8 Best Legal Thrillers If You Love John Grisham
John Grisham didn’t invent the legal thriller, but he certainly perfected it. With his breakneck plots, moral dilemmas, and lawyers who often find themselves in way over their heads, Grisham’s novels defined the genre for millions of readers. But if you’ve already devoured The Firm, A Time to Kill, and The Pelican Brief, you may be thinking – what next?
Here are eight gripping legal thrillers that will scratch that same itch, and are filled with courtroom battles, impossible cases, and lawyers who risk everything for the truth.
Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow
Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow
Before Grisham burst onto the scene, Scott Turow laid the groundwork with this razor-sharp thriller. The story follows Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor accused of murdering his colleague, and secret lover. Turow, himself a lawyer, brings authenticity to every courtroom exchange, while the narrative dives deep into guilt, betrayal, and the slippery nature of truth. Often credited with launching the modern legal thriller, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys Grisham’s morally complex characters. And if you’d like, there is also a fantastic TV adaptation by the same name starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
Anatomy of a Murder by Robert Traver
Anatomy of a Murder by Robert Traver
Written by a Michigan Supreme Court justice under a pen name, this 1958 classic is the blueprint for all courtroom dramas that came after. The plot revolves around a defense attorney representing a man accused of murdering his wife’s attacker. What makes the book stand out is its realism — the courtroom strategies, the manipulation of juries, and the idea that truth in the justice system is often subjective. It’s slower in pace than Grisham, but no less riveting.
The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
Michael Connelly, best known for his Harry Bosch series, introduced defense attorney Mickey Haller in The Lincoln Lawyer. Haller runs his law practice out of the back of a Lincoln Town Car, taking on shady clients and morally gray cases. In this debut, he defends a wealthy client accused of assault, only to realize the case is far deadlier than it first appeared. The blend of grit, pace, and a flawed-but-brilliant lawyer makes it a favorite for fans of Grisham’s underdog attorneys.
Defending Jacob by William Landay
Defending Jacob by William Landay
What happens when a prosecutor’s own teenage son is accused of murder? William Landay’s Defending Jacob explores just that. Andy Barber, a respected DA, is forced to confront the collapse of his family and career when his son becomes the prime suspect in a classmate’s killing. The novel is part courtroom drama, part family tragedy, and part psychological thriller. If you liked Grisham’s exploration of moral dilemmas, this novel will stay with you long after the final page.
A Civil Action by Jonathan Harr
A Civil Action by Jonathan Harr
Technically nonfiction, A Civil Action reads like the most gripping legal thriller. Harr chronicles the real-life case of a small-town lawyer taking on two giant corporations accused of contaminating water and causing leukemia deaths in Massachusetts. The book exposes the brutal realities of environmental law, the crushing weight of corporate power, and the human cost of pursuing justice. It has all the intensity of Grisham’s fiction, only it really happened. It is also an incredible picture starring John Travolta.
The Partner by John Grisham
The Partner by John Grisham
Even among Grisham’s own catalog, The Partner deserves a special mention. It tells the story of a lawyer who fakes his own death, steals millions, and starts over in Brazil — only to be caught years later. The book weaves together courtroom battles, high-stakes chases, and shocking betrayals. For longtime Grisham fans, it’s often considered one of his most underrated works.
The Verdict by Barry Reed
The Verdict by Barry Reed
You might know The Verdict from its Oscar-nominated film adaptation starring Paul Newman, but the novel stands powerfully on its own. It follows Frank Galvin, a washed-up lawyer who gets one last shot at redemption when he takes on a medical malpractice case. With its gripping courtroom drama and deeply human protagonist, the book shows how the law can be both a weapon and a chance at salvation.
The Reversal by Michael Connelly
The Reversal by Michael Connelly
Connelly makes a second appearance on this list because The Reversal perfectly captures the high-stakes courtroom energy that Grisham fans love. Defense attorney Mickey Haller is recruited to act as a prosecutor in a retrial of a convicted child molester. What seems like a straightforward case soon unravels into something much darker. The novel is taut, fast-paced, and proves why Connelly is considered a master of the genre alongside Grisham.