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The Firm
John Grisham

The Firm

Quick Answer

Start with "The Firm" to begin the Standalone Novels. It is the essential series starter and provides the necessary foundation for the rest of the books.

Quick Verdict

✅ Safe to read now (Series Entry Point)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

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

Verdict Insight: This is the essential series starter that introduces the John Grisham's core world and character arcs. It is required reading for all new fans.

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1997448 ppSeries StarterWikidataSource
#1 WORLDWIDE BESTSELLER • The iconic legal thriller that launched the career of America’s favorite storyteller, hailed as “an absolute master” (The Washington Post) “[An] ingenious man-in-the-middle thriller.”—Entertainment Weekly Mitch McDeere has worked hard to get where he is: third in his class at Harvard Law. Aggressively recruited by all the top firms, and initially headed for Wall Street, Mitch surprises everyone by joining Bendini, Lambert & Locke, a very private, very rich tax firm in Memphis. Mitch and his wife, Abby, move to Tennessee and quickly settle into their new life: they’re young, happy, and on the fast track. Or so they think. Soon, though, Mitch senses trouble: two of the partners die in a suspicious diving accident off Grand Cayman; the firm’s management is overly proud of the fact that no one has ever resigned; and security measures at the firm, even for a company with billionaire clients, are more than a little stringent. Then, suddenly, Mitch’s vague suspicions come to life. The FBI has the lowdown on Mitch’s firm and needs his help. Now Mitch is caught between a rock and a hard place. The FBI will bust him if he doesn’t cooperate, and the firm will kill him if he does. There’s no way out. Or is there? The story continues in The Exchange, the “breathtaking” (The Wall Street Journal) sequel to The Firm!
Next Recommended Book

Void Moon

Book #1 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 Firm?

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

Can I read The Firm before Origins Of Wish You Well?

Yes, The Firm is the first book in the series and is the ideal starting point for new readers.

Is The Firm 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 Firm in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The Firm is Void Moon (Book #1).