What's Your Favorite Legal Thriller?

Paul Levine · 01-25-2011, 04:17 PM

I was speaking to a lawyers’ group in Miami last week when someone asked: “What’s your favorite legal thriller?”

Here’s my quick list. Please feel free to add or subtract from it:

“Witness for the Prosecution,” play by Agatha Christie, movie directed by Billy Wilder

“Anatomy of a Murder,” book by Robert Traver (pen name for Judge John Voelker), movie directed by Otto Preminger.

“A Few Good Men,” play by Aaron Sorkin, movie directed by Rob Reiner.

“The Verdict,” book by Barry Reed, movie directed by Sidney Lumet from David Mamet’s script

"Presumed Innocent" and “Innocent” by Scott Turow.

"The Firm" by John Grisham, basically for convincing readers that a law firm was nothing more than a money-laundering operation of the Mafia.

What’s your favorite legal thriller?

Paul Levine
Author of "FOOL ME TWICE"
The Jake Lassiter Series

Cpl Punishment · 01-25-2011, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Levine

I was speaking to a lawyers’ group in Miami last week when someone asked: “What’s your favorite legal thriller?”

Here’s my quick list. Please feel free to add or subtract from it:

“Witness for the Prosecution,” play by Agatha Christie, movie directed by Billy Wilder

“Anatomy of a Murder,” book by Robert Traver (pen name for Judge John Voelker), movie directed by Otto Preminger.

“A Few Good Men,” play by Aaron Sorkin, movie directed by Rob Reiner.

“The Verdict,” book by Barry Reed, movie directed by Sidney Lumet from David Mamet’s script

"Presumed Innocent" and “Innocent” by Scott Turow.

"The Firm" by John Grisham, basically for convincing readers that a law firm was nothing more than a money-laundering operation of the Mafia.

What’s your favorite legal thriller?

Paul Levine
Author of "FOOL ME TWICE"
The Jake Lassiter Series

There is a smarta** answer here and I am digging deep for it !!!

Catlady · 01-25-2011, 10:25 PM

One basically without any lawyers in it: Twelve Angry Men.

hedwig · 01-26-2011, 12:57 AM

There are many but the first that comes to mind is The Pelican Brief by John Grisham.

gmw · 01-26-2011, 02:26 AM

I particularly like most of what Richard North Patterson has written, among his best are: Eyes of a Child, Protect and Defend and Balance of Power.

I quite like some John Grisham, I think The Chamber was a stand out, also The Testament.

HarryT · 01-26-2011, 03:52 AM

They certainly aren't thrillers, but I'm very fond of John Mortimore's "Rumpole of the Bailey" books.

gmw · 01-26-2011, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

They certainly aren't thrillers, but I'm very fond of John Mortimore's "Rumpole of the Bailey" books.

Thriller seems to be a pretty loose term these days, I think ol' Rumpole fits as well as much else I've seen touted as thrillers.

rhadin · 01-26-2011, 09:28 AM

Catlady has named in Twelve Angry Men one of the best law-related movies of all time. And consider the cast -- it was truly a mega all star cast movie when viewed in light of its times. Lee J. Cobb was fantastic as the bigot and Henry Fonda displayed the patience he was known for in movies (even if not in real life).

And I second Harry's nomination of Rumpole. When I practiced law, I strove to be as good a lawyer as I thought Rumpole was (and Leo McKern truly was Rumpole).

Paul's nomination of A Few Good Men also gets a thumbs up from me. What a cast in the movie; probably Tom Cruise's finest hour.

Don't forget Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird -- both book and movie. Although not really a "thriller", it is a book that opened the eyes of many Americans.

Pookeysgirl · 01-26-2011, 09:30 AM

I would have to say my favourite is A Time To Kill by John Grisham. I've enjoyed all the books I've read by him but this one really stands out for me.

Mike L · 01-26-2011, 09:35 AM

I would add The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly (but I also like Witness for the Prosecution and Anatomy of a Murder).

tm3 · 01-26-2011, 12:39 PM

john grisham

JoelArnold · 02-01-2011, 05:04 PM

Presumed Innocent is one of my favorites. I remember my jaw dropping when I found out who did it.

rhadin · 02-02-2011, 09:05 AM

U.S. Supreme Court opinions written by Scalia, Thomas, or Roberts. It is a thrill beyond compare as one tries to figure who paid whom for the decision.

MrsPartridge · 02-02-2011, 12:12 PM

I really enjoyed Hostile Witness by William Lashner.

dmacmart · 02-02-2011, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsPartridge

I really enjoyed Hostile Witness by William Lashner.

I second this recommendation.

01-25-2011, 04:17 PM	#1
Paul Levine Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 725480 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle	What's Your Favorite Legal Thriller? I was speaking to a lawyers’ group in Miami last week when someone asked: “What’s your favorite legal thriller?” Here’s my quick list. Please feel free to add or subtract from it: “Witness for the Prosecution,” play by Agatha Christie, movie directed by Billy Wilder “Anatomy of a Murder,” book by Robert Traver (pen name for Judge John Voelker), movie directed by Otto Preminger. “A Few Good Men,” play by Aaron Sorkin, movie directed by Rob Reiner. “The Verdict,” book by Barry Reed, movie directed by Sidney Lumet from David Mamet’s script "Presumed Innocent" and “Innocent” by Scott Turow. "The Firm" by John Grisham, basically for convincing readers that a law firm was nothing more than a money-laundering operation of the Mafia. What’s your favorite legal thriller? Paul Levine Author of "FOOL ME TWICE" The Jake Lassiter Series

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01-25-2011, 10:25 PM	#3
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,407 Karma: 52613881 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	One basically without any lawyers in it: Twelve Angry Men.

01-26-2011, 12:57 AM	#4
hedwig Book Worm Posts: 116 Karma: 158766 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, iPad Air, iPad Mini, iPod Touch 5	There are many but the first that comes to mind is The Pelican Brief by John Grisham.

01-26-2011, 02:26 AM	#5
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,818 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	I particularly like most of what Richard North Patterson has written, among his best are: Eyes of a Child, Protect and Defend and Balance of Power. I quite like some John Grisham, I think The Chamber was a stand out, also The Testament.

01-26-2011, 03:52 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	They certainly aren't thrillers, but I'm very fond of John Mortimore's "Rumpole of the Bailey" books.

01-26-2011, 09:28 AM	#8
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	Catlady has named in Twelve Angry Men one of the best law-related movies of all time. And consider the cast -- it was truly a mega all star cast movie when viewed in light of its times. Lee J. Cobb was fantastic as the bigot and Henry Fonda displayed the patience he was known for in movies (even if not in real life). And I second Harry's nomination of Rumpole. When I practiced law, I strove to be as good a lawyer as I thought Rumpole was (and Leo McKern truly was Rumpole). Paul's nomination of A Few Good Men also gets a thumbs up from me. What a cast in the movie; probably Tom Cruise's finest hour. Don't forget Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird -- both book and movie. Although not really a "thriller", it is a book that opened the eyes of many Americans.

01-26-2011, 09:30 AM	#9
Pookeysgirl Wizard Posts: 1,705 Karma: 12696746 Join Date: May 2010 Device: K3, Kobo Mini	I would have to say my favourite is A Time To Kill by John Grisham. I've enjoyed all the books I've read by him but this one really stands out for me.

01-26-2011, 09:35 AM	#10
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	I would add The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly (but I also like Witness for the Prosecution and Anatomy of a Murder).

01-26-2011, 12:39 PM	#11
tm3 Groupie Posts: 174 Karma: 56678 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	john grisham

02-01-2011, 05:04 PM	#12
JoelArnold Fanatic Posts: 544 Karma: 1036914 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Savage, MN Device: Kindle 3	Presumed Innocent is one of my favorites. I remember my jaw dropping when I found out who did it.

02-02-2011, 09:05 AM	#13
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	U.S. Supreme Court opinions written by Scalia, Thomas, or Roberts. It is a thrill beyond compare as one tries to figure who paid whom for the decision.

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02-02-2011, 12:12 PM	#14
MrsPartridge Member Posts: 10 Karma: 35244 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 650	I really enjoyed Hostile Witness by William Lashner.