John Grisham is a celebrated author of legal thrillers and non-fiction works.  His books have sold millions of copies worldwide, and many of them have been adapted into films and TV shows.  From courtroom dramas to stories about small towns in the American South, John Grisham has crafted an impressive body of work that continues to captivate readers worldwide.  If you’re looking for a place to start reading his books, here are seven must-read John Grisham novels that will give you a taste of his best writing.

But first, who is John Grisham?

Born in Arkansas, Grisham moved to Mississippi after graduating from law school.  He practiced law before turning his attention to writing full-time.  His first book, A Time to Kill, was inspired by a real-life case he had worked on as a lawyer.  It was not an immediate success, but it became an international bestseller and was adapted into a 1996 film.  Since then, Grisham has continued to write books and screenplays and earned numerous awards for his work.

What kind of lawyer was John Grisham?

John Grisham practiced as a criminal and personal injury lawyer for about a decade before becoming an author.  During this time, he worked on cases ranging from murder to personal injury law.  In his early career, he spent much of his time representing clients in small towns across Mississippi.

What is John Grisham’s best-selling novel?

John Grisham’s best-selling novel is The Firm.  The legal thriller follows the story of a young lawyer who discovers that his new law firm is involved in criminal activities.  It was adapted into a movie starring Tom Cruise and has sold more than seven million copies worldwide.

How many bestsellers has Grisham written?

John Grisham is the author of forty-seven consecutive #1 bestsellers, which have been translated into nearly fifty languages.  He is also a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.

What is the best John Grisham book to start with?

If you are new to reading John Grisham, these seven must-reads John Grisham books are recommended as a starting point:

7-Must Read John Grisham Books

The Firm by John Grisham

The best John Grisham book to start with is The Firm, this is Grisham’s most popular novel, and it’s the one that made him a household name.  This novel tells the story of a young attorney who gets an offer from a prestigious law firm in Memphis.  The job is too good to be true and he soon discovers that his new law firm is involved in criminal activities.  The novel was adapted into a movie in 1993 starring Tom Cruise.

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A Time to Kill by John Grisham

The second must-read John Grisham book is A Time to Kill.  A Time to Kill is Grisham’s debut novel, and it was inspired by a real-life case he had worked on as a lawyer.  This legal thriller tells the story of a father who takes justice into his own hands when his daughter is attacked.  The novel was adapted into a 1996 film starring Matthew McConaughey and Sandra Bullock.

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The Pelican Brief by John Grisham

The Pelican Brief is the third must-read John Grisham book.  This novel is a political thriller and follows two students who try to unravel a conspiracy involving the US Supreme Court.  The novel was adapted into a movie in 1993, starring Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington.

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The Rainmaker by John Grisham

The Rainmaker is Grisham’s tale of legal intrigue and corporate greed.  This legal drama follows the story of a young man barely out of law school who takes on a powerful insurance company in court.  The novel was adapted into a movie in 1997, starring Matt Damon and Claire Danes.

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The Partner by John Grisham

The Partner is a story of legal suspense packed with lots of surprises.  This novel follows the story of a lawyer who goes on the run after stealing $90 million from his law firm.  He attempts to cover up his crime, fakes his own death and starts a new life in Brazil.

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The Guardians by John Grisham

The Guardians is a classic legal thriller set in Florida.  This novel tells the story about a lawyer taking on a wrongful conviction case who gets far more than he bargained for.   Because there are powerful people who don’t want his client exonerated and they will kill another lawyer without a second thought.

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Camino Island by John Grisham

Camino Island is Grisham’s riveting heist novel where a gang of thieves stages a daring heist from a secure vault deep below Princeton University’s Firestone Library.  This novel follows a struggling young novelist who is approached by a mysterious woman working for an even more mysterious company.  She is offered a generous amount of money to infiltrate a circle of literary friends to learn the secrets of the black market of stolen books and manuscripts.

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So there you have it, the seven must-read John Grisham books.  John Grisham has written many best-sellers over the years and has become one of the most popular authors in the world.  Whether you’re a new reader or an experienced fan, these seven must-read books are a great place to start your journey through Grisham’s work.

What do you think about these John Grisham books?

Have you read any John Grisham books?  Are any of these books or his other works on your TBR?  What John Grisham books are your favorite?  What John Grisham books would you add to this list?  Let us know in the comments below.