Book Synopsis: The Partner

Title: The Partner

Author: John Grisham
Publication Date: 1997
Page Count: 468
Type: Fiction
Started On: 10/3
Finished On: 10/29


My Grade: A-












1. Why did I decide to read this book?


After reading The Street Lawyer by John Grisham and really enjoying it, I wanted to know what another excellent novel by John Grisham was. I asked my father, a big Grisham fan, and he suggested The Partner. He told me that it was the second best John Grisham book that he had read; only second to The Street Lawyer. I got a second opinion from my brother who is also a Grisham fan. He suggested the very same book.


2. Plot summary:


Patrick Lanigan was once a successful partner at a Mississippi law firm before he decide to fake his death and flee to Brazil. He has, in his possession, ninety million dollars of his former law firms money. People back home in Mississippi get suspicious and decide to hire investigators to find Lanigan. He is discovered at a quiet home in Ponta Pora. Now Patrick is on his way back to a city that has learned to hate him: Biloxi, Mississippi. A trial is being created: Patrick vs. his old law firm, the investigators, and his "heart broken" wife. The prosecution of Lanigan seems inevitably sound and thorough to his enemies. Patrick has no chance of survival or escape from life imprisonment and possibly the death penalty. There is one truth, however, that Patrick knows that gives him confidence. He knows his prosecutors are the guilty ones.



3. What is the setting, and why is it important to the novel?



This novel takes place in many locations. One, and probably the most important, is Biloxi, Mississippi. Others include many places in the United States, Europe, and Brazil. Having numerous settings is important for this novel to represent how Patrick Lanigan was on the run, moving from place to place. Biloxi is an important setting because it is close to the coastline of the United States and that makes it an easy place to leave the country from.



4. Who are the main characters, and what roles do they play in the novel?



The main character of the novel is Patrick Lanigan. He is a former partner at a successful law firm in Mississippi. He has stolen ninety million dollars from his old firm and fled to Brazil. After finally being found, he is now on trial for numerous accusations; one of which is stealing the money. Eva Miranda is a lawyer from Sao Paulo that meets Patrick in Brazil and becomes infatuated with him. She is helping to get the charges dropped against Lanigan. Other important characters include Sandy McDermott (Patrick's lawyer), Jack Stephano, Karl Huskey (judge), and Sheriff Raymond Sweeney.



5. What is/are the main conflict(s) in the novel?

There are many conflicts tied into this novel. Patrick Lanigan has stolen ninety million dollars from his former firm. He is now being prosecuted for the theft. This is the main conflict of the novel. There are other charges, however, that are brought forth against Lanigan and he must create a case opposing each of them. Problems seem to come from nowhere the entire duration of the book.

6. Describe the climax of the novel.

I believe that the climax of the novel occurs during the wait for the trial of Lanigan. Patrick is talking with Karl Huskey, the current judge assigned for the case, and he reveals the secrets of how he steals the money and fakes his death. He tells how it all took place, from beginning to end. Huskey is stunned at Lanigan's cleverness. This is the climax of the story because it is when the reader discovers Patrick's long awaited secrets.

7. What is the significance of the books title? Is the title appropriate or would I change it to something else?

The title of the novel is The Partner. The title is significant because Patrick Lanigan was a successful partner at a successful firm. It is also an ironic title because Patrick is actually no longer a partner. I don't think that this title is as appropriate as it could be. Being a partner is really not that important to the story.



8. What is my opinion about this book? Why (give specifics)?

I really enjoyed reading The Partner. It had those enjoyable twists and turns that I love so much. The novel was an irresistible read that I hated to put down. It is a good guy and bad guy back and forth battle. I give The Partner an A- because I liked it very much.