The Broker

"Interesting and suspenseful." according to Mary Ann. This story is unique; you end up liking the lead character who is the broker. That isn't the case in the beginning but his character is fully developed and he evolves as a person because of his situation (on the run), realizing several people want to kill him. It gives you an insight to how the CIA and respective organizations like them in other countries operate. It feels very real and you get a travelogue view of Bologna, Italy. It's not about the law or the courtroom but is a story abou. Espionage Surprise As a longtime Grisham fan, I do not know how I missed reading this earlier; but, I totally enjoyed this book. The plot was absolutely believable meaning that it was timely for the lives we are living now. The workings of our government espionage agencies are always a wonder to me and this novel gave me another view of their work as it unfolds. The idea of a presidential pardon for a prisoner who has settled into his sentence for the long run was the first contemporary idea; but, the way he. "An American In Bologna" according to unkown. After spending 6 years of a 20 year federal prison sentence, Joel Backman, a former major player in DC's political circles is granted a sudden, dramatic pardon. He is then quickly and secretly flown to Italy where he is transformed by CIA handlers. Why the sudden pardon, why the handlers, why Italy and why all this intrigue? All this comes to light in this unique, John Grisham page turning thriller. Fast paced, beyond the usual Grisham attorney/client norm, the storyline keeps the reader i

The question is not whether Backman will survive - there's no chance of that. The question the CIA needs answered is, who will kill him?. But just as he settles into his new life, the CIA leaks his whereabouts to the Israelis, the Russians, the Chinese and the Saudis. When the outgoing President grants a controversial last minute pardon to Joel Backman, a notorious power broker languishing in a federal prison, rumour has it that the CIA is responsible. Apparently, Backman, in his power broker heyday, may have obtained secrets compromising the world's most sophisticated satellite surveillance system. Backman is quietly smuggled out of the country, given a new name, a new identity, and a new home in Italy

Little does he know that his own government has designs on accessing that information--or at least letting it die with him. Known as "the broker," Backman was a high roller--a lawyer making $10 million a year who could "open any door in Washington." That is, until he tried to broker a deal selling access to the world's most powerful satellite surveillance system to the highest bidder. When caught, Backman accepted prison as the one option that would keep him safe and alive, since the interested parties (the Israelis, the Saudis, the Russians, and the Chinese) were all itching to get their hands on his secrets at any cost. Sure he is on the run, but some readers may feel that Backman's time spent in Bologna is a bit too leisurely--readers join him on an almost cinematic tour through the Italian town, complete with