Listen free for 30 days
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The Racketeer
- Narrated by: J. D. Jackson
- Length: 12 hrs and 45 mins
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Thriller & Suspense
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Grisham Hits a Home Run!
- By Simon on 22-10-19
Summary
Number-one best-seller John Grisham returns with his most suspenseful thriller yet.
Given the importance of what they do, and the controversies that often surround them, and the violent people they sometimes confront, it is remarkable that in the history of the USA only four active federal judges have been murdered.
Judge Raymond Fawcett just became number five.
His body was found in the small basement of a lakeside cabin he had built himself and frequently used on weekends. When he did not show up for a trial on Monday morning, his law clerks panicked, called the FBI, and in due course the agents found the crime scene. There was no forced entry, no struggle, just two dead bodies - Judge Fawcett and his young secretary.
I did not know Judge Fawcett, but I know who killed him, and why.
I am a lawyer, and I am in prison.
It's a long story.
Critic reviews
"Grisham is brilliantly comic in a novel that is full of zest and brimming with memorable characters and rich storylines." (The Sunday Times)
"Superbly plotted legal thriller." (Sunday Express)
"The best thriller writer alive" (Ken Follett, Evening Standard)
More from the same
What listeners say about The Racketeer
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Lynda
- 31-12-12
The Racketeer
Excellent book and excellently read by J D Jackson! So many crime novels are predictable but this one absolutely wasn't. Also, it is quite rare I find to have a narrator who reads so well. Many authors are let down by their readers I think. There is a tendency (particularly with British narrators, I note) to read with a stereotyped stress pattern following a trend in broadcasting these days which lends to misunderstanding of the original meaning. They have a tendency to stress the wrong word eg she LIFTED up the book or she PULLED out the pack of cigarrettes ... infuriating! When American readers read badly it seems to be because they adopt a very bored sounding continuous drone. However, J D Jackson reads supremely well and is an example to follow! Enough ranting ... The story is well crafted, the story pulls you in and the reading is great
14 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Mike
- 18-11-12
Brilliant Again
I eagerly awaited this release and was not disappointed. Brilliant story – I totally failed to see the final twist. Looking forward to the next novel.
26 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Colin
- 22-04-13
Could do better...
I'll admit I'm a fan of John Grisham's books and have several of his audiobooks. Such a shame then that this release wasn't up to his normal high standards. I guessed the plot and whodunnit very early on and was disappointed when I discovered I'd been right all along. (I usually NEVER guess the villain)
The overall story starts well but very soon starts to clog up with too many red herring characters and plot twists that don't actually go anywhere.
7 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Carolyn
- 13-04-13
Not John Grisham's best
This wasn't as gripping as other of his books I have read. Some of the detail of Federal law etc is lost a bit on someone who resides outside of the United States. Aspects of the witness protection program set up were interesting. Bit mundane
6 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Kirstine
- 24-12-12
An enthralling story
I've enjoyed many of Grisham's books and this is a cracker. It's an intriguing story with twists and turns and a surprising ending. The reader is good. Recommended.
13 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Linda
- 01-01-13
Nicely paced, well read story
Whilst I did foresee the main twist to this story right at the very beginning that did not detract in any way from my enjoyment of this audible book. This is a very good listen and the twists and detail that I had not foreseen added far greater depth to the plot. This is my 2nd Grisham audible and the 1st by this reader - both suit me very well.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Mariborn
- 23-12-12
A Great Thriller by John Grisham once again
John Grisham did his miracle again. And J.D.Jackson delivered it. Very interesting plot, with unexpected twists - finally a thriller with an end I could never guess.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Helen
- 07-04-13
A bit long winded
This book is well read but I found it a bit too meandering. If I lost total concentration (which I tend to do) I would sometimes be completely lost with what was going on and have to rewind it! After keeping going I did find the last quarter of the book did grab me but I could of done without a lot of the first three quarters.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Ateshe
- 23-12-12
Great start!
I started my Audible experience with this choice. I'm hooked! Beautifully narrated, I couldn't wait to get a chance to listen. I highly recommend it.
3 people found this helpful
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- Trixie
- 05-05-13
Couldn't stop listening!
I'd given up on John Grisham books quite a while ago as they became very similar in structure. This is a departure from his usual lawyer-based theme and is a really absorbing story with an excellent narrator. You won't be disappointed.
2 people found this helpful
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- Joseph
- 17-12-12
Hung Jury
I could not reach a unanimous decision on this book.
The Racketeer kept me engaged throughout, yet as I listened I found myself waiting for drama that did not eventuate. Not that there wasn't drama in this book, it just wasn't as dramatic as I expected. I enjoyed the characters and the story, but found the surprise ending a bit unrewarding.
J.D. Jackson was excellent, keeping the characters nicely separated within a predominantly first-person narrative.
3 people found this helpful
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- Stewart
- 31-01-13
Held my interest right to the very last word
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, a great story, so many twists and turns that you wouldn't expect. Easy to follow and a great thriller
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Racketeer?
The unexpected story line held you captivated right to the end
What does J. D. Jackson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Jackson was easy to listen to, believable, his voice fitting the Characters and the pace of the book.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
It was all good
Any additional comments?
Well written, kept you interested and captivated to the very end. My only regret was that the book finished. Loved it!!!
2 people found this helpful
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- Jill
- 08-01-13
WORTH THE CREDIT
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I haven't listened to a John Grisham for a while so had forgotten what a good storyteller he is. It had enough twists and turns to keep it really interesting . Definitely recommend.
2 people found this helpful
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- Hugh
- 27-11-12
Not your usual legal thriller.
This is not actually a 'legal thriller', more like "one man against the system". Our Hero tells the story of he schemed to get out of jail and this plot line climaxes about halfway though the book, so you know that there will be more twists in the tale. Without spoiling things too much, the second half of the book sees the tables turned as Our Hero goes on the offensive to try to get some satisfaction.
I enjoyed the pacing, which made me want to listen just a little bit longer to see where the cunning plan was going. The narrator was good and I can recommend this as something in the genre that is also a little bit different.
3 people found this helpful
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- Ulrik Ramsing
- 21-07-15
Excellent and not just court room
Fine story and nice surprises. The twists are not entirely predictable yet there is a level of detail in the narrative, which leaves very few options for the final revelation. Massively entertaining; a perfect summer holiday listen.
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- Stephen Bell
- 01-07-15
Very clever plot
I enjoyed this title. It starts off well and ends off well.
Another great from a great author.
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- Erin
- 10-06-14
A big disappointment...
Any additional comments?
I just listened to two other John Grisham books, The Firm and Sycamore Row, which I loved. However, The Racketeer is simply an ordinary story with juvenile dialog. There is no suspense and very little seems to happen. I didn't care what was going to happen and couldn't even finish it.
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- sjvb
- 09-04-14
Twists and Turns All the way
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Very enjoyable story with Grishams own way of delving into the ironies of the law.
Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
No boring bits in this one.
Any additional comments?
Loved this book, entertaining to the end.
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- SharonJen
- 07-10-13
A slightly faster pace needed but a good story..
I enjoyed the listen but the pace of events was a little slow at times and this detracted from the enjoyment.
An interesting twist of events in the story that I hadn't seen coming from afar and the reading was very well done. I will need to check out other Grisham books before I know whether this pace is typical.
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- Judy
- 05-10-13
His Best Book Ever
You'll love it. Lots's of twists, turns and a fabulous storyline I was enthralled from start to finish.