John Grisham

John Grisham is an American bestselling author, attorney, politician, and activist, best known for his popular legal thrillers. His books have been translated into 42 languages and published worldwide. Grisham's writing career blossomed with the success of his second book, 'The Firm', and he has since become one of the most famous authors in the genre of legal drama. Notable works include 'A Time to Kill', 'The Pelican Brief', and 'The Client'.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. A Time To Kill

    In a racially charged courtroom drama set in the Deep South, a young, white attorney takes on a controversial case defending a black father who takes the law into his own hands after his ten-year-old daughter is brutally assaulted by two white men. As the lawyer struggles against personal threats, social outrage, and political pressure, the town is torn apart by violence and prejudice, forcing its inhabitants to confront their own beliefs about justice, equality, and retribution. The narrative weaves through themes of racial tension, legal ethics, and the quest for vengeance, culminating in a tense and morally complex trial that puts the entire community's values on trial.

    The 1270th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. The Firm

    The book centers on a young, ambitious attorney who is seduced into joining a prestigious law firm with a dark secret. Lured by the promise of wealth and status, he and his wife become entangled in a world of luxury that quickly turns into a nightmare. As he discovers the firm's involvement in illegal activities and its ruthless methods of ensuring loyalty and silence, he becomes a target himself. With the FBI pressuring him to help expose the firm's criminal dealings, he must navigate a treacherous path to outwit his employers, protect his family, and escape with his life.

    The 3235th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. The King Of Torts

    This legal thriller follows the story of a young public defender who stumbles upon a case that propels him into the high-stakes world of mass tort litigation. As he transforms from a struggling lawyer into a wealthy litigator, he navigates the morally ambiguous landscape of class-action lawsuits, facing the temptations of greed, power, and ambition. His journey is marked by rapid success, but also exposes the dark underbelly of the legal system and the personal costs of pursuing justice at any price. The protagonist's rise and fall serve as a cautionary tale about the seductive allure of wealth and the corrupting influence of unchecked ambition in the legal profession.

    The 6709th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. The Pelican Brief

    In this thrilling legal mystery, a young law student stumbles upon a theory that seems to explain the puzzling murders of two Supreme Court justices. Her speculative brief, initially dismissed, catches the attention of the FBI and sets off a dangerous chain of events. As she becomes entangled in a high-stakes game of power and corruption, she must navigate deadly threats with the help of an investigative journalist. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to expose a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of government, risking their lives to uncover the truth.

    The 7004th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. The Client

    In this legal thriller, an eleven-year-old boy finds himself in the middle of a dangerous conflict after witnessing the suicide of a lawyer who reveals the whereabouts of a murdered senator's body. The boy becomes the target of both the FBI, who wants him to divulge the secret to solve the high-profile murder case, and the mafia, who will stop at nothing to keep him silent. With the help of a feisty female attorney, he must navigate a perilous path to protect himself and his family from the looming threats, all while grappling with the moral dilemmas of his newfound knowledge. This gripping narrative combines legal intrigue with a poignant exploration of the resilience and resourcefulness of a young boy thrust into extraordinary circumstances.

    The 7076th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. The Chamber

    This legal thriller delves into the life of a young attorney who faces the daunting task of defending his grandfather, a former Ku Klux Klan member sentenced to death for a racially motivated bombing. As the lawyer digs deeper into his family's past and the case, he confronts not only the legal system's complexities but also the entrenched racial prejudices and moral dilemmas surrounding the death penalty. Set against the backdrop of the American South, the narrative explores themes of justice, redemption, and the possibility of change, challenging the protagonist and readers to reconsider their views on punishment and forgiveness.

    The 7752nd Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. The Rainmaker

    In this legal thriller, a young, inexperienced lawyer takes on a powerful insurance company in a monumental case that could make or break his career. The protagonist, fresh out of law school and struggling to find his footing, stumbles upon a case involving a family denied a life-saving medical claim by a corrupt insurance giant. With the odds stacked against him, he embarks on a David vs. Goliath battle, navigating through a maze of legal challenges, personal dilemmas, and the dark underbelly of corporate America. This gripping tale not only explores the complexities of the legal system but also delves into themes of justice, morality, and the pursuit of the American dream.

    The 7802nd Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. The Runaway Jury

    In this legal thriller, a high-stakes lawsuit against a major tobacco company becomes the battleground for an intense manipulation game. The story centers around a jury tampering scheme orchestrated by a mysterious man with a personal vendetta, aiming to influence the trial's outcome. As the case unfolds, both the defense and the plaintiffs find themselves outmaneuvered by this enigmatic figure, leading to a series of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. The novel delves into the dark corners of the legal system, exposing the lengths to which individuals will go to secure a verdict, and raises ethical questions about justice and manipulation.

    The 7861st Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. The Partner

    In this gripping legal thriller, a young partner at a prestigious law firm fakes his own death to steal ninety million dollars, sparking a global manhunt. The story unfolds as he starts a new life in Brazil, but his past quickly catches up with him when he is found and kidnapped. As investigators and his former partners close in, secrets unravel, revealing a complex web of betrayal, love, and redemption. The narrative takes the reader on a rollercoaster of legal battles, personal dilemmas, and the quest for justice, keeping them on the edge of their seat until the very end.

    The 8034th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. The Street Lawyer

    This novel follows the transformative journey of a high-flying attorney who has a life-altering encounter with a homeless man, leading him to reevaluate his career and life purpose. Disillusioned with the greed and corruption he sees in the legal profession, he decides to leave his lucrative job at a prestigious law firm to work as an advocate for the homeless. Through his work, he confronts the harsh realities of poverty and injustice in the city, fighting against the systemic barriers that keep people on the streets. His journey is one of moral awakening, personal sacrifice, and the quest for social justice.

    The 8108th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. The Testament

    This gripping novel revolves around the tumultuous aftermath of a billionaire's unexpected suicide and the revelation of his last will, which leaves the bulk of his fortune to an illegitimate daughter working as a missionary in the Brazilian rainforest. The story intricately weaves through themes of greed, redemption, and the quest for meaning, as lawyers and family members scramble to contest the will, and a disillusioned lawyer embarks on a life-changing journey to find the heiress. Through vivid storytelling, the narrative explores the complexities of human nature, the corrupting power of wealth, and the possibility of personal transformation.

    The 8163rd Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. The Brethren

    This novel revolves around three former judges serving time in a federal prison. Together, they form a secretive group known as "The Brethren," and from within the prison walls, they run a sophisticated scam that targets wealthy, closeted gay men. Their operation runs smoothly until they ensnare the wrong victim, setting off a chain of events that could expose not only their scheme but also a major political conspiracy. As their plan intersects with the ambitions of a powerful and unscrupulous CIA operative, the judges find themselves entangled in a dangerous game of power, manipulation, and national security.

    The 8270th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. A Painted House

    This novel is set in the late 1950s in rural Arkansas and narrated through the eyes of a seven-year-old boy living with his family on a cotton farm. Over the course of a harvest season, the boy witnesses a series of events that shatter his innocence, including family secrets, social class struggles, and racial tensions. The arrival of migrant workers and a group of hill people to help with the cotton picking introduces him to a world much larger and more complex than he had previously known. The narrative captures the boy's coming-of-age experience amidst the backdrop of hard work, family dynamics, and the harsh realities of farm life, painting a vivid picture of a bygone era in American history.

    The 8329th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. The Summons

    In "The Summons," a gripping legal thriller, the protagonist, a law professor, is drawn into a complex web of mystery and danger following the death of his estranged father, a reclusive judge. Upon being summoned to his father's home to settle the estate, he discovers millions of dollars in cash hidden away, with no clear indication of its origins or intended purpose. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he finds himself pursued by unknown adversaries who are also interested in the money. The narrative weaves through themes of family secrets, moral dilemmas, and the quest for justice, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the protagonist navigates through perilous situations to uncover the truth.

    The 8398th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 15. The King Of Torts

    This legal thriller revolves around a young attorney who stumbles upon a career-defining case that catapults him from a low-level public defender to a high-stakes mass tort lawyer. As he navigates the murky waters of class-action lawsuits, he is seduced by the immense wealth and power that come with his new status. However, his rapid rise to the top is fraught with moral dilemmas, greed, and corruption, leading him to question the true cost of his ambition. The protagonist's journey is a gripping exploration of the American legal system and the ethical complexities that lawyers face in their pursuit of justice and personal gain.

    The 8475th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 16. Bleachers

    This novel explores the complexities of high school football in a small town, centering on the experiences of former players who return to their hometown after the death of their legendary coach. As they sit in the bleachers of their old field, they reflect on the profound impact the coach had on their lives, both positive and negative. Through their stories, the book delves into themes of glory, regret, loyalty, and redemption, painting a nuanced picture of the role sports play in shaping identities and communities. The narrative is a poignant examination of how the past can linger and influence the present, especially within the microcosm of high school athletics.

    The 8479th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 17. The Last Juror

    In this gripping legal thriller, the story unfolds in a small town in Mississippi during the 1970s, where a young journalist becomes intricately involved in the life of the community after purchasing the local newspaper. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when a brutal murder shakes the town, leading to a high-profile trial that tests the limits of justice and morality. Central to the story is the relationship between the journalist and the trial's last juror, an enigmatic and morally complex character whose beliefs and decisions play a pivotal role in the unfolding drama. As the trial progresses, themes of racism, revenge, and redemption are explored, painting a vivid picture of a community at a crossroads and the power of an individual's conscience in the face of societal pressures.

    The 8552nd Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 18. The Broker

    In this gripping legal thriller, a high-powered Washington lobbyist is unexpectedly pardoned from prison by an outgoing U.S. President, only to find himself a target in a deadly international conspiracy. Relocated to Italy under a new identity for his safety, he must quickly learn to navigate the complexities of his new surroundings and master the Italian language while attempting to uncover the reasons behind his sudden release and the true motives of those now hunting him. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he discovers alarming secrets that could have far-reaching implications, forcing him to race against time to evade his pursuers and expose the truth.

    The 8646th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 19. The Appeal

    In this gripping legal thriller, a small Mississippi town becomes the battleground for a high-stakes legal fight when a chemical company is accused of dumping toxic waste, leading to a spike in cancer cases among the town's residents. The case attracts the attention of a husband-and-wife legal team who are determined to seek justice for the victims. However, as they prepare for trial, they face an uphill battle against the company's ruthless billionaire owner, who will stop at nothing to secure a verdict in his favor. This includes manipulating the judicial election to ensure a sympathetic judge oversees the case. The novel explores themes of corporate malfeasance, environmental justice, and the corrupting influence of money on the legal system, delivering a suspenseful and thought-provoking narrative.

    The 9110th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 20. The Associate

    The novel follows the story of a young law graduate who is blackmailed into taking a job at a prestigious law firm to spy for a shadowy group with dangerous intentions. Despite his aspirations for a simple and honest career, he finds himself trapped in a high-stakes game of corporate espionage, where he must navigate through legal and moral dilemmas to protect himself and his loved ones. As he delves deeper into the firm's secrets, he realizes the true extent of the conspiracy and the risks involved, forcing him to make difficult decisions to outwit his manipulators and expose the truth.

    The 9204th Greatest Book of All Time