Now represented by new senior partner, Patrick Lanigan
5
By JoeCoolRunnings
What can I say about "The Partner", the fifth Grisham novel I have read? I'll say what I can and save the rest for indistinct babbling. I had to feel bad for Patrick Lanigan (alias Danilo Silva) as he was being tortured by Jack Stefano's men. Stefano reminded me of "Runaway Jury" antagonist Rankin Fitch, with his commanding of the chasers tailing Lanigan. Patrick Lanigan seems to be your typical white-collar criminal, feeling that a large salary and 18+ hours a day give him the right to steal millions and hightail it out of there. Right? Ultimately, WRONG. Lanigan knows something about his firm that probably never would have gotten out, or have been believed, had he reported it the "regular, honest" way. So he did the most desperate thing(s) few people with even just a residue of humanity would dare to do. You've got to admire his use of surveillance, which is normally used by various Grisham villains. I know I do. (I don't validate theft or other felonious acts; but I don't blame Lanigan for doing so. Especially when there is a case of upper-class misconduct that involves exploitation and perhaps harm to unspeakable numbers of people.) Furthermore, who would have thought the [former] Mrs. Lanigan had a dirty little scheme of her own cooking? Coming to Lanigan's legal defesne is old law school friend Sandy McDermott; and aiding his plan to boldly flee is Brazilian lawyer and lover Eva Miranda. With a trial that guarantees extensive prison time, and powerful people who know the "scum of the universe", Patrick needs a shoulder or two to lean on. Altogether, it is a case of good news and bad news. The good news is the truth about Lanigan's former colleagues, and his wife, comes out prior to his finish-him-off trial. The bad news is after all the thrills and chills have subsided, Patrick Lanigan is left on his own. Can you believe it? Eva Miranda, his lover and partner in crime, acutally ditches him. Thus making the closing of the novel a bummer. Again, I couldn't help but feel bad for Lanigan. The only residue of relief is that McDermott is still there to back him up. The Partner may not be as intense as The Firm, The Client, or The Pelican Brief but it is still a winner in my book. Besides, even with legal thrillers you have to slow down sometimes. I give this one five stars.