What do you think?
Michael Gresham #1
Michael Gresham
When nothing else is going for you, you may as well take the case that could end your career.A judge’s wife is dead. The public are out for blood, the justice system has turned on one of its own.It’s a case no career-minded lawyer would take. But Michael Gresham’s already at rock bottom, so the establishment better watch out. A smart legal brain with nothing to lose, is dangerous to the wrong people.Bestseller John Ellsworth’s compelling legal drama will have you gripping the book into the small hours.____________________________________________________________________5.0 out of 5 stars - I didn’t want this book to end.5.0 out of 5 stars - Wow! This book just doesn't slow down! Once you start reading, be sure you have time because you're going for a roller coaster ride.5.0 out of 5 stars - This book has so many twists and turns I got car sick reading it.5.0 out of 5 stars - Kept me reading long into the night5.0 out of 5 stars - I could not put this book down. It has so many twists, turns and curves that even if you thought you knew what was going on, you would be wrong.5.0 out of 5 stars stars - Captivating from page one.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
About the author
John Ellsworth
118 books530 followersFormerly a trial lawyer for 30 years, John Ellsworth is now a full-time writer of thrillers and historical fiction, with over millions of copies sold. He holds titles such as USA Today bestseller, an Amazon Bestseller and Featured Author, as well as a Kindle All-Star.
Official Website: www.ellsworthbooks.com
Official Twitter: @jellsworthbooks
Official Instagram: @johnellsworth_author
Official Facebook: facebook.com/johnellsworthauthor
Official Website: www.ellsworthbooks.com
Official Twitter: @jellsworthbooks
Official Instagram: @johnellsworth_author
Official Facebook: facebook.com/johnellsworthauthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 515 reviews
January 17, 2018
I hated this.
The 'hero' is misogynistic, racist and deluded into thinking he's a soft-hearted generous soul. He's supposed to be the best defense lawyer in Chicago yet at 55 he is out of money because of the amount of alimony he is paying - although he seems to have been divorced for about 10 seconds and the poor stony-broke little lamb is living in a house worth over a million dollars. And over the course of this book he is perfectly happy to consider murdering people, going up against gangsters and generally breaking any laws he finds inconvenient.
His secretary is never described that I remember - I think this is because she's of a similar age to the hero and hence must be physically repellent. Every other woman is beautiful and sized up as a potential girlfriend. He tells us how successful he is with women - in the same breath as he tells us about his broken heart over the ex-wife and how he hasn't dated in decades because he was such an excellent husband.
None of the story lines make sense - he starts out defending someone who appears to have been framed by dirty cops and is facing the death penalty. In the middle of this, the hero discovers his brother (also a lawyer) appears to be having a mental breakdown and is involved in some terribly dangerous dealings with Mexican gangsters. He is given a deadline of either 24 hours to bring his brother under control and give the gangsters what they want - and then this sub-plot disappears for days if not weeks while he finishes up the death penalty case and then gets embroiled in another lawsuit. The dirty cops continue on with no repercussions despite their corruption being proven in an extremely high profile case.
He decides he needs another lawyer (he runs his own firm without any other lawyer) and picks a woman (younger than he and beautiful - amazingly enough) and she agrees to start as an unpaid intern in effect, for a few days until he decides whether the arrangement will work. He's then involved in a terrible accident / assault and left with very serious, life-changing injuries and someone he knows is killed. She is barely given another mention (she's neither white nor related to the hero) ; he spends a few days in hospital (never once worrying about the bills despite all the other complaints about how little money he has and the fact that there's unlikely to be much happening or money coming in whilst he is incapacitated) and then he is back running around and making sweet, sweet love to the new inamorata. The new lawyer is still waiting for him - unpaid for a week / a month - and keen to start on the latest new lawsuit.
The time frame of most of the book seems to be a few weeks but he zips through 3 or 4 lawsuits; wins millions to sort out everyone's finances and the denouement of the gangster case involves his doing precisely what he says early on in the book that he *can't* do because they'll kill him and/or his brother - and there are no repercussions at all.
The 'hero' is misogynistic, racist and deluded into thinking he's a soft-hearted generous soul. He's supposed to be the best defense lawyer in Chicago yet at 55 he is out of money because of the amount of alimony he is paying - although he seems to have been divorced for about 10 seconds and the poor stony-broke little lamb is living in a house worth over a million dollars. And over the course of this book he is perfectly happy to consider murdering people, going up against gangsters and generally breaking any laws he finds inconvenient.
His secretary is never described that I remember - I think this is because she's of a similar age to the hero and hence must be physically repellent. Every other woman is beautiful and sized up as a potential girlfriend. He tells us how successful he is with women - in the same breath as he tells us about his broken heart over the ex-wife and how he hasn't dated in decades because he was such an excellent husband.
None of the story lines make sense - he starts out defending someone who appears to have been framed by dirty cops and is facing the death penalty. In the middle of this, the hero discovers his brother (also a lawyer) appears to be having a mental breakdown and is involved in some terribly dangerous dealings with Mexican gangsters. He is given a deadline of either 24 hours to bring his brother under control and give the gangsters what they want - and then this sub-plot disappears for days if not weeks while he finishes up the death penalty case and then gets embroiled in another lawsuit. The dirty cops continue on with no repercussions despite their corruption being proven in an extremely high profile case.
He decides he needs another lawyer (he runs his own firm without any other lawyer) and picks a woman (younger than he and beautiful - amazingly enough) and she agrees to start as an unpaid intern in effect, for a few days until he decides whether the arrangement will work. He's then involved in a terrible accident / assault and left with very serious, life-changing injuries and someone he knows is killed. She is barely given another mention (she's neither white nor related to the hero) ; he spends a few days in hospital (never once worrying about the bills despite all the other complaints about how little money he has and the fact that there's unlikely to be much happening or money coming in whilst he is incapacitated) and then he is back running around and making sweet, sweet love to the new inamorata. The new lawyer is still waiting for him - unpaid for a week / a month - and keen to start on the latest new lawsuit.
The time frame of most of the book seems to be a few weeks but he zips through 3 or 4 lawsuits; wins millions to sort out everyone's finances and the denouement of the gangster case involves his doing precisely what he says early on in the book that he *can't* do because they'll kill him and/or his brother - and there are no repercussions at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
September 22, 2017I would not reccomend this book. The author constantly confused me. One chapter he would be discussing an issue and the next chapter he would jump two weeks ahead and discuss another issue. Also mistakes in continuity.
January 23, 2016
I'm finished with Michael Gresham: Great new series start by John Ellsworth. I've enjoyed his Thaddeus Murfee novels for years, and this series is just as good. Can't wait for the next one!
June 15, 2016
Most reviewers have been far to generous with this book. I gave up half way through. I don't like to trash books. When I give up on them I usually don't say anything. But when an author can write a good sentence, string some together in a good paragraph and compose a good chapter or two I find it insulting when he is so lazy that he doesn't bother with the craft of writing. The main character in this book should have been interesting and compelling but the author's slap-dash approach to development leaves him with a shattered and inconsistent personality. The author ignores continuity and forgets what his protagonist was doing two pages before. The plot is disorganized with noncontributing vignettes haphazardly splashed about. That tells me the author doesn't respect his reader and earns a bad review.
September 28, 2016
Dumb
I am not sure why I actually finished this book other than to seer if it would ever make sense. Michael is an idiot who has no sense and makes stupid decisions. The story has way too much useless detail, and the dialogue is over the top with cliches and dumb statements. Most of the plot is unbelievable and has too many different storylines going on. The only reason I gave it 2 stars it's because I was foolish enough to finish it. Don't bother. Hard to believe he has written more of this trash.
I am not sure why I actually finished this book other than to seer if it would ever make sense. Michael is an idiot who has no sense and makes stupid decisions. The story has way too much useless detail, and the dialogue is over the top with cliches and dumb statements. Most of the plot is unbelievable and has too many different storylines going on. The only reason I gave it 2 stars it's because I was foolish enough to finish it. Don't bother. Hard to believe he has written more of this trash.
March 10, 2018
I have read all his Murfee books so I thought I would try this. The story jumps all over the place, and he has errors of chronology throughout, but not a bad poolside read
May 5, 2018
I read the eighth book in this series since it was advertised as a stand-alone and I got it cheap. I liked it so I decided to give the first book in the Michael Gresham series a shot. It was something of a mixed bag.
Many of the problems I had the previous book I found here as well. Despite being the introduction to Michael Gresham, we don't really learn a lot about the man. Gresham - like all the characters in The Lawyer - is very one-dimensional. I was hoping for well-drawn characters but got only faint outlines of personalities and qualities with vague, brief references to their pasts and experiences. It was a real missed opportunity.
Perhaps the biggest issue I had with The Lawyer sounds the pettiest. Ellsworth has no sense of continuity or chronology. He needs a good editor. In the space of two chapters towards the middle of the novel, we jumped ahead one month then returned - in the present tense - four weeks in the past where events seemingly just resumed. Confused? I was too. I actually re-read those chapters to see what I possibly missed. Turns out I didn't; Ellsworth did. And I get it - that's not a big thing - but when you're following three separate plot lines, timing matters.
Overall, it was just okay. There are far better mysteries with far more compelling protagonists out there. Will I read another of Ellsworth's books? Maybe. But I won't be rushing to do so.
Many of the problems I had the previous book I found here as well. Despite being the introduction to Michael Gresham, we don't really learn a lot about the man. Gresham - like all the characters in The Lawyer - is very one-dimensional. I was hoping for well-drawn characters but got only faint outlines of personalities and qualities with vague, brief references to their pasts and experiences. It was a real missed opportunity.
Perhaps the biggest issue I had with The Lawyer sounds the pettiest. Ellsworth has no sense of continuity or chronology. He needs a good editor. In the space of two chapters towards the middle of the novel, we jumped ahead one month then returned - in the present tense - four weeks in the past where events seemingly just resumed. Confused? I was too. I actually re-read those chapters to see what I possibly missed. Turns out I didn't; Ellsworth did. And I get it - that's not a big thing - but when you're following three separate plot lines, timing matters.
Overall, it was just okay. There are far better mysteries with far more compelling protagonists out there. Will I read another of Ellsworth's books? Maybe. But I won't be rushing to do so.
April 13, 2018
This was my first and last Michael Gresham book. I've been practicing law for almost 47 years, and I have never had any experience like that had by the fictional Mr. Gresham. The writing was pedestrian; the plot improbable; and the characters even more so. It was one convenient event after another. The law of averages dictates that no such luck occurs in the real world. The final straw was the last part of the book that was so unlikely as to qualify for poorly written science fiction. I do not recommend this author. Please be sure to read what other readers thought as my opinion may not be the same as theirs.
February 18, 2018
I wasn't a huge fan of this book. I felt at times it was all over the place and jumped around a lot.... though, in the end it did all tie together. I felt the book was slow though, and not super suspenseful. Unless you are a fan of John Ellsworth or the series, I'm not sure I would recommend.
October 9, 2022
I agree with the reviews of Margaret and of Steven A. Chase. I practiced law for more than 30 years as a staff attorney for state circuit judges and as an assistant prosecutor. I witnessed many interesting situations but never any like the spectacular encounters that Michael Gresham had on a daily basis! Moreover, I also note the detailed physical descriptions of the attractive women but no descriptions at all of the smart women who assist him daily. This character is full of himself. No thanks. I’m done.
February 28, 2016
A new favorite...begrudgingly.
I have to admit I began reading this book with a bit of resentment. I am a big fan of John Ellsworth and have read every one of his books. I especially loved the Thaddeus Murfee series and found myself heavily invested in the characters. So, I found myself wondering why Ellsworth wasted his time on a new character/series when he could have spent it on another Thad Murfee book.
For the first quarter of this book, I couldn't help but focus on the change in writing style and the first person narrative--very interesting to me. Then I suddenly found myself engrossed in this new character, Michael Gresham, and stopped comparing him to my beloved Thaddeus Murfee.
I enjoyed this book, the new characters, and the plot twists and turns. I look forward to the next book in the series, but please, John Ellsworth, don't give up on Thaddeus. There's room in my heart and on my Kindle for both!
I have to admit I began reading this book with a bit of resentment. I am a big fan of John Ellsworth and have read every one of his books. I especially loved the Thaddeus Murfee series and found myself heavily invested in the characters. So, I found myself wondering why Ellsworth wasted his time on a new character/series when he could have spent it on another Thad Murfee book.
For the first quarter of this book, I couldn't help but focus on the change in writing style and the first person narrative--very interesting to me. Then I suddenly found myself engrossed in this new character, Michael Gresham, and stopped comparing him to my beloved Thaddeus Murfee.
I enjoyed this book, the new characters, and the plot twists and turns. I look forward to the next book in the series, but please, John Ellsworth, don't give up on Thaddeus. There's room in my heart and on my Kindle for both!
August 9, 2016
"Best Ever Thrill Ride"
I've added author John Ellsworth to my favorite authors' list. I have read the second novel in this series and decided I'd start again with Book 1. Ellsworth is extremely talented, very successful in enticing readers with excellent legal thrillers with well defined characters. Michael Gresham is a criminal defense attorney who also has a brother who won't stay on his meds, a money hungry ex-wife, and a client accused of murdering the wife of a judge. Readers can jump right in and enjoy the twists and turns, fast pace, and the high action. Definitely a must-read novel.
I've added author John Ellsworth to my favorite authors' list. I have read the second novel in this series and decided I'd start again with Book 1. Ellsworth is extremely talented, very successful in enticing readers with excellent legal thrillers with well defined characters. Michael Gresham is a criminal defense attorney who also has a brother who won't stay on his meds, a money hungry ex-wife, and a client accused of murdering the wife of a judge. Readers can jump right in and enjoy the twists and turns, fast pace, and the high action. Definitely a must-read novel.
October 27, 2018
It seems as if the author “John Ellsworth” had many ideas for many books, but none of them was good enough to fill up 300 pages. So what he did was gathering all those ideas into a single book with a very a thin connection (or none) between them. The result was a scrambled story that doesn’t make much sense. That is probably why it has so many endings at the end .
Not worth writing a detailed review. Somehow I was able (after a long struggle) reach the end successfully , I think 2.5 Stars are more than enough. ( Normally it is a1 Star when I abandon a book in the middle 2 Stars when I skip lots of pages and get to the end)
Not worth writing a detailed review. Somehow I was able (after a long struggle) reach the end successfully , I think 2.5 Stars are more than enough. ( Normally it is a1 Star when I abandon a book in the middle 2 Stars when I skip lots of pages and get to the end)
October 9, 2018
Aside from the main characters and a very intriguing plot, there are also some new characters and an interesting subplot. Michael Gresham is in peril almost from the get go. His life is in peril, but along with his drug dependent brother and Michael's body guard they manage to succeed in their quest for justice.
February 10, 2023
elsworth did it again a stunning change of direction in this book. you still have me reading your books for more.
Love this book
I recommend this book to everyone who loves excitement at each chapter.
Great stunning surprising exciting book
Love this book
I recommend this book to everyone who loves excitement at each chapter.
Great stunning surprising exciting book
October 15, 2017
I liked the book. It's not just another lawyer book but down and dirty. Michael Gresham fights for his life and his career as a lawyer. Practicing Criminal Defense Law shouldn't be as dangerous this, but it sometimes is. I will definitely read more by this author.
February 27, 2018
The Lawyer
Excellent and humerus book! Well written and I was laughing all throughout while reading it. Learnt some legal terms also.
Excellent and humerus book! Well written and I was laughing all throughout while reading it. Learnt some legal terms also.
Read
February 11, 2022Summary of book and review
Great ! Suspenseful! Could not put it down! Can't wait to read the next book! Great job by the author!
Great ! Suspenseful! Could not put it down! Can't wait to read the next book! Great job by the author!
April 30, 2024
fun read
Enjoyed this legal and unlikely thriller. Laughed a lot and had fun reading. I will read more by this author
Enjoyed this legal and unlikely thriller. Laughed a lot and had fun reading. I will read more by this author
August 6, 2018
Michael Gresham #1 is a good plot idea -- but that's pretty much all you get with the book -- a plot idea. There are tons of missing gaps in the plot throughout the book, including lost time, dropped sub-story lines and a mishmash of filler thrown in through the last quarter of the book, including a gratuitous romance and happy ending.
Michael Gresham #1 reads like a novice writer's first attempt at self publishing and is in need of a strong editor and at least one or two rewrites. The dialogue is boggy and too much text is wasted describing in detail the mundane aspects of court protocol (describing how to stand in front of a lectern, how to address the judge, etc). And the primary character gets lost between talking directly to the reader, his own internal dialogue and experiencing the story.
I wish I had been able to read a preview of the first ten pages before I spent the money for this book.
Michael Gresham #1 reads like a novice writer's first attempt at self publishing and is in need of a strong editor and at least one or two rewrites. The dialogue is boggy and too much text is wasted describing in detail the mundane aspects of court protocol (describing how to stand in front of a lectern, how to address the judge, etc). And the primary character gets lost between talking directly to the reader, his own internal dialogue and experiencing the story.
I wish I had been able to read a preview of the first ten pages before I spent the money for this book.
July 1, 2016
CRAFTED CRAFTY CUNNING CLIFFHANGER
A pleasure to read. This book will appeal to readers of legal thrillers and mystery fans in general. I I am an attorney familiar with federal criminal practice. This plot has many twists and surprises but the trial practice and life of a sole practitioner ring true
There was one plot element which I think is unnecessary and a bit offputting but I won't spoil the suspense and tell you what it is.
A pleasure to read. This book will appeal to readers of legal thrillers and mystery fans in general. I I am an attorney familiar with federal criminal practice. This plot has many twists and surprises but the trial practice and life of a sole practitioner ring true
There was one plot element which I think is unnecessary and a bit offputting but I won't spoil the suspense and tell you what it is.
August 3, 2017
Lots a fun
This book is a good read. I love detective stories. This detective is an attorney. There is humour and unbelievable situations. It's hard to believe one person can survive such abuse and still keep a positive attitude and carry on. I'm ready to start book number two.
This book is a good read. I love detective stories. This detective is an attorney. There is humour and unbelievable situations. It's hard to believe one person can survive such abuse and still keep a positive attitude and carry on. I'm ready to start book number two.
January 29, 2016
Not one of my favorite story.
Read all of John Ellsworth wrote, but this one is not like his other books. Many twists kept me reading, end came with so many unanswered questions. Michael Gresham character some times likeable.
Read all of John Ellsworth wrote, but this one is not like his other books. Many twists kept me reading, end came with so many unanswered questions. Michael Gresham character some times likeable.
March 11, 2019
Can not complete this book because of the language!
I was enjoying this book until the f bombs I know it is everywhere but it is offensive to some people
I was enjoying this book until the f bombs I know it is everywhere but it is offensive to some people
April 28, 2024
free ebook
his lawyer brother isnt taking his meds and now the mexican clients he has is threatening him to get back their water report
he is in a trial and his client is low iq up for murder. it sounds really bad and he knows his client is innocent but up for death penalty . the judge isnt on his side at all
his x wife wants $90,000 for fertility drugs with her new boyfriend. he cant afford the alimony hes paying now and thinks if he can pay her off and be done with it.
a video showing his client getting beat by the fbi showed up and the case was dismissed. then his client tells him he really did kill the judges wife and theres nothing anyone can do
the clients girlfriend shows up cause he stole their child to sell for money. she was found dead shortly after she talked to him
the judge with the murdered wife was arrested for soliciting the murder of the man who killed his wife. he claims he is innocent and hired the lawyer to represent him.
his wife was going to get the baby she wanted with her younger boyfriend with the money he gave her but he took back the money when he needed it to hire a lawyer to represent him when he got tangled in the case of the judge. he is no longer representing the judge.
his wifes boyfriend left her for a younger woman
the lawyer went out with the nice woman he hired to cook for him and she took him to a club and his brother and younger preg girlfriend were there. the bad guys were also there. they kidnapped the lawyer and set him on fire, but he thinks the fbi guy was there too
they also caused the nice woman who cooks for the lawyer to get in a car accident. she died, his brother broke a lot of bones. his preg girlfriend and unborn child are ok
the lawyer the lawyer hired took herself off the case as she thinks she cant win. so now he is going to represent himself
his brother gave him the info on where the file is hidden in the mex phone co servers
the new lawyer he hired to help him in his office helped him see the 2 cases are connected
he got the judge to meet with the man who killed his wife and the judge killed him, then he told him he had HIRED the man to kill his wife, what a mess!
he is going to have a baby girl, he married the lady he hired in his office
his x wife had a baby too
he got back the baby that was sold and gave him to the relatives
at the end of the book his brother went missing again, he keeps stopping his meds
his lawyer brother isnt taking his meds and now the mexican clients he has is threatening him to get back their water report
he is in a trial and his client is low iq up for murder. it sounds really bad and he knows his client is innocent but up for death penalty . the judge isnt on his side at all
his x wife wants $90,000 for fertility drugs with her new boyfriend. he cant afford the alimony hes paying now and thinks if he can pay her off and be done with it.
a video showing his client getting beat by the fbi showed up and the case was dismissed. then his client tells him he really did kill the judges wife and theres nothing anyone can do
the clients girlfriend shows up cause he stole their child to sell for money. she was found dead shortly after she talked to him
the judge with the murdered wife was arrested for soliciting the murder of the man who killed his wife. he claims he is innocent and hired the lawyer to represent him.
his wife was going to get the baby she wanted with her younger boyfriend with the money he gave her but he took back the money when he needed it to hire a lawyer to represent him when he got tangled in the case of the judge. he is no longer representing the judge.
his wifes boyfriend left her for a younger woman
the lawyer went out with the nice woman he hired to cook for him and she took him to a club and his brother and younger preg girlfriend were there. the bad guys were also there. they kidnapped the lawyer and set him on fire, but he thinks the fbi guy was there too
they also caused the nice woman who cooks for the lawyer to get in a car accident. she died, his brother broke a lot of bones. his preg girlfriend and unborn child are ok
the lawyer the lawyer hired took herself off the case as she thinks she cant win. so now he is going to represent himself
his brother gave him the info on where the file is hidden in the mex phone co servers
the new lawyer he hired to help him in his office helped him see the 2 cases are connected
he got the judge to meet with the man who killed his wife and the judge killed him, then he told him he had HIRED the man to kill his wife, what a mess!
he is going to have a baby girl, he married the lady he hired in his office
his x wife had a baby too
he got back the baby that was sold and gave him to the relatives
at the end of the book his brother went missing again, he keeps stopping his meds
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2025
One hard-hitting criminal lawyer surrounded by dysfunction...
Michael Gresham is a criminal attorney with a brother who won’t take his meds, an ex-wife who wants him to finance her fertility costs, and a client accused of murdering the wife of a judge. As the story progresses the brother is being hunted down by MexTel, a huge conglomerate that wants him dead, and the ex-wife’s new husband wants to borrow money, while the judge whose wife was murdered suddenly tries to hire Michael Gresham for himself. Can an attorney who feels like he’s slowing down with age (55) still succeed in court against younger, more aggressive lawyers? Can Michael Gresham turn the tables on those who would see him dead? And who is going to pay him for the injury and disfigurement they caused him?
One innocent client who looks more guilty with each new violent act...
Watch up close as a young defendant who many thought to be low IQ begins to emerge from his silence and withdrawal to become a powerful force that finally must be dealt with.
Watch as a lonely attorney finally meets someone
Romance begins to bloom on rocky soil and Michael's hope is rekindled despite disfiguring injuries he has suffered.
One courtroom thriller that curls around and surprises even the most keen readers...
A legal thriller sure to satisfy the most demanding readers of legal fiction and lawyer novels. For the fans of John Grisham and Michael Connelly, the novels of John Ellsworth are burning up the Amazon charts with over 400,000 downloads in the first sixteen months of publication. Be one of the first in your group to discover this amazing writer and his long list of books and exciting characters.
Michael Gresham is a criminal attorney with a brother who won’t take his meds, an ex-wife who wants him to finance her fertility costs, and a client accused of murdering the wife of a judge. As the story progresses the brother is being hunted down by MexTel, a huge conglomerate that wants him dead, and the ex-wife’s new husband wants to borrow money, while the judge whose wife was murdered suddenly tries to hire Michael Gresham for himself. Can an attorney who feels like he’s slowing down with age (55) still succeed in court against younger, more aggressive lawyers? Can Michael Gresham turn the tables on those who would see him dead? And who is going to pay him for the injury and disfigurement they caused him?
One innocent client who looks more guilty with each new violent act...
Watch up close as a young defendant who many thought to be low IQ begins to emerge from his silence and withdrawal to become a powerful force that finally must be dealt with.
Watch as a lonely attorney finally meets someone
Romance begins to bloom on rocky soil and Michael's hope is rekindled despite disfiguring injuries he has suffered.
One courtroom thriller that curls around and surprises even the most keen readers...
A legal thriller sure to satisfy the most demanding readers of legal fiction and lawyer novels. For the fans of John Grisham and Michael Connelly, the novels of John Ellsworth are burning up the Amazon charts with over 400,000 downloads in the first sixteen months of publication. Be one of the first in your group to discover this amazing writer and his long list of books and exciting characters.
January 5, 2024
This book was enjoyable, at times a little too fast paced, and at times a little too slow paced.
Michael Gresham is a believable character, but there’s lots to this book that doesn’t add up for me.
For starters, the biggest issue is his tendency for womanizing. Half the book is spent with him angry his wife is gone. At least several chapters are dedicated to his relationship with Maddy. He says he can see a future with her. Then, she dies in a terrible car accident perpetrated by some people he’s fighting. It seems like she’s been gone a few weeks, when he starts dating another woman, who he ends up marrying. All felt a bit odd.
There’s also a lot of unanswered questions. I understand this is book one in a long series, but I prefer singular cliffhangers that you expect to be answered, not entire segments with no conclusion.
I’m also upset at the character growth. Michael was unwilling to ever kill, and yet, he takes James Lamb to be executed. Is this not against who he is? And somehow, we’re expected to believe he won’t be questioned for it, even though every testimony puts James Lamb with him (although I suppose it was James’ brother who picked him up for jail, so perhaps that’s the answer).
All in all, I was entertained. I’d say read it if you merely want fiction entertainment. Read it in a handful of days, would probably recommend it if you’re in the mood for a law book, but I probably won’t add it to my favorites or read it again any time soon.
Michael Gresham is a believable character, but there’s lots to this book that doesn’t add up for me.
For starters, the biggest issue is his tendency for womanizing. Half the book is spent with him angry his wife is gone. At least several chapters are dedicated to his relationship with Maddy. He says he can see a future with her. Then, she dies in a terrible car accident perpetrated by some people he’s fighting. It seems like she’s been gone a few weeks, when he starts dating another woman, who he ends up marrying. All felt a bit odd.
There’s also a lot of unanswered questions. I understand this is book one in a long series, but I prefer singular cliffhangers that you expect to be answered, not entire segments with no conclusion.
I’m also upset at the character growth. Michael was unwilling to ever kill, and yet, he takes James Lamb to be executed. Is this not against who he is? And somehow, we’re expected to believe he won’t be questioned for it, even though every testimony puts James Lamb with him (although I suppose it was James’ brother who picked him up for jail, so perhaps that’s the answer).
All in all, I was entertained. I’d say read it if you merely want fiction entertainment. Read it in a handful of days, would probably recommend it if you’re in the mood for a law book, but I probably won’t add it to my favorites or read it again any time soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2026
THE LAWYER by John Ellsworth -- Don't be put off by the nearly unanimous negative reviews of this book on Goodreads. For whatever reason, GR has printed only the negative, ignoring the overwhelming majority of positive reviews and ratings. Michael Gresham was once a top Chicago lawyer, a name synonymous with success. But at fifty-five, his world implodes. Voted out of his own firm, broke, and with family troubles mounting, he’s forced to start over from scratch, taking on the hopeless cases no one else will touch. His first client back in the game? James Joseph Lamb, a man accused of the brutal, cold-blooded murder of a federal judge’s wife. The evidence is stacked against him, the government is pushing for the death penalty, and the public is screaming for a conviction. It’s a career-ending case, a suicide mission for any lawyer. But as Michael digs deeper, he uncovers a web of secrets and lies that suggest his client might be a pawn in a much larger, more dangerous game. Now, he’s not just fighting for one man’s life in the courtroom, he’s fighting for his own survival against powerful forces who want the truth to stay buried. Wonderful complex plot, strong characters, non-stop action. Don't look for lots of space-taking descriptive passages. This one never stops from beginning to end.
February 9, 2018
Decent story, but really, really sloppy writing
I rarely give less than four stars, most books that rate fewer I won't finish and hence won't review. The story moves and is kind of interesting. Things kept cropping up and there were enough that I couldn't chalk it up to being inattentive on my part. Here are some of the things I noticed:
Talking about the judge's son, the agent says"No mess, no fuss. Sound asleep. I touched his pulse just to be sure. "Then the judge's testimony he talks about taking his son out of the house before the agent even arrives.
On drinking: My limit is two beers, and Marcel, who has graduated beyond beer, usually sips a JW on the rocks. Later in the book his cook says, "We can have some drinks and laughs. Oh, you don't drink. Well, I'll have some drinks. Maybe we should take your car."
There are also some glaring time continuity issues, more than a month after the event of his client going to Seattle, his thoughts are, 'Early this morning, I appeared before this same judge, and he allowed my client to go to Seattle on business.'
Pregnancy test, the stick turned blue, and then weeks later she says the wand turned blue this morning.
Dunno about this book... decent story tho
I rarely give less than four stars, most books that rate fewer I won't finish and hence won't review. The story moves and is kind of interesting. Things kept cropping up and there were enough that I couldn't chalk it up to being inattentive on my part. Here are some of the things I noticed:
Talking about the judge's son, the agent says"No mess, no fuss. Sound asleep. I touched his pulse just to be sure. "Then the judge's testimony he talks about taking his son out of the house before the agent even arrives.
On drinking: My limit is two beers, and Marcel, who has graduated beyond beer, usually sips a JW on the rocks. Later in the book his cook says, "We can have some drinks and laughs. Oh, you don't drink. Well, I'll have some drinks. Maybe we should take your car."
There are also some glaring time continuity issues, more than a month after the event of his client going to Seattle, his thoughts are, 'Early this morning, I appeared before this same judge, and he allowed my client to go to Seattle on business.'
Pregnancy test, the stick turned blue, and then weeks later she says the wand turned blue this morning.
Dunno about this book... decent story tho
October 15, 2017
THE LAWYER
John Ellsworth
Reviewed by Author Roy Murry
The twist and turns in this legal thriller will have your head spinning. Michael Gresham, the series protagonist lawyer, defends a low life in a murder case with one judge on the bench and another, the victim's husband in the courtroom.
To top this off his brother, a well-known lawyer, is a missing person with an international problem which has involved Michael in a deadly incident. And the reader, to the conclusion of the novel, is trying to figure out who is attempting to kill who.
Attorney Gresham's brother appears with a show-stopping evidence to put Mexican corporate people away, costing them money and time. This confrontation leads to murder, kidnapping, and an uphill battle that conflates with Michael's original case.
This novel is a well-written introduction to a series. The characters are well defined, the story-line leaves the readers with items they might care to follow, and the courtroom drama is compelling and should continue.
John Ellsworth
Reviewed by Author Roy Murry
The twist and turns in this legal thriller will have your head spinning. Michael Gresham, the series protagonist lawyer, defends a low life in a murder case with one judge on the bench and another, the victim's husband in the courtroom.
To top this off his brother, a well-known lawyer, is a missing person with an international problem which has involved Michael in a deadly incident. And the reader, to the conclusion of the novel, is trying to figure out who is attempting to kill who.
Attorney Gresham's brother appears with a show-stopping evidence to put Mexican corporate people away, costing them money and time. This confrontation leads to murder, kidnapping, and an uphill battle that conflates with Michael's original case.
This novel is a well-written introduction to a series. The characters are well defined, the story-line leaves the readers with items they might care to follow, and the courtroom drama is compelling and should continue.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 515 reviews