THE APPEAL, by John Grisham

John Grisham's first legal thriller since THE BROKER in 2005.

I have to admit, I was a bit leery, because his novels have become so formulaic. But this one was hard to put down. It's timely because it highlights today's election politics.

A small Mississippi law firm wins a big verdict over a chemical giant, Krane, that has spread cancer causing pollutants. Krane is fearful that this verdict, if not overturned, will ruin them. They file an appeal that finds it way to the State Supreme Court. They also hire a sleazy firm to help unseat an "unfriendly" sitting Justice. This turns out to be a viable strategy because Mississippi elects their own Supreme Court Justices.

This book is a very believable primer on how to rig an election:

1) Pick a victim.
2) Promote an unknown candidate with no visible record.
3) Ambush the victim by painting him an extreme idealogue (make the southern voters believe a liberal judge will destroy the family).

If done correctly, the judicial process can be subverted.

Not Grisham's best, but certainly one of his better novels this decade.

Next up: DUMA KEY, by Stephen King. I'll let you know.