#1 NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • Grisham returns to the courtroom and weaves a riveting tale of legal intrigue and corporate greed. Grisham's sixth spellbinding novel of legal intrigue and corporate greed displays all of the intricate plotting, fast-paced action, humor, and suspense that have made him the most popular author of our time. In his first courtroom thriller since A Time To Kill, John Grisham tells the story of a young man barely out of law school who finds himself taking on one of the most powerful, corrupt, and ruthless companies in America -- and exposing a complex, multibillion-dollar insurance scam. In his final semester of law school Rudy Baylor is required to provide free legal advice to a group of senior citizens, and it is there that he meets his first "clients," Dot and Buddy Black. Their son, Donny Ray, is dying of leukemia, and their insurance company has flatly refused to pay for his medical treatments. While Rudy is at first skeptical, he soon realizes that the Blacks really have been shockingly mistreated by the huge company, and that he just may have stumbled upon one of the largest insurance frauds anyone's ever seen -- and one of the most lucrative and important cases in the history of civil litigation. The problem is, Rudy's flat broke, has no job, hasn't even passed the bar, and is about to go head-to-head with one of the best defense attorneys -- and powerful industries -- in America. Don’t miss John Grisham’s new book, THE EXCHANGE: AFTER THE FIRM, coming soon!
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"I kind of did overload on Grisham the last two years, so although I bought this almost a year ago, I waited until this month to read it. Well worth the wait. I barely remembered the movie, and that may have helped. The characters were great. I especially liked the character Deck, the helper of Rudy Baylor. Baylor is the story's main character, a young lawyer just out of law school who is working on a case way above his head as his client is sueing the company Great Benefit for screwing up its health claim on the clients son and his need of a bone marrow transplant. I don't want to give anything away, but a good read. The only reason I didn't give it five stars? The side story with Baylor and the girl that is hit by her husband doesn't really seem to tie in with the rest of the story, and in fact, I wonder even why it's there at all. Just so he can have a love interest maybe? It's not needed. Still, any Grisham fan should read this. After reading some pretty awful ones like the Appeal and the Associate, it was nice to read a good one by Grisham again."
— Tom (4 out of 5 stars)
“A taut and terrific page-turner.”
— Entertainment Weekly“Great fun to read …The complex plotting is Grisham’s major accomplishment.”
— Los Angeles Times“The pace is fast, the characters quirky, the result entertaining.”
— USA Today“[Grisham is] a mighty narrative talent.”
— Chicago Sun-Times“Fascinating…A suspenseful case of ruthless intimidation and deadly criminal behavior.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review“This bittersweet tale, the author’s quietest and most thoughtful, shows that Grisham’s imagination can hold its own in a courtroom as well as on the violent streets outside.”
— Publishers Weekly“An excellent production; recommended.”
— Library Journal" This is not one of my favorite Grisham books. The ending was bad and it really didn't keep my attention. Grisham is obviously a wonderfully talented writer. This one just wasn't one of his best in my opinion. "
— Julie, 8/12/2019" I'm glad I read this book. Although in the first half of the book nothing happens, the ending part is pretty real and proper. "
— Hamideh, 2/13/2014" This is not only my favorite book of John Grisham's but also one of favorite books of all time. The story revolves around Rudy Baylor, who is in his final year of law school and has a good future set out for him, when everything goes wrong. He loses his job, gets dumped by his girlfriend, gets robbed, hits bankruptcy. From here on he struggles to earn respect, fights a case against the biggest law firm in town, which could either make or break his career, falls in love with the perfect girl - all to become the rainmaker. "
— Pinaki, 2/9/2014" I have read a few John Grisham novels now. This was by far my favorite. I enjoyed the way Grisham gets you to identify with the main character by showing his flaws as well as the strength of his resolve. "
— Rich, 2/3/2014" Entertaining. Doesn't require a lot of thinking. There are times when we need that: not to think and enjoy a story. "
— Lilit, 2/2/2014" I liked this better than the first time I read it. The story is very interesting and complex. I like the characters. I like the story of an underdog getting justice. "
— Tfish, 1/30/2014" This is my first John Grisham novel I've ever attempted to read. I took up this one because it dealt with sleazy insurance people, and I feel like I deal with them a lot at my work, so it just fueled my fire. I feel like this book was wonderfully written and very fast paced, which I loved. However, I was a little skeptical because I kept waiting for something to go majorly wrong during the trial. I kept waiting for the ball to drop because it all just seemed to good to be true. The ball DID drop, but not the way I expected it to, which I realize now made me like the story that much more. I would definitely recommend this book to someone looking to read a fast-paced novel. The characters are all believable, and it keeps you riveted until the very end. "
— Tara, 1/22/2014" Another good read from John. "
— Pam, 1/20/2014" Grisham's never stop indulging my mind "
— Anita, 1/13/2014" The ending made me so angry I vowed never to read another one by him. "
— Denise, 1/2/2014" Grisham on top of his game! "
— Monika, 1/1/2014" entertaining :D "
— Rhesa, 12/25/2013" my eerste Grisham en ek het dit baie geniet...sommer net 'n lekker lees storie... "
— Ronel, 12/19/2013" Fast paced. Kept me involved and interested. A good rainy day or snowstorm book. Not terribly deep but fun characters. "
— Christie, 12/12/2013" young lawyer's 1st case is against insurance co. big lawyers. "
— Kathy, 12/10/2013" It is a very engaging tale and I got caught up with all events. This guy can sure tell a story. "
— Greg, 12/7/2013" I like it. Its Grisham so its not really a surprise. "
— Robert, 8/1/2013" Never thought I'd say this about a book, but the movie is better. "
— Tim, 6/29/2013" It was a bit slow for me, and I'm not a huge fan of the ending. I am looking forward to reading some of his other books though. "
— Paul, 4/16/2013" everytime you read it, amazing. "
— Bhagirathy, 3/19/2013" I absolutely love this story. The little guy finally triumphs over big insurance companies who won't pay! Everything comes together so well. The storytelling is suberb, and I would recommend this book to everyone. I was never much for legal thrillers, but Grisham changed my mind! "
— Skooter, 2/24/2013" ok read nothing to brag about. "
— Miguel, 11/26/2012" A personal injury lawsuit brought home like Grisham can always do. "
— Ann, 10/14/2012" I struggled to read this book after seeing the movie... just couldn't pull me in. "
— Babs, 9/19/2012" This is worth reading...Though the ending is quite predictable, the book lets the reader enjoy every bit of it :) "
— Elizabeth, 6/5/2012" Always one I come back to when I need a good read. "
— Amanda, 2/20/2012" This was a good one to listen to, one of the better of Grisham's legal thrillers. A fight against the insurance company for non-payment of medical bills... "
— Jan, 12/4/2011" One of his Best books !!! Can't put it done "
— Daleann, 11/7/2011" One of the best legal thrillers I've read, and my first book from Grisham. "
— Roy, 10/26/2011" This was the last time I ever read a John Grisham novel as they became tedious "dead broke, new lawyer takes on money grubbing, corporate big wigs" plot line. "
— Ronda, 8/21/2011" It has been awhile since the last time that I read a Grisham novel. Really enjoyed every minute of the action! I always feel like I should have been a lawyer when I read his books. Though I kind of feel like they always end up abandoning the profession in his books. Always a good time! "
— Jessica, 5/18/2011" everytime you read it, amazing. "
— Bhagirathy, 5/12/2011" I like Grisham. I like his style, the way he develops his stories and the characters. The Rainmaker is no different. Although nowhere near finished with this book I am enjoying it. "
— Marcel, 5/8/2011" This wandered in the beginning but once it got going it was a great story. I loved the courtroom scenes. Rudy's naivete was a little embarrassing at first but I got used to it. "
— Richard, 5/7/2011" One of my favorites for obvious reasons. Ending still bugs me though... "
— Amanda, 5/5/2011" Un po' piene le scatole di giovani avvocati rampanti... "
— Terri, 4/9/2011" Love to read John Grisham! "
— Mike, 4/8/2011" I would give this 3 1/2 stars if I could. I loved the book all the way until the end. The characters got what they wanted but I didn't. "
— Laura, 4/1/2011" Ultimate fiction and I loved every bit of it. "
— Deepak, 3/29/2011" This is an excellent book. I love every moment of John Grisham's observations of peoples' motives and actions.<br/><br/>I related to the issues that confronted the protagonist in The Rainmaker because I had to settle an insurance company claim. "
— Susan, 3/19/2011" This was my favorite Grisham novel. You become so involved with the charachters who are being screwed by the insurance company. That and the sick boy's mom says "Sumbitches" a lot. I am still saying that to this day! "
— Kendall, 3/17/2011John Grisham is the author of more than thirty-five novels, one work of nonfiction, a collection of stories, and seven novels for young readers. Thirty-three of his crime thrillers have made the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list
Michael Beck is an American actor and audiobook narrator. He is best known for his role in the 1979 film The Warriors. He has narrated numerous novels by John Grisham, as well as Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz and My Life by Bill Clinton. He lives in California.