When you think of legal thrillers and crime dramas, one name comes to mind. John Grisham’s books have become almost synonymous with the genre, and he is considered to be a master writer with a large collection of titles to his name. Grisham has written nearly 40 different crime-related novels from the firm to the street lawyer, Camino Island, to a painted house and playing for pizza. He has also written several short stories and some nonfiction works as well, with many stories being adapted into films. Here we've compiled a list of some of his best fictional works that are sure to satisfy any fan of crime drama.
A Time to Kill is Grisham's very first novel which was published in 1989. It focuses on the assault of a young Black girl in the fictional small town of Clanton, Mississippi, (a setting used in many Grisham novels such as The Last Juror) but pulls many of its themes and story elements from a real trial Grisham witnessed as a young attorney. Though the story takes place in the 80s, it is an impactful tale that unfortunately resonates strongly in the 21st century with its themes of racial bias, hate crimes, violence and a polarized country.
Grisham handles the delicate subject matter expertly in his first book, establishing a style of courtroom drama and legal thriller that he has since become so famous for. A Time to Kill introduces a young lawyer that Grisham has stated as being very similar to himself at the time. The novel was subsequently placed on bestseller lists, was adapted into a star-studded namesake film, and adapted into a popular audiobook expertly narrated by Michael Beck.
The Pelican Brief is another hit by John Grisham which centres around legal dramas and mystery. The plot involves the assassination of two Supreme Court Justices, and from there is an intriguing murder mystery full of legal references and court trials. It is a gripping tale of suspense, drama and death. From FBI agents to confidants, The Pelican Brief is a wild ride of murder and danger fuelled by seemingly political motives, which makes for a truly unpausable experience.
The story was adapted into a namesake film, as well as released as an abridged audiobook. This audio version is narrated by Anthony Heald and accompanied by sound effects and musical background for an all-inclusive audio experience that will sweep listeners up in the suspense of the story.
The Client is another excellent work by John Grisham. This story centres around an eleven-year-old boy who accidentally witnesses something much bigger than he realizes, making him the sole eyewitness to a mob lawyer's suicide. With the Mafia on one side and an up-and-coming young lawyer on the other, Mark is caught in the middle of a legal battle with drastic consequences.
