OT: John Grisham Novels

[Swaggs]

Even though I have heard about him for a long time and seen several of his movies, I have recently started reading his novels, almost exclusively. I had read A Painted House and Bleachers and listened to two others as audio books, but really got into reading his legal thrillers about 5 months ago when I picked up The Last Juror on a whim in the airport.

Since then, I have read all but six of his novels (excluding the ones I listened to on audio). Two of those, The Client and The Runaway Jury, I may not read because I have seen the movies (although I enjoyed reading the Firm, despite having seen the movie).

So far, my favorites have been the King of Torts, the Summons, and the Rainmaker.

Anyone else a big Grisham fan? Anyone know of anyone who writes comprably that I could get into once I finish up with Grisham?

[DeToxRox]

I love Jeffery Deaver books *Author of the Bone Collector*

I'd suggest going to those.

Also, read the Street Lawyer by Grisham. That is one of my favorites by him.

[DeToxRox]

Dola.

David Baldacci is probably the author I enjoy most besides Deaver. He and Deaver are more fast paced books without as much legalities as Grisham, but make excellent reads.

Last Man Standing by Baldacci is an excellent read.

[henry296]

I think I have read all of the Legal books by Grisham. I just finisehd the Last Juror. I found it good, but not one of my favorites. I'll go home and see what I can find that I also liked.

Todd

[Lathum]

I enjoy his earlier works. I tried the bleachers but couldn't get into it. The firm and the Rainmaker are probably the best. The client was also great.

[GoldenEagle]

I have read most of his stuff except the ones you mentioned as being the ones you liked the most. The Bleachers was my favorite but I am biased as the book was based in/around my high school.

Grisham and I went to the same high school, in case you did not pick up on that.

[DeToxRox]

I have read most of his stuff except the ones you mentioned as being the ones you liked the most. The Bleachers was my favorite but I am biased as the book was based in/around my high school.

Grisham and I went to the same high school, in case you did not pick up on that.

Groupie!

[Samdari]

I like most of the ones you mention (although The Summons is my least favorite).

Some of my favorite non-Grisham legal thrillers are

Against the Wind, by JF Freedman

and

John T Lescroart's Dismas Hardy novels, the best legal thrillers therein being The 13th Juror, and Guilt.

[GoldenEagle]

Groupie!
Well, the problem with that is he is old and I am young. His family was actually run out of town because Grisham's uncle was a corrupt alderman who awarded construction contracts to his son's firm. They tried to get Grisham to come back to some big function and he refused. He has been back to the high school though because he describes the new renovations to a tee.

An underlining theme of the book is also returning back to high school and how it is important in the book.

[Draft Dodger]

reading The Broker right now. I'll have to check out Deavor, as I too would like some new "legal thriller" material.

I personally like Scott Turow, although I think they steer more towards the "legal" side than the "thriller" side. Presumed Innocent and Pleading Guilty are my favorites of his by far.

While we are recommending authors, anyone able to recommend a good "spy thriller" type author? I've read Ludlum and I've read Clancy...I wouldn't mind something a little less "dense" than those guys. Something say between Cussler and Clancy, I guess.

[HomerJSimpson]

Even though I have heard about him for a long time and seen several of his movies, I have recently started reading his novels, almost exclusively. I had read A Painted House and Bleachers and listened to two others as audio books, but really got into reading his legal thrillers about 5 months ago when I picked up The Last Juror on a whim in the airport.

Since then, I have read all but six of his novels (excluding the ones I listened to on audio). Two of those, The Client and The Runaway Jury, I may not read because I have seen the movies (although I enjoyed reading the Firm, despite having seen the movie).

So far, my favorites have been the King of Torts, the Summons, and the Rainmaker.

Anyone else a big Grisham fan? Anyone know of anyone who writes comprably that I could get into once I finish up with Grisham?

You need to read "The Client" and "Runaway Jury." The books are much better than the movies, and are two of his best.

[DeToxRox]

reading The Broker right now. I'll have to check out Deavor, as I too would like some new "legal thriller" material.

I personally like Scott Turow, although I think they steer more towards the "legal" side than the "thriller" side. Presumed Innocent and Pleading Guilty are my favorites of his by far.

While we are recommending authors, anyone able to recommend a good "spy thriller" type author? I've read Ludlum and I've read Clancy...I wouldn't mind something a little less "dense" than those guys. Something say between Cussler and Clancy, I guess.

To Clarifty: Deaver isn't much into legal stuff as it is forensics. that said, i was big into grisham books and then started reading Deaver and I was hooked.

[Anthony]

i've read Grisham, well only two novels - The King of Torts & The Broker. both were rather well written, great plots.

i really think you might like this one - "The Romanov Prophecy", by Steve Berry. i highly recommend it.

[bossfan2000]

While we are recommending authors, anyone able to recommend a good "spy thriller" type author? I've read Ludlum and I've read Clancy...I wouldn't mind something a little less "dense" than those guys. Something say between Cussler and Clancy, I guess.

I would give a big recommendation to try Jon Land. Most book stores only have a couple of his books at at time, though he has written well over 15+...he is usually good for 1 every year like clockwork. Probably in my top 3 fiction authors (outside fantasy fiction)...my other 2 would be Tim Dorsey and Donald Westlake..but those are more in the comic mystery area..Hiassen gets a mention there, too.

The current Jon Land series is around 6 books long I think...his stuff isnt overly intellectual..but is great for action and suspense. Might even be a movie in the works based on one of his books, finally...

[Swaggs]

While we are recommending authors, anyone able to recommend a good "spy thriller" type author? I've read Ludlum and I've read Clancy...I wouldn't mind something a little less "dense" than those guys. Something say between Cussler and Clancy, I guess.

Matthew Reilly is a guy you might want to take a look at. He only has a few novels out, but they are all pretty exciting. I liked Ice Station a lot.

Nelson DeMille is another favorite of mine. His novels have a pretty wide range of subjects, but quite a few of them could be considered in that genre. Spencerville and Nightfall are two good ones that he wrote.

[Draft Dodger]

I would give a big recommendation to try Jon Land. Most book stores only have a couple of his books at at time, though he has written well over 15+...he is usually good for 1 every year like clockwork. Probably in my top 3 fiction authors (outside fantasy fiction)...my other 2 would be Tim Dorsey and Donald Westlake..but those are more in the comic mystery area..Hiassen gets a mention there, too.

The current Jon Land series is around 6 books long I think...his stuff isnt overly intellectual..but is great for action and suspense. Might even be a movie in the works based on one of his books, finally...

sounds interesting
here's what my library carries - any one stand out?
Dolphin Key LANGUAGE MATL 1999
Hope Mountain LANGUAGE MATL 1998
Keepers Of The Gate LANGUAGE MATL 2001
The Last Prophecy LANGUAGE MATL 2004
The Walls Of Jericho LANGUAGE MATL 1997

[bossfan2000]

sounds interesting
here's what my library carries - any one stand out?
Dolphin Key LANGUAGE MATL 1999
Hope Mountain LANGUAGE MATL 1998
Keepers Of The Gate LANGUAGE MATL 2001
The Last Prophecy LANGUAGE MATL 2004
The Walls Of Jericho LANGUAGE MATL 1997

I think I would try The Walls of Jericho first. I think it is the first of the books to contain the Ben and Danielle characters. If you like it, then you could read the follow-ups..which include most of the same folks..

[vex]

*old thread alert*

I've been reading his books like crazy since I happened to pick up "The Chamber" I believe it was. Believe I have about 6 books of his left to read.

His next book will actually be non-fiction it seems:

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/grisham/Grisham_Nonfiction.pdf

[Dutch]

I read novels once in a while, A Time to Kill by Grisham was probably one of the most intense novels I have ever read.

[JimboJ]

You need to read "The Client" and "Runaway Jury." The books are much better than the movies, and are two of his best.

I agree you should read "Runaway Jury". Its very good, and its different enough from the movie to make it worth reading. In the book, the defendant is a tobacco company, which I think makes it much more interesting than the gunmaker defendant in the movie.

[pennywisesb]

I'm reading A Painted House right now and enjoying it. I've read most of his books, but I seem to enjoy the older books the most. My favorites are A Time To Kill, The Firm , and The Client. I would recommend reading the books even if you've seen the movies, because the books are much better IMHO.

[moriarty]

Nelson DeMille is another favorite of mine. His novels have a pretty wide range of subjects, but quite a few of them could be considered in that genre. Spencerville and Nightfall are two good ones that he wrote.

I personally like the ex-police guy (forget his name) in Plumb Island and the Lions' something (having issues with names today). Hillarious smart ass.

Edit: "John Corey" and "Lions Game". Nightfall was also an interesting blend of fact/fiction ... but I didn't care for it as much.

[KevinNU7]

I'm not a big Grisham fan. It seems to me he writes a good book for like 380 pages and then his producers tell him it can't go over 400 pages so he writes a really horrible and short ending to wrap the book up

[Izulde]

My favourite Grisham books are The Brethren, A Time To Kill, A Painted House, and The Chamber. Pelican Brief was the first Grisham novel I ever read, back my freshman year in high school. Buddy of mine loaned me his copy. Read it in a weekend and from then on I was hooked.

[Warhammer]

I'm not a big Grisham fan. It seems to me he writes a good book for like 380 pages and then his producers tell him it can't go over 400 pages so he writes a really horrible and short ending to wrap the book up

I read The Firm and one other of his early ones and because he can't finish a book, refused to read any other of his books.