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The Confession
John Grisham

The Confession

Quick Answer

Read "The Confession" as the 22nd book in the Standalone Novels sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "Ford County" (Book 21)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 22nd installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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2012432 ppWikidataSource
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An innocent man is about to be executed. Only a guilty man can save him. In 1998, in the small East Texas city of Sloan, Travis Boyette abducted, raped, and strangled a popular high school cheerleader. He buried her body so that it would never be found, then watched in amazement as police and prosecutors arrested and convicted Donté Drumm, a local football star, and marched him off to death row. Now nine years have passed. Travis has just been paroled in Kansas for a different crime; Donté is four days away from his execution. Travis suffers from an inoperable brain tumor. For the first time in his miserable life, he decides to do what’s right and confess. But how can a guilty man convince lawyers, judges, and politicians that they’re about to execute an innocent man? Don’t miss John Grisham’s new book, THE EXCHANGE: AFTER THE FIRM!
Next Recommended Book

Code To Zero

Book #22 of 524 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Standalone Novels conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading The Confession?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read The Confession before Ford County?

No. We recommend reading Ford County first. The Confession is the 22th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is The Confession required reading for the Standalone Novels?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after The Confession in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The Confession is Code To Zero (Book #22).