Books
8 gripping new legal thrillers for 2024
Legal thrillers are always brimming with the kinds of drama and excitement that keep you turning the page. Think unsolved cases, crossfire questons, wrongly accused defendants, and lawyers facing moral dilemmas in the pursuit of truth and justice. The stakes are never higher, as a person’s life hangs in the balance, and the best legal thrillers have intricate plot twists you can never see coming.
If you’re a fan of this genre, and looking for some new books to add to your shelf, you’re in luck. Below is our verdict on the most thrilling legal thriller books out this year…
The best legal thrillers and courtroom dramas of 2024
The Suspect by Rob Rinder
The Suspect by Rob Rinder
This gripping second novel from author and criminal barrister Rob Rinder follows on from his Sunday Times Number One best-seller, The Trial. Television presenter Hannah Holby dies live on air from anaphylactic shock after tasting a dish prepared by celebrity chef Sebastian Brooks. Although Sebastian is the prime suspect, it falls to junior barrister Adam Green to find the real culprit. Told with Rob Rinder’s trademark wit and warmth, this whodunnit is a compelling and humorous read.
Until Proven Innocent by Nicola Williams
Until Proven Innocent by Nicola Williams
Now available in paperback, this 2023 courtroom thriller centres around young Black barrister Lee Mitchell, who takes on a case defending a racist police officer accused of shooting the local pastor’s son. As she finds herself up against criticism from her community for taking on the case, her personal and professional life begin to unravel. This is a complex and intriguing story about how to defend the indefensible.
A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci
A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci
A compelling legal thriller set in 1968, this book tells the story of a Black lawyer and white lawyer in southern Virginia, who work together to defend their wrongfully-accused Black defendant. A fast-paced courtroom drama, both fight for a fair trial for their client who is accused of killing a white couple. This is a tale of justice and redemption that is centred around the law and the racial divides of America’s Civil Rights movement. A well-written and gripping story.
8 Months Left by James Patterson
8 Months Left by James Patterson
Following on from last year’s legal drama 12 Months to Live, this book continues the story of tough-as-nails criminal defence attorney Jane Smith, who is knee-deep in the criminal case of the century. This time, her high-profile client is on trial for murder and claims to have been framed. Jane attempts to fight his case, while battling her own terminal diagnosis. This is a fast-paced and gripping story with a great plot and a main character you can’t help but root for.
Prima Facie by Suzie Miller
Prima Facie by Suzie Miller
Based on the award-winning play starring Jodie Comer, Prima Facie tells the story of criminal defence barrister Tessa Ensler who finds herself on the other side of the courtroom when she accuses a colleague of sexual assault. As she attempts to convince a jury of what happened, Tessa experiences the injustice of the legal system first-hand, and realises that the rules she’s always played by might not be enough to protect her. This is a tough read in places, but very emotional, thought-provoking and powerful.
The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini
The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini
This psychological thriller tells the story of a woman who falls to her death from a London bank’s 25th-floor roof terrace. Was it a tragic accident or was she pushed? Office worker Tate was the last person to see her alive, but she claims she convinced the woman not to jump. Now, Tate is the main murder suspect. This is a dark and compelling legal thriller, with likeable characters and a satisfying ending.
Camino Ghosts by John Grisham
Camino Ghosts by John Grisham
John Grisham’s latest story in the Camino series focuses on an abandoned island off the Florida coast that has attracted a horde of greedy developers. Its last inhabitant, an elderly woman called Lovely Jackson, claims to be the isand’s legal owner – but there is no evidence to support her claim. With a court case looming, it falls to pro-bono environmental lawyer Steve Mahon and novelist Mercer Mann to protect Lovely and save the island.
The No. 1 Lawyer by James Patterson
The No. 1 Lawyer by James Patterson
Stafford Lee is a leading defence lawyer in Mississipi – and then his wife is killed, and he is framed for her murder. In a bid to bring his wife’s killer to justice, Stafford is forced to defend himself in the biggest murder trial the town has ever seen. This courtroom drama has a fast-paced plot, as you’d expect from James Patterson, with nail-biting tension that will keep you guessing until the very end. We also recommend Patterson’s 2023 legal thriller, Lion & Lamb.
Don’t miss our round-up of the best legal thrillers of all time.
How many of the above have you read? Let us know in the comments below…
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