John Grisham was a practicing lawyer and an elected state representative before becoming a novelist. Grisham refers to himself as a moderate Democrat who shows a concern for social issues. Grisham made his literary fame with legal thrillers, but has released other kinds of novels over the years. This list contains his legal thrillers. Each summary is preceded by Grisham Day in parenthesis, the day that the novel was first released.
20 items
Rogue lawyer
John Grisham.
(October 20, 2015) The Lincoln Lawyer novels of Michael Connelly were so good that Grisham penned a tribute to the series with this novel featuring his reincarnation of Mickey Haller -- Sebastian Rudd.
Gray Mountain
John Grisham.
(October 23, 2014) City girl Samantha Kofer is exiled to Appalachia after the 2008 Subprime Mortgage Meltdown and fights the coal companies.
Sycamore Row
John Grisham.
(October 22, 2013) Seth Hubbard drew up a holographic will that disinherited his children and named a surprise beneficiary. Lawyer Jake Brigance is called to defend the will in a trial every bit as riveting as his first major trial. A sequel to Grisham's first novel, A Time to Kill.
The racketeer
John Grisham.
(October 23, 2012) In a rush to indict associates of Barry the Backhander, the Feds sent lawyer Malcolm Bannister to jail. Jailhouse lawyer Bannister learned of a murder and used Rule 35 to barter for his freedom, but now needs his wits to keep it.
The litigators
John Grisham.
(October 25, 2011) A gritty law firm in southwest Chicago hires burned-out corporate lawyer David Zinc, who leads the firm in a mass-action tort suit against the makers of a diet pill, defended by his old employer.
The confession
John Grisham.
(October 26, 2010) The real case of Marty Tankleff inspired this story about a death row convict. Travis Boyette confessed a crime to a minister, who learned that Dante Drumm is scheduled to be executed for that crime.
The associate
John Grisham.
(January 27, 2009) A socially-conscious Yale lawyer must accept a job at a high powered New York legal firm, in order to steal some highly confidential legal documents, in order to protect himself from criminal charges resulting from an incident at a college fraternity party. Inspired by the Duke Lacrosse case.
The appeal
John Grisham.
(January 29, 2008) An unknown candidate for the Mississippi Supreme Court defeats an incumbent with a spirited campaign financed by some wealthy benefactors. The man finds his conscience tugging him in opposite directions when an important court case is heard.
The summons
John Grisham.
(February 5, 2002) Ray Atlee obeys the summons, only to find the father who sent the summons dead at home. A large inheritance is left behind, but threats are made. Atlee finds some answers but must make up his mind before he winds up dead.
