The Partner (Grisham novel)

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The Partner
The Book Cover Of The Partner.jpg
First edition cover
Author John Grisham
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Genre Legal thriller
PublisherDoubleday
Publication date
1997
Published in English
1997
Media typePrint (Hardcover and Paperback)
Pages412
ISBN 0-385-47295-1
OCLC 38277014
813/.54 21
LC Class PS3557.R5355 P35 1997

The Partner (1997) is a legal/thriller novel by American author John Grisham. [1] It was Grisham's eighth novel.

Contents

Plot

It's been four years since Patrick Lanigan, a junior partner in a law firm in Biloxi, Mississippi, learned of the scheme, masterminded by his firm's client, shipbuilding magnate Benny Aricia, to defraud the U.S. government. The firm's senior partners didn't include Lanigan in the plan, in which they stood to make tens of millions of dollars. Lanigan then devised a plan of his own, wherein he faked his death, stole $90 million from the secret off-shore accounts where the firm had been hiding the ill-gotten gains, and then fled to South America. Since then, Lanigan started a new life with new-found love Eva. But Aricia had men track him down, ruthless men who will do whatever it takes, including torture, to reclaim the stolen fortune. In a desperate bid, Lanigan gives complete control of the money to Eva, then turns himself over to the FBI. Once returned to the U.S., Lanigan must fight multiple legal battles, in state, civil and federal courts, involving a former client, his estranged wife, and the highest levels of government, to protect the people he cares for, gain his freedom and, finally get back to Eva and the part of the fortune they secretly set aside.

Critical reception

Publishers Weekly wrote: "To call the plot of The Partner mechanical is at least partly a compliment: it is well-oiled, intricate and works smoothly. But its cynicism is remorseless." [2] Kirkus Reviews called the book Grisham's "best-plotted novel yet," praising the "masterfully bittersweet end." [3]

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References

  1. Gussow, Mel (March 31, 1997). "Grisham's Escape Into Legal Thrillers (Published 1997)" via NYTimes.com.
  2. "The Partner". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  3. "THE PARTNER | Kirkus Reviews" via www.kirkusreviews.com.