Every Single John Grisham Books In Order, the Definitive Guide

John Grisham is a renowned author known for his captivating legal thrillers that have enthralled readers for decades. With a vast body of work spanning various series and standalone novels, keeping track of the books in chronological order can be quite a task. That's why we've put together this definitive guide to John Grisham's books in order, ensuring you never miss a beat in his thrilling narratives.

Jake Brigance Series:

1. A Time to Kill (1989):

This gripping debut novel introduces readers to Jake Brigance, a young lawyer defending a black man accused of a horrific crime in racially charged Mississippi.

2. Sycamore Row (2013):

Set three years after the events of "A Time to Kill," Jake Brigance finds himself embroiled in a contentious legal battle over a wealthy man's will, pitting family members against one another.

3. A Time for Mercy (2020):

In this latest installment of the series, Jake Brigance takes on the defense of a young boy accused of killing his mother's boyfriend, delving into a complex web of family dynamics and the pursuit of justice.

4. Sparring Partners (2022):

This novella features Jake Brigance as he navigates yet another legal challenge, showcasing Grisham's talent for crafting compelling short stories within the series.

Rogue Lawyer Series:

1. Rogue Lawyer (2015):

Meet Sebastian Rudd, a maverick defense attorney who takes on seemingly unwinnable cases, challenging the justice system and putting his life on the line.

The Whistler Series:

1. The Whistler (2016):

In this gripping legal thriller, a whistleblower uncovers corruption within the legal system, setting off a dangerous chain of events that will test the limits of justice.

2. The Judge's List (2021):

John Grisham's latest addition to the series follows a respected judge who stumbles upon a shocking conspiracy that threatens the integrity of the judicial system.

Camino Island Series:

1. Camino Island (2017):

Join Mercer Mann, a young novelist, as she becomes entangled in a dangerous world of literary intrigue and theft on a picturesque Florida island.

2. Camino Winds (2020):

In this sequel to "Camino Island," a hurricane hits the island, and a murder rocks the tight-knit community, leading to a thrilling investigation filled with twists and turns.

Mitch McDeere Series:

1. The Firm (1991):

Dive into the world of Mitch McDeere, a young lawyer who unwittingly becomes entangled in a dangerous web of deceit and murder when he joins a prestigious law firm.

2. The Exchange (2023):

The sequel to "The Firm" reunites readers with Mitch McDeere as he faces new challenges and fights for survival in a high-stakes international thriller.

Stand-alone Novels:

John Grisham has also penned numerous standalone novels, each offering a unique and captivating narrative. Here are some of his notable works:

The Pelican Brief (1992):

Gripping legal thriller with conspiracy and suspense. A law student's controversial brief on the assassination of two Supreme Court justices puts her life in danger as she unravels a web of political conspiracy.

The Client (1993):

A young boy holds a dangerous secret, compelling and intense. Mark Sway, a 11-year-old boy, becomes the target of both the mob and the law enforcement after witnessing a crime, leading him to seek the help of a determined attorney to protect him.

The Chamber (1994):

A death row lawyer confronts a family's dark past. Adam Hall, a young lawyer, takes on the case of his grandfather, a convicted murderer on death row, and in the process, confronts the haunting secrets and painful truths buried within his own family.

The Rainmaker (1995):

Idealistic lawyer takes on a corrupt insurance company. Rudy Baylor, a young and idealistic lawyer, takes on a powerful insurance company in a case involving a terminally ill young man, fighting against their greed and corruption in pursuit of justice.

The Runaway Jury (1996):

Intriguing courtroom drama with high-stakes jury manipulation. In a landmark trial against a major gun manufacturer, a mysterious jury consultant manipulates the jury selection process, while a lawyer and a juror with ulterior motives clash in a battle of wits and strategy.

The Partner (1997):

A lawyer fakes his death and disappears with stolen money. Patrick Lanigan stages his own death and disappears with $90 million of his law firm's money, but his carefully laid plans start to unravel as he becomes the target of a relentless manhunt.

The Street Lawyer (1998):

Attorney's life changes when he helps the homeless. Michael Brock, a high-powered lawyer, has a life-altering encounter with a homeless man that makes him question his priorities and career choices, leading him to dedicate himself to helping the disadvantaged on the streets.

The Testament (1999):

Rich man's will sparks a legal battle and family secrets. Troy Phelan, a billionaire, leaves behind a mysterious will that triggers a fierce legal battle among his family members, while an unexpected heir embarks on an adventure to uncover the truth about her inheritance.

The Brethren (2000):

Three imprisoned judges orchestrate a blackmail scheme. In a federal prison, three disgraced judges form an unlikely alliance and orchestrate a blackmail scheme targeting powerful individuals, but their operation is threatened when they unwittingly target the wrong man.

A Painted House (2001):

A coming-of-age story set in rural Arkansas. Luke Chandler, a young boy living on a cotton farm in Arkansas, experiences a life-changing summer filled with family dynamics, secrets, and the hardships of rural life during the 1950s.

Skipping Christmas (2001):

A couple decides to skip Christmas celebrations. Luther and Nora Krank, tired of the commercialism and stress of the holiday season, decide to opt-out of Christmas festivities, leading to comedic chaos and unexpected lessons about the true meaning of the season.

The Summons (2002):

When Ray Atlee, a law professor, receives a summons from his dying father, he embarks on a journey that uncovers long-held family secrets and leads him to confront his own demons. This gripping legal thriller explores the complexities of inheritance, the ties that bind families, and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of truth and redemption.

The King of Torts (2003):

Clay Carter, a young and ambitious lawyer, catapults to success in mass tort litigation, amassing wealth and fame. However, as he climbs the ladder of power, he is faced with ethical dilemmas, compromising his principles and putting everything he has worked for at risk. Clay must navigate treacherous alliances and confront the dark side of the legal world in this gripping tale of ambition and redemption.

Bleachers (2003):

When Eddie Rake, the legendary high school football coach of Messina Spartans, passes away, former players gather to pay their respects and reminisce about the glory days. As they share stories of triumph and heartbreak, the bonds of brotherhood are tested, revealing the lasting impact of Rake's coaching and the power of sports to unite and heal a community.

The Last Juror (2004):

In small-town Mississippi, Willie Traynor, a young newspaper owner, becomes immersed in a sensational murder trial that captivates the entire community. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers dark secrets, encounters threats, and must confront the moral dilemma of revealing the truth or protecting the fragile balance of justice in a tightly knit town.

The Broker (2005):

Joel Backman, a former powerful Washington lobbyist, is unexpectedly pardoned and sent into exile after serving six years in prison for illegal activities. Placed under the protection of the CIA, he is relocated to Italy, where he must navigate a treacherous landscape of international intrigue and betrayal while trying to rebuild his life and unravel the secrets that led to his downfall.

Playing for Pizza (2007):

Rick Dockery, a fallen NFL quarterback, finds himself with one last shot at redemption when he accepts an offer to play for the Parma Panthers in Italy's professional football league. In a foreign land, surrounded by a colorful cast of characters, Rick learns about love, loyalty, and the true essence of the game, as he strives to resurrect his career and find a place to call home.

The Appeal (2008):

When a small town is devastated by a chemical company's toxic waste, a fierce legal battle ensues as a grieving widow takes on a powerful corporation. In a race against time, lawyers on both sides employ manipulative tactics and murky alliances, exposing the corrupt underbelly of the judicial system and posing the question: Can justice truly be served in a world driven by money and influence?

The Associate (2009):

Kyle McAvoy, a brilliant young lawyer, finds himself trapped in a web of blackmail and deception when he is coerced into accepting a position at a prestigious law firm with a sinister agenda. As he navigates the dangerous world of corporate law, Kyle must outsmart his adversaries and protect his own life while unearthing the truth that could bring down the powerful forces working against him.

The Confession (2010):

Travis Boyette, a convicted felon, approaches a young pastor with a shocking secret: he holds information that could save an innocent man on death row. As the clock ticks, the pastor races against time to uncover the truth, battling against a flawed justice system and the moral implications of his actions in this gripping tale of justice, redemption, and the weight of a guilty conscience.

The Litigators (2011):

David Zinc, a disillusioned lawyer escaping the corporate grind, joins a scrappy and unconventional law firm specializing in class-action lawsuits. Together with his eccentric colleagues, they take on a pharmaceutical giant in a David versus Goliath legal battle, testing their skills, ethics, and determination as they fight for justice and their own professional redemption.

Calico Joe (2012):

In this heartfelt baseball story, a young pitcher named Joe Castle becomes an overnight sensation for the Chicago Cubs, capturing the nation's attention with his extraordinary talent. However, a fateful pitch from Warren Tracey, a notorious pitcher for the New York Mets, changes both their lives forever, intertwining their destinies in a tale of forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring love for America's favorite pastime.

The Racketeer (2012):

Malcolm Bannister, a former lawyer convicted for a crime he didn't commit, masterminds an audacious plan to gain his freedom by exposing a deadly conspiracy within the legal system. With the clock ticking and powerful adversaries closing in, Malcolm must outmaneuver his enemies, utilizing his legal acumen and street smarts to turn the tables and exact his revenge in this high-stakes game of cat and mouse.

Gray Mountain (2014):

Samantha Kofer, a young lawyer, finds herself uprooted from her high-powered Manhattan job and thrust into the coal mining country of Appalachia after the financial crisis. As she confronts the harsh realities of the coal industry and fights for the rights of impoverished miners, Samantha uncovers corruption, environmental devastation, and a fight for justice that challenges her preconceptions about the law and her own place in the world.

The Rooster Bar (2017):

Mark, Todd, and Zola, disillusioned law students drowning in student loan debt, hatch a daring plan to expose the predatory practices of a for-profit law school and bring down the corrupt system that preys on vulnerable students. Posing as practicing lawyers, they navigate the dangerous waters of legal ethics and the consequences of their actions, risking everything to seek justice and freedom from their burdens.

The Reckoning (2018): When decorated World War II veteran Pete Banning inexplicably murders the local Methodist minister in his small Mississippi town, a gripping courtroom drama unfolds, delving into the dark secrets of Pete's past and the motivations behind his shocking act. As his guilt seems evident, the trial uncovers a complex web of family history, honor, and redemption, challenging the notions of justice and the lengths one will go to protect those they love.

The Guardians (2019):

Cullen Post, a lawyer and Episcopal minister, takes on the case of Quincy Miller, a wrongfully convicted man serving life in prison for a murder he did not commit. As Cullen digs deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a web of corruption, lies, and suppressed evidence, risking his own safety to seek justice and expose those responsible for Quincy's wrongful imprisonment.

Sooley (2021):

Samuel Sooleymon, a talented young basketball player from South Sudan, earns a scholarship to play college basketball in the United States. As he navigates the highs and lows of his athletic career, Sooley's journey becomes a poignant tale of hope, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams in the face of adversity, capturing the power of sports to transcend borders and change lives.

The Boys from Biloxi (2022):

In the tumultuous 1960s, a group of young men from Biloxi, Mississippi, form an extraordinary high school baseball team, defying racial tensions and societal expectations to pursue their passion and compete for a state championship. Through friendship, sacrifice, and the love of the game, they learn valuable lessons about unity, equality, and the transformative power of teamwork.

Young Adult Novels:

John Grisham has also ventured into young adult fiction with the Theodore Boone series. These novels follow the adventures of Theodore Boone, a kid lawyer with a knack for solving mysteries and standing up for justice.

1. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (2010):

Theodore Boone, a young aspiring lawyer, becomes embroiled in a high-stakes murder trial that captivates his small town, as he uses his legal knowledge and instincts to uncover the truth and fight for justice.

2. Theodore Boone: The Abduction (2011):

When a classmate goes missing, Theodore Boone finds himself caught up in a gripping kidnapping case, using his intelligence and determination to unravel the mystery and bring the truth to light.

3. Theodore Boone: The Accused (2012):

Theodore Boone finds himself at the center of a murder trial when his best friend is accused of a crime he didn't commit. As he navigates the complexities of the legal system, Theodore fights to clear his friend's name and expose the real culprit.

4. Theodore Boone: The Activist (2013):

Theodore Boone becomes involved in a high-profile environmental case that pits a local community against a powerful corporation. As he fights for the rights of the voiceless, Theodore learns about the power of activism and the importance of standing up for what he believes in.

5. Theodore Boone: The Fugitive (2015):

Theodore Boone finds himself entangled in a thrilling pursuit when a dangerous fugitive goes on the run. As he uses his legal skills and resourcefulness to assist in the capture of the fugitive, Theodore faces personal risks and uncovers shocking revelations along the way.

6. Theodore Boone: The Scandal (2016):

Theodore Boone is thrust into the midst of a political scandal when a local politician becomes entangled in a web of corruption. As he investigates the truth, Theodore must navigate treacherous waters of power and deceit, risking everything to expose the scandal and uphold justice.

7. Theodore Boone: The Accomplice (2019):

Theodore Boone finds himself defending a classmate who is accused of being an accomplice to a crime. As he delves into the case, Theodore uncovers hidden motives, deceptive alliances, and a dangerous conspiracy that puts his own life at risk.

This comprehensive guide ensures you have all the information you need to navigate John Grisham's thrilling world of legal fiction. Whether you prefer his beloved series or his standalone novels, each book offers an immersive experience filled with suspense, intrigue, and thought-provoking themes. So, pick up your next Grisham read and get ready for a captivating journey into the complexities of law and the human condition.