10 Books for Fans of John Grisham
John Grisham is one of the most popular authors of legal thrillers, captivating readers with his intricate plots, highly relatable characters, and gripping courtroom drama. If you’re a fan of Grisham’s work and legal thrillers and are looking for more good writers in this genre, look no further. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 10 books for Grisham fans. These bestsellers all have riveting plots, strong characters, and plenty of courtroom drama.
Contents
- 1. The Better Sister by Alafair Burke (2019)
- 2. The Third Victim: A Novel by Phillip Margolin (2018)
- 3. Hostile Witness by William Lashner (1996)
- 4. The Last Trial by Scott Turow (2020)
- 5. Yesterday’s Echo by Matt Coyle (2013)
- 6. The Holdout by Graham Moore (2021)
- 7. Misjudged: A Legal Thriller by James Chandler (2020)
- 8. The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly (2005)
- 9. Compelling Evidence (Paul Madriani Novels Book 1) by Steve Martini
- 10. Wild Justice by Phillip Margolin (2010)
1. The Better Sister by Alafair Burke (2019)
When a prominent Manhattan lawyer is murdered, two estranged sisters—one the dead man’s widow, the other his ex—must confront the secrets and lies that have been hidden within their family for years.
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2. The Third Victim: A Novel by Phillip Margolin (2018)
The first book in the Robin Lockwood series of novels, this is a skilfully written legal thriller with a tight plot and exceptional form. Robin Lockwood, a young lawyer and former MMA fighter, is second chair at her first big trial, defending a prominent local attorney accused of kidnapping, torturing, and murdering women. Increasingly, she’s worried her boss’s behaviour and the details in the case against their client don’t quite add up.
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3. Hostile Witness by William Lashner (1996)
The first book in a series of novels (of which there are now 14), sees struggling Philadelphia lawyer, Victor Carl, tasked with representing a chief aide to a crooked councilman, who wants Carl to play along while the aide is set up. A good introduction to the protagonist and Lashner’s masterful storytelling. Start here if you want to read the series in order.
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4. The Last Trial by Scott Turow (2020)
A celebrated criminal defence lawyer must represent his lifelong friend when he’s accused of murder, in what may be his final trial. Full of the deep insights into the spaces where the fragility of human nature and the justice system collide, this New York Times bestseller is a masterful legal thriller with cover to cover page-turning suspense.
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5. Yesterday’s Echo by Matt Coyle (2013)
The first of seven books in the Rick Cahill series and an Anthony Award winner for best first novel. When a disgraced former policeman agrees to help a mysterious TV reporter accused of murder, he sees it as a chance of redeeming himself. Instead, he soon finds himself on the run and forced to confront his own past.
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6. The Holdout by Graham Moore (2021)
When an African-American man is accused of kidnapping and murdering a 15 year-old heiress, Maya Seale is the only juror who votes for a not guilty verdict. 10 years later, Maya is a defence lawyer herself. When a true crime docuseries reassembles the original jury, she finds herself accused of the murder of one of the other jurors. She must now prove her own innocence by getting to the bottom of the original case.
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7. Misjudged: A Legal Thriller by James Chandler (2020)
The first in the Sam Johnstone series of novels sees a disabled veteran take a job as a lawyer in a small Wyoming town. Hoping to get away from it all, he instead finds himself entangled in a brutal murder case where things are not what they seem.
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8. The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly (2005)
Even if you’ve never read Connelly’s books before, you may recognise the title of this novel. The first season of the popular Netflix show by the same name is actually based on the second novel in this series, but if you want to start at the beginning, start here. When charismatic defence attorney, Mickey Haller takes on what he thinks is a slam-dunk case, things quickly spiral out of control and he finds himself fighting for his life.
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9. Compelling Evidence (Paul Madriani Novels Book 1) by Steve Martini
Paul Madriani was a promising young lawyer, until an affair with his boss’ wife cost him his job. When his former boss is found dead years later, his widow is accused of murder. Potentially facing the gas chamber, she turns to her former lover for help. Earning praise from John Grisham himself, this is a thrilling, page-turning novel.
10. Wild Justice by Phillip Margolin (2010)
Vincent Cardoni, a brilliant surgeon accused of murder, disappears under bizarre circumstances while standing trial. Four years later, the slaughter begins again. Defence attorney, Amanda Jaffe, who defended Cardoni, and policeman Bobby Vasquez, must hunt the elusive killer before it’s too late. But is it Cardoni himself, or someone else?
This is the first book in the Amanda Jaffe series.
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Do you know of any more legal thrillers that will appeal to fans of John Grisham? Let us know if the comments!
