The best John Grisham books

John Grisham’s background

Over the years, John Grisham’s name became a synonym for legal thrillers, and for a good reason. This American author wrote 50 novels, most of which fall under this genre. And luckily for us, he doesn’t intend to stop any time soon.

From The Firm, A Time to Kill, and The Pelican Brief to the newest release, The Boys From Biloxi, John Grisham knows how to keep us on the edge of our seats with unexpected plot twists and great character arcs. You may wonder, though, what path led him to become a writer.

Born in Arkansas but raised in Mississippi, John Grisham gravitated towards law from an early age. He went to law school and later became a lawyer, but he also represented the 7th Mississippi district in the United States House of Representatives.

He now lives in Virginia with his beloved wife Renee and is a generous supporter of the local Little League teams.

John Grisham’s genre of writing

With more than 300 million books sold and 28 consecutive number one fiction bestsellers, John Grisham is mostly known for his legal thriller novels.

Nevertheless, John Grisham’s first nonfiction book, The Innocent Men: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town, had great success, too. The book is based on a true story of a man wrongly convicted of murder and sent to death row.

Grisham himself said he had no interest in writing while in law school but that the calling came after, during his professional career. It’s interesting that a lot of his stories take place in Mississippi, Tennessee (Memphis), and Florida.

Apart from legal thrillers and a true story-based novel, John Grisham wrote several sport-related books such as Sooley, Calico Joe, Playing for Pizza, and Bleachers.

Which John Grisham book is best to start with?

Grisham novels are generally breathtaking, and this bestselling author deserves all the praise. However, maybe you can start from the very beginning and grab The Firm. Or, if you are among younger generations or a young adult, the Theodore Boone series will be just the perfect thing.

You can also start with his newest releases, The Boys from Biloxi or The Judge’s List, and see where they take you, and if you’re perhaps still feeling ‘Christmassy’, try Skipping Christmas.

Movie adaptations of John Grisham books

Tom Cruise, Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock, Mat Damon, Matthew McConaughey, Julia Roberts, and Denzel Washington – these are just some of the A-list names and actors who starred in the movie adaptations of John Grisham’s books.

A Time to Kill was a huge success in the theaters. Set in Canton, Mississippi, the story follows a young lawyer, a defense attorney, and his assistant. Without too many spoilers, we can safely say this movie will challenge your perspective.

FBI, the mob, and a law firm are intertwined and perfectly incorporated in the famous and eventful movie dubbed The Firm.

The Client, The Chamber, ​The Rainmaker, ​The Runaway Jury, The Innocent Man, The Last Juror – these are all wonderful movie adaptations worthy of binge-watching, especially if you like thrillers and crime-related movies.

Moreover, Hulu confirmed the making of Season 1 for the Rogue Lawyer, so apart from the movies, we can watch our favorite legal thrillers as TV shows, too.

John Grisham Bestsellers

From his first book to his latest release, John Grisham always seems to find fresh inspiration for his characters and plots. Twenty-eight bestsellers are proof enough why Grisham deserves the title of the #1 New York Times bestselling author.

As we read, we usually fall in love with the characters, so let’s use them to sort out our list of recommendations.

• Jake Brigance Series: A Time to Kill, Sycamore Row, A Time for Mercy, Sparring Partners: Novellas
• Theodore Boone Series (from our top 3 recommendations): Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, Theodore Boone: The Abduction, Theodore Boone: The Accused
• Camino Series: Camino Island, Camino Winds

And if you still feel like we didn’t give you enough books to put on your bestseller list, try these:

The Guardians, The Whistler, The Litigators, The Reckoning, Witness to a Trial, A Painted House, The Broker, Ford County, The Rooster Bar, The Testament, The Summons, The Street Lawyer, The Racketeer, The Partner, Gray Mountain, The King of Torts, The Confession, The Brethren, or The Appeal.

What are my reading options?

Physical copy

Today, we have many options when it comes to content consumption. Naturally, many of you like to hold a physical copy of a book, turn pages, feel the smell, and that’s perfectly okay. You can easily order John Grisham novels on Amazon or his official website.

Audiobook via Speechify

With more than 70,000 titles in various genres, Speechify is a leading audiobook service. Whether you wish to read mysteries, fantasy novels, or legal thrillers like John Grisham’s books, Speechify has it all.

Furthermore. the platform is simple to use and available across all devices, making it easy to pick up where you left off on your laptop after you doze off listening on your phone before bed.

Sign up for Speechify Audiobooks today for access to many classic public domain titles and premium new releases. Plus, receive your first premium audiobook for free when you try the service.

FAQ

When did John Grisham start writing books?

Grisham’s first published novel was A Time to Kill, which he wrote in 1989 when he was 34. However, it was his second novel, The Firm, that brought him fame and success.

What are John Grisham’s best books?

The top 5 best-rated books by John Grisham are A Time to Kill, The Firm, The Rainmaker, The Testament, and The Whistler.

What is the last John Grisham book published?

The Boys from Biloxi and Sparring Partners: Novellas both were published in 2022.