Tag: Lawyers

The Associate – John Grisham

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The Associate
by John Grisham (Goodreads Author)
Edmond Gagnon‘s review Jan 14, 2022 


I could find no reason to give this book any less than five stars. Considering the page count, it was a quick and easy read. The plot was a bit intricate but it moved well and held my interest throughout.
The story was like an action thriller, without all kinds of killing and mayhem. Instead, the author relied on suspense and intrigue to keep the pace lively and exciting.
A legal story that lacks Grisham’s riveting courtroom drama, it gives readers a whole new take on what it’s like for a hungry young wannabe lawyer.
My only minor disappointment was how the story ended so abruptly…I was waiting for a unique twist or turn of fait, but it just ended. Still, it was a great read.

The Rooster Bar – John Grisham

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The Rooster Bar
by John Grisham (Goodreads Author)
Edmond Gagnon‘s reviewDec 22, 2021  ·  edit
liked it
Although I don’t think this book is one of Grisham’s best, it was still a good read. It wasn’t the type of courtroom drama we are used to with this author; the plot addresses the American legal system from a whole new angle-a story about three law students trying to work their way through law school, while accumulating massive student debt.
After suffering the loss of a close friend, the trio comes up with a unique plan to beat the system and work their way out of debt. Although their methods are immoral and illegal, it’s easy to sympathize with them. They make many mistakes along the way and there are enough twists and turns in this story to keep your interest.
Getting off to a slow start with this book, I found myself picking up my pace and actually enjoying it in the end.

The Judge – Steve Martini

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The Judge (Paul Madriani #4)
by Steve Martini
Edmond Gagnon‘s review Jun 21, 2021  


This is the first Steve Martini novel I’ve read and I’d have no problem reading more. Comparable to John Grisham when it comes to courtroom drama – but not quite as good, the author tells a good story with believable characters.


I thought the story dragged a bit, mostly because Martini goes into excruciating detail about every little clue or piece of evidence introduced, slowing the story down. Having said that, I enjoyed the plot and was surprised when the truth about the real killer was revealed at the very end.


For Grisham fans out there, Martini is worth checking out.

The Summons – John Grisham

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The Summons
by John Grisham (Goodreads Author)
Edmond Gagnon‘s review Apr 23, 2021 


I was anxious to try some different Grisham novels after scoring a handful at a local store that’s going out of business. The story is not about any of the author’s usual characters, but the intro made it sound interesting.


It’s about an old judge who dies and leaves a secret behind, something to trouble his only surviving heirs, his two sons. The plot dragged from the beginning and was a much slower read than I am used to. I skimmed through the fluff, waiting for something useful to happen.


The main character is a law professor – his quirks bolstered my opinion of such academics, who may be smarter than the average bear, but have no street smarts and lack common sense.


But I forged ahead, hoping our protagonist would wizen up.
It never happened, making the ending predictable and in my opinion, a let down. I can’t call it a happy or sad ending and perhaps that’s exactly what it’s meant to be.

Rogue Lawyer – John Grisham

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Rogue Lawyer (Rogue Lawyer, #1)
by John Grisham (Goodreads Author)
Edmond Gagnon‘s review Apr 11, 2021 

John Grishams’s done it again…gone and proved he can create a totally new character, base the next series on him, and write a great story. The prolific author introduces us to Sebastian Rudd, a street litigator who is even more gritty than the Lincoln Lawyer.
The Rogue Lawyer is done a bit different than Grisham’s other courtroom dramas, in that it contains five parts, with different clients and their individual stories, giving readers perspectives from both the innocent and guilty.
Like Mickey Haller, Rudd uses his vehicle for an office, but for different reasons. He represents the lowest of the low, whom no one else will take on as clients, thus making him very unpopular. I don’t give five star ratings very often, but this book was a very good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Litigators – John Grisham

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11600163The Litigators
by

John Grisham (Goodreads Author)
15204490

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Mar 06, 2020


A bit slow off the start, this book was truly enjoyable. Grisham is a master a weaving a courtroom tale and this story takes you a step further – into the office of Finley and Figg, two ambulance chasers. Formerly being in law enforcement, and spending hundreds of hours in courtrooms, I found myself chuckling and relating to the lawyers in this story. I’ve seen all sorts of good and bad lawyers in action and Grisham’s characterizations are right on.
The Litigators is kind of a riches to rags to riches kind of story for one particular lawyer who leaves a power legal firm with hundreds of solicitors to join a ’boutique law firm.’ Some of the plot is predictable, but the author keeps the story fun and interesting along the way. The ending wasn’t a big surprise and leaves you feeling satisfied with how you got there.

Rants, Raves & Reviews – Getting Off (the Don Tait Story) by Veronique Mandal

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38084558._SY475_The play on words in the title of this book, Getting Off, tells a lot more than the story of A Criminal Lawyer’s Road to Redemption. Windsor author Veronique Perrier Mandal not only shares the life story of our city’s most storied lawyer, Don Tait, but her personal interactions with the notorious legal eagle. This is a rags to riches roller coaster story that boldy tells all.

More than just a journalist, professor, RN, actor and playwright, Mandal examines her own spirituality while learning everything there was to know about a simple man whose demons came in all forms of addictions – power, money, sex, drugs, and booze to name a few. A local census would prove that Tait was loved and hated equally by friend and foe. They came in the form of reporters, cops, lawyers, judges, and even bikers and drug dealers.

Continue reading “Rants, Raves & Reviews – Getting Off (the Don Tait Story) by Veronique Mandal” →

The Broker – John Grisham

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the brokerThe Broker 
by John Grisham (Goodreads Author)

15204490

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Feb 02, 2019  

 

I’ve read four other Grisham novels, with mixed reviews. I’ve also seen many of the movies made from his books and perhaps The Broker needs a few Hollywood twists to liven it up.
The story is about a Washington lawyer/power broker who’s greed lands him in jail. A presidential pardon gives his a second chance at life, but the CIA must hide him so other governments don’t kill him.
Without giving away all the backstory I thought this would be an action-packed spy thriller full of drama or intrigue. I was wrong. The author wasted about one hundred pages describing the Italian lessons the main character had to take while in hiding. Grisham said in his author’s notes that he was enthralled with Italy. I wished he would have spent half those pages describing food instead of Italian verbs.
The story dragged on and became predictable in the end. In thinking about the book and this review I was generous in giving it three starts. I’ve read much better from Grisham.