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The Broker

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The Broker

By: John Grisham
Narrated by: Michael Beck
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About this listen

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 Genre Fiction Military Political Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense War & Military Espionage Fiction Suspense Italy War

Critic Reviews

"A killer combination of sheer story-telling nous and no-nonsense prose" ( Independent)
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From reading this novel several years ago, nostalgia sent me to listen on this platform. Just loved it.

One of his best!

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The narrator was brilliant and made this story come to life. If you’re wondering about listening to… do yourself a favour 👏👏👏

Loved it

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

Excellent and easy listening

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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!

Diversion

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This book is the best Mr Grisham has written since The Firm. The story kept me listening long into the night. I never new whether to like or hate Joel until he learned how little money means. I ended up cheering him on, back to Italy.

BEATS THE FIRM!!

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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.

An amazing thriller!

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I am a Grisham fan. This book kept me glued to the plot until the end. I too like Italy. Even more so, now.
Thanks John for setting out to write an almost believable tale!

A ripping yarn

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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.

A Grisham Novel Showcasing Italy and It's Culture

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

The Broker

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

Brilliant the broker

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