The Broker - book review

The Broker

By John Grisham

I picked this up second hand for some light holiday reading. A bankable proposition from a author I have enjoyed over the years - or so I thought. As it turned out I am doubtful it justified even the modest 50p I paid for it.

Its a story of of a Washington powerbroker who becomes entangled in an attempt to sell some sensitive satellite software to the highest bidder, but then everyone connected with the deal is killed. The broker then pleads guilty and seeks safety in a high security prison for 15 years - but people know that the secret is still locked up in his head.

Suddenly an outgoing president offers an unexpected pardon whereupon he is flown to Italy supposedly to start a new life. But all is not as it seems ,and the unprincipled CIA have hung him out as bait to see who kills him and therefore identify the owner of this network of satellites.

He runs, ducks and dives across every square foot of Bologne before returning to the US and doing a deal which ensures his freedon and safety.

All in all a simple tale featuring Bologne for no better reason than Grisham fancied spending some time there doing the research. All in all a rather lame book and a far cry from the riveting Pelican Brief, The Client and The Firm all written years ago.

This books just goes through the motions - another turn of the money making wheel.