The Street Laywer by John Grisham

He gave up the money. He gave up the power. Now all he has left is the law.Michael Brock is billing the hours, making the money, rushing relentlessly to the top of Drake & Sweeney, a giant D.C. law firm. One step away from partnership, Michael has it all. Then, in an instant, it all comes undone.A homeless man takes nine lawyers hostage in the firm's plush offices. When it is all over, the man's blood is splattered on Michael's face--and suddenly Michael is willing to do the unthinkable. Rediscovering a conscience he lost long ago, Michael is leaving the big time for the streets where his attacker once lived--and where society's powerless need an advocate for justice.But there's one break Michael can't make: from a secret that has floated up from the depths of Drake & Sweeney, from a confidential file that is now in Michael's hands, and from a conspiracy that has already taken lives. Now Michael's former partners are about to become his bitter enemies. Because to them, Michael Brock is the most dangerous man on the streets....From the Paperback edition.

I wanted to read The Devil's Flute Murders

This John Grisham book really hit the spot. I enjoyed reading it a lot. I'm probably going to repeat a few things I also mentioned in other reviews on books by John Grisham, but I can't help it. It's the same author and yes, there are some patterns and some things that he often does in his books, but he does them so well I think it's forgivable to keep bringing them up.

One of those things is how real the characters feel. It's never plain black or white, it's always a wide array of grey and I love that so much. The main character here, for example, Michael Brock, is a good guy, but he did a few bad things. I could not not like him, he felt very genuine and very candid in his storytelling. I even liked how he spoke about Claire and I appreciated his going on about things.

And the other characters too, Ruby was not just this or just that, she was quite complex and she had a background and a reasoning. I actually liked her too and I am rooting for her.

Then there is the plot itself. It is a given that a lot of things can happen when it comes to law and trials and lawyers, but what is amazing to me is how can someone write so many books on the same subject and have them (on varying degrees) keep the reader glued to the pages. I can actually go ahead and say I read at least two other books by John Grisham that are somewhat similar to this one, and yet, they are unique too. I don't really know what is it about them that makes them so different, but I love them and I want to keep on reading them. To be honest I don't even want to go into it and analyse each book, I just enjoy them.

I went on quite a rant there, let me get back to the book. The Street Lawyer deals with a very serious subject, which is the rights of the homeless and the homeless life in general. Well, on the homeless life more can be said, but even so, it brings awareness to it and that gets this book extra points from me. I like how the book just lays the facts, I never felt like it tried to make me think one way or the other.

And then there is the issue of Michael Brock, his actions and how they have to be dealt with. And I liked how it all was dealt with very much. At some point it was quite satisfying.

All in all, loved the book.