Wednesday, June 19, 2013

The Broker by John Grisham


In his final hours in the office the outgoing president grants a controversial last minute pardon to Joel Backman, a notorious power broker.  It seems that Backman may have obtained secrets that compromise the world's most sophisticated satellite surveillance system. Backman is quietly smuggled out of the country, given a new name, a new identity and a new home, in Italy. 
(Excerpts from the blurb)

But Backman cannot afford to lead a quiet life in Italy. He has a lot of enemies from his past, ready to get him killed in order to extract  secrets from him. Furthermore, he is left in an unknown land without knowing whom to trust. How will Backman save himself from the Israelis, Russians, Saudis and the CIA?

This  is not a legal thriller or a court-room drama unlike many other Grisham novels. The plot is gripping generally, although in some places it drags and look more like a travelogue of Italy.

 Not going to be one of my favourite Grisham's, but still good. 3 out of 5.