THE RACKETEER BY: JOHN GRISHAM

The Racketeer was a successful attorney in real life until some weird circumstances put him in prison for 10 years. His name, at the moment, is Malcolm Bannister, he is 45 years old, and has already served 5 years. His good behavior and lawyer background finally got him lucky enough to wind up at The Federal Prison Camp near Frostberg, Maryland. I found out about the various kinds of prisons in this novel, and on a list of bad to better to best, Frostberg Prison Camp would be best.

Malcolm has become a jailhouse lawyer and was able to help out some of the inmates at Frostberg. He has special privileges that make life better with a small office in the library. However, his wife has divorced him and remarried, and he is not looking forward to 5 more years at the camp.

It is remarkable in the history of this country, only four federal judges have been murdered. Judge Raymond Fawcett has become murder number five. He was found dead with his young secretary at his remote lakeside cabin in the woods. A large safe was opened and emptied.

Malcolm Bannister has always kept his eyes and ears open, and his mouth shut, and he knows who killed Judge Fawcett and he knows why! If he plays his cards right and helps the FBI out, he might be a free man, but its a tricky deal. Malcolm would love to help them out. but only if he gets exactly what he wants. It’s very embarrassing for the FBI to be at a dead end for so long.

Grisham is at his best with a cast of characters that emerges in this wickedly clever plot that fools the reader right along with the FBI. Everything is fair game and John Grisham doesn’t disappoint with this latest legal thriller. He lives in Virginia and Mississippi and continues to be a great storyteller!

Published: Doubleday a division of Random House, Inc., New York, NY Copyright: © 2012 By: Belfry Holdings, Inc. Reviewed: 10/31/12 – 360 Copyright: © 2012 by Joan G. Smith 360