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The most corrupt judge in US history. A young investigator with a secret informant. The electrifying new thriller.
Lacy Stoltz never expected to be in the firing line. Investigating judicial misconduct by Florida's one thousand judges, her cases so far have been relatively unexciting. That's until she meets Greg Myers, an indicted lawyer with an assumed name, who has an extraordinary tale to tell.
Myers is representing a whistle blower who knows of a judge involved in organised crime. Along with her gangster associates this judge has facilitated the building of a casino on an Indian reservation. At least two people who opposed the scheme are dead. Since the casino was built, the judge has made several fortunes off undeclared winnings. She owns property around the world, hires private jets to take her where she wishes, and her secret vaults are overflowing with rare books, art and jewels.
No one has a clue what she's been doing - until now.
Under Florida law, those who help the state recover illegally acquired assets stand to gain a large percentage of them. Myers and his whistle blower friend could make millions.
But first they need Lacy to start an investigation. Is she ready to pit herself against the most corrupt judge in American history, a judge whose associates think nothing of murder?
The most corrupt judge in US history. A young investigator with a secret informant. The electrifying new thriller.
Lacy Stoltz never expected to be in the firing line. Investigating judicial misconduct by Florida's one thousand judges, her cases so far have been relatively unexciting. That's until she meets Greg Myers, an indicted lawyer with an assumed name, who has an extraordinary tale to tell.
Myers is representing a whistle blower who knows of a judge involved in organised crime. Along with her gangster associates this judge has facilitated the building of a casino on an Indian reservation. At least two people who opposed the scheme are dead. Since the casino was built, the judge has made several fortunes off undeclared winnings. She owns property around the world, hires private jets to take her where she wishes, and her secret vaults are overflowing with rare books, art and jewels.
No one has a clue what she's been doing - until now.
Under Florida law, those who help the state recover illegally acquired assets stand to gain a large percentage of them. Myers and his whistle blower friend could make millions.
But first they need Lacy to start an investigation. Is she ready to pit herself against the most corrupt judge in American history, a judge whose associates think nothing of murder?
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About the author
John Grisham
490 books90.4k followersJohn Grisham is the author of more than fifty consecutive #1 bestsellers, which have been translated into nearly fifty languages. His recent books include Framed, Camino Ghosts and The Exchange: After the Firm.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 20, 2016
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Driving to meet a potential informant Lacy and her partner Hugo argue good naturedly about music and catch up on their respective lives. The closeness in their relationship is deeper than that of colleagues. They are friends and the author wants you to know this from the start. Lacy and Hugo are not the FBI agents I initially thought them to be but part of a federal organisation that investigates judicial corruption.
The informant Greg, is definitely an anti-hero, he is the middle man and in it for the money. We don’t even meet the true antagonist or the potential whistle blower in this four chapter sampler but it’s easy to visualise and have opinions about them and their actions from the thoughts and conversation of Lacy, Hugo and Greg.
The suspense and menacing quality of this story builds from Lacy’s first meeting with Greg. Can she trust him? Does he have a hidden agenda? Is this case worth risking her life over? These are all questions tantalisingly raised in the first few chapters. The reader’s bond with Lacy, single and childless and Hugo, the family man is already strong by this time and you want to know how this case will affect their lives.
The story’s other players are still to be introduced but they form a sinister presence, even before you meet them. Is this a story of good versus evil? Or something less defined, yet more complex? You’ll want to read the whole story to find out.
#JudgeForYourself
I received a four chapter sampler of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
John Grisham
February 6, 2017
Real estate, judicial corruption, murder and intrigue are delivered in oodles in the latest John Grisham thriller: The Whistler.
The unknown Whistler has a story. It's big. It could make him a lot of money. An investigation into a circuit court judge is launched. But is everything as it seems?
I had the pleasure to read the first four chapters of The Whistler, which is also my first taste of John Grisham, and I am hooked! I am an eclectic reader but still fairly new to political and legal thrillers hence at times I need to look up various terms and acronyms used. I do not let this put me off, in fact I enjoy the learning process - it is most certainly worth the effort.
Grisham's third person narrative delivers great insight into its characters as well as great suspense with its excellent balance of showing and telling. A totally immersive experience. I cannot wait to read more!
The unknown Whistler has a story. It's big. It could make him a lot of money. An investigation into a circuit court judge is launched. But is everything as it seems?
I had the pleasure to read the first four chapters of The Whistler, which is also my first taste of John Grisham, and I am hooked! I am an eclectic reader but still fairly new to political and legal thrillers hence at times I need to look up various terms and acronyms used. I do not let this put me off, in fact I enjoy the learning process - it is most certainly worth the effort.
Grisham's third person narrative delivers great insight into its characters as well as great suspense with its excellent balance of showing and telling. A totally immersive experience. I cannot wait to read more!
June 20, 2017
Really enjoyed this. Very good plot. A lot of twists. Really got into the characters. Haven't read one of Johns Grishams' for ages and wasn't disappointed.
March 8, 2017
I got this on Audible and listened to the entire book almost without stopping. It's awhile since I read a Grisham novel and this one doesn't disappoint. Just the thing for gloomy winters days!
August 30, 2016
What a teaser! I've always been a big fan of John Grisham books so I was eager to read the 4 chapter sample of The Whistler but now I absolutely NEED to read the whole book. It is filled with corruption and intrigue ensuring the reader is hooked from the start. It's all about a dodgy judge who seems to be making some illegal money in the Native American casino business. Two investigators, Lacy and Hugo, have been thrust into the midst of this case by contact from a whistleblower. I have no doubt they will succeed in taking the judge down and revealing the depth of the corruption. Roll on October when I can read The Whistler in full.
August 30, 2016
I am always excited to get my hands on the latest John Grisham novel and The Whistler is no exception, the only gripe I have is that I now have to wait until October to read the full book.
The first four chapters are exciting and full of promise.
Murder, corruption and suspense, with promises of so much more to come.
Roll on October, as The Whistler is sure to be another bestseller.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this early sampler.
The first four chapters are exciting and full of promise.
Murder, corruption and suspense, with promises of so much more to come.
Roll on October, as The Whistler is sure to be another bestseller.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this early sampler.
October 6, 2019
After looking forward to a daringly dramatic and devilishly great ride, I was left a tad deflated by a regular 'readable' cross-over episode of American TV series' 'Law & Order' + 'Longmire'. Cute and unremarkable but nevertheless entertaining fluff.
The Whistler is about a corrupt judge's involvement with local thugs and mafia boys in the sunshine state of Florida being investigated from a whistle-blower's led information by a judicial department that investigates corruption. Lots of money, flash settings, traditional characters, and a smooth read all round, this was warm, run-of-the-mill, everyday-teleplay intrigue where nothing shook me to the core or even surprised.
I admit I haven't read Grisham before after taking a break from my usual true-crime books so was lining myself up for a real treat with this novel but left disappointed by an unspectacular TV crime & corruption drama.
Still, Grisham's writing was easy-to-read and I enjoyed that, and being able to comfortably picture the story getting told, I expect a movie of this book visiting us soon. Nice, quiet stuff!
The Whistler is about a corrupt judge's involvement with local thugs and mafia boys in the sunshine state of Florida being investigated from a whistle-blower's led information by a judicial department that investigates corruption. Lots of money, flash settings, traditional characters, and a smooth read all round, this was warm, run-of-the-mill, everyday-teleplay intrigue where nothing shook me to the core or even surprised.
I admit I haven't read Grisham before after taking a break from my usual true-crime books so was lining myself up for a real treat with this novel but left disappointed by an unspectacular TV crime & corruption drama.
Still, Grisham's writing was easy-to-read and I enjoyed that, and being able to comfortably picture the story getting told, I expect a movie of this book visiting us soon. Nice, quiet stuff!
July 14, 2017
Never in any doubt I received this book in paperback form from my partner she knew I enjoyed john grisham books I kept it to read as my 50th book to read not disappointed I found it difficult to put down the storyline was immense the characters sublime again I was drawn into the story as if I was watching everything happen but could not inform the characters brilliant as for rating 5 Star easily and I was allowed to give it more I would recommend you read witness to a trial prior to reading this as it begins the story
June 16, 2017
This is the first Grisham book that didn't hold my attention
June 27, 2017
Grisham is so readable. His stories are complex but cohesive and he always holds my interest.
November 6, 2017
Enjoyable easy read.
December 18, 2017
I finished the audiobook this weekend. I'm not sure how this would read as a book, but as an audiobook I enjoyed the characters and couldn't wait to see how the case got resolved.
March 28, 2019
Brilliant. Grisham is absolutely brilliant and can do no wrong when it comes to the whodunnits.
February 23, 2020
Not his best
Not very thrilling tbh
Not very thrilling tbh
February 26, 2017
This was a good read despite being somewhat predictable.
February 17, 2017
I didn't mind this yarn kinda parallels my working life so good take on corruption
December 9, 2016
Automatically liked the latest Grisham offering because the ending wasn't frustrating (Rainmaker, The Chamber) and didn't leave me hanging (Grey Mountain). Part of me wished that Pacheco would turn out to be a spy for Dubose to show how far the tentacles of the Catfish Mafia had spread but the nice and neat (although a little too neat) ending worked too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2016
A bit so-so. I think that Grisham may simply have been penning ideas for a movie script. The writing seemed flat. It had the makings of a riveting story, but was a little dull in the telling.
December 8, 2016
Another great lawyer procedural, this time with a unit investigating wayward judges. The story, has many surprising twists as they hunt evidence about a judge involved with the Florida mafia.
April 6, 2017
Excellent book. Plot is put together very well and does not break down at any time. Loved the characters. One of the best that Grisham has written.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews