Top 10 best books by David Baldacci

David Baldacci has a law degree and practiced law for nine years, but he doesn't creates stricte legal or court thrillers. This novelist writes thrillers that have more action in them and hes doing it really well. So if you are looking for titles from this genre, you should definitely get one of books written by Baldacci.

This American writer has published more than 20 titles and created several series (including Camel Club and with Sean King and Michelle Maxwell), as well as many stand-alone novels.

Baldacci made his debut in 1996 with the novel Absolute Power, which immediately became the worldwide bestseller. A year later, the novel was made into a movie - Absolute Power (1997) - with Clint Eastwood (who is also a director of this movie), Ed Harris and Gene Hackman.

Now this author has millions of sold copies of his novels. Fully deserved!

I like books by David Baldacci – they are well written, dynamic, always with an interesting story and a surprising ending. It's worth to read his novels, which is why I choose the books which in my opinion are the best novels written by David Baldacci. I encourage you to read them.

This is my ranking of best novels by David Baldacci:

1. Absolute Power (see description)

2. Stone Cold (see description)

3. Wish You Well (see description)

4. The Winner (see description)

5. Divine Justice (see description)

6. Split Second (see description)

7. The Innocent (see description)

8. The Hit (see description)

9. The Target – latest David Baldacci's book (see description)

10. Total Control (see description)

I think if you are looking for a new thrillers or wondering which of the books written by Baldacci to read first - see one of the titles above. I guarantee it will be a good read :-)

Best legal thriller ever

I recently wrote about the top ten legal thrillers by John Grisham. I think he is the king of this genre, but in my personal ranking best title in this category does not belong to any of Grisham's novels, but to Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow.

Scott Turow is a writer, a practicing attorney and author of eight novels and two nonfictional books. Presumed Innocent, published in 1987, was his first fiction book. It tells the story of Rozat "Rusty" Sabich - chief deputy prosecutor of Kindle County. One day he must deal with the brutal murder of Carolyn Polhemus - prosecuting attorney, who was once his mistress. His boss, Raymond Horgan, who is going for re-election, wants the case to be closed quickly since he believes that it will score on it  political capital. So Sabich starts to work on finding Polhemus' killer, but with poor results. There is no evidence nor idea who could do it.

During this time, Horgan discovers the truth about Sabich's relationship with Carolyn, and he pulls him from the case. From that moment evidence begin to turn up that Sabich may have killed Polhemus. Sabich is accused and suddenly the hunter becomes the hunted. Even his wife, who knew about the affair, begins to suspect his guilt.

Sabich has to battle to prove his innocence. He hires lawyer Alejandro "Sandy" Stern to defend him. In this way prosecutor participates in the process from the "other side".

It is interesting to see how a prosecutor thinks and how a defender acts, the methods they use and what is their attitude to work. While reading you can clearly see that Turow has a law degree and wast experience in this profession (he prosecuted several high-profile corruption cases as the Wikipedia states). He created world full of evocative descriptions, great dialogues (especially in the courtroom) and realistic characters.

I remember that while reading Presumed Innocent every moment I was impressed by things that I've learned, turn-based literary workshop, as well as the development of history, because he invented it very credible, it was logically drawn, probable and ends with a surprising finale.

I won't write a detailed review of this book, I would just like to encourage everyone to - if you haven't done it already – to read this book. Certainly you won't regret it! You can buy Presumed Innocent on Amazon.

PS. The novel was adapted for the screen with the same title in 1990 directed by Alan J. Pakula with Harrison Ford in the main role. See description and reviews.

Top 10 best books by John Grisham

When I talk with someone about legal thrillers the first name that always comes up in the discussion is John Grisham. And no wonder. He is one of the most popular writers in the world!

What I like in Grisham's career is his determination  - he didn't get discouraged by the rejection of his first novel - A Time to Kill. It was rejected almost 30 times (!) before Wynwood Press decided to take the risk and publish a novel of an unknown author.

This is another example of a writer, who believed in his work and did not give up easily. As you can see, his hard work and determination paid off :). Up till now he has published over 25 titles! If someone does not know Grisham's biography, you can read it e.g. on Wikipedia.

Earlier I wrote about the ten best novels written by Deaver, this time here is my list of ten favourite and best novels by John Grisham.

One note: I didn't read all Grisham's book. When I'll have more free time - you know this explanation, don't you? :) - I'll definitely read The Street Lawyer, The Innocent Man, The Confession or The Chamber.

I have read about fifteen of his books and I choose ten novels, which I think anyone who wants to know John Grisham's talent should read. You can do it on the bus, train, airplane, in bed, lying on the beach or sitting in the comfortable chair :).

Here is my top ten:
1. The Firm (see description)
2. The Runaway Jury (see description)
3. A Time to Kill (see description)
4. The Pelican Brief (see description)
5. The King of Torts (see description)
6. The Rainmaker (see description)
7. The Client (see description)
8. The Testament (see description)
9. The Brethren (see description)
10. The Partner (see description)

The latest Grisham's book was publish in October - The Litigators (see description). If you know someone who loves Grisham - this is a good title for a Christmas gift! You can find other suggestions for presents in my previous post.

What are your favorite books by Grisham?