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Original poster

Legal / courtroom thrillers recommendations?

21 replies

FawnDrench · 29/09/2026 22:15

I really enjoy the trial and courtroom bits rather than over-involved background about the lawyers - I know there needs to be some of this of course.
Can anyone suggest anything gripping and with a vaguely credible development and outcome or ending or whatever.
Not John Grisham or Michael Connelly but sort of along those lines please.

Thanks a lot.

OP posts:
ffsx100 · 29/09/2026 22:17

Simon Michael’s Charles Holborne series is great. The author was a barrister so very authentic

TiredThursday · 29/09/2026 22:17

The Cut Throat Trial by The Secret Barrister - exactly as you describe and brilliant.

Manchestermummax2 · 29/09/2026 23:19

Steve cavanagh - Eddie flynn series

Blackcountryexile · 01/10/2026 14:32

Seconding The Cut Throat Trial. I loved it.
You might also want to try Rob Rinder's series. The first one is The Trial.

SmallIslandLife · 01/10/2026 16:19

Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray. The author is a Barrister, so the trial feels authentic. Although I did think the plot itself was a little farfetched at times.

SkyBlueAndTired · 02/10/2026 08:09

Any more US recommendations? Love Grisham (although quality has dropped off significantly IMO) and Lincoln Lawyer. Inaccuracies in UK legal thrillers make me wince.

Ophy83 · 02/10/2026 08:20

Rob Rinder's series is fun but there are plot lines that really wouldn't happen. The secret barrister novel is brilliant.

You Don't Know Me by Imran Mahmood is really good on gang culture.

Of Mice and Murder for a historical take and to give you a sense of the inns of court. If you want an even more historical take then the Shardlake series is fantastic.

Janice Hallett books if you want the feeling of sifting through a file of evidence

For a comedic take, the Walden of Bermondsey series by Peter Murphy.

I would also really recommend a couple of non-novels - Rough Justice and Unlawful Killings by HHJ Wendy Joseph KC (formerly the senior judge at the old bailey, really interesting and thought provoking books looking at real trials)

YesItsMe44 · 02/10/2026 08:28

Author Lisa Scottoline's (award winning author in the mystery genre) first book "Everywhere That Mary Went" is her first novel and in a "series" of books about an all women's law firm. You don't necessarily have to read them in order. She does keep you on the edge trying to figure out the plot.

magicstar1 · 02/10/2026 08:45

I love the Eddie Flynn series by Steve Cavanagh. My mother has read them all too and couldn’t get enough.

ExplodingSmittens · 06/10/2026 08:04

I didn’t really enjoy either of Rob Rinder’s books, not even sure why I bothered to read the second one.

DillyDallyingAllDay · 06/10/2026 08:51

I loved Truth be told and Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah. Then went on to read her other books and highly recommend them too, although the storylines are less legal/courtroom.

Raiderofthelostbattenburg · 06/10/2026 17:34

I liked Without Prejudice by Nicola Williams a lot.

WomanInTheBoat · 06/10/2026 19:40

Try Kia Abdullah. Really good.

Greenjersey · 06/10/2026 20:17

Scott Turows Kindle County series, starting with Presumed Innocent. (As is often the case the book is way better than the film).

tobee · 08/10/2026 20:01

I started listening to the first Rob Rinder (I don’t know exactly why I stopped) and, from the bit I listened to, I thought it was very much focused on the barristers’ lives

HoppityBun · 19/10/2026 17:43

Raymond Postgate: Verdict of Twelve
DL Sayers: Clouds of Witness and Strong Poison

Original poster
FawnDrench · 19/10/2026 18:13

Thanks so much for the recommendations so far - much appreciated.

OP posts:
Summersongroses · 19/10/2026 19:14

Mark giminez books are really good (bit like early John Grisham) and I wish he’d write more….

cleo333 · 19/10/2026 19:15

Love this

Strictly11 · 19/10/2026 19:18

Another for Steve Cavanagh and Eddie Flynn. Listening now and love them.

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