Camino Island by John Grisham

"Camino Island" by John Grisham.

This book is published by Hodder & Stoughton in 2017 and has 400 pages.

A gang of five steals five original manuscripts of F. Scott Fitzgerald from Princeton University. Two of them are apprehended but the trail goes cold. An insurance company, that insured the manuscripts, wants to recruit a struggling author, Mercer, to go to Camino island as the manuscripts might have found their way there. 

Will Mercer take the job? Why was she chosen? Who will she meet there? How is the life on Camino island? Will she succeed?

Life on Camino island is quiet. A number of authors and a book shop owner, married to an antique dealer, stay there. They are close to each other. Bruce Cable, the book shop owner is their anchor. Bruce Cable runs the most successful book shop in America on Camino island. He has connections in literary world. He is good looking and is liked by all. 

Mercer has to find her way in this group, befriend the suspect and determine if the suspect is in possession of the manuscripts and if yes, where they are hidden. Mercer has a connection to Camino island in the form of her deceased granny, who lived there until her death. So she has the perfect cover.

The story is fluid. It has a gentle pace, like island life. Life on the island is picture perfect. Narration is good. Story is crisp, there isn't much flab. I should mention specifically that being a John Grisham novel, one lawyer makes only a guest appearance.

Character of Bruce slowly worms it's way into reader's heart. When the difficult moment is impending, readers side with Bruce unknowingly. Credit to the author. Characterization is also very good. Each has it's own characteristics and they appear real.

Mercer's dilemma of helping the good guys or not betraying a friend is also captured very well. Her other dilemma is to determine if it is justifiable for someone to do illegal things to get the ultimate thing back legally. Does the end justify the means?

This book has romance but it's not the main theme. It has heist but it's not the plot. There is a lot of leisure but it's not a vacation story. It has thrill but its not an out and out thriller. And yet it is enjoyable.

Why did I read this book? John Grisham

What I didn't like? Villain fizzles out.  

What did I like?  Story. Execution. 

 A good book. Recommend reading.