Rating: 
Summary: Where is the hero?
Review: I just finished this book and am wondering "Where is the hero?" in the book. The book was a good read and enjoyable but it lacked the hero to root for. The Rainmaker, the Firm and others had us rooting for the young lawyer. The Pelican Brief had us worrying about the law student. This book lacks a protagonist that the reader can empathize with. When I had about 20 pages left in the book, I found myself wondering if the judges would be killed and not caring.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not great
Review: Pleasant read but a bit short. I wish Grisham would return to stories w/ a bit more urgency (i.e. Firm, Pelican Breif, A Time to Kill). Ending leaves something to be desired.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable reading
Review: The Brethren was a different type of book for Grisham. This wasn't a story about the world of law, but more a story of politics gone awry. (If you think politicians are corrupt now, this book certainly will reinforce that belief). This is a two pronged story line where the lives of one cross the lives of the other. It is about 3 judges in a camp - type federal prison and a senator who has been picked to be the next president by the head of the CIA. While the former are scamming, the latter are campaigning. When the two story lines intersect, the book becomes quite a page turner. It is a story of greed and the power of money, and what might happen when the two collide. Throw in the threat of war, a little "gayness," a little blackmail, and add a little Wag the Dog, and you've got yourself a good story. The ending is probably a good ending from a writer's point of view, just not real satisfying for the reader. All in all, the book is entertaining, interesting, and one that is difficult to put down. I wanted another chapter for a little more closure,but maybe Mr. Grisham is thinking of a sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Grisham Shines Again
Review: The Brethren, while not John Grisham's best book, certainly lives up to his usual standards. I liked the way the stories finally came together. And, up until the very end, I wasn't sure how the Brethren would be dealt with. It was a quick read, very readible and had a satisfying ending. The only problem with finishing one of Grisham's books, is that I then can't wait for the next one!
Rating: 
Summary: Is this a novel from Grisham?
Review: I just finished reading 'The Brethren'. The story is more predictable than thrilling. This book is so different from his earlier novels that I even wonder if it is his own work. The style in writing as well as the concept of the story does simple not match with the work which brought Grisham his deserved fame years ago! Grisham fans will buy it anyway ... others might like it, especially when they tend more two general fiction than to legal thrillers.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a typical Grisham book
Review: I preordered this book in anticpation of a good Grisham fiction thriller,I was grossly disappointed . Theauthor rambled on with characters poorly described for instance Teddy the man in a lot of unexplained pain covered in a wheel chair, why they wanted arron Lake as president then there was the character mentionedjust once and no more who started to tail Trevor and never mentioned again and the ultimate death of Trevor, it would have better if Trevor met the Three Judges on some remote island but to have him killed was poor writing, I think John Grisham must have read some of David Baldaggi books that author uses the fbi and CIA a lot no I prefer for Mr. Grisham to use his usual lawyer characters from Mississippi my favorite was the partner suspense and the most unusual final ending in any of his books once again in the Brethren to many undescribed characters should have been more descriptive, how about Wes and Chap to just come in a take over very poor
Rating:
Summary: grisham finally gets it right
Review: I was very pleasantly surprised by John Grisham's new thriller The Brethren. Formerly when I had read his books, my loved ones would hear drumming of heels, hurling of objects and shrieks of "misogynistic dork!" "cookie cutter plot!" "wouldn't recognize a female character if she jumped up and bit him on the nose". etc. etc. Then I would retreat and reread my beloved Robert Tanenbaum's Butch Karp series. But in the Brethren, Grisham leaves out women (except for the disgruntled ex-wife caricature) and romance. The plot improves immensely because of this. The story hinges on three incarcerated judges who hatch a hellbound scheme that is inside a prison and outside the law. The fact that it is an election year adds a frisson with Grisham's jaundiced view of politics. Grisham is at his best when he deals with eccentric male characters and the puzzling details of law. The Brethren is also funny , it reminded me of a previous plotline involving a millionaire's Jerry Springeresque family. I am not planning on giving up my Butch Karp books but this is a genuinely good read.
Rating:
Summary: Better than Testament, but not A Time To Kill
Review: If you have read Grisham before, you know he draws you in withgreat characters caught in improbable situations. However, with eachnew book it seems as if Grisham says "O.K. I've done about 300 pages, let's wrap it up." He starts you on this rollor coaster ride that stops halfway down the big hill. Read it but try not to get caught up in it......it will let you down.
Rating: 
Summary: Could not put it down
Review: I picked up the book last night and thought I would just read the first few pages to see what the book was about. I found that I could not put it down. I read the book in one sitting as I just had to know more with each page. Do yourself a favor and put this in your "cart".
Rating:
Summary: Grisham finally gets it right
Review: In the past when i have read books by John Grisham my loved ones have been witness to my reactions. Drumming of heels, hurling of articles, screams of "misogynistic dork" etc, and much rereading of my beloved Robert Tanenbaum's Butch Karp series. Ah well, tempestuous creature that I am. But finally, John Grisham has gotten his formula right. This time he left out romance and women. Don't write about what you don't understand. The plot centers around three crooked judges and their hell bound scam that is inside a prison and outside the law. In this election year, Grisham's jaundiced view of politics adds a delightfully sardonic touch. The Brethren is also funny, which I've only come up against once before in a Grisham book, the one about the millionaire with the Jerry Springer-esque family. Good read, if he keeps on like this, Robert Tanenbaum may have some competition!
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