By John Grisham
Another legal thriller delivered by Grisham set in the gorgeous towns of Italy. He achieves this feat perfectly because of the authors own love of the country. Joel Backman, a notable traitor of USA (not to mention the president at the time) who picks money over loyalty, and ends up in jail as a means to save his own life, as all his allies in his *crime* were killed like fleas. However after six years in prison, being broke, and having lost with almost all of his kith n kin he recieves a mysterious pardon. In a program 'like' the witness protection program he gets placed in Italy under 24 hours surveillance, no money, and some very fast coaching to become italian.
Another legal thriller delivered by Grisham set in the gorgeous towns of Italy. He achieves this feat perfectly because of the authors own love of the country. Joel Backman, a notable traitor of USA (not to mention the president at the time) who picks money over loyalty, and ends up in jail as a means to save his own life, as all his allies in his *crime* were killed like fleas. However after six years in prison, being broke, and having lost with almost all of his kith n kin he recieves a mysterious pardon. In a program 'like' the witness protection program he gets placed in Italy under 24 hours surveillance, no money, and some very fast coaching to become italian.
I developed a love-hate relationship with the power broker/lobbyist as he hesitantly conforms to his conditions. One's own life and sense of identity are tested as you go through the novel. The whole spy game is known territory to Grisham, and many facets are believable. The novel feels a bit stagnant at times, with a protagonist that has almost no control over his life, and well a bit too much Italy, if it can be had. Teddy Maynard the brain of the operation seems to have a baseless agenda against Grisham, which seems to lose sense once he actually gets kicked out of his job with internal affairs. Many of the motives are unrealistic, a bit painful. Some good tips for survival if you were being hunted by *top agent* blood hounds from almost every country on the planet, of how to live with no money and no connections.An intresting read just for the pure amusement and amazement at some of Backman's guts. Another intriguing character Joel's own son that comes through without the least bit of selfishness to the world's most selfish dad. A novel that leaves you with a mushy the world is okay kind of feeling. This is because perhaps the protagonist doesnt seem to have suffered too hard. Its definitely an above average performance with a refreshing new setting. The book however doesnt stand out extraordinarily from any of Grisham's other novels.
3.5 Stars [***--]
