Read-Alike Monday: John Grisham

John Grisham's latest, Camino Island, is another smash hit, coming in at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list and very popular with Lake Forest Library patrons. If you like John Grisham, try one of these authors next.

Brad Meltzer: Brad Meltzer's novels portray young, vulnerable lawyers caught in difficult situations, pitted against powerful but corrupt enemies. Fast pacing, provocative storylines, suspense and danger, along with sympathetic characters make Meltzer a good choice for Grisham fans. Start with The Tenth Justice.

Lisa Scottoline: Lisa Scottoline's novels share the legal focus, sympathetic characters, fast pacing, and unexpected plot twists found in John Grisham's work. There's more humor and sarcasm in Scottoline's stories, but they offer a similarly suspenseful tone. Start with Everywhere that Mary Went, the first in Scottoline's Rosato and Associates series. Rosato & Associates, an all-women law firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

William Bernhardt: The potential drama of the courtroom fuels the work of William Bernhardt. Bernhardt is known for his suspenseful, fast-paced legal thrillers with intricate plots and underdog protagonists. Like Grisham, he paints the often dry world of jurisprudence in bright, exciting colors. Start with Primary Justice, the first in Bernhardt's Ben Kincaid series. Ben Kincaid is a criminal defense attorney in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Steve Martini: Steve Martini's cinematic and page-turning legal thrillers may appeal to fans of John Grisham. Sympathetic protagonists people the stories - his novels often feature lawyers as underdogs, fighting for justice. Investigation plays an important role, with actual courtroom drama often taking second place. Start with Compelling Evidence, the first in Martini's Paul Madriani series. Paul Madriani is a defense attorney in California.