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  • The Whistler
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
34,761 global ratings
5 star
62%
4 star
25%
3 star
9%
2 star
3%
1 star
2%
The Whistler

The Whistler

byJohn Grisham
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Top positive review

All positive reviews›
M. Agloro
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat Book!
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2017
I was surprised by the negative reviews on this book. I thought it was a very good read, suspenseful, legally interesting and I liked the characters very much. I had trouble putting it down when I needed to. I did think the main female character was much more impressive in her handling of the case than she seemed to give herself and her department credit for. I think she could move on to bigger things. I have read several of Grisham's novels but wouldn't call myself a huge fan. I usually don't like the characters enough to really care. Previously my favorite was The Firm, but I remember feeling the ending was rushed. I actually liked The Whistler better than most of his books...liking the characters better really helped a lot, but I also liked the way the story transpired over time. It did not feel rushed and played out in a more realistic manner to me. With some books, I like conversation, but if the narration goes on too long, I get bored and start to skim, that was not the case in this book...even though there was a lot of narration at the end, by that time I was so interested in the story that I read every word as I couldn't wait to see how it would all work out.
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131 people found this helpful

Top critical review

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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 starsNot Grisham's Best Effort - Boring and Uneven
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2016
I am a Grisham fan but this is not his best work. If there is such a thing, I would call this a boring page-turner. You keep turning the pages expecting it to get better but then you get to the end and realize---that was it. I mean it has all the nuts and bolts of a solidly written piece of fiction but there is just no spark to it, nothing clever or surprising. After I'd turned all the pages, I blinked several times and turned off my kindle - surprised that it was over because it never quite got off the ground. The characters are one-dimensional and there is no real connection to them. Like the heroine in Gray Mountain, the female lead in this book is totally vanilla. You're not rooting for her or against her as there is little depth or character development.

* some spoilers
The plot is laid out early in the book - there is a corrupt judge colluding with some thugs to skim money at an Indian casino. To expose the corruption, there are a few individuals trying to blow the whistle on the judge to collect cash under the whistle-blower statutes. The whistle-blowers submit a complaint to the agency that investigates rogue judges and an investigation begins. These facts are known early on. The problem is - that's the entire plot. There are no twists or turns it goes in a fairly straight line from corruption complaint to indictments with few surprises along the way. There is also a huge loose end as we never find out what happens to one of the characters who was falsely imprisoned for murders he did not commit. Since this character is a main focus in the prequel, the failure to tie up that loose end is irritating.

All in all - it is just an uneven effort. A disappointing novel from an author from whom we all expect better.
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598 people found this helpful

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From the United States

M. Agloro
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2017
Verified Purchase
I was surprised by the negative reviews on this book. I thought it was a very good read, suspenseful, legally interesting and I liked the characters very much. I had trouble putting it down when I needed to. I did think the main female character was much more impressive in her handling of the case than she seemed to give herself and her department credit for. I think she could move on to bigger things. I have read several of Grisham's novels but wouldn't call myself a huge fan. I usually don't like the characters enough to really care. Previously my favorite was The Firm, but I remember feeling the ending was rushed. I actually liked The Whistler better than most of his books...liking the characters better really helped a lot, but I also liked the way the story transpired over time. It did not feel rushed and played out in a more realistic manner to me. With some books, I like conversation, but if the narration goes on too long, I get bored and start to skim, that was not the case in this book...even though there was a lot of narration at the end, by that time I was so interested in the story that I read every word as I couldn't wait to see how it would all work out.
131 people found this helpful
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Monique D
5.0 out of 5 stars John Grisham at his best
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
Now, I know: when in doubt, pick up a John Grisham novel! Over the years, I guess Mr. Grisham has become my preferred comfort read author. Regardless of the premise, I feel secure that the legal matters will be accurate and that I will learn something; as for THE WHISTLER, it was, to say the least, illuminating. His greatest quality, I think, is his writing which I know never disappoints: Mr. Grisham has no literary tics. Stylistically he's impeccable: his prose flows seamlessly, his pacing is flawless; he's a superb storyteller who knows how to hold his audience captive and does not bungle the conclusion. And he writes great characters, in this case, Gunther, Lacy's brother, is a giant although a minor character! THE WHISTLER is heavy and intense and Gunther provides much welcome levity at very dramatic times.

THE WHISTLER is utterly compelling from beginning to end. The story is tightly plotted and it's full speed ahead for the duration of the ride. I have nothing more to add other than this is a spectacular novel and anyone who likes legal thrillers and/or John Grisham ought to read this book.
48 people found this helpful
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Cheryl Stout
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
5.0 out of 5 stars Whistleblower drama about corrupt judge and much more
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2021
Verified Purchase
I haven't read a John Grisham book for quite a while, which is too bad because he's long been a favorite author of mine. I read about his newest book THE JUDGE'S LIST that just came out and was very interested in it, had this first book in the series and decided to go on a mini-Grisham reading spree.

I enjoyed this first book in The Whistler series. Lacy Stoltz is a lawyer that works for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct. She and her partner take official complaints against Florida judge's being accused of misconduct.

They have never taken on a case of this magnitude - or this danger - before. Being filed by an anonymous whistleblower, through an intermediary, the case hints at a scope of corruption that hints at involving scores of people and millions of dollars and Lacy and her partner, Hugo, will try their best to stay on top of the case.

I highly recommend this thriller to Grisham fans and all readers who enjoy legal thrillers.

I'm now off to read THE JUDGE'S LIST.
20 people found this helpful
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Alfred Richardson
5.0 out of 5 stars No Fairy Tale; but a Masterpiece
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2018
Verified Purchase
...
This novel made me realize how deeply I have been affected by Fairytales and “happy ever after” stories. I was not prepared for the unexpected. I followed the story line thinking that this would be a smooth run since the lead-off investigators were not the type to encounter violent confrontations. But just as I was becoming settled in my comfort zone of expecting a non-violent outcome to judicial misconduct a tragic upheaval put a sudden end to my fairytale expectations.

In “The Whistler” John Grisham keeps us in the dark and in suspense about a secret whistleblower who wants to expose an intricate scheme of casino skimming and money laundering, orchestrated by a mafia don with help from a corrupt judge.

This story generates tremendous interest in challenging the conventional Wisdom that good always overcomes evil. It raises doubt as to whether it is worth the fight at great loss of lives and suffering. Grisham invites us to watch a “David versus Goliath” duel. Can the grossly underdog, the Whistler and collaborators, outmatch the enormous power of an elusive mafia Don and his team? Can the Whistler and team remain invisible long enough see the dismantling of the Don’s empire?

This is one fight that had me hyperventilating and sweating from beginning to end. It started out as a cerebral “Shylock Holmes” venture but along the way it picked up visceral elements. It was a good mixture of pathos, friendship and romance. I throughly enjoyed reading a different type of legal thriller coming from John Grisham. It’s a beautiful non-fairytale novel.

Don’t get me wrong. I still love Fairytales and the “Happy Ever After Stories”. That will not change. However, in future I will be open to reality: things do go wrong, the best of us do die(tragically too soon), the most perfect plans do go awry in execution. The one lesson I take from this: read with an open mind and do not be ambushed by unexpected turn of events. I will surrender to the story line.
11 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer Mr. R
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Grisham winner
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book is another Grisham winner. I've read almost all of his books. They're easy reading and interesting. There's a lot to learn about our justice system from Mr. Grisham's books. His writing is unpretentious and crystal clear. I've never been disappointed, even when the subject of his some of his writings are not really my main interests. He includes sports peripherally in his works. There's no foul language in his books. He includes intimacy without vulgarity. His characters are solid with likeable protagonists and it's easy to dislike the antagonists.
4 people found this helpful
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Joan Sims
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great John Grisham Mystery
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2022
Verified Purchase
A lot of suspense, and I learned a lot about how Indian Reservations can be subject to corruption by a few bad actors.
I also learned about how the behaviors of corrupt judges are often investigated.
I would recommend this book to all of your John Grisham fans! Also, a funny character who provided some humor, along with the suspense.👍👍
Customer image
Joan Sims
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great John Grisham Mystery
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2022
A lot of suspense, and I learned a lot about how Indian Reservations can be subject to corruption by a few bad actors.
I also learned about how the behaviors of corrupt judges are often investigated.
I would recommend this book to all of your John Grisham fans! Also, a funny character who provided some humor, along with the suspense.👍👍
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3 people found this helpful
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JCArcht
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Us Grisham Fans
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
Lacy works for the Department of Judicial Review and wither partner, Hugo in tow, is headed to interview a former attorney who lives on a boat and has information regarding a judge involved in corrupt activities in which she had been awarded kickbacks for her part in the development of a casino complex on an Indian reservation. This thrilling book weaves through its plot with one revelation after another, one shocking scene after another, and the reader is constantly drawn into a maze of corruption and organized crime that threatens Lacy and her colleagues. More than the usual "lawyer books" which Grisham is famous for, this one has danger, suspense, intrigue, murder mystery, and even features Junior Mace, who may have been wrongly convicted of double murder. I'll say no more! This is one of Grisham's best, and he pulls no punches about some of the socially related issues he encounters in this book. If you were taken back by his previous efforts, this one will restore your faith in Grisham'a ability to weave a suspenseful tale.
5 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good story line, characters were interesting, brother seemed a little over the top.
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
This sort of thing is hard to digest and is somewhat difficult to believe this goes on in our society. But we all know it does, I was never aware that there was such an agency that looked at the conduct of Judges. This is the second book I've read and throughly enjoyed about our Judicial system. Just wondering how many more are out there that would make for intresting reading.
One person found this helpful
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Margaret A. Todd
5.0 out of 5 stars riveting
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
A bit anticlimactic in effort to prepare the way for book two, this is an intelligent, close to being a nail biter, novel. Glad that I found it.- On another note, after reading beginning of book two & seeing not much correlation to book one, I’m fairly dissatisfied at the too convenient conclusion & containment of a supposedly wide reaching criminal conspiracy.
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DOUG BELVILLE
5.0 out of 5 stars Just a great story
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2021
Verified Purchase
From a master story teller comes a page turner of extraordinary detail about the workings of a judicial system and government attempts to see if it is functioning as intended. A corrupt judge is the tip of the iceberg and the agency responsible to investigate is overwhelmed with the main body of the berg beneath the surface. The autonomy of Native American reservations and the casino business complicates the plot immensely. Lots of characters, good and bad. A satisfying, enjoyable and educational reading experience.
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