Rating: 
Summary: Un-Brotherly Love
Review: I've always been a Grisham fan. But after the meandering of the Testament and now the unbelievability of the Brethren I'm beginning to think that maybe John has become just too hip or too Hollywood for his own good. What happended to the raw feelings of The Runaway Jury or the way he got us good and mad during A Time To Kill? John you've lost your edge!Take some time off now...really work on your next novel...be thoughtful...be suspenseful...Heck, just be the John Grisham of the late eighties and early nineties. We miss him and want him back!
Rating: 
Summary: Don't be fooled...It's a "DARK" story
Review: I have read every John Grisham book published to date. Stories like The Firm, The Runaway Jury, and The Partner were page-turners for me. I can't wait for the release of the next chapters from A House Painted, but The Brethren is a work in progress. I am a politically active person. However, I found myself skipping over the presidential plot line of this story all together. The ending was very morbid and dark. The last page had my brain working overtime for an acceptable explanation.
Rating: 
Summary: Making Progress
Review: This book shows marked improvement in writing skills, and yet I didn't find the same excitement I have found in all previous books. I usually can't put a Grisham down until I finish it. This time I not only put it down, I forgot where I put it. I did finish the book eventually, but the only real enjoyment I got out of it was in noticing how tight he kept the plot. One thing truly led to another. At first, though, it seems as if all action is unconnected. But soon pieces of the story weave together. Characterization continues to be a weak area. For example, the breathren are described in a somewhat comical fashion for three men who scheme craftily. They dress in costume, but yet they are taken seriously by the inmates. The fact that they wear wigs, choir robes and other mix matched garb doesn't seem to have a reason. I would advise anyone to read the book, but be prepared for dry spells of action.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: Having read every Grisham title to date, the Brethren was the only disappointment so far. The plot was ingenious but there were many "holes" in the story, unlike his former novels. It almost seems as if fragments of different books were pieced together. And the ending, well, John you know better. Frankly, the ending stunk. Since I sincerely enjoyed the other books, Mr. Grisham gets another chance. Better luck next time.
Rating: 
Summary: Not the best Grisham
Review: The setup was half the book and I was waiting for some suspense. There was none. Then the book just ended. I am a true John Grisham fan and was waiting for another half way hero or was the author trying to tell us there are no heroes anymore. I am still waiting for another Runaway Jury or another Partner.
Rating:
Summary: mixed emotions
Review: The book itself was good. Grisham has a great story in this one, but I feal that he left the suspense and the ending out. The book was a page turner because I waiting for something to happen, but nothing really happened. I was disapointed that none of the loose ends were tied up in the end. Grisham needs to read this review and rewrite this book with less junk and more suspense.
Rating:
Summary: Grisham cranks 'em out
Review: With each book John Grisham writes it seems that the thought he put in earlier books such as A Time to Kill and the Pelican Brief, just isn't there. This reader experienced none of the legal excitement of his earlier novels. It seems that Grisham is falling into the old trap of cranking out the books and trading quantity for quality.
Rating:
Summary: Come on, it wasn't THAT bad!
Review: I like Grisham. He's a great storyteller who gets the nuances of Southern language, culture, and geography just fine. I think Mr. Gresham should consider humor when he plots his next effort. The book seemed most funny and breakout wild in the first half, as he described the Brethren's court sessions - they were a hoot, and I wish he'd stayed with the prison cast longer. In fact, I found Buster's episode the most satisfying one in the book. I enjoyed the suspense of the frantic efforts of the CIA to root out the three judges, and I found myself worrying about the Brethren's safety. The ending, while not satisfactory in a "Time to Kill" way, was appropriate - and maybe open for a sequel. It made me uncomfortable, but I accept that a scam based on extorting money from closeted gay men is real and happens regularly. Grisham's take on the 2000 presidential election is interesting, too: it's not really so far-fetched to assume that an unknown can buy a nomination with a media-enriched message paid for by shadowy cadres, is it?
Rating:
Summary: Worth the read!
Review: Although The Brethren was not as engaging a read as Grisham's former works (i.e. The Pelican Brief, The Partner), I do believe this one is worth the read. As with his other books, you are guessing the entire way through about how the various characters will end up interacting. However, half-way into the book, I found it slightly difficult to keep going; it was hard to stay focused on Lake's character in particular. But the ending makes it worthwhile. As always, Grisham leaves you with a smirk on your face as you turn the last page.
Rating: 
Summary: Not up to par
Review: I'm a Grisham fan and have read all his books. This one is my least favorite. It reads like he wrote it in a huge hurry and his editor wasn't paying attention. What happened to the John Grisham who wrote "A Time to Kill?"
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