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The Broker

By: John Grisham
Narrated by: Michael Beck
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Publisher's Summary

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

Critic Reviews

"A killer combination of sheer story-telling nous and no-nonsense prose" ( Independent)

What listeners say about The Broker

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A Grisham Novel Showcasing Italy and It's Culture

Bought this audiobook after a quick read of the plot summary. It was worth it as Grisham crafts an espionage story with fleshed with characters you can imagine existing in reality, showcasing Italy (especially Bologna), its food and language.

Pacing is a bit irregular with the first half being slow to pick up, and a good few chapters almost dedicated in teaching Italian culture and language.

However, at no point was I bored. The story had its tense and emotional moments.

Overall, a good pick for the daily commute to work or flight somewhere.

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Well read but a very uninspiring story

I have never written a review but this book prompted me to put a comment. Firstly it was very well narrated with the characters being well portrayed. However it was very disappointing that the story seemed to head along a path with very little intrigue or twists. Very predictable and the end seemed as though he had run out of ideas.

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Disappointing ending

I am a great fan of John Grisham and have read most of his work. However I find that with some of his work he brings the story to an abrupt end, The Broker is another example.
I loved the plot and the excellent reader but was left wanting a better conclusion.

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Excellent and easy listening

loved it, easily to listen and quite entertaining without too much technical jargon the main character is easy to like.

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Incredibly good

This is one of my first Audiobooks, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. A friend recommended it to me and I picked it up right away.

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One of his best!

From reading this novel several years ago, nostalgia sent me to listen on this platform. Just loved it.

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The Broker

There has to be a follow up book to The Broker. As always, excellent story and production..

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An amazing thriller!

absolutely loved this thriller. just story was excellent, description of the cities and setting the scene was well done and just enough to my liking. the narrator as usual did an amazing performance.

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Diversion

Glad to experience the creativity of John Grisham in this novel. It held my attention throughout. This is one I will keep in my library for another listen. Well done old boy!

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Brilliant the broker

Great story and characters loved it 👍 all the place names and descriptions flowed really well classically great Grisham

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