The Associate

• I've been a big fan of John Grisham books. Always looked forward to each and every new book he's put out. Even enjoy going back and reading some of those written long ago (i.e. The Firm). After reading the description for this book, I pre-ordered it, and eagerly waited for its release and arrival.
  
  Once I got into the book, it was really hard to put down. The overall plot is about a law student, named Kyle, who is blackmailed into taking a job offer at the largest law firm and supplying secret information about a high profile case to the blackmailers. The book was very well paced, and kept me wanting to keep reading.
  
  As I neared the end of the book, I was very curious to see how he'd finish it up in so few remaining pages. Unfortunately, like others, I was also disappointed. The book just ended with so many questions (reminds me of some Without a Trace episodes). I wonder if Kyle will get killed? What about the blackmailers?
  

• We've come to regularly expect an interesting, rewarding novel dealing with the legal profession from John Grisham. The Associate is no exception. The reader is treated to a look at the protagonist's course of three years of law school, the honor of being editor-in-chief of the Yale Law Review, the dilemma of choosing between an idealistic post-graduate course or a highly-paid Wall Street law firm position, a cursory look at the rigors of the New York Bar Exam and the daily (and nightly) grind of a first-year associate at the "world's top law firm." All through the eyes of Kyle McEvoy.
  
  Although Kyle plans to join a small Virginia public interest firm after graduation, he is blackmailed into accepting a proffered associate position with a top Wall Street law firm because of a youthful indiscretion (along with his three roommates) while in college. The purpose is to place him in a position to steal and deliver sensitive information regarding a law suit filed by a client so the defendant can better counter the legal action. The question, of course, is how Kyle can escape violating the Code of Ethics and other moral and legal duties.
  
  All this makes for an interesting, and even, exciting plot. What isn't answered is just who is the "handler" forcing Kyle to betray everything he believes in. Kyle does come up with a half-brained theory which just doesn't ring true: that he is some government spy. Unfortunately, no matter what we believe, it is a little far-fetched, especially when Kyle accuses him of murdering one of his roommates.