One sentence summary
John Grisham’s “The Racketeer” is a legal-mystery novel about a lawyer who finds himself on the wrong side of the law, and is then forced to go on the run in order to clear his name.
Book Genre
The Racketeer is a legal-mystery novel.
Main Topic of the Book
The Racketeer is set in the world of the law and tells the story of Malcom Bannister, a former lawyer who finds himself suddenly framed for the murder of a federal judge.
Key Ideas
- Law, Regulations, and Criminals – The book follows Malcolm Bannister’s involvement in the world of unregulated activities that border on the illegal. Through his activities, the reader is presented with a new perspective on the world of crime, law, and regulations.
- Legal Ethics and Justice – The Racketeer deals with both philosophical and legal discussions about the fairness of the justice system and the ethical issues of participating in it. It also raises questions about the abilities of lawyers and the tricks involved in the legal world.
- Deception, Betrayal, and Redemption – As a former lawyer, Malcolm must balance his knowledge of the law with the false accusations made against him, all while avoiding the deceased federal judge’s murderer. Deception and betrayal become the main focus throughout the novel, as the reader follows Malcolm’s search for redemption.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
- Part One – The Setup – In Part One, Malcolm is convicted of a non-violent “white collar” crime and is sent to a minimum security federal prison. Once there, he discovers that he has been framed for the murder of a federal judge. He is then forced to go on the run in order to find the real killer and clear his name.
- Part Two – The Pursuit – In Part Two, Malcolm and his lawyer, Reggie Love, embark on a journey to find the truth. They investigate the events that led up to the judge’s murder and soon discover a complicated web of deception and betrayal. Here, the reader is introduced to a variety of characters, all of whom seem to be connected to the judge’s death in one way or another.
- Part Three – The Resolution – In Part Three, Malcolm finally finds the truth and is able to redeem himself. He learns of the true circumstances behind the judge’s murder, and is able to expose the conspiracy.
Key Takeaways
- The Racketeer is a legal-mystery novel that follows the story of Malcolm Bannister as he is framed for the murder of a federal judge and is forced to go on the run to find the killer and clear his name.
- The novel raises questions about the world of crime, law, and regulations and presents a unique perspective on ethical and legal discussions surrounding justice.
- Deception and betrayal are also the main focus of the novel and it gives the reader an insight into the tricks involved in the legal world as Malcolm searches for redemption.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
John Grisham is one of the best-selling authors of all time and is particularly well-known for his legal and mystery novels. He is an American lawyer and the author of many No. 1 best-sellers, and has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. His best-selling stand-alone books include “The Firm,” “The Client,” “The Street Lawyer,” “The Partner,” and “The Racketeer.” He has also written a number of non-fiction books.
Target Audience
The Racketeer is targeted at adult readers who enjoy mystery novels and stories set in the world of law, crime, and the legal system.
Publisher and First Publication Date
The Racketeer was first published in October 2012 by Random House.