Side by Side Comparison of: Dell vs Dell Pub Co vs John Grisham

This is my favorite John Gresham book! After working in the judicial system for many years, I have always enjoyed his courtroom drama & it is fun to read his descriptions of the various aspects of courthouse business. The first book of his that I read mentioned the big red & gold docket books & I knew then that he was familiar with the system. This book doesn't have much of that & at first it took me a while to really get into it, although it was a good story. Then, it about half way through it got very good. The characters were development was excellent & the action was exciting. I read some of the negative reviews & suppose that those people were expecting the courtroom drama that Mr. Grisham is best known for. As the author said in his "Author's Note", he didn't need much research for this one because none of it is true. I think he probably had a lot of fun writing this book & it shows.

I loved the early Grishams, before he decided to become a liberal commentator. I was hesitant to buy this one after quitting Grey Mountain in the middle due to the liberal propaganda, but I am glad I did. It is a simple formula: Legal basis, someone has access to unlimited money from an unlikely source, the story begins in the middle and unfolds to reveal what has happened. These let the reader imagine with the protagonist. No one will accuse Grisham as writing a deep, meaningful novel, but I will read every one using this formula for success. Implausible, yes, but a really fun read that is hard to put down! Are you listening, John?

Another fabulous book by John Grisham. I have probably read just about all of Grisham's books; he's a marvelous story teller and it's hard to put this book down. The story was quite imaginative. I really didn't expect what happened next. Each time I thought the story could be over, it changed course and I was captivated by the imagination he has. As always, there's humor thrown into the dialogue, which I also get a kick out of. This is definitely a "must read" for Grisham fans and a good start for anyone who hasn't read his many novels.

The first time I started reading this book it was very hard for me to get into it. I heard others say it was a good book but Grisham had already lost my attention. When I quite literally had nothing else exciting to read I figured I would give this book another chance and start again from the beginning. I am SO glad I did because it really is a good book! Part of the reason why I enjoyed it the second time around was because I had more time devoted to sitting down, going through the pages and truly grasping the story. If you're an occasional reader who gets to books only when you have the time, you may not enjoy this book as much. There are details that get lost from infrequent reading.

Had not read Grisham in a couple of years - last book we read was just so-so and we got started on Tom Clancy and some others. Decided to give this one a try based on other reviews and it was a really good read. More humor than I remember in previous Grisham books! I love the sparse or very little vulgar language - we read while traveling - husband drives and I read. He loves books on tape, but I am very visual and need to see the words to follow the book. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end without becoming tedious! We've backed up to his 2011 book, The Litigators, and are reading that - about halfway done and it is totally different and yet very enjoyable and still lawyer based.

Usually, I have a few books on my kindle, read a chapter or two then on to the next book and rotate through them. Drawback is it takes longer to finish a book, but fun when you can cross off 3 or 4 in a week. However, there are some authors who tell a story so well that I stick with it until I am finished. Lee Child fits this category and so does John Grisham. Great story telling, interesting plot that kept me guessing in a book that moved right along. Some people found the central character less than sympathetic but think about how you would feel if you were railroaded into prison under those circumstances. An enjoyable bit of "mind candy" to offset all the political and non-fiction material I have been immersed in lately!

One of Grishams most intriguing, captivating novels ever. I hate to be trivial,but I simply could not put this book down. The characters are so realistic. Even the dog, AC - Ambulance Chaser! David Zinc, the protagonist,leaves a huge, very profitable law firm because so much is required of his personal time. He hardly knows his wife, and even though they both want children, because of.his time required by his job, he is seldom able to even try to have a child. One day he gets fed up and just walks out. Ultimately, he winds up, on the same day, with a much smaller law firm, and the excitement begins. Read it! You'll be glad you did.

I am a big fan of John Grisham and this book proves why. The development of the characters is beautifully done and shows them as the individuals they are. There are so many twists and turns in the plot and at times it almost seems to take too long to get to the next page. Just when you may think you have it figured out, Grisham takes a different turn. Grisham has never disappointed me and he will not disappoint you. He writes with a wry sense of humor and add reality. Great read and highly recommended.

Loved this Grisham book from start to end ! Really enjoyed all the characters from the "lady" in the bar to the two man law partnership. The story was interesting but what totally made it a hit with me was the intelligent use of humor throughout the book. Some parts of it reminded me of Laurel & Hardy .... for those of you who are old enough to know who they were ..this will make sense. For those of you much younger .... with a "people type" sense of humor ... it will be enjoyable too. While there was a serious story line , it was written in a "common sense" , humorous approach. Well worth everybody's time to read this !!

John Grisham writes books to educate as well as entertain American readers. I have read his books for years and find them exciting, passionate and wonderful. As an attorney, I find that John Grisham is distinguished from other 'legal thriller' writers who mis-educate by pandering to readers and distorting what must be understood about the legal system. He performs one other vital service -- Grisham reveals corporate policy decisions that ultimately entangle citizens in the domestic and international tragedies that cause all of us permanent harm. Knowledge is power. Thank you John Grisham for your dedication.You are truly an American Patriot. What your books often reveal is just that important -- whether we know 'it' or not.

This book is both smilingly humorous and as serious as a heart attack. No matter how the author described the partners in the "boutique firm," all I saw was Jack Lemmon and Walter Mathieu. The description of what my law brothers often refer to as "the dirty shirt practice" is more fact than fiction. While lawyers are perceived as wealthy and powerful, the majority struggle to build a practice and need to keep an eagle eye on cash flow. They dream of the big case just around the corner and have a tough-as-stone, one-person office staffer who knows more than their spouses about the lawyers. The description of the mass tort bar is equally accurate, as is evident by the barrage of TV ads soliciting clients to phone some 800 number if they have suffered a legion of injuries allegedly caused by some drug or medical device. John Grisham lays out these issues in a cogent and meaningful tale wrapped around two product liability cases, one involving a cholesterol medication tied to heart attacks, the other involving a lead paint coating on a child's toy tied to horrific brain damage. Despite these serious threads, Grisham's description of Oscar Finley and Wally Figg, and all the troubles that arise from involvement in a mass tort case, kept a smile on my face. I read this book nearly nonstop and was sorry to see it end. Thankfully, Grisham summarizes the lives of the characters after the story ends, which left me satisfied and pleased.

Immediately after finishing the last chapter of "The Litigators," I read some of the reviews. It always amazes me how different people come away with radically differing views on a subject. I guess there is some truth in all of them.First the criticisms: At times I got the feeling John Grisham wrote a great short story and then screwed it up by filling in some of the chapters with trivial hyperbole merely to increase the page count. As a writer myself, I too plead guilty as charged. I suspect his first draft was a masterpiece. I can't say it's a book you can't put down. Too many times, I had to force myself to not skip unnecessary paragraphs. I would characterize the book as a roller-coaster ride, with the highs way above the mark and the lows mired in mud so dense you have to claw your way through to get to the other side. There were unnecessary characters introduced that could have well been left out. They served no purpose other than to slow down the pace.Now for the good stuff: On several occasions I found myself laughing out loud. Especially in the scene where the Senior Partner makes his opening remarks to the jury. That was completely unexpected and it set the stage for promises of more tomfoolery ahead. Grisham was writing from his soul at that point and reminiscent of the scene when the lawyer crashed through the courtroom ceiling in the movie "Trial and Error." From that point on, anything that could go wrong, did go wrong, and Grisham portrayed it brilliantly. He may not know it, but he has a real flair for comedy. I wish he would use it more often. There were several more missed opportunities. As I mentioned earlier, the overall story was superb and no doubt it will be made into a Hollywood movie, but my guess is the screenplay will be written into a comedic performance instead of a drama.I've tried to purchase more of Grisham's books on Kindle and I am thankful he saw fit to release this one as a Kindle product. I believe the majority of readers will continue to rate this book with five stars. I'm looking forward to more roller-coaster rides from Mr. Grisham.

I am an avid baseball fan, first because my son played well through high school and secondly because I love LSU baseball. Grisham has never disappointed me in any of his novels and has always impressed me by his knowledge of so many things, especially baseball and football. I have read almost 90% of his books and always look forward to his new works. Keep up the great work.

Pretty good baseball story. It has a heartwarming ending, too (not that I'm into those). The confrontation between Joe Castle and Warren Tracey could've been more drawn out. Castle's at-bat could've meant more when he stepped up to the plate, ninth inning or something. But I loved the big name drops--Willie Mays, Tom Seaver, Billy Williams, the Big Red Machine; that made it more "authentic." I also dug the POV from the antagonist's son, Paul Tracey. I would've liked to have seen a few more plot twists and maybe another 100 pages tacked on.

This was an older book of Grisham - Having said this, it was one of the best ones of his I have read, unlike most of his writing. It was really good and especially if you are a baseball fan. Many statistics in the book were not fiction but true baseball legend

John Grisham is a very good writer whose work is often formulaic. However this book is a welcome departure. He takes on a different arena, and focuses on the good and bad of sports. He also provides a poignant narrative of small town life and aspirations. The focus is on the sports hero and the anti-hero. Within it is the story of anger, remorse and redemption. It is a universal theme, well-written and captivating. For those who value sports, and sports as metaphor, it is a must read.

First of all I would like to say that I have delayed reading this book for a while, and I regret it now. I am not even sure why I had the delay.Before I give my opinion, I feel like it should be known that baseball is my life. I am from small town America. I was born in raised in a small town under the lights of the Dixie Park in rural North Louisiana. I loved the game so much I graduated with a degree so I can coach high school baseball. I now coach at a small town high school where baseball is the king.I can relate to the book both from a childhood sense and a adulthood. John Grisham did a perfect job of capturing the emotion and realism of small town baseball heroes.I cannot say enough about this novel. I would recommend Calico Joe to anyone that enjoys playing catch in the backyard with their old man. I would recommend Calico Joe to anyone that loves their dad.Calico Joe offers something no other book, in my opinion anyway, can do. The story gives any baseball person a passport to their childhood.Thanks Mr. Grishham.

The story is simple: a new kid is called up to the Cubs baseball team and becomes an instant star who then meets the big tough pitcher from the Mets. The kid homers off the pitcher and in the pitcher's mind insults him as he runs out the homer. Then the plot thickens. The book is seen through the eyes of the pitcher's son who has issues with his father that he must deal with. Now this book isn't just "issues" but a look back at what used to be the good ol' days. It makes you think as you read...when did I stop reading the box scores, when was the last baseball game I attended, why do I skip the sports pages now...? The book forces you to think about these things that used to be part of your life and why you stopped living that way. (In my case, one jungle war, one marriage, and one career at IBM...but is that reason enough?) Guess what, I now look at the box scores again. I actually page through the sports section. I read a sports article or two...and the world seems to slow down. And Timmy is starting to pitch like his Cy Young days, livin' is easy. So read this short little novella and enjoy life once again.

My friend Zack lent me the book shortly after I got out of stir. It’s the latest from John Grisham, and it’s about a lawyer doing time for a crime he did not commit (imagine that). By "got out of stir" I mean "quit my job and retired." I never did hard time.Malcolm was a small town attorney who did some legal work for an anonymous client and was subsequently caught up in the net when his client was accused of racketeering. He is halfway through a 10-year sentence in a minimum security (no walls, no bars), when he hits upon an opportunity to get out with a clear record. A federal judge has been murdered, and Bannister knows who did it. He plans to exchange this information for his freedom.If you read much Grisham you know the plot is not going to be as simple as that. There are mechanizations with the federal attorney’s office, the FBI, the federal judiciary and the witness protection program. There are also plots and schemes, some detective work and masterful evasions. And in the end there is money. A lot of money. Of course there’s sex, but not hard core.A more comprehensive review is here:https://skeptic78240.wordpress.com/2013/01/27/the-racketeer/

John Grisham is the master of the southern legal thriller, with well-known and best-selling books and films such as “The Firm,” “The Pelican Brief,” “A Time to Kill,” “The Client,” “The Runaway Jury,” “The Chamber,” and many more. “The Racketeer” is one of the newer books in that fine line. It is told in the first person, through the eyes and actions of Malcolm Bannister, a black, small town Virginia lawyer. While Grisham is white, he practiced small town law in Mississippi and has a pretty good feel for the South. The opening lines of the novel are, “I am a lawyer, and I am in prison. It’s a long story.” All three are true, especially the long part. Bannister was caught up in a money-laundering scheme of which he had no part. None-the-less, he was convicted, disbarred, lost his wife and family, his ‘good’ name, and is serving 10 years in the Federal pen, frustrated and angry, until fortune finally smiles his way. The corrupt Federal Judge who convicted him is murdered and he learns from another prisoner who did it and why. Bannister contrives an intricate plot to get himself out of jail, get his hands on the millions the Judge has squirreled away, and get his revenge on the system that sent him away. However, if Bannister started out as an innocent man, he is anything but at the end. It is a fun read, but long and slow in parts; and in the end it leaves a lot to be desired. The ending itself almost seems rushed, as if Grisham looked at the clock, or his page count, or got one too many demands from his publisher and quickly wrapped it up — too quickly, with a lot of ‘he did this, and then he did that’, The End.’ The story deserved better.William F. Brown is the author of 5 suspense novels with over 300 Five-Star Reviews: The Undertaker, Amongst My Enemies, Thursday at Noon, Winner Take All, and now Aim True, My Brothers.

,Back in the day, we called ourselves "BUMPYs". Somewhat like being a 'hippie'; being a 'BUMPY' meant that we were Black, Urban, Mobile, Professional & Young. We cracked ceilings in the professional world--movers and shakers as doctors, writers, CEO's--and yes, LAWYERS.Decades later, along comes John Grisham's The Racketeer. The novel is a well conceived and fast paced story of a struggling black attorney named Malcolm Bannister.Through a trusted connection, Esquire Bannister lucks upon a dream client who puts him and his tiny collection of partners on Easy Street. From that moment on, their firm's previously pitiful coffer multiplies with the swiftness of 'range free' bunny rabbits. What grows as well is the partners' criminal liability due solely to the source of that swelling coffer. Unbeknown to them, their dream client is a smooth operator who is always on the hunt for a patsy to wash funds derived from a host of illegal activities.At a Bumpy-filled luncheon hosted by the mayor, in marches a storm of FBI agents.They handcuff and cart away Bannister. The court prosecutes him,and then sends him to a minimum-security federal prison.What is it like for a hardworking young black man to fail after finally getting his ticket to the top? Grisham develops this character and his story, sensitive to the loss this wrongfully prosecuted--undeserving of such an ill fate-- black attorney must have endured.Every Bumpy by definition, subscribes to the adage of 'where their is a will, there is a way'. Every attorney by profession, knows how to push 'will' to find that way.Engaging his usual good storytelling habit, John Grisham foreshadows with plumb, and then works all of his setups to characterize a Le Suit Women's 3 Button Notch Collar Pindot Jacket and Skirt Suit Setgood man and the criminal world into which he is callously tossed. The Racketeer thus becomes an explosive ever-unveiling plot that dramatizes the effectiveness of daring to keep on pushing whenone's back is against the wall.Through a first person viewpoint writing, Grisham remains authentic as he gets inside of Malcolm Bannister's head. He loves when Bannister loves. The instance Bannister becomes underhanded, he becomes underhanded. When bad things happens to good people, how are good people likely to reach for a solution?No spoiler here. For the answer. check out The Racketeer. Yes, this John Grisham novel is a truly worthy good read. Where's your cup of tea?

The first question that comes into our mind after reading through the initial part of this book is about the title. Who is the racketeer? Is it the main protagonist, Malcolm? He is languishing in a jail, hating every moment of it, because he was involved in racketeering. The truth be told, he was caught unawares in the middle of a racketeering scheme. But now, he is looking forward to walk free by helping with the Feds solve the murder of a judge. So is the book about a wrongly convicted man yearning and working towards freedom? Yes, it is.Because of the way John Grisham narrates the story, we also tend to suspect there is more to the story than freedom. Possibly, there is an angle of redemption in it. If there is how? This thought grips the reader after he/she has taken up this book. This is also what makes this book a compelling read. You may be already familiar with the genre which has made John Grisham famous. This book doesn't belong to the genre that made John Grisham famous. It actually starts where most of his books end. That is to say after dispensing justice.Although John Grisham tries to provide a social commentary on justice system, ambition of the officials, greed of men and the prison system, the emphasis is on telling a simple story. Hence the social commentary is mostly hollow but helps to build drama and also makes a naive reader to choose sides. It was exactly what I was looking forward when I picked up the book. I didn't want a lot of twists and turns. A straightforward narration was good for me. At the same time, I also wanted to be surprised once in a while. That is exactly what I got.This is a good diversion from anything that has been eating your mind.

Classic Grisham storytelling. But suspend your disbelief at the door. The plot, with all the twists, is absurd; the characters might as well be extraterrestrials. Nevertheless, I was sucked in and read the whole book in a day.There are two subplots that are compelling. First, the power of the federal prosecutor and his minions is frightening. If the fed searchlight beam fixes on you, you're going to the slam. Second, a theme that I have often fallen asleep contemplating, is how does one walk out of his digital footprints and live outside the purview of the authorities? These days, given the resources of government, even the CIA director's trysts are transparent.

In this novel, you sometimes are not sure who to root for. Some nasty pieces of work, and some nasty things done to people, but sometimes people deserve what they get. And there is that big payoff that does not seem to legally belong to anyone. Finders Keepers.Malcomb Bannister was a small town lawyer in Virginia, struggling to get by. Then a "friend" in DC gets him involved doing the legal paperwork for a real estate transaction. It looks like a nice fee for his firm until someone starts laundering money through the trust account. His mistake at that point was being too honest. He could have grabbed a few million from the account and ran - transfer the money to Panama? - he could have sent it to an account of his own in the Seychelles. Instead he gets involved in a RICO prosecution. He is a small fish but gets snared in the net and ends up with a 10 year sentence in a federal prison where he becomes a jailhouse lawyer. Now he has a plan.This is a twisted plot. The FBI is trying to solve a high profile murder. Malcolm offers them a deal- the name of the gunman and his motive in exchange for a commutation of his sentence and a new identity (he knows things that they have no hope of finding out). Nobody trusts anyone else. Malcomb knows all the legal angles - he was not a jailhouse lawyer for nothing. Everyone ends up with a little something (except that one poor sod who was the gunman). Malcomb and a few choice friends end up with a lot. The wheels of justice sometimes go off the track.I must say that the plot was different than most mysteries, or legal procedurals if you prefer to call it that. You do get an inside look at prisons and jails. Walk straight - you don't want to end up in one, especially in a third world country.

I'm a John Grisham fan. Not one of his best stories, but still good none the less. Because of my current schedule I don't have the time to actually read text, but I listened to this book in my car headed to work and on a road trip. If you like John Grisham you will enjoy this item.

David proved to be just what was needed in a world of everybody for themselves get a buck anyway you can lawyerism. Witty, light hearted but shows what can happen on the other side of the coin. Not all lawyers are wealthy or hit it big. Good read

John Grisham never fails to make his characters come to life on each page. WALLY AND OSCAR ARE DEEPLY FLAWED and very human. They need to be rescued from their sad lives and sadder yet law practice. In walks David. He is drunk after walking out on his high powered ,but unsatisfying powerful law firm. David is rescued by WALLY and OsCAR who in turn rescues them. In between is courtroom drama and intrigue . This was a good and satisfying read.

One day David Zinc just can't face going into the 600-person legal factory where he slaves 12 hours a day on boring international bonds, and decides to go get drunk instead. He stumbles into Finley & Figg almost by accident, drunk, and takes a low-paying job with them, and turns his life around - and theirs too. I love this book. It shows how small law offices work, and how big law offices work. He gets clients (almost by accident) and makes a living for his family. I love this book.

Grisham can write with the best of them. A hallmark of a great book is "the stoplight factor" - meaning you can't wait to see what's next. I became engrossed in the story and enjoyed being entertained by a master of courtroom drama.

Simply put, this is a fun book. David zinc is a young Harvard educated lawyer who gets fed up with his high stress job at a large law firm. The book opens with David going to work one day and having a near breakdown, at which point he decides he's had enough ... and immediately departs by dramatically diving head first back into the elevator and disappearing without notice. By the end of the day he has become completely drunk and finds himself at the office of Finley & Figg, a small law firm that prefers to think of themselves as a "boutique law firm," but in reality are just two ambulance-chasing lawyers operating on a shoestring budget. David joins this firm, which shortly embarks on a class-action lawsuit against a large pharmaceutical company in hopes of receiving a big payoff without having to go to court. Of course, things don't work out exactly as planned.This book was extremely entertaining and it kept me wanting more.

Grisham is an excellent writer and this somewhat formulaic tale is interesting and entertaining. It's not great literature, but made me keep turning the pages and hoping that the characters would resolve things. I'd buy it and read it again if I hadn't read it once, but it is not they type of book I would treasure and reread.

I am a baseball fan, but I'm an even bigger fan of well told stories. This was a story well told. The baseball, for me, was an added bonus. It's a fast read. It is a short book, and I see a lot of reviewers writing that as if it's a check mark in the con list -- but in my opinion, a writer doesn't get bonus points for prolonging a story that doesn't need expanded. When I say this was a fast read, I mean it as a compliment in every sense. I felt the characters were flushed out, and I found none nor noticed no holes in the story lines.There's a lot of heart in this book. I found themes of integrity, pride, and forgiveness jump out at me. I felt a lot through this read and am very thankful to the author for telling this story.My only reason for not giving it five stars is, actually, the author's notes. I was confused by them. I couldn't tell how much of the book was made up, how much or what was fiction, and what was fact. The notes from the author sort of confused me beyond that. You'll have to read the notes to know what I'm referring to -- but I'm still confused to this moment about how much of the book was aimed to be accurate, and how much is not. STILL, very worthy of a read. And, like I said, it's quick. Enjoy.

Calico Joe is an excellent novel, one of the best baseball books I have read. John Grisham has a gift for creating interesting plots, believable characters, and an engaging narrative, usually with a surprise ending. In this novel he deftly merges fiction with reality in typical Grisham fashion. During the summer of 1973, following up on the Vietnam troubles and Watergate-related problems, he chooses the Mets-Cubs pennant race (one actually occurred between those NL teams in 1973), and adds his mixture of fictional characters. I think Joe Castle, or "Calico Joe," who was called up to the Cubs partway through the season, is modeled on the real-life "Hurricane" Bob Hazel, who was called up to the Milwaukee Braves in mid-1957 and whose hot bat carried the Braves to the pennant and ultimately to a World Series victory over the perennial champion Yankees. Regardless, Castle lifts the Cubs toward the top until he is beaned on purpose by the Mets' aging, mean-spirited Warren Tracey, the hard-throwing pitcher and abusive father of 11-year-old Paul Tracey, who tells the fictional story. Many years later, poetic justice, or perhaps baseball justice, is served when the grown Paul gets his ill father, now dying of cancer, to meet with the disabled Castle, of Calico Rock, Arkansas, and apologize for the career-ending injury he inflicted on the rookie who was having a season for the ages. Grisham can tell a great story, and if you like baseball, he proves it to readers once again.

I'm not a Grishman fan but purchased the Kindle version because of the reviews. The story starts out a bit slow with all of the baseball names, facts and stats but moves quickly into a story that provides a quick enjoyable read. The plot is described in other reviews. Most of the reviews lament that the book is "too short." I think that those comments come from the fact that the author ends the story well and appropriately as a a baseball event driven story but as a reader you have become attached to some of the characters so when Warren, the long bullying father, passes it seems that there is still more to the story. You start with the son as a middle schooler and you want to see his life through to the end. Because of that, the book seems short . . . You want to follow the story of the Castle brothers, the son, the newspaper editor and get more because the book really isn't about baseball, redemption, reconcillation but rather about the characters you become attached to and wish well. You suddenly want the book to morph into one of those epics following towns and people over the generations. It is the kind you would pass along, not because it is great literature but it is a nice rainy day or beach read that leaves you feeling good when it's done. Can't beat that!

I sought out this latest John Grisham book to observe his treatment of POV, on the advice of my editor, Robin Martin. The story of Joe Castle, a rising baseball star on the 1973 Chicago Cubs team, was told in first person through the eyes of a man who, as an eleven-year-old boy, had a personal connection to Calico Joe.Anyone who loves America's pastime will enjoy the behind-the-scenes insights into Major League Baseball from a true fan's perspective. The treatments of relationship between professional athletes and between father and son are compelling, honest, and at times, brutal.Grisham is the only author I've read cover-to-cover in one sitting. I think it might have been The Client, on a very long plane ride. Calico Joe also has that definite don't-want-to-put-it down / can't-wait-to-get back-to-it quality.As much as I enjoyed the read, I couldn't give a fifth star because of how Grisham chose to end the story. I don't believe truly cruel men ever change their feathers, even on their deathbeds. I'm not sure of the final path I would have chosen, but mine probably would have been sadder . . . and more believable.

Calico JoeJohn GrishamThis is a wonderful story, told by the viewpoint of the son of one, of two former major league baseball players. It is a much easier read than most of Mr. Grisham's novels; that is, it is easier to keep track of the characters in the story than it is in his novels involving the legal/justice systems. One of the players, the father of the narrator, was an aging pitcher for the New York Mets in 1973. The father (Mr. Tracey) was also an alcoholic as well as a spouse and child abuser. The other player (Calico Joe) was a rookie hitting phenomenon who played for the Chicago Cubs. Both the Cubs and the Mets had excellent seasons in 1973 with the Mets finally winning the pennant.There was an incident that involved both players on the Mets home field late in the 1973 season. Neither player continued playing after that season. The son (Paul) tries many times to have his father meet with Calico Joe. This is not easy since Calico Joe's brothers are very protective of Joe, and Mr. Tracy does not really want to meet with him.The story centers around Paul Tracey's trying to arrange the meeting between his father and Calico Joe. But it also includes tales of reconciliation and redemption. Mr. Grisham's prose in riveting as it always is. The many subplots feed into the many story line.

It is written in a very different way from most "courtroom thrillers." But it was compelling and interesting, even if I was lost for a chapter at a time about why the protagonist was doing what they were doing. I had to have trust that Grisham would bring us into the overall story sometime in the upcoming pages.

In the Author's Notes at the end I think the author pretty much sums it up. This is indeed a work of fiction, and more so than usual. Nothing is based on reality, research was hardly a priority and rarely called upon. Accuracy was not deemed crucial. Long paragraphs of fiction were used to avoid looking up facts. Inevitably, though, even the laziest of writers need some foundation for their creations, and Grisham was occasionally at a loss.It showed in this book. I have read almost everything done by Grisham and this was one of his lazier works. Entertaining enough but knowing what he wrote in the Author's Notes above I might have passed on this one.

I had very high hopes for this book, since it was John Grisham. It was also highly recommended by a friend. It had me wanting to keep reading, to see what the next chapter would bring. However, I feel like a lot of the plot was predictable and the ending left a lot to be desired. There was a lot of long drawn out parts, that probably would've been better if it was quicker to get to the point. This book is written well, just not very exciting in my opinion.

DC area lawyer unknowingly plays a minor role in a money laundering scheme. He gets busted under RICO and is sent to federal prison. During his incarceration, he volunteers as a jailhouse lawyer, giving legal advice to fellow inmates. Halfway through his jail term, he gets the opportunity to assist the FBI with a case involving the murder of a federal judge. If handled correctly, his “inside information” (obtained during a jailhouse lawyer session) could solve the case and earn him an early release from prison.The first half of this book is very interesting, as the main characters of the story are developed and the plot is laid out (at least what you THINK is the plot).At about halfway through the book, the story gets a little wordy and bogged down with the mechanics of the federal witness protection program. But from there, the plot picks up again and keeps you glued to the pages (right to the end), trying to figure out where it’s heading and what’s going to happen next. The ending ties all the loose ends neatly together.Overall a good lawyer mystery. 3 1/2 stars

I have enjoyed many of Grisham's books but this one just didn't live up to his past efforts. I felt the plot was a little thin albeit different. It just didn't have the same intrigue most of his books have. This book is an easy read but not riveting.

This latest Grisham novel seems to follow the formula of 'The Firm' very closely: A trusting and somewhat naive small-town lawyer is duped into serving as an unwitting conspirator in a money laundering scheme and sent to federal prison by an unscrupulous corrupt judge. This judge, recently slain at his cabin, had a safe stuffed with gold ingots. There, at a low security prison camp, Mal the protagonist, meets s kindred spirit and cooks up a plot for each of them to be released from prison under Rule 35, i.e., helping law enforcement solve a different crime. His new prison pal has a sister to whom Mal, takes a liking, and she in cahoots with the other two, becomes a major player in the scheme. They are successful in outwitting the FBI, getting the money, and lease a yacht and head off to the Caribbean to bask in the sun until the cows come home (or the money runs out, which will be never).The biggest problem I have had with Grisham's last several books and this one included is that it sounds like a newspaper article or a report, or a shopping list. the sentences are very static and matter-of-fact: I did that, she did this, then we went there, etc. Perhaps it's been his style since the beginning, but if so, I never noticed in the early novels, and I've read every single novel he's written, well, except the Christmas one.I'll give him a huge amount of brownie points for knowing that the past tense of 'sneak' is 'sneaked' and not 'snuck'. I got a ruler over the knuckles in school for making that mistake, a few times, and so I never forget it, even if 'snuck' once not even considered a word, is now making its way into dictionaries, mostly American, for now, but others are catching up, and I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes common usage. It's a pet peeve of mine and it was almost a relief to see it in print again - a small thing...but I noticed it. He also knows the difference in applying 'lie' 'lay' 'laid' and 'lain'- again refreshing to see - and it shouldn't be. Just had to get that said.Although the plot was heavily formulaic, I found the details of this version just interesting enough to hold my attention, and I enjoyed it, mostly, but with skills of his caliber, it would be wonderful if he would sit down and write from the heart, something he believed in and was deeply proud of, something that would grip and rivet the imagination, stir up and magnify the emotions and elevate the spirit and send it soaring. He can do it, I'm certain of it, but these last several books seem written as if he didn't care, written almost grudgingly and perhaps even defiantly -perhaps to get his publishers off his back and to keep the pot boiling.Well, it is what it is, and his style is his own. More of the same, but that's not such a bad thing. I've liked it well enough to keep buying his books.

A good read with a weak ending. Typical Gresham book. Big companies are evil and lawyers are heroes. Probably my last Gresham book unless he creates a better story line.

it took all I had to get through this book...I skimmed page after page. The pages became redundant..same stuff over and over...it's side stories and finale are implausible. don't waste the time I did on this book. Read "The Last Juror." So far, the only book of Mr. Grisham's that was worth the money I paid for it.

The Litigator is second Grisham book in recent times that refuses to give the redeeming moments to protagonists.So, the good guys are portrayed as rank outsiders, underdogs, minnows that almost demand some life victory from the author God. The bad guys are detailed as scheming tyrants, unscrupulous professionals that you expect to be slammed down in the last 5% of the book for all their purported sins. The story develops nice and easy as predictably the odds against the heroes are turning smaller and smaller, almost to the vanishing point.And you are almost at the end of the book, you get a flicker, you expect a flare and the good guys just perish. The bad guys dont turn out to be as bad. The good guys are given some rewards for being a part of the book in some side story.Too real life for a pot boiler.

I have read several of John Grisham's novels and have enjoyed them for their pace and in most cases suspense. "The Litigators" is of a different genre. It is a pleasant caricature of life in the legal world where the main protagonist, David Zinc, a Harvard trained lawyer fed up with his lot at a large Chicago firm, goes on a bender and ends up going to work for a pair of low grade sleazy but lovable ambulance chasers. The characters are all flawed but yet impossibly we'll grounded, kind and honorable, certainly rare personalities in the legal profession at any level. David's new firm attempts to enter the arena of mass tort litigation taking on big pharma using a frivolous claim the that a new cholesterol medication is causing cardiac pathology, in the hopes of a quick payday. They bumble along in a comedic fashion hoping for a settlement until forced to go to trial. Where they are hopelessly incompetent and overmatched. Because this is a modern fairy tale, things somehow seem to work out in the end for all concerned. Pure but enjoyable pablum.

Extolling the beauty of character attorney Nadine Karros at every turn got to be nauseating and very unlike a Grisham character. Grisham's appeal to me throughout his career is depicting the everyday man. It was off-putting to continually be bombarded with Ms Karros's beauty, intelligence, wit, cunning, style, figure, savvy, etc. Im a huge Grisham fan, read ALL his previous books but this is now my second mediocre review. Just too simplistic. Especially for Grisham. Its not bad, just so average. I didn't have to anxiously wait a whole year for this, Grisham's annual release. Any non famous author delivers this type of effort year round. Nevertheless, still no one tops Grisham's wry humor. That is what keeps him ahead of the pack even with sub-par outings such as the Litigators. Hoping next release will have a much more sophisticated plot.

...for the paperback. I've always bought John Grisham's books as soon as they are released and have read them as soon as I can in hardback, and I've loved almost all of them. This one was different. It took me so long to read this one, whereas with his others I've finished them in no longer than two to three days, usually two.The good things about this book are its humor and the character of David Zinc. Not just that he is a character in the book, but his show of integrity and intelligence, and his willingness to walk away from a huge law firm with hundreds of lawyers who spend 80 hours a week billing by the hour. About halfway through the book, it picks up a little speed, but it never gets to the usual page-turning tension and suspense that Grisham's other books have done.Finley and Figg are laughable, as they are intended to be, with their "boutique law firm" that is almost, but not quite, a real law firm. Finley and Figg are literal ambulance chasers and are lucky to be making five-figure incomes. They never see the inside of a courtroom and hope they never do.Once Figg finds out about the drug Krayoxx, a cholesterol reducer that has been linked to heart attacks, he goes on a mission to find people affected by the drug and hopes to join a class action suit against the pharmaceutical company that makes it. From there on out I thought the book got lost in and bogged down with lawyers, patients, and back and forth phone calls among all of them. Then the defense team steps in and they have to be kept track of, as well. The writing just wasn't as clear as in previous books.I certainly won't say that I won't read the next Grisham novel, because I will. I've always loved John Grisham's books and look forward to each one. This one just wasn't my cup of tea or my dose of Krayoxx.

Not really up to Grisham's greatest work.

An OK but, not one of Grisham's best.

Calico Joe is a fast read and maintained my interest. I was a baseball fan in the 70's, although I no longer care, and it was fun to read about baseball when baseball was fun. I like stories that have a strong resemblance of realness but this plot seems "cheesy" and struggled to meet my interpretation of believability,

"Calico Joe: A Novel" is not the type of book I usually read. I read it because my best friend was anxious for me to do so. It was an enjoyable book - an "easy read." I found myself more absorbed with the story than expected. The climax was a bit disappointing to me - just a little bit too quick to bring about changes in main characters. All in all it was an engaging book, and it was interesting to learn a little about baseball as I'm not a great fan of baseball, either. I'd recommend it as a good summertime beach novel.

This is a short story that is called a book. I like the story but I am tired of big name authors writing shorter and shorter books and charging a fortune. I am an avid reader and have always been since childhood and I am tired of authors cashing in on their celebrity. They grew popular because of good well written, properly long novels. If Grisham had started with books like this he would have no movies or the popularity he now has. He has sold out. I hope he enjoys our money but he didn't earn it with this one he has too much ability to be writing these little stories. How wide should the margins be and how big the space between lines and how large did you have to make the print. I hate the idea of books going digital and bookstores disappearing but I don't ever want to hear a complaint about how this evolved as books like this make me feel that authors deserve it. At least John Grisham does and it seems to happen to all the authors after they become popular. They write shorter and shorter books and try to charge more. Live with what you have created. You now make less money on digital books.

I'll begin by saying I am, at best, a lukewarm John Grisham fan. I devoured his first three novels and then began to yawn, ever so slightly. But i do love a baseball story and the thought of Grisham tackling that subject was irresistible. Well.Calico Joe is not a bad book. It's premise is sound and its layout logical. And some of the baseball insights are interesting (He claims, at the end, to have conducted considerable research). But . . .The author's effort suggests he might have entered one of those weekend write-a-novel contests. In the days of pen and ink, Grisham would not have used an entire bottle of Quink. Definitely has the aroma of a work that was rushing to meet a deadline. Too bad, because the characters were interesting and could have used a little more time on the page. I want to say, 'go back, John, and do it right'. Baseball needs another good story.

After having read several excellent John Gresham books, I was very surprised to read the Racketeer and find that it was confusing, poorly thought out, and far below what I had expected from such a wonderful author. Maybe the author was contractually obligated to complete a book by a certain time, and quickly slapped something together to meet publication deadlines.

I think John Grisholm severely let his legions of fans down with this book. It seems to have been very hastily written as a platform for his opinion of the U.S. Government, The FBI and various State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies. All of these organizations are presented as filled with bumbling, vindictive incompetents while the hero (who happens to be an imprisoned, unsuccessful attorney) manages to out-wit everyone with his get-out-of-jail and get-rich-quick scheme.A book that requires a suspension of belief or facts or reality can still be a highly entertaining, enjoyable experience for a reader. I felt this one failed on all counts. Instead it impressed me as a device for a very angry person to vent his negative opinions about U.S. Government and Law Enforcement to a large audience. John Grisham has legions of fans, many of whom probably order his newest book at the earliest opportunity. My guess is that many of them will be very disappointed with this one, as I was.

Clichéd, cold, contrived, convoluted but crisp. It had been a while since I’d read a Grisham tale, and I quickly realized how much I’d missed the efficient writing style that kept me turning pages. However, I don’t think “The Racketeer” is Grisham at the top of his game. The biggest problem for me was that I never warmed up to any of the characters. The characterization, including the dialogue, seems below normal Grisham standards. The writing style was crisp, but almost everything else was cold and stale. Maybe next time.

My fist Grisham and a bit of a disappointment.It started out great. I really enjoyed the book till about half way through and then it fell flat.I did not like any character and for me to like a book there has to be someone, any one, with some redeeming qualities. There has to be a hero. There has to be someone I can root for. I didn't find a single person, or in-fact institution, that I can support. That was my biggest problem with it.I was hoping the protagonist Mal/Max can be that be it really took a turn for the worst.The way that the actual killer was set up and framed, even though far fetched (I'm actually okay with things being far fetched), was just so cold that it left me thinking "yeah this guy has done it but he hasn't really done anything to deserve being treated like this by Max when he hasn't done anything wrong with Max". This just made me dislike everyone else even more.The appearance of the girlfriend from the middle of no where was just ridiculous. Mal didn't even think of her till about 50% of the book! She felt a little forced to me.I think the only thing that kept me reading this book till the end is the first half. It was intriguing till that point then just got tedious.I hope my next Grisham is better than this one.

Spoiler alert- this review may give away critical elements of the story.The story was interesting in the beginning, so I gave if two stars. After that, it was so unrealistic, yet predictable, that I just could not enjoy the book. I don't think anyone could make a fool out of governmental agencies and walk away unscathed, the way this book's characters manage to do. Another weakness in the plot is that yet another Grisham protagonist winds up in the islands. Overall, this story reads like a high school student's stickin'-it-to-the-man fantasy. I only finished it because I kept waiting for Grisham to surprise me by finishing well, but I was disappointed.

This is certainly not one of Grisham's best and he knows it as he tacitly admits to in the notes at the end. It starts off well enough to engage interest and sort of keeps just enough of it but just never gets there. You never get the feeling of involvement in the book, characters or the plot but just a feeling of hanging in there and hovering around merely out of respect of the author, Because it is Grisham you have faith something will come but nothing ever does and sadly but inevitably you have to read it all the way to the end to confirm this.There is hardly any suspense or thrill. It really is quite predictable.I got quite annoyed with the endless and totally pointless descriptions of the search for and initial interactions with Nathan Cooley. Those acres and acres of pages were utterly boring and painful to say the least. The only slightly interesting twist/sting is the alliance with the guy who he caused to be arrested. His name has slipped my mind because the characters are not that memorable.Most importantly is that the author gives a very implausible account of being a black man. He does not in the least come out convincilgy like a black man that I wonder why he even bothered. It could still have worked just as well if he had remained white. Grisham just does not know how to be a black man.In fact at no point at all can he ever be imagined and comprehended like a black man except when he reminds you as he constantly does that you are forced to rememebr that you are reading about a black guy. Really? Quite pathetic.We expect so much more from Mr Grisham.

Not John Grisham's best work. It never gets interesting. I did finish it only to be disappointed. Leave this one on the shelf.

Difficult to continue to the end. Depressing, repetitive, legal mumbo jumbo. Cannot recommend this book to any fan of Grisham

I'm a John Grisham fan, but this book was so full of nonsense, and an unbelievable storyline that I almost gave up on it. I did finally manage to finish it, but I would not recommend this book.The two main characters, Wally and Oscar are two bumbling "lawyers" and I use the term loosely who think they have a get rich quick legal case. This book was more of a believe it or not comedy than a mystery or thriller.

Well, I finished it. And I don't know what to think. It kind of drolled on and on, I forced myself to finish it. Certainly was not his best, and I think the only thing that held me to the book is A) I don't give up on books, unless they REALLY suck, and B) It was based in Chicago, and he was pretty accurate with all his references.

I have read many of John Grisham's books and enjoyed every one BUT this book will probably be my last. It was a struggle to get through until I reached about chapter 31 or so. The buildup to the trial was boring with Wally dragging David all over Chicago to get clients and the trial was a waste until David was on his own and actually asked some good questions of the witness. Everyone knew what the outcome was going to be so why did it take so many pages to get there? The characters came across as a bunch of bums with David being the exception. The only part I really liked was David & Helen's search for Nasty Teeth and the lawsuit against the toy company that sold them.

I haven't read Grisham in a while, I found his writing was a bit boring, but I decided to give the Litigators a try. I can honestly say that the first 97% of the book felt like I was reading the background info and the character development. Only in the last few pages were a few exciting paragraphs that felt rushed to get the story over with. I must say I was very disappointed, there was very little actual plot going on. It was like reading a year in the life of _______. Sorry, but this book totally missed the mark for me, if you like action and an exciting plot and not just a well developed character, you will not like this book.

not that interested in bb

Snoozer no olot easy to forecast the next event in this story . Not his best workHope his next book isnt my last purchase

Not being a big sports fan it just wasn't very interesting to me. Go for it guys!

Yes it was a novel about baseball and that part I really liked. ****SPOILER ALERT****But the main story was about a purposeful and senseless act by a bitter, resentful alcoholic ruining another baseball player's health, career and life.I skipped pages and pages of it, which I rarely do in any book. The 2nd star is because of the wonderful baseball games described and that's it.

I am a big fan of John Grisham's writing and after having read the memorable Playing for Pizza I was anxious to read another sports related novel by the author. The story was just OK, the writing was very good as usual. I don't believe the story went anywhere and was disappointing.

Shame on me! I adore John Grisham's writing, but am not a baseball fan - at all. So, his references were clearly not understood. The best part, tho', came to me on the elevator down to the basement give-away-library, when I met a young man wearing a baseball cap. I asked if he enjoyed baseball, and when he replied "sure!" I handed the Grisham novel to him and he cheerfully thanked me!! I was so relieved to find a happy home for my new purchase! So, Thank you! cj

So far unbelievable. I don't know if I can continue to read this. I cannot believe that an attorney, even a small town attorney would not have any sense at all in receiving a wrong payment of several million dollars.First of all, the attorney says that after a gazillion changes in the name of the client (why doesn't that ring a bell? Why don't you know who you are representing?) the client was supposed to send him $450,000, $400,000 of which was supposed to pay the first 2 months rent. Now, first of all, why would the client pay rental for 2 months and then buy the property? Second, why send the rental to the attorney to pay the rental?Then he receives millions of dollars. And the book doesn't even say that these millions are put into an escrow account for the benefit of the client (but then of course, he doesn't know who the client is!). He doesn't contact the IRS, because I guess he never figures out that he could be liable for the taxes on several million dollars and that maybe, of course, the money is being laundered.Of course he is a small time lawyer and never heard of laundering money -- LOL!Then he finally instructs his banker to send the money back (although he still should have contacted the IRS), but the banker can't make up his mind what to do for 2 days..... HUH?THEN, he is offered a deal to plead guilty, but says he wouldn't accept it because he was innocent. He was NOT innocent. He accepted several hundred million dollars, put it into his attorney account (NOT an escrow account) and never contacted the IRS or any other governmental agency.Then, he writes to the FBI and says he knows who is the killer of the judge, and wants the FBI to release him (on his own recognizance) because he says he knows who the killer is. But, at the point in the story that I am, he gives no guarantees, gives no hints, gives no assurances that he would be returned to prison if he is wrong. BUT the FBI is interested.....? Why? Because the warden says he has been a good inmate.I am not an attorney (although was a real estate broker) and certainly know more than this dumb bum. I'll write more if the story gets any more believable. Otherwise I give up.

Sloppy, lazy, and totally lacking in plot creation or character development. Grisham was betting his name would sell this and pity the fool who took that bait,,,,me! For that he gets five stars. For the book, a negative zero!

What I recall from the book is the confusion of points of view. I may not be the best read person ever, but I had never encountered a plural point of view, when one character is narrating the events as if looking through the eyes of another and using "we" and "us" when the reader knows that these two characters are in different places, different countries even! Another thing is that these narrators kept knowledge from the readers... I felt manipulated and there was no joy for me in reading the story, no satisfaction in the outcome. Unless you are a diehard fan who will accept this kind of dismal effort in writing, this is not a worthwhile read.

There are a few things wrong with this novel.-- SPOILERS---1. The timeline is awkward in order to hold back vital information, but it simply doesn't work. It makes the narrator unreliable.2. The story is just simply unbelievable in every aspect. We are supposed to believe that Max did not actually launder money, that he is innocent, yet as soon as he is released from prison he knows exactly what to do and who to go to to launder the money and does. As an act of revenge, we are supposed to believe. That is only one unreal aspect of the novel. There are dozens like this. The first chapter he speaks about how he adores his son, is why he wants out, lives for him etc and then the son is only mentioned one more time in later chapters. His family relationships are like this as well. Dad is important in the 1st 1/3rd of the book but then only mentioned again one time.3. The money. Max initially gets 150k and talks about how he is now "rich" what? I didn't use a calculator, but it seems as if he goes through this money in about a week. When he hits the real jackpot, he seems just as impressed with it as the 150k.4. The relationship with Vanessa was just not well set up. We are told in the 1st half that he barely knows her, they share a few letters but that's it. When he gets out of jail however, the relationship goes from near strangers to intensely sexual and romantic and then she becomes a willing partner immediately. She leaves her job and does what he says and turns out that she was apparently in on the whole thing from the beginning, but that is never really made clear.5. It's boring. Mind-numbingly boring with no action, dozens and dozens of pages where nothing moves forward.6. None of the characters are really written so that you get to know them. Except maybe the one who gets the brunt of the punishment. The others, even Max, are 1 dimensional- unlikable and uninteresting.7. The biggest issue is that this is told in 1st person for most of the novel- Max is the narrator. Yet, Max tells us nothing. He is keeping the secrets from us, the reader, in order to add mystery but this does not work. This is a confessional style narration and he should be confessing everything, not playing us.It's just not a good book. I even bought the audio book AND the kindle and did the narration thing on the kindle HD because I could not stop falling asleep after 10 minutes of reading. It took days to get through this book- nearly 10. Gone Girl I finished in one setting, napping for a couple hours but then waking early because I.Could.Not.Stop.Thinking.About.It. Not my favorite book, but definitely a fast intense read. Hunger Games, I finished all three in a day.This took 10 days because I fell asleep so much. I would have just tossed it, but I am not the type that can leave a book unfinished. No matter how bad it is. And this one was bad.

Quite frankly, I was stunned at the 1,900+ five-star reviews, hailing this book as a "page-turner". I wondered if maybe I missed out on the "Page-Turner Special Edition" and instead accidentally picked up the "Slow, Plodding, Wish You Could Get Your Money Back Edition".But what exactly makes a page-turner?For me, I need someone to root for. I have to have some sort of emotional investment in the character and his or her fate. I have read nearly all of Grisham's novels, and I've always had this connection with his protagonists - even those who were terribly, deeply flawed.My relationship with Malcolm Bannister started off just fine. In the early pages, Malcolm is reminiscent of Stephen King's Andy Dufresne from "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" - professional, unfairly convicted, plying his former trade in the jailhouse to pass the time.But Malcolm began to lose me when two murders set into motion a sequence of events that he has clearly been anticipating for some time.The second murder was particularly horrific. As I continued reading, I found it hard to stomach that Malcolm was willing to leverage this tragedy for his own personal gain. And the less interest that I had in Malcolm's well-being, the less interest I had in turning pages.Had Grisham left out the more gratuitous murder, I might have maintained a little more sympathy and respect for Malcolm. But as it turned out, I did finally find someone in this book to root for: The Feds.

And waste of time. The author explains at the end of the book that he did no research for the story andit certainly appears that he made it up as he was going along,I find it insulting that he would actually admit to that - and expect people to admire his workI actually went to the back of the book to find out if there was a purpose to this story which is told in endless long paragraphs.Perhaps it was supposed to be a surprise ending - but what a flop.Perhaps the problem is that from the beginning I didn't care about the character and lost interest pretty quickly.I can't believe John Grisham actually wrote this -I would have to imagine it was published on his established reputation - if I had written it I wouldn't even have submitted it never mind expect to have it published.Badly written and badly executed.

Poor character development, boring story line and very predictable, hated the tied up in a bow ending. Would not recommend.

It was just so slow! I found it very boring, and just kept thinking something was going to happen.

I've been a Grisham fan and have enjoyed his books in the past. I read the Litigators after reading and enjoying Gray Mountain. The Litigators was a major disappointment! I have to agree with other reviews that this book was pure formula with a story that was not all that engaging. I had to force myself to finish it. The story line of big firm lawyer opts to pass on the big bucks for a small time law firm just doesn't have much depth without a more interesting back story as there was in Gray Mountain.

John Grisham has lost his touch. I can't even bother finishing it. The characters are unlikable, the story hardly compelling. Complete waste of time and money

This latest work by John Grisham is, in a word, boring. Nothing about the story is compelling. The characters, and all of the images painted around the characters, are tired cliches. There are NO surprises (everything is predictable) and the only reason I could find for completing the drudgery of reading this story was my own ethic that I complete what I start. Even when it is, as here, painful. If you are looking for a story with even an iota of freshness, forego this purchase and read something (or anything) else.

I am not sure why anyone is giving this book 5 stars. This book is outright boring! Grisham spends several chapters on the court proceedings of a tort case against a drug manufacturer and repeatedly remarks how bored our main characters are listening to this endless testimony and then proceeds to force us to read the boring play by play of it. I skimmed through most of these chapters and the only reaction from me was a slight ironic groan every time I read, "and the jury was half asleep after all this." Yeah, me, too. This is not The Firm, or Runaway Jury and certainly not A Time To Kill. There is not any excitement beyond the first chapter. No mystery. No legal prowess--in fact, all the main characters are either quack ambulance chasers or the new guy who has never been to court. There is no big court room drama. Even the little side story is a case that gets settled without any dramatization. It's a simple enough read if you are interested in the bare bones of how not to file a mass tort case and loss it in court. Other than that. Forget it. Seriously. Forget it.

Of interest only to baseball enthusiasts.

Of course it's about baseball, Just didn't think that's all it's about. I'm not a big fan of baseball so that's why I didn't care for it. Looking for someone locally to give it to.

You would have to be a great fan of American ball games to enjoy this book, hardly any story to speak of, just a blow by blow account games played.Not for me this book.

Not the best book by Grisham. Who really wrote it? Dull and simple are the two words that came to mind as I read the book. This is from a big Grisham fan. I was dooped on this poorly written so called book.

pretty boring book. It's only of any interest to baseball fanatics in USA & possibly Japan. That should have been made clear from the beginning. I have enjoyed numerous John Grisham novels, but not this one.

I was totally disappointed. This will be the first book I have purchased from this site that I will not get past the first chapter -