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The Broker
by John Grisham


5.1

based on 13 reviews
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based on 52 votes
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The Innocent Man

Not a courtroom drama but a spy thriller, this latest effort from the bestselling author focuses on an imprisoned Washington D.C. power broker who is granted a last-minute pardon by the President and spirited away by the CIA to Italy for his protection against the foreign powers who want him dead.

Doubleday, 368 pages
01/11/2005
$27.95

ISBN: 0385510454

Fiction
Mystery & Thrillers

All reviews are classified as one of five grades: Outstanding (4 points), Favorable (3), Mixed (2), Unfavorable (1) and Terrible (0). To calculate the Metascore, we divide total points achieved by the total points possible (i.e., 4 x the number of reviews), with the resulting percentage (multiplied by 100) being the Metascore. Learn more...

Boston Globe Clea Simon

The author's command of pop fiction delivers crisp, sharp prose.

USA Today Carol Memmott

The Broker may not be one of Grisham's best, but it gets high marks for a fresh approach and strong sense of place.

The Guardian Matthew Lewin

This one, too, is well written, but if you're looking for one of his usual legal thrillers, you could be disappointed by the rather woolly espionage plot.

Daily Telegraph Susanna Yager

This isn't Grisham in top form and the twist we have come to expect at the end isn't as startling as in previous books, but he is still a great storyteller.

Washington Post Jonathan Yardley

I had a very good time with The Broker... But there's a rather hasty aspect to the book: too many short paragraphs, too many unnecessary exclamation points, a rushed and contrived ending.

Los Angeles Times Leslie S. Klinger

It's tempting to dismiss Grisham's debut spy thriller as just undercooked fast-food fare. But Grisham is a fine writer, with a talent (like Conan Doyle) for creating memorable characters in even his weakest work. [9 Jan 2005]

Publishers Weekly

The novel reads like a contented afterthought to a memorable Italian vacation, with little action or tension, plastic characters and plot turns that a tricycle could maneuver.

The Independent Barry Forshaw

While this new ambition may be applauded, the extra underpinnings come at a price. There are some surprisingly maladroit things here.

The New York Times Janet Maslin

"The Broker" is a novel for, by and about somebody taking a vacation.

The New York Times Book Review Alan M. Dershowitz

The feel of the action is distant from the comfortable familiarity a reader immediately gets from a Grisham legal thriller. The sharp turns of phrase, as well as of speeding cars, are vintage Grisham, but the texture of the characters, especially the politicians, is not nearly as palpable.

The Globe And Mail [Toronto] Margaret Cannon

I think John Grisham intended this novel as satire. At least, I hope so. [22 Jan 2005, p.D12]

Entertainment Weekly Gregory Kirschling

Grisham's novels are never boring, but this one is padded and unconvincing. It feels like Grisham had a nice trip to Bologna and struggled to concoct a book around it.

Houston Chronicle Paul Lomartire

This is not one of Grisham's solid plots with the requisite surprises, twists, deceptions and threats.

The average user rating for this book is 5.1 (out of 10) based on 52 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Gaurav G gave it a7:
Second half was very good

Roger V gave it a3:
I am a French reader and fan of Grisham books. Unfortuanteley, this novel is a continuation of non sense situations. All the end we are a little bit disappointed. John, please work more before wiritting mistakes. The Eurostar does not run through Italy, nor Swizerland. Where are your editors ?

te et gave it a10:
Best book EVER

Tan C gave it a3:
John Grisham has lost his touch? I really don't know what he wants to tell us, except several new terms in Italian..Dissapoinment from a fans.

Doug gave it a7:
Thought overall book and plot was great. Hated the neding though. However if there is a sequel, the ending would make a lot more sense.

Alan I gave it a3:
This is the first Grisham book I've read and if this one is typical, probably the last. The book was little more than an Italian lesson. The Italian phrasing followed by English translation became very tedious. Some good historical information about Bologna. However, the ending was a cop out. There was no tension, plot arcs unresolved. It just kinda wrapped in about 10 pages. Boring book where nothign happens with a poor ending.

adrian gave it a5:
Whats up with the ending? The story started strong but when it came closer to the resolution, it became less interesting. Hey, at least i learned some Italian :)

The Broker by John Grisham

The Broker
by John Grisham