When I started writing A TIME TO KILL thirty-two years ago, I had no fantasies of producing a New York Times Bestseller.  I simply believed I had a good story to tell.  As it turns out, I could barely give the book away, and eventually resorted to selling most of the 5,000-copy print run out of the back of my car.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, and I am pleased to report that my latest novel, THE WHISTLER, is a #1 New York Times Bestseller!  What’s more, it’s also a #1 Indie Bestseller, which means that a lot of local bookstores took a chance, ordered up a bunch of copies of the book, and thankfully sold a bunch, too.

There are two constituents that deserve my thanks for this happy situation.

First: you, my readers.  You’ve stuck with me over the years.  I’ve thrown you a few curve balls, that’s for certain, straying from legal thrillers to write comic fiction, sports novels, nonfiction, and even short fiction.  Undaunted, you’ve returned again and again to read the stories I have to offer.  For that, I am grateful beyond my abilities to fully express.

Second: book retailers in all their forms, shapes and sizes.  Though they may not all look alike, they share one thing in common—every one of them is an unrepentant book lover.  They run businesses, for sure, but the fact that they chose the business of books makes them exceptional—and perhaps a little crazy!

So, while I am delighted and honored to see THE WHISTLER at #1, I am most grateful to my readers and to booksellers across the country who inspire me to keep telling good stories.

Warmest regards,

John Grisham