Rating: 
Summary: Picks up half-way through
Review: It starts of with two implausible conspiracy schemes. One is about a group of ex-judges in jail blackmailing closet homosexuals by threatening to out them. The other is yet another version of the tired old Manchurian candidate plot. Some of the dialog between the villainous CIA Director and his stooge presidential candidate consists of cliche-studded lectures about politics (the congressman is astounded to learn that Russian democracy is unstable). When the two schemes collide, about half-way through the thick book, the plot thickens, and we are in real Grisham country. After that I couldn't put it down, but if I hadn't known it was a Grisham I might not have read that far.
Rating: 
Summary: Know what you're buying
Review: Those reviewers that are trashing this book need to step back and ask themselves why they buy a John Grisham book. You should have already figured out from his previous works, especially his more recent ones, that you will not get compelling action or memorable characters. What you do get is a readable, entertaining story. The Bretheren delivers that. Face it, Grisham's recent books are not heavy reading. Unlike other reviewers, I enjoyed the ending. Does every ending have to have a surprising plot twist, a ferocious action sequence, or an "aw shucks" love union? Given the morality of the characters involved in the story, I find the ending ironic (although I won't say why for the sake of those who haven't read the book yet).
Rating: 
Summary: One of Grisham's finest
Review: The weaving of two plotlines makes this book one of Grisham's best. Although I liked The Firm, The Partner and A Time to Kill better, this one certainly holds its own. Highly reccommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointed
Review: I am an avid John Grisham fan and have enjoyed all of his past works. This book, however, was very disappointing. The characters were not developed, there were too many side storylines, and the plot was implausable. I kept reading waiting for the book to pick up and hoping for a great ending, but the book just ended, period. With an infant daughter I have limited reading time, and I am sorry I wasted it on this book.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining in a comical sense
Review: Not your typical suspenseful Grisham. This book was entertaining nonetheless. The story is almost funny; the parts about the judges in the federal prison are so far from believable that you have no choice but to laugh. You can just picture Trevor can't you? The description of a "no security" federal prison with judges gone bad housing with international drug lords is a stretch. You certainly don't think the parts about the CIA are believable but hey who knows what they can do? Grisham seems to be leaning away from the lawyerly dramas that we love and going for full on unbelievable entertainment only fiction.
Rating:
Summary: I'm a Grisham fan BUT....
Review: This was an extremely boring book. Grisham just phoned this one in. The plot line, such as it is, is telegraphed from a mile away and the only twist is the incredibly insipid ending. A truly disappointing entry by a writer who is capable of so much more.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent !!
Review: After reading some reviews, I hesitated to buy this book. I found it to be very exciting and a book I couldn't put down. I am a very big Grisham fan, and I would have given this book 5 stars, but one would have to admit that Grisham is not one for explosive endings in his books (that's why I only give 4 stars). I really liked the way be built the story, and would suggest this book to anyone, not just Grisham fans.
Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your time or money
Review: Implausible plot, not one character with any redeeming values, poorly written....and the WORST ending I have ever read. This book is horrible and is a mere shadow of his better works.
Rating:
Summary: disposable fiction
Review: I don't think Grisham's work - this one in particular - warrants a long, literary review. It's readable - it's involving - Grisham is a born story teller. But it's like reading cotton candy. It's airy and hollow and totally without substance. There is not one compelling character in this book to cheer for - everyone is so acutely unlikeable - how can you really care what happens to them at the end? And yes, the end is horrible and unfulfilling. HOWEVER, I did still read it and read it quickly - but it was forgotten just as fast. Take it to the beach, take it on the plane and then take it to the used booktore.
Rating:
Summary: Not his best, but entertaining enough for the subway!
Review: Although I was not totally absorbed with the storyline of the Brethren, I found that it suited its main purpose...to be fun reading material while commuting on the subway in the morning. The idea of the three judges in prison exploiting closet-bound gay men through pen pal letters was somewhat innovative, but I felt that a lot of details were left out, and it strongly affected the plot. In addition, I felt like the ending was rushed and inconclusive as if Mr. Grisham had tired of the characters and needed to finish up for the publishers. All in all, as I said before, however, it is entertaining.
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