays out most of the groundwork and clues well, but the ending caught me by surprise. You can't go into this with any preconceptions--he knocks them all down. A great listen, even though I wasn't sure at first that I liked the narrator. I soon realized that the voice did a great job of personifying the protagonist.

A bit predictable and way too long

The plot was a curious one--I'm still unclear what caused the initial events that happened to the main character. I think this book could have been shortened about 25% to keep a much tighter pace. There are some interesting twists here and there and the ending was a satisfying way to wrap up most of the loose threads.

It was very well-narrated, which made a somewhat slow book still a pleasant experience..

So good I've listened to it twice.

Mr Jackson is perfect. Twists, intrigue, emotional... A very good story to listen to, and to be read out loud.

A fun read with enjoyable twists

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

Yes. Narration was excellent! Really felt like th eprotaginist was telling the story.

Would you recommend The Racketeer to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes I would. A fun read / listen that is entertaining without taking itself too serious.

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

A colorful, personal telling of the tale.

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

Yes, when Malcolm / Max first experiences the simple pleasures of freedom.

Narrator was excellent!

The narrator did an excellent job narrating this book. I enjoyed this book. One of my favorites by Grisham.

Great story

I enjoyed the story because it kept me curious while i listened to it. Bravo

Fun Read

Not his best work but well worth a listen. The book does jump around a bit but ties it all up nicely at the end.

Interesting theme, but difficult to follow.

I found the book difficult to keep my attention. About half the book involved a scheme and actions which made no sense to m and were not explained until the end of the book.

He has done it again!

Great book kept me on the edge of my seat trying to solve the murder and wonder what the end game would be.

Very Enjoyable

No slow areas and many surprises and twist to the end. Could not stop once started.