The Widow

Simon Latch, a lawyer in a small town in Virginia, barely managing to pay his bills, with gambling debts and a failing marriage. One day an elderly widow walks into his office and asks him to draw up her will. Eleanor Barnett has no children or close relatives, and is looking for advice on whom to leave her twenty million, which no one knows about.

After managing to win the richest client of his career, Simon tries to keep the secret of her inheritance from everyone. Soon this proves impossible. When Eleanor is admitted to hospital after a car accident with minor injuries, but suddenly deteriorates and dies, Simon realises that nothing is what it seems. He himself is accused of her death and may spend the rest of his life in prison. His only salvation is to find the real killer.

"The Widow" is John Grisham's first crime novel – even more gripping than his legal thrillers.