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  • The Broker

  • A Novel
  • Written by: John Grisham
  • Narrated by: Michael Beck
  • Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (93 ratings)

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The Broker cover art

The Broker

Written 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 Belfry Holdings, Inc (P)2005 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

What the critics say

"Most and best of all, it’s Grisham living up to his reputation as a great storyteller.”—Entertainment Weekly

“A fast-paced, fun read with echoes of something deeper. The author’s command of pop fiction delivers crisp, sharp prose.”—The Boston Globe

“[Grisham] is exceptionally good at what he does. . . . Indeed, right now in this country, nobody does it better.”—The Washington Post

Featured Article: The Best John Grisham Audiobooks to Listen to Right Now

When you think of legal thrillers and crime dramas, one name comes to mind. John Grisham’s books have become almost synonymous with the genre, and he is considered to be a master writer with a large collection of titles to his name. Grisham has written nearly 40 different crime-related novels from the firm to the street lawyer, Camino Island, to a painted house and playing for pizza. He has also written several short stories and some nonfiction works as well, with many stories being adapted into films. Here we've compiled a list of some of his best fictional works that are sure to satisfy any fan of crime drama.

What listeners say about The Broker

Average Customer Ratings
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    3 out of 5 stars

average at best

not the best Grisham novel I have listened to and I have listened or read most. just ok.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • FR
  • 2020-12-28

Very enjoyable

I enjoyed the story, good details but not over the top, kept me entertained and enthralled at times. I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator, he was great!

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1 person found this helpful

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  • SW
  • 2023-10-04

Most Enjoyable Grisham Yet

Enough twists and turns to keep you interested. A beautiful language, Italian is! The narration in this is second to none! Probably my favourite!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story

Love all of John Grisham’s books, but this one was exceptional. Michael Beck’s narration kept me enthralled!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Uri
  • 2023-08-13

Adventure taking you to Bologna

Nice story, a bit too long, I was expecting more twists and less of Italian espresso and food.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

My Favorite Grisham Yet

I loved this book so much that I didn't want it to end! Great narrator, awesome thriller and I loved the Italian setting with all its subtle historical titbits.
Awesome!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it.

Really lived along and traveled with the main character. I won't give any spoilers..
It was also well read!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

enjoy it.. could have been based on truth lol.

and was worth my time... now I make time to listen every time I go out for my walks with my 4 legs friend

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