# Is "The Last Juror" by John Grisham a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Last Juror by John Grisham (Doubleday, 2004) is identified by: 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page above a split number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 (odd numbers ascending, then even descending). US Doubleday first, published February 3, 2004.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page above a split number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 (odd numbers ascending, then even descending)
- The title-page date matches the copyright, with no additional printings listed
- Bound in black boards with a brown cloth spine and silver spine lettering; jacket design by Patti Ratchford with jacket images by Mary Kocol, author photo by Mark Tucker, book design by Maria Carella
- The first-issue jacket should retain its printed price
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John Grisham |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Year | 2004 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page above a split number line reading 1 3 5 7… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page above a split number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 (odd numbers ascending, then even descending). The title-page date matches the copyright, with no additional printings listed. Bound in black boards with a brown cloth spine and silver spine lettering; jacket design by Patti Ratchford with jacket images by Mary Kocol, author photo by Mark Tucker, book design by Maria Carella. The first-issue jacket should retain its printed price.

## Is this the true first?
US Doubleday first, published February 3, 2004.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book club edition lacks the 'First Edition' statement and number line and is a smaller, lighter volume; it is typically identified by a blindstamp (small impressed dot or square) to the lower rear board and a jacket with no printed price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Last Juror* by John Grisham a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-last-juror
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.