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Shelley Brewster · 10-04-2010, 04:09 PM

Today is the First Monday in October, when the United States Supreme Court convenes each year. Here are a four fast-paced legal thrillers, set at the High Court, all written by lawyers-turned-novelists:

"The Pelican Brief" by John Grisham. Even if you didn’t read the book, you may have seen the Julia Roberts’ movie. The book begins with the assassination of two Supreme Court justices in separate incidents, and only law student Darby Shaw can figure out the connection. It all has to do with creating two vacancies on the Court so that...wait...no spoilers!

"Reversal" by Paul Levine. This thriller was the inspiration for the CBS drama “First Monday” starring Joe Mantegna and James Garner. Justice Sam Truitt comes to the Supreme Court with high ideals, lofty intentions...and a troubled marriage. Lisa Fremont, his stunning and brilliant law clerk, has a dark secret in her past. If Lisa doesn’t get Truitt’s vote in multi-million dollar case involving a catastrophic airplane crash, she’ll be killed. There’s nasty intrigue inside the marble palace, illicit sex on the outside, and danger everywhere in this fast-paced tale.

Brad Meltzer’s "The Tenth Justice" also involves a Supreme Court law clerk. Smart but naive Ben Addison is tricked into revealing the outcome of a case not yet officially decided. He’s then blackmailed into giving up info on future cases and soon realizes that one of his best friends may be on the other side. It’s a fast-paced ride where Ben begins trying to save his career only later having to save his life, too.

"The Simple Truth" by David Baldacci involves a 25-year-old murder conviction now at the Supreme Court and yet another law clerk in hot water. This time, the clerk steals a convict’s court filing and tries to visit him in prison. The conspiratorial bad guys who may have framed the inmate kill the clerk and set the wild plot in motion. Soon, fellow law clerk Sara Evans and the dead clerk’s ex-cop brother are on the case, and the body count mounts.

"Reversal" is the bargain of the bunch at $2.87 on Kindle. The others range from $6.79 to $9.99.

Do you have a favorite Supreme Court novel? Or...a legal thriller you love?

10-04-2010, 04:09 PM	#1
Shelley Brewster Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle 2	Favorite Legal Thrillers on "First Monday in October" Today is the First Monday in October, when the United States Supreme Court convenes each year. Here are a four fast-paced legal thrillers, set at the High Court, all written by lawyers-turned-novelists: "The Pelican Brief" by John Grisham. Even if you didn’t read the book, you may have seen the Julia Roberts’ movie. The book begins with the assassination of two Supreme Court justices in separate incidents, and only law student Darby Shaw can figure out the connection. It all has to do with creating two vacancies on the Court so that...wait...no spoilers! "Reversal" by Paul Levine. This thriller was the inspiration for the CBS drama “First Monday” starring Joe Mantegna and James Garner. Justice Sam Truitt comes to the Supreme Court with high ideals, lofty intentions...and a troubled marriage. Lisa Fremont, his stunning and brilliant law clerk, has a dark secret in her past. If Lisa doesn’t get Truitt’s vote in multi-million dollar case involving a catastrophic airplane crash, she’ll be killed. There’s nasty intrigue inside the marble palace, illicit sex on the outside, and danger everywhere in this fast-paced tale. Brad Meltzer’s "The Tenth Justice" also involves a Supreme Court law clerk. Smart but naive Ben Addison is tricked into revealing the outcome of a case not yet officially decided. He’s then blackmailed into giving up info on future cases and soon realizes that one of his best friends may be on the other side. It’s a fast-paced ride where Ben begins trying to save his career only later having to save his life, too. "The Simple Truth" by David Baldacci involves a 25-year-old murder conviction now at the Supreme Court and yet another law clerk in hot water. This time, the clerk steals a convict’s court filing and tries to visit him in prison. The conspiratorial bad guys who may have framed the inmate kill the clerk and set the wild plot in motion. Soon, fellow law clerk Sara Evans and the dead clerk’s ex-cop brother are on the case, and the body count mounts. "Reversal" is the bargain of the bunch at $2.87 on Kindle. The others range from $6.79 to $9.99. Do you have a favorite Supreme Court novel? Or...a legal thriller you love?