The original legal thriller sensation, John Grisham has written 52 consecutive number one bestsellers, which have sold 500 million copies in more than 45 languages around the world – and he's still on top form with his latest novel (and first murder mystery), The Widow. Chances are you’ll find a copy of The Client, The Rainmaker, or A Time To Kill on your own bookshelf – or you'll have caught one of his blockbuster film adaptations starring Tom Cruise (The Firm) or Julia Roberts (The Pelican Brief). As a prominent advocate for criminal justice reform, Grisham is an active supporter of organisations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. In today’s rare and…

The original legal thriller sensation, John Grisham has written 52 consecutive number one bestsellers, which have sold 500 million copies in more than 45 languages around the world – and he's still on top form with his latest novel (and first murder mystery), The Widow. Chances are you’ll find a copy of The Client, The Rainmaker, or A Time To Kill on your own bookshelf – or you'll have caught one of his blockbuster film adaptations starring Tom Cruise (The Firm) or Julia Roberts (The Pelican Brief). As a prominent advocate for criminal justice reform, Grisham is an active supporter of organisations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. In today’s rare and special event, Grisham speaks to award-winning crime writer Ian Rankin about his incredible career, the state of the US criminal justice system, and the relationship between the high-stakes fiction and stark reality of the law.

This Special Edition event will help support the Book Festival's charitable aims, including our Schools and Communities programmes. VIP tickets include reserved seating in the Stalls area of McEwan Hall, and access to a pre-event drinks reception with chair Ian Rankin and Festival director Jenny Niven.

There will not be a book signing following this event.

August 2026
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
Activity from

This event has no activity yet.

Notes from

This event has no notes yet.