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13 bestsellers from John Grisham's pen

TNN | Last updated on - Mar 17, 2019, 17:15 IST

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John Grisham

John Grisham is one of those bestselling authors who own the genres they put their pen and ink into. His legal thrillers are one of the finest pieces. With characters and storylines that are captivating, his novels are nothing short of crème-de-la-crème. Grisham has been penning bestsellers since his debut book 'A Time to Kill' which was published in 1988. Over the years, he has penned several legal thrillers which have sold more than 300 million copies across the world. Here are 13 of his amazing creations.

(Image: John Grisham\ via twitter)

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A Time to Kill

John Grisham's debut novel 'A Time to Kill' first published in 1988 wasn't an instant success. The book was rejected by many publishers, until Wynwood Press finally published it. But this didn't prevent Grisham from penning more legal thrillers. His second novel 'The Firm' did much better than the debut novel and it was then that Doubleday republished his book 'A Time to Kill' as his second book! 'A Time to Kill' was inspired from a real-life courtroom testimony by a 12-year-old rape survivor.

(Photo: RHUK)

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The Rainmaker

Grisham, a lawyer himself, released 'The Rainmaker' in 1995. The book is about a newly qualified, under-dog lawyer named Rudy Baylor who takes on a major insurance company. This is a quick and enjoyable read.

(Photo: Arrow)

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The Firm

It revolves around the class topper at Harvard Law School, Mitch McDeere who is young, brilliant and ambitious. He lands a job in the law firm of Bendini, Lambert, & Locke which he believes will lead him to money and power. That turns out to be his gravest mistake landing him in a place where his privacy is violated and a threat is tightening around his neck like a noose. Apparently he has no choice but to help FBI despite all the risks.
(Image: Arrow Books)

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Camino Island

Very different from traditional legal thrillers that John Grisham writes, his 2017 book is an amazing beach-read which involves writers, stolen manuscripts, dead-ended clues, false trails and much more. A fast paced mystery novel to keep the reader hooked.

(Image: Doubleday)

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The Rooster Bar

"The Rooster Bar' was Grisham's second legal thriller which was released in 2017. The story is about three law school students-- Mark, Todd and Zola-- who realise that they have been duped. They have taken huge student loans to study in a law school which is so mediocre that its students rarely pass the bar exam. The school is 'owned by a shady New York hedge-fund operator who also happens to own a bank specialising in student loans, the three realise they have been caught up in The Great Law School Scam,' reads the synopsis. They often meet up at The Rooster Bar where Todd serves drinks and decide to expose the scam, making some money in the process.

(Photo: Hodder & Stoughton)

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The Runaway Jury

A court in Biloxi, Mississippi, witnesses a landmark tobacco trial. Beginning with normalcy, it suddenly gets steered mystically when one after another the jury members act bizarrely. Is it an attempt to sabotage? Or is it the millions of dollars at stake? Suddenly what, who and why are all over the place. A young woman claims to know the answers. How true time will tell…
(Image: Arrow Books)

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Ford County

A collection of stories about the life and crimes of Ford County: a place of harsh beauty where broken dreams and final wishes converge dives into the heart of America’s South. It is brimming with tales of human emotions of stellar quality narrated in an irresistible manner. Brilliantly captures the look, feel and lives in Ford County.
(Image: Arrow Books)

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Calico Joe

From baseball to redemption, it portrays the issues of family, despondency, heartbreaks, hope, endurance and absolution. When Joe Castle and Warren Tracey stand opposite on another in the baseball court; the crowd cheers Joe, the popular and heart throbbing player while Paul, Warren’s son can sense that all is not going to be well. Paul, being the eye of the reader narrates much more than the thrill of baseball… it’s what happens out of the field that makes the book a resounding success.
(Image: Bantam)

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The Client

Mark Sway, an eleven year old child knows the answer that some aspire to bury while some ardently desire to know; both parties are willing to do whatever it takes. Twin threats are knocking at Mark and his family’s doors. Reggie Love, a lawyer with very little experience is the only shield, he has. Together they battle the survival war.
(Image: Delta)

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Sycamore Row

An unexpected suicide following unexplained change in the will by Seth Hubbard that disinherits his children from his wealth. Jake Brigance receives a letter wherein Hubbard requests him to handle the case preventing any ruckus that arises. Thus, giving rise to a legal thriller with a lot of questions to answer.
(Image: Hodder & Stoughton)

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Rogue Lawyer

Revolving around Sebastian Rudd with an enviable persona and dealings that are finely aligned along a line that makes it difficult to term him protagonist or antagonist. Well-equipped and powerful characters along with a storyline to keep the reader hooked, make it a successful legal thriller.
(Image: Penguin Random House)

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The Testament

When Troy Phelan, an elderly billionaire leaves his fortune to his illegitimate daughter Rachel Lane before committing suicide, a banging beginning is created. The disinheritance ignites seething fury in his six children sparking off a legal thrilling battle. Nate O'Riley, a recovering alcoholic and semi-retired lawyer is sent off to the depths of the Brazilian jungles to locate Rachel, from the missionary life. The search quest is lined with perils and adventure making the book an entertaining read.
(Image: Doubleday)

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A Painted House

When seven year old Luke Chandler, who lives in the rented cotton fields with his parents and grandparents in a small unpainted house, hears and sees things that catch him off guard. He has secrets to keep to prevent their lives from changing forever. It’s a journey that steadily wipes away innocence replacing it by experience.
(Image: Bantam)

Top Comment

g rock

2632 days ago

whereis the brethren???

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