The Associate by John Grisham

The Associate
by John Grisham
Pub. Date: January 2009
Genre: Fiction
384pp

Synopsis from BN.com:
Kyle McAvoy possesses an outstanding legal mind. Good-looking and affable, he has a glittering future. He also has a dark secret that could destroy his dreams, his career, even his life. One night that secret catches up with him. The men who accost Kyle have a compromising video they’ll use to ruin him–unless he does exactly what they say. What they offer Kyle is something any ambitious young lawyer would kill for: a job in Manhattan as an associate at the world’s largest law firm. If Kyle accepts, he’ll be on the fast track to partnership and a fortune. But there’s a catch. Kyle won’t be working for the firm but against it in a dispute between two powerful defense contractors worth billions. Now Kyle is caught between the criminal forces manipulating him, the FBI, and his own law firm–in a malignant conspiracy not even Kyle with all his intellect, cunning, and bravery may be able to escape alive.

Why I Picked It:
Free audiobooks at the library are just one of my favorite things...

My Review:
John Grisham is usually a very safe bet for an enjoyable legal thriller. This one started off very exciting, kept me listening throughout the day, on my long runs, cleaning the house, etc. The narration was enjoyable - only annoying when a "British" man keeps talking like a leprechaun! Forgiveable... I was really enjoying it, trying to figure out the twist, the surprise ending that was sure to come....

What a freaking disappointment. Someone dies for apparently no real reason. And the ending was entirely too simple. What a letdown. I'd give it 4 stars for everything up until the last couple chapters. But, John, you can do so much better.