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The Broker

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The Broker

By: John Grisham
Narrated by: Michael Beck
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About this listen

In his final hours in the Oval Office, the outgoing president grants a controversial last-minute pardon to Joel Backman, a notorious Washington power broker who has spent the last six years hidden away in a federal prison. What no one knows is that the president issues the pardon only after receiving enormous pressure from the CIA. It seems Backman, in his power-broker heyday, may have obtained secrets that compromise the world's most sophisticated satellite surveillance system.

Backman is quietly smuggled out of the country in a military cargo plane, given a new name, a new identity, and a new home in Italy. Eventually, after he has settled into his new life, the CIA will leak his whereabouts to the Israelis, the Russians, the Chinese, and the Saudis. Then the CIA will do what it does best: sit back and watch. The question is not whether Backman will survive - there is no chance of that. The question the CIA needs answered is, who will kill him?

©2004 John Grisham (P)2005 Random House, LLC Genre Fiction Military Political Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense War & Military Espionage Fiction Suspense Exciting Italy War

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Critic reviews

"A killer combination of sheer story-telling nous and no-nonsense prose" ( Independent)
All stars
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loved this book...didn't want to put it down.I thought the naration was great and really allowed me to walk along side the characters.
I didn't expect it to end when it did though.

What a good read!

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I think good but Audible won't let me listen until I have done a review

Good storyline.

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It made me want to visit Italy and learn Italian. A slow steady burner with in interesting story. Love me a bit of Grisham

Slow steady burner

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I have been enthralled by this book all day. Love the depiction of Bologna which I know well and the gripping story lines. I also love the self deprecating message at the end by the author.
John Grisham is a brilliant writer, storyteller with an astute portrayal of the best, and the absurd as well as the worst elements of some human behaviour.
Truly ended such an engrossing day and the reader was wonderful.
Thank you!
Julie

Brilliant book

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Really enjoyed this book. I'm a fan of Grisham but in this one we are taken away from the courtroom and thrust predominantly into the streets of Italy, in particular Bologna. Grisham's detailed description is enough to literally transport you there.
The plot itself is good, is written brilliantly as usual and keeps you on your toes throughout and as for the delivery Michael Beck does a superb job yet again.

Another Grisham great.

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