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An Innocent Client: A Joe Dillard Novel
Chosen by Bookbub readers as one of the Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time.
A preacher is found brutally murdered in a Tennessee motel room.
A beautiful, mysterious young girl is accused.
In this bestselling debut, criminal defense lawyer Joe Dillard has become jaded over the years as he's tried to balance his career against his conscience. Savvy but cynical, Dillard wants to quit doing criminal defense, but he can't resist the chance to represent someone who might actually be innocent. His drug-addicted sister has just been released from prison and his mother is succumbing to Alzheimer's, but Dillard's commitment to the case never wavers despite the personal troubles and professional demands that threaten to destroy him.
"Pratt's richly developed characters are vivid and believable, especially the strong Southern women who fight their male-dominated culture from behind a facade of vulnerability in this brilliantly executed debut." -- Publisher's Weekly
Smart and sophisticated, with a plot twist that will leave you shaking your head in wonder, An Innocent Client -- the first in the acclaimed Joe Dillard series -- will also leave you begging for more.
"It's Scott Turow and Grisham... The opening chapter is maybe the most compelling I've read in a decade." - Ken Bruen, bestselling author of The Guards
"Pratt knows what he's doing and it shows." - Alafair Burke, acclaimed author of The Wife***A portion of the profits from the sale of every Joe Dillard novel is donated to the Ballad Health Cancer Patient Assistance Fund. Unfortunately, cancer plays a big role in the legacies of both Scott Pratt and Joe Dillard. This is our way of making the best of it.
A preacher is found brutally murdered in a Tennessee motel room.
A beautiful, mysterious young girl is accused.
In this bestselling debut, criminal defense lawyer Joe Dillard has become jaded over the years as he's tried to balance his career against his conscience. Savvy but cynical, Dillard wants to quit doing criminal defense, but he can't resist the chance to represent someone who might actually be innocent. His drug-addicted sister has just been released from prison and his mother is succumbing to Alzheimer's, but Dillard's commitment to the case never wavers despite the personal troubles and professional demands that threaten to destroy him.
"Pratt's richly developed characters are vivid and believable, especially the strong Southern women who fight their male-dominated culture from behind a facade of vulnerability in this brilliantly executed debut." -- Publisher's Weekly
Smart and sophisticated, with a plot twist that will leave you shaking your head in wonder, An Innocent Client -- the first in the acclaimed Joe Dillard series -- will also leave you begging for more.
"It's Scott Turow and Grisham... The opening chapter is maybe the most compelling I've read in a decade." - Ken Bruen, bestselling author of The Guards
"Pratt knows what he's doing and it shows." - Alafair Burke, acclaimed author of The Wife***A portion of the profits from the sale of every Joe Dillard novel is donated to the Ballad Health Cancer Patient Assistance Fund. Unfortunately, cancer plays a big role in the legacies of both Scott Pratt and Joe Dillard. This is our way of making the best of it.
- GenresMystery
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2025
1981 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Scott Pratt
59 books1,590 followersScott Pratt is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Bestselling Author whose books have sold more than five million copies. He was born in South Haven, Michigan, and grew up in Jonesborough, Tennessee. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from East Tennessee State University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee. He lived in Johnson City, Tennessee until his tragic, untimely passing in November of 2018.
This page is maintained by his family. We're finishing up all of the projects he was working on when he passed away. If you'd like to stay up to date on that progress, or if you'd just like to say hello, you can visit us on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/19664...
This page is maintained by his family. We're finishing up all of the projects he was working on when he passed away. If you'd like to stay up to date on that progress, or if you'd just like to say hello, you can visit us on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/19664...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 18, 2026
Pretty decent legal thriller, enjoyed reading it.
January 21, 2026
Thrilling story that kept me guessing!!
An Innocent Client by Scott Pratt is a masterfully crafted legal thriller that excels in character development and maintains a gripping storyline with building suspense. The author has done an excellent job of creating a believable and conflicted main character, Joe Dillard, whose personal struggles add significant depth to the narrative.
The storyline moves at a steady, engaging pace, filled with interesting twists and turns that keep readers on edge and guessing until the very end. The author's ability to weave personal family drama with high-stakes legal proceedings results in a compelling and well-written book that fans of John Grisham or Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series will likely enjoy. The characters feel incredibly real, making their journey through the complex plot all the more impactful.
An Innocent Client by Scott Pratt is a masterfully crafted legal thriller that excels in character development and maintains a gripping storyline with building suspense. The author has done an excellent job of creating a believable and conflicted main character, Joe Dillard, whose personal struggles add significant depth to the narrative.
The storyline moves at a steady, engaging pace, filled with interesting twists and turns that keep readers on edge and guessing until the very end. The author's ability to weave personal family drama with high-stakes legal proceedings results in a compelling and well-written book that fans of John Grisham or Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series will likely enjoy. The characters feel incredibly real, making their journey through the complex plot all the more impactful.
January 7, 2026
Loved this book!!!
This is one of the best legal thrillers I have ever read!! What a wonderful find. I loved the character development, the twists and turns, the conversation s, and most of all the writing!!! Although an excerpt of book two of this series is included, I elected not to read it because I am going to get book two of this series and start it right away, and I want to have the full book because I know I will not be able to out it down when I start.....just like with book one!! I am so happy I gave this a try and recommend UT to all!! ENJOY!!!
This is one of the best legal thrillers I have ever read!! What a wonderful find. I loved the character development, the twists and turns, the conversation s, and most of all the writing!!! Although an excerpt of book two of this series is included, I elected not to read it because I am going to get book two of this series and start it right away, and I want to have the full book because I know I will not be able to out it down when I start.....just like with book one!! I am so happy I gave this a try and recommend UT to all!! ENJOY!!!
January 26, 2026
Joe Dillard for the defense.
Joe Dillard was a defense attorney who wanted out. He was tired defending guilty persons and he had a lot of them. He was an honest, caring man who was tired of the game. The lawyers lied along with the police and the judges. He had to get out. He just wanted his last case to be that the plaintiff was innocent. Is anyone ever innocent? That is for you to decide.
Joe Dillard was a defense attorney who wanted out. He was tired defending guilty persons and he had a lot of them. He was an honest, caring man who was tired of the game. The lawyers lied along with the police and the judges. He had to get out. He just wanted his last case to be that the plaintiff was innocent. Is anyone ever innocent? That is for you to decide.
February 11, 2026
Is there ever an innocent client for a defense attorney?
If you have been waiting for your next favorite legal thriller this is it. Twists and turns is an overused phrase, but it does describe this book. Joe. Dillard attorney for the defense , is thrown more curve balls than is baseball playing son. Settle back and get ready for some legal ups and downs with s pinch of fun.
If you have been waiting for your next favorite legal thriller this is it. Twists and turns is an overused phrase, but it does describe this book. Joe. Dillard attorney for the defense , is thrown more curve balls than is baseball playing son. Settle back and get ready for some legal ups and downs with s pinch of fun.
March 12, 2026
Excellent Thriller
The only reason for taking away a star is because of the predictability of the end. It was a surprise that fizzled before the climax. Other than that, there were perhaps a few more characters to keep track of than necessary. And yet, it was a racy, enjoyable read.
The only reason for taking away a star is because of the predictability of the end. It was a surprise that fizzled before the climax. Other than that, there were perhaps a few more characters to keep track of than necessary. And yet, it was a racy, enjoyable read.
March 18, 2026
ughh
This is my second time trying to read this book. I really hate the condescending agent so is always talking about “getting girl’s number” and “banging them”. Who’s hot and who’s not. This book is really bad to me and I will NOT pick it up again or try to author. I just can’t find any novels I like after Nat Shepherd series.
This is my second time trying to read this book. I really hate the condescending agent so is always talking about “getting girl’s number” and “banging them”. Who’s hot and who’s not. This book is really bad to me and I will NOT pick it up again or try to author. I just can’t find any novels I like after Nat Shepherd series.
April 17, 2026
An excellent read that keeps you turning pages and finding it hard to put the book down. I sit outside in the Florida sun and my 80 year old eyes start to blur. This is not a case of having a killer to discover. We know who did it from the beginning, it's the getting him, her or them into court and convicted that is the story. It is hard to find a better story with this topic.
December 28, 2025
Second time around reading this one
The book was better second time around. It center's around a man of conscience, practicing law on what many would say is the wrong side. There's a good deal of violence, tension, and twists.
The book was better second time around. It center's around a man of conscience, practicing law on what many would say is the wrong side. There's a good deal of violence, tension, and twists.
April 24, 2026
Enjoyable read
I've now read 2 of Scott Party's books. Looking forward to more. He is a no nonsense writer with a talent for great characters and interesting story development. I highly recommend.
I've now read 2 of Scott Party's books. Looking forward to more. He is a no nonsense writer with a talent for great characters and interesting story development. I highly recommend.
December 20, 2025
Dnb1953
Really enjoyed meeting Joe and all the others..this is my first book by this author and it will not be my last.Joe is a great lawyer and really sharp..the story was so good!
Really enjoyed meeting Joe and all the others..this is my first book by this author and it will not be my last.Joe is a great lawyer and really sharp..the story was so good!
January 6, 2026
An Innocent Client -
This was a good read. Maybe a little unrealistic but entertaining. I wasn’t sure where it was going for the first few chapters but i enjoyed the read.
This was a good read. Maybe a little unrealistic but entertaining. I wasn’t sure where it was going for the first few chapters but i enjoyed the read.
January 8, 2026
Can't wait to read more in this series!
January 9, 2026
Really enjoyed this book, looking forward to reading book two
January 12, 2026
Considering this is an independently published author, this book is very well-written. Nice mix of legal & humor, loved the characters. Definitely going to read his next book.
January 12, 2026
A legal thriller with plenty of action
January 16, 2026
a good read
Great stories about criminal law and real life. The cases and the defendants were well developed and kept my interest.
Great stories about criminal law and real life. The cases and the defendants were well developed and kept my interest.
January 26, 2026
Reads like a good John Grisham Lawyer book.
February 10, 2026
This was a great book! It had twists and turns to keep me on the edge. I connected to all of the characters, and was very impressed overall. I rooted for Joe Dillard the whole book. I recommend this!
March 7, 2026
I thought it was a slow read. It had a few extra side stories that had nothing to do with the plot and really drug out the story line.
April 13, 2026
Page Turner
It was a great read! I can't wait to read another book by this author.
You should read it soon!
It was a great read! I can't wait to read another book by this author.
You should read it soon!
April 18, 2026
one sitting
This book was so good I couldn’t put down. Read the whole thing in one sitting! So glad there is more.
This book was so good I couldn’t put down. Read the whole thing in one sitting! So glad there is more.
January 11, 2026
This was my introduction to author Scott Pratt and I will be reading more.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews