Synopsis
A trio of federal judges--so-called the Brethren--are serving time in a minimum security federal prison. While writing briefs, handling cases for other inmates, practicing law without a license, and maintaining jailhouse justice has them comfortably occupied behind bars, a mail scam scheme that entails blackmailing rich, closeted gay men has them rolling in cash. But when the group's lucrative plan suddenly goes awry, involving a presidential candidate backed by the director of the CIA, the Brethren finds that its lack of freedom might be its only protection. While THE BRETHREN features Grisham's usual stock of faulty lawyers and their questionable legal ethics, this book represents the author's first venture into the political thriller arena. Also, unlike Grisham's previous novels, readers won't find an idealistic, heroic protagonist here. With a complete cast of shady characters, THE BRETHREN is not Grisham's usual fictional public service announcement but instead a genuine page-turner, using black humor as its primary weapon.
| Details | | Publication Date: | 2000-03-01 |
| Size | | Length: | 366 pages | | Height: | 9.8 in | | Width: | 6.5 in | | Thickness: | 1.2 in | | Weight: | 23.2 oz |
Publisher's Note
Trumble is a minimum-security federal prison, a "camp," home to the usual assortment of relatively harmless criminals--drug dealers, bank robbers, swindlers, embezzlers, tax evaders, two Wall Street crooks, one doctor, at least five lawyers.
And three former judges who call themselves the Brethren: one from Texas, one from California, and one from Mississippi. They meet each day in the law library, their turf at Trumble, where they write briefs, handle cases for other inmates, practice law without a license, and sometimes dispense jailhouse justice. And they spend hours writing letters. They are fine-tuning a mail scam, and it's starting to really work. The money is pouring in.
Then their little scam goes awry. It ensnares the wrong victim, a powerful man on the outside, a man with dangerous friends, and the Brethren's days of quietly marking time are over.
Industry Reviews
"[John Grisham has] written a terrifically entertaining story....[THE BRETHREN] is a flat-out guilty pleasure, Grisham's first real page-turner since 1997's THE PARTNER."
De Haven
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