The quaint beach cottage where we spend about a week each year is stocked with a lot of reading material, much of which is a little too quaint to tempt me. But when I finished a YA recommended by my 12-year-old on vaca day #2, I figured I couldn't be picky. I picked up The Broker by John Grisham, and I'm glad I did. It was pretty good!
Not as good as The Firm, The Pelican Brief, or A Time To Kill, mind you - but the plot was well-paced and interesting, and I loved the setting. Most of the action takes place in Italy and Washington D.C., with stops in Germany and Switzerland.
In the book's acknowledgment, Grisham acknowledges that his "research" in Italy caused him to gain 20 pounds. I'm not surprised. More than a handful of meals are described in great detail...great, mouthwatering detail.
I won't spoil a read by revealing much about the plot; it's enough to say the book is about international espionage, and it restored my faith in the author. After reading the awful Skipping Christmas (good idea, terrible execution) I'd decided I was done with Grisham.
Grisham answered readers' questions in the January issue of Time magazine. His official website is here.
And, I must confess, I left the book aboard our return flight, on purpose. I wrote that it was a "freecycle" book and that I hoped someone who needs something to read will take it. There's only so much space on our bookshelves...and in our luggage.
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