Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing, even when expecting just a page-turner
Review: Sometimes Grisham manages to move beyond the thriller apsect to higher ground, as in "The Street Lawyer" or "The Testament." He didn't move above ground with "The Brethren," though. Judges in a minumum security prison? Completely believable. Running a money making scam from their cell? Why not? A presidential candidate hand-picked and financed by the CIA? Well, maybe not, but I did grow up during Vietnam and Watergate, so it wasn't *completely* outside the realm of possibility in my mind.Putting all these plot elements together and expecting it to be realistic is pretty far-fetched, though. Realizing that Grisham's strength comes from taking the implausible and making it seem possible made "The Brethren" even more disappointing. The story of the three judges holding forth on an X-rated scam run from the federal prison kept me reading, as they were somewhat interesting and enjoyable characters to follow, even thought they may have lacked any depth. Trying to see how their story and the story of Aaron Lake would come together kept me going at first, though it was not that hard to see where it was headed after a few chapters. The rest of the book, I just coasted, not especially caring how it all would work out, because none of the main players created any feeling of sympathy or connection that resonated with me. Yes, I read it all the way to the end, but more to see if my prediction of the denouement matched Grisham's. He's done better. Here's to anticipating his new book, which is supposed to be a departure for him. I think he needs a break from the legal thrillers for a while!
Rating: 
Summary: Cia learner
Review: The CIA is one of those 3 letter organizations that most of us don't know anything concrete about really. All we know is that it's part of the US government, well yeah, maybe, and it's there to help America. This book teaches you just how deep the CIA really is in day to day life while at the same time explaining some of the daily workings of scams and scammers in the US. When you want to think about this book think a mixture of The Manchurian Candidate and a Nigerian scam(which here is the Angola , gay men scam). Do you think the CIA is fair and peacefull?, do you think the Nigerians are the best scammers?, do you think anything is anything? You might just be wrong. Read this book and find out why. I did, and liked it. Look for my upcoming review of the Runaway Jury, next week. Feel free to look at my other reviews as well.
Rating:
Summary: A fair quality book, but certainly not a classic
Review: I saw this book in the store and I bought it because of John Grisham's reputation as a great writer of thrillers, particularly the courtroom variety. This book was a quick and easy read, and it wasn't bad, but I thought that it never really "took off" and got very exciting. It has an interesting premise (three disgruntled jailbird judges blackmail older closeted-gay men by posing as younger openly gay jail prisoners via letters) but it seemed gimmicky and not really all that well done in my opinion. It seems like something where the reader might simultaneously wish the novel were longer because he or she wants the plot/subplots developed more thoroughly, but also wish the story were shorter because it's just not really an exciting story.
Rating: 
Summary: At Last!!
Review: Hi!
I just wanted to say that at last I've found a book that takes me late in night, and wanting the next day to continue reading. I don't have much time to read, ...or that's what I though, I finished the book this morning 2:00 AM and have to get to work by 8:00 AM ... So I enjoyed the book. I think it really worths the time.
Hope You enjoy too.
Rating:
Summary: Unanimous $6MM Verdict for the Bad Guys
Review: John Grisham has assembled another masterpiece, one of his better efforts. This is a well crafted mystery, with interesting characters, and political intrigue wrapped around fascinating technical legal information. This novel has it all, well-developed characters like the CIA director, the incompetent and dishonest prison official, and the drunken, pathetic lawyer, and a clever intertwining of two seemingly unconnected stories.
In the first tale, the CIA director decides to put his powers to good use, becoming a president-maker. The plan is to put an unknown congressman in the White House, with the help of a strong defense platform, an unexpected increase in terrorism, and $100 MM in political contributions from defense contractors and shady intermediaries for friendly foreign governments.
In the second tale, three ex-judges co-existing in a country club style federal prison, concoct a scheme to blackmail wealthy men who have shown an unfortunate interest in the alternative lifestyle. Their lawyer, a down on his luck drunk with few prospects, becomes their lifeline to the outside world and their prey.
Ultimately the two stories intersect, in a rather unusual way. It turns out the three judges are the luckiest people in the world. Crime seems to pay if you hook the right target and the risk of killing the guilty is too high.
Rating:
Summary: The Brethern
Review: Reading this book was like listening to Barry Manilow...... I ask, "Haven't I heard this song before?"....different title,but similar lyrics, and melody. It's a quick read and very, very disappointing finish after such a buildup. I feel like I wasted my time.
Rating:
Summary: A fair book
Review: I agree with a lot of people. I simply dont understand what is it about this book that bothers that many people. I found if interesting, consuming, and I was deeply hooked.
I think the same as someone from Australia: this book has some resemblance with the partner , wich is one of the greatest book from JG ever , in my opinion.
In the end, this is fiction!! what does matter if the end looks real or not?! I thought the whole idea was to have fun reading a book, get hooked and read it to the end.
The book deserves 5 stars because I believe the history was entertaining and well-mounted.
Rating:
Summary: The Brethren
Review: John Grisham almost had a good thing going, and then he blew it. The rising action and the climax is great, as well as the character description, but after that the book falls really short of expectations. The ending is even worse than the plot sequence that leads up to it. I don't know what John Grisham was thinking when he wrote this book, but he should have put more time into it. Maybe his next one will be better.
Rating: 
Summary: infuriating
Review: The Brethren features an intricate, suspenseful build-up. And that's it. The book just ends, with no satisfying resolution to all the seeds it's planted. The story is completely absurd and a monumental waste of time, and should be retitled "Really Much Ado About Nothing."
Rating:
Summary: Poor Ending
Review: It took me a few chapters to get into the book, but then I was hooked. I couldn't put it down. When I finally read the ending, I was very disappointed. There is no sense of closure and the ending is totally unbelievable. I can't accept that the government would have gone through that much trouble to let them all walk off into the sunset with a bunch of money and no records. In the real world, they would have disappeared.
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