Rating: 
Summary: abrupt shocking end leaves reader nonplused !!!
Review: its good all the way, but at the end, the victory of crime over law leaves u cursing three judges' good luck !!!
Rating: 
Summary: The Brethren
Review: The book I read was the call The Brethren, written by John Grisham. I feel this was a great introductory book to read from his large selection. I enjoyed every page of it! The book was easy to understand and it always kept me in suspense. In the beginning there were two main plots in the book, but twords the end they merged together. The book combined the world of lawyers and the U.S. government and created one awesome story. There were some confusing parts, but I say go pick it up and read it!
Rating:
Summary: Pick another one
Review: The Brethren is a well-written novel, but not a particularly enjoyable one. Unlike Grisham's "greatest hits," there is no one in this novel to like: everyone is brutally corrupt, selfish, and egomaniacal. Also, this is the bleakest picture of the justice system Grisham has presented, with three federal judges in prison, one slimy lawyer working for them, and the CIA manipulating anything and everything it desires through a number of illegal means. The story itself is interesting, even quite funny in a cynical way, but ends with the novel -- that is, there is nothing much worth remembering and taking with you. It's not a lousy read, but with all of the really great books out there, I'd pick another one.
Rating: 
Summary: A humdrum piece of "literature"
Review: I have never really thought of Grisham as being even close to a literary genius. With that said, I have read enough of his books to appreciate that he can put out a good yarn that can keep the reader going. Its good "fluff" reading, especially for someone on a lazy vacation.
Nonetheless, he disappoints with The Brethren. Agter several hundred pages, not much really happens. Sure, its a bit of a funny story of how three judges bilk closeted and rich men out of millions...and siddenly they nab "the big one", who also happens to be the up-and-coming president of the United States, who also happens to be a CIA puppet. Its funny, but in a way that a long running joke starts to lose its lustre after a while.
The ending is shocking - becuase it really fizzles to such an extent that it seems that Grisham was on some kind of deadline and could not think of anything better. It is hardly clever (though I think he thinks it is) and simply disappoints.
If you like Grisham, you won't like this.
Rating: 
Summary: Raising the BAR
Review: The Brethren, yet another master peice from Mr. Grisham!
As always, grisham's books pack enough punch to send you into next year and this is no exception.
Politics and crime have had there links to each other in the past and John has taken it a step further.
With griping lines and page turning a must this book delivers on all fronts and hits home with a knock out punch!!
A must read for all people that can!!
Rating:
Summary: Not Grisham's Greatest, But Not His Worst By A Long Shot
Review: With The Brethren, John Grisham has written yet another engaging, thrilling novel. The plot centers around three judges who were disbarred due to their criminal activities. While serving time at a federal prison, they form the brethren, a group that controls the prison system with an iron fist. They come up with a scheme in which they will prey upon people with secrets to hide. From the first page, Grisham draws us in with his trademark twists and turns. As usual, this was a quick read. This is definitely a book that everyone can enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Trapped in a Prison with The Brethren
Review: An interesting idea for a theme. An extremely fast read, yet it had a feeling of plodding along through a predictable, shallow plot. There were no characters with which one could identify, at least for the average mainstream reader who is not a member or former member of a Federal mimimum security prison, or who is not hiding a secret life. It was only a fast read because I kept waiting for the depths of a John Grisham novel.
Rating:
Summary: The Brethren by John Grisham
Review: In the beginning of this book, it was a little hard to locate the plot, but once I got past several pages, the plot was there, hard and heavy. Grisham writes in a style providing only what the reader needs and nothing more. Many characters are portrayed in this novel, but Grisham did a good job leading the way for the reader so they could connect properly with each character. I became anxious to see how his subplots would collide with the actual plot. As far as Spicer, he has no compassion, except for that of his wife. The other two judges portrayed their compassion with action, looking down, or away when bad news struck. Very good read. Believable characters, setting and plot. Grisham creates plausibility. I would have given him five stars for this book, but I was not satisfied with the ending. It just "trailed off" into never, never land. As an author, myself, I believe I have an obligation to provide satisfaction for my readers and I do so with Ragdoll, Song of the Cimarron and One With the Wind. I don't like an abrupt ending that leaves me hanging and wondering. Yet, for the most part, this is an excellent read. Compelling and written with the hand of an expert in fiction. I will read more by this author and I encourage others to do so as well. Kelly R. Stevens
Rating:
Summary: Grisham's Masterpiece
Review: In my opinion this is one of Grisham's best. I've read many of his novels, and this one has been the best. This book has nonstop action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Here's a brief summary. Three ex-judges, who call themselves the Brethren, are imprisioned in a minimum secruity prison, for tax evasion, and other such charges. They formulate an elaborate scheme to extort money from wealthy gay men, but their plan accidentally snags the wrong person. It is almost election time, and the candidates are making their rounds. Aaron Lake, who's really a "puppet" for CIA director Teddy Maynard is ahead in the polls, in no debt, and has money constantly pouring in. A secret run to the post office in the middle of the night puts his private life under scrutiny. After investigating, the CIA finds that Lake is writing notes to Ricky, who is really a psuedonym for the Brethren's scheme. The rest of the story is about the tracking down of the Brethren to keep this dangerous secret from ever getting out. As you can see this book has two plots, which Grisham does an excellent job of keeping the two coinciding plots apart and working together. Because of these captivating plots, and Grisham's way with words, I feel that this book is one of his best. I highly recommend this book to all Grisham fans.
Rating:
Summary: Grisham's Masterpiece
Review: In my opinion this is one of Grisham's best. I've read many of his novels, and this one has been his best. This book has nonstop action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. He's a brief summary. Three ex judges, who call themselves the Brethren, are imprisioned in a minimum secruity prision for tax evasion, and other such charges. They formulate an elaborate scheme to extort money from wealthy gay men, but their plan accidentely snags the wrong person. It is almost election time, and the canidates are making their rounds. Aaron Lake, who's really a "puppet" for CIA director Teddy Maynard is ahead in the polls, in no debt, and has money constantly pouring in. A secret run to the post office during the middle of the night, puts his personal life undwer close scrutiny. After investigate the CIA finds that Lake is writing notes to Ricky. Who is really the psuedonym for the Brethrens scheme. The rest of the story is about the tracking down of the Brethren to keep this dangerous secret from ever getting out. As you can see this book has two plots, which Grisham does an excellant job of keeping the two coinciding plots apart and working together. Because of these captivating plots, and Grisham's way with words, I feel that this book is one of his best. I highly recommend this book to all Grisham fans.
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