John Grisham is best known for his fast-paced legal thrillers and mysteries, many of which have been adapted for television and film. Because he’s so prolific and has been writing for decades, it can be difficult to know where to begin when selecting a title from his impressive back catalog. And Grisham is definitely a jack-of-all-trades: he’s written not only legal thrillers, but nonfiction, a series for kids, some humorous novels, and recently, a
new mystery series outside of the legal thriller genre. To help you decide which Grisham gem to download next, we’ve compiled a list of the very best John Grisham audiobooks.
Though some characters are recurring, most of these are standalone novels, so you can feel free to jump in wherever you want.
John Grisham’s most popular novel is also the one that kicked off his career as a master of legal thrillers. Michael Beck narrates this mystery set in a small town in the South, which unravels the repercussions of a horrific crime committed against a 10-year-old Black girl, her father’s taking justice into his own hands, and the white defense attorney, Jack Brigance, who takes the case—only to find that his client’s life, and his own, are in grave danger.
Mark is just a kid who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. And when he overhears information that immediately puts him in danger, his life is changed forever. He knows the location of a dead body that criminals and law enforcement are both desperate to find. With nowhere safe to turn, he puts his trust in a young lawyer who will protect him at all costs. Blair Brown expertly narrates this thriller, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you eagerly wait to hear what happens next.
When a young law student writes a brief, she has no idea that it will have immense ramifications for her life, the legal system, and the entire country. But in the aftermath of the assassination of two United States Supreme Court Justices, she’ll find herself in grave danger, only able to trust a young reporter looking for the truth. This audiobook is narrated by actor Anthony Heald, who superbly brings the tense atmosphere to life.
Grisham takes on the issue of jury tampering in this thriller, narrated by the accomplished Frank Muller. It takes place in Biloxi, Mississippi, following what proves to be a landmark trial regarding the tobacco industry. The jury quickly begins to behave strangely, and it’s not long before members believe they’re being watched. Sequestering them makes no difference, and soon, one woman claims she can predict their next movements. But who is manipulating the jury, and why?
