“Don’t compromise yourself – you’re all you have.”
John Grisham is one of the most lauded authors of legal thrillers, renowned for writing gripping courtroom dramas and intense suspense novels. With a career spanning decades, he has penned fifty consecutive bestsellers that have hooked readers worldwide. But, with so many John Grisham books to choose from, where do you begin? Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his work, we here at What We Reading have curated the best John Grisham books from classic legal thrillers to his most compelling recent releases. If you’re wondering which Grisham book to read first, or looking for the best reads for legal thriller fans, this list has you covered. We’ve pulled together the must-read novels that demonstrate his storytelling prowess, courtroom intrigue and unforgettable characters. Here are our picks for his most thrilling, thought-provoking and addictive page-turners!
The Firm (The Firm #1) (1991)
Kicking off our list of the best John Grisham books is the release that made the American novelist a household name, 1991’s The Firm. Mitch McDeere, a brilliant Harvard Law graduate, lands his dream job at Bendini, Lambert & Locke, a prestigious Memphis law firm offering a generous salary, a new house and endless perks. But, as Mitch settles into his new life, he begins to notice unusual details – colleagues who disappear mysteriously, intense secrecy, and an overwhelming feeling that he is being watched.
When the FBI approaches Mitch, revealing that his firm is deeply entangled with organised crime, he is presented with an impossible decision: cooperate with the government and risk his life, or remain loyal to his firm and become trapped in their corrupt network. As Mitch searches for a way out, he must outsmart both the FBI and the deadly men controlling the firm, leading to a high-octane game of deception, legal manoeuvring, and survival.
A Time To Kill (Jake Brigance #1) (1989)
In the small, racially divided town of Clanton, Mississippi, a horrific crime rips the community apart – a ten-year-old Black girl named Tonya Hailey is brutally assaulted by two white men. When her father, Carl Lee Hailey, takes justice into his own hands, killing the attackers in cold blood, he is arrested and placed on trial for murder.
Jake Brigance, a young and ambitious defence attorney, takes on Carl Lee’s case, knowing that defending a Black man who has claimed the lives of two white men in the Deep South could destroy his career – and even put his own life in danger. As the trial unfolds, racial tensions explode, white supremacists rally, and Jake meets threats, arson, and violence, all while attempting to save his client from the death penalty. Gripping and emotionally charged, A Time to Kill is John Grisham’s debut novel, and raises the haunting question: can a jury ever look past race to deliver true justice?
The Pelican Brief (1992)
When two Supreme Court justices are assassinated, the nation is left in shock. Law student Darby Shaw happens upon a possible connection between the murders and a powerful oil tycoon with interests in a major environmental case before the Court. She brings together her theory in a legal brief – the Pelican Brief – never believing it will end up attracting such deadly attention.
But when her brief winds up in the wrong hands, Darby’s world is upended. Her professor and lover are both murdered, and she soon realises she is being hunted by the same forces responsible for the justices’ deaths. Forced into hiding, she teams up with investigative journalist Gray Grantham to expose the conspiracy before she finds herself its next victim. A fast-paced legal thriller packed with government corruption, corporate greed, and relentless suspense, The Pelican Brief is one of John Grisham’s most gripping novels, keeping readers on edge until the very last page.
The Partner (1997)
In 1997’s The Partner, Patrick Lanigan fakes his own death and vanishes with $90 million of his own law firm’s money. For four years, he has lived under a new identity, hiding in the remote jungles of Brazil. But when he’s suddenly caught and brought back to the United States, the legal and criminal worlds want answers from him.
Patrick’s return kickstarts a high-stakes legal battle as he faces charges of embezzlement, fraud, and murder. His former partners are eager to reclaim the stolen money, and a team of lawyers and investigators close in, determined to uncover the truth behind his disappearance. In this gripping legal thriller brimming with twists and turns, Patrick must navigate the complex legal system, evade further threats, and try to keep his secrets buried.
The Reckoning (2018)
In 1946, Mississippi war hero Pete Banning returns home a changed man. A respected farmer, devoted father and pillar in his small town, Pete shocks everyone when he strolls into the local church and murders his pastor, Dexter Bell, in cold blood. He offers no explanation, and refuses to defend himself in court, igniting a legal firestorm that devastates his family.
As Pete faces trial and the prospect of the death penalty, his children and lawyer struggle to understand his motives. What could drive a decorated soldier to commit such a crime? The truth lies buried in Pete’s past – from the brutal battlegrounds of the Second World War to the dark secrets of his marriage. Blending historical fiction, legal drama and Southern Gothic elements, The Reckoning is one of the best John Grisham books that reveals how war, honour and justice collide in unexpected ways.
The Rainmaker (1995)
Fresh out of law school and struggling to find work, Rudy Baylor bags a job at a small, shady firm, where he stumbles upon a case that could change his life forever. His clients, a poor family, are suing a corrupt insurance company named Great Benefit for wrongfully denying coverage that could have saved their dying son.
With no money, no connections, and no licence to practice yet, Rudy goes up against a powerhouse legal team hellbent on destroying him. As he navigates the high-stakes world of courtroom battles, he also finds himself ensnared in the dangerous world of his boss’s criminal dealings and a complex romantic relationship with a woman trapped in an abusive marriage. A David vs Goliath legal thriller, The Rainmaker is one of Grisham’s most compelling tales, following a young, idealistic lawyer struggling to make a difference.
Camino Island (Camino Island #1) (2017)
When a daring heist at Princeton University’s library results in the theft of priceless F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts, the FBI is desperate to recover them. The trail leads to Camino Island, Florida, where an enigmatic and mysterious bookseller, Bruce Cable, is rumoured to deal in rare and stolen literary treasures.
Enter Merce Mann, a struggling novelist with severe financial problems. Approached by a covert agency, she is offered a lucrative deal to go undercover and infiltrate Bruce’s inner circle, posing as a writer searching for inspiration. As Mercer grows closer to Bruce and his world of rare books, deception, and secrets, she is forced to choose between betraying the people she’s come to admire or risking everything for the truth. A departure from John Grisham’s legal thrillers, Camino Island is a literary crime novel filled with suspense, bookish intrigue, and a deep love for the written word, making it a must-read for book lovers and mystery fans alike.
The Client (1993)
Eleven-year-old Mark Sway and his younger brother are playing in the woods when they accidentally witness the suicide of a troubled lawyer. But, before he dies, the lawyer reveals a deadly secret – the location of a murdered senator’s body, hidden by a powerful mafia boss.
Now, both the FBI and the mob are desperate to silence Mark – one wants him to testify, the other wants him dead. Scared and unsure who he can trust, he turns to Reggie Love, a tough and determined lawyer who becomes his sole protector. As the legal system and the criminal underworld close in, Mark and Reggie must outmanoeuvre both forces in a high-stakes game of survival.
The Street Lawyer (1998)
Michael Brook is a successful corporate lawyer at a prestigious law firm in Washington, D.C. His life is turned upside down, however, one day when he is held at gunpoint by a homeless man named Darryl McCall. After the encounter, Michael’s perspective on life is changed, and he begins questioning his values and role within society.
Drawn by guilt and confusion, Michael sets out on a personal journey to understand the root causes of homelessness and poverty. He leaves his high-paying job and becomes involved in advocating for the homeless, working at a shelter, and trying all he can to make a difference. But, as Michael immerses himself deeper into this world, he discovers a web of corporate corruption and legal injustices that directly contribute to the struggles of the homeless. Thought-provoking and emotionally charged, The Street Lawyer is one of the best Grisham books for anyone looking to reflect on their own roles in society and the costs of privilege.
The Whistler (The Whistler #1) (2016)
In The Whistler, Lacy Stoltz, a Florida lawyer, is tasked with investigating the corruption surrounding a ruthless judge named Carmen Gordo, who is involved in organised crime and money laundering. But, as Lucy digs deeper, she uncovers a breathtakingly dangerous conspiracy that stretches far beyond the courtroom. The judge’s ties to the criminal world are not only extensive but also deeply entrenched, and exposing them could put Lacy’s life at risk.
At the heart of this thriller is a whistleblower, a mysterious informant who has dubbed himself ‘the Whistler’, and provided critical information about the judge’s illicit activities. But, as Lacy gets closer to uncovering the full truth, she realises that those behind the corruption will go to any length to prevent her from exposing their crimes. Another one of the best new John Grisham books, The Whistler, is an intense and intricately woven tale of intrigue, danger, justice, and corruption.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
