The Broker by John Grisham

I read this book after my husband spent all his free time reading it until he was finished and then raved about it. I have to agree that John Grisham scores again with his political thriller, The Broker. You will be unable to put this book down once you start. Joel Backman was once the most powerful broker in D.C., who has been spending life in prison after trying to sell security secrets to the highest bidder . . . of any other country except the U.S. He receives a last minute pardon from the outgoing president that leads him to a new identity in Bologna, Italy. Grisham has been spending a lot of time in Italy himself and the research shows. He recreates Bologna, home of the oldest university in Europe, with beautiful detail. I've been there and reading the book made me feel like I was right back in those crowded streets!
Joel Backman is not an idiot, obviously, if he was once one of the most influential men in our nation's capital. He soon figures out why he's in Italy . . . the CIA wants any other country but the U.S. to assassinate Backman. There's also two very mysterious Italian tutors, including one that is an impeccably dressed, gorgeous Italian brunette. As Backman tries out his new Italian identity, Marco, he soon realizes the error of his ways and tries his best to survive, but also clear his tainted name. Will he succeed?

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