For everyone who loves reading mysteries about legal systems, here’s my top 5 lawyer books. Enjoy and feel free to add other books in the comments!
PD James A Certain Justice
The late P.D. James has investigator Adam Dalgliesh exam the murder of criminal defense attorney Venetia Aldridge. The attorney has succeeded in defending her client against murder charges. Then she’s found stabbed to death in her office. What happened?
One thing I like about James’ work is that she takes her time getting to the murders. We might be 70 pages into the novel before anyone dies. This can be either irritating or fascinating. The reader gets to know the victim, rather than have him/her appear only in memory after their death, and various suspects, usually unpleasant and hiding nasty secrets, and get tangled in a web of complicated motives. It’s a reminder that the victim is a human (okay, a fictional one).
John Grisham The Runaway Jury
When writing about legal thrillers, it’s probably mandated somewhere that John Grisham end up on the list. The Runaway Jury was my first Grisham novel. There were funny moments. There were serious issues. I can’t vouch for how accurate the legal aspects are or whether it’s actually possible for a jury to get up to the shenanigans that they do here. But it made for a fun read.
Alafair Burke The Wife
My review of Burke’s who-can-you-trust? legal thriller is coming later this week. But I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads. Excellent work.
Sujeta Massey The Widows of Malabar Hill
I’ve already reviewed Massey’s novel on this site. Despite some shortcomings, there was a lot to like about it. Massey has a sequel coming out later this year. I look forward to the continuing story of Perveen Mistry, a female solicitor in 1920s Bombay.
Attica Locke Black Water Rising
Disclaimer: I have not finished this book. But I’m already hooked by the protagonist and the situation. Not only that, but I’m emotionally invested in his well-being. And I’ve only read one chapter! Quite an accomplishment, Ms. Locke. I look forward to reading on.
Readers, have you read any of these? What’s your favorite legal thriller? Share some great recommendations!