The Broker by John Grisham (2005, Hardcover)

I've read other Grisham books, and he always impresses me with they way he crafts a story, and the way he has an empathy with his characters. He's also very skilled
in the way he can keep the reader's interest going through various twists and turns.

There are times when the continuity and suspension of disbelief are a little strained. Like when the old spymaster at the CIA sets the plot in motion by
springing a convicted lobbyista and lawyer out of prison and transplants him
in Italy, complete with language tutor. There doesn't seem to be a reason
for this turn of events, and even the field operatives, don't get why the
operation is happening. But on the other hand Grisham is constantly rooting
for the hero, a rumpled lobbyist/attorney who is acting as unwitting bait for
a supposed bevy of international spooks and assasins who will off him, because
they may suspect him being part of a previous dealings with advanced surveillance technology and national security. But our hero is no dummy, and after four years in the slammer, with almost no resources, he's able to slowly
gain friends and allies, make use of some hidden resources and gain his way towards freedom.

Grisham as always takes swipes at the establishment and their stupidty and hypocracy. He doesn't suffer fools lightly.

A good, fun, quick read.