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Michael Gresham #2
Michael Gresham: Secrets Girls Keep
FROM USA TODAY BEST-SELLING AUTHOR JOHN ELLSWORTH This book is about lawyers, police, and crime. It contains descriptions of violent crimes. It contains courtroom scenes that delve into these same incidents, which some may find offensive. This book also uses graphic language which some may find offensive. If these matters are a turnoff to you, please do not buy this book. Michael Gresham is a criminal attorney whose priest has fathered a son. The boy is now seventeen, acting-out, and suddenly arrested for first-degree murder. A serious question arises as to the boy's guilt. The priest asks Michael to take his son into his home so he can be released on bail. Michael and his wife agree and the boy, with his snake and mice, moves in. One young client who looks more guilty with each new death... The new houseguest gets questioned by the police for yet a second murder. Michael Gresham and his wife become uneasy and, when the young man begins acting out, they finally move him out. The snake and mice move out with him. What follows is the story of a trial for first degree murder. All pertinent witnesses take the stand and are questioned in this book. The tension mounts. A verdict is rendered by the jury, but the crime doesn't end there. Now it becomes personal to Michael and Danny. Other Books in the Michael Gresham Series of Legal and Financial Thrillers Secrets Girls Keep is part of the Attorney Michael Gresham Mystery Thriller Series which has more than 2,500 reviews and a million readers and counting. If you love a page-turning thriller with mystery, clandestine plotting and a dash of romance, pick up Secrets Girls Keep today.This stand-alone novel features leading man Michael Gresham. Look for other mystery and legal and financial thriller books featuring Michael Gresham including The Lawyer, Secrets Girls Keep, The Law Partners, Carlos the Ant, Sakharov the Bear, Annie's Verdict , and coming October 2017 Dead Lawyer on Aisle 11 . They can be read in any order. Read These Books Free in Kindle Unlimited Enjoy this Lawyer Financial Thriller Series FREE as part of your Kindle Unlimited subscription. You can read these Kindle Unlimited books online via your Amazon Kindle Fire or on any smartphone or tablet with the free Amazon Books Kindle reading app.
368 pages, Paperback
Published March 9, 2016
3863 people are currently reading
405 people want to read
About the author
John Ellsworth
134 books512 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
March 17, 2018
Awful, Avoid
This book was sick and unbelievable. I read his first book and decided it was average. There were some incidents in the Book 1 that did not make sense. However, I chose to read Book 2 in hopes the author would clarify the previous book. My mistake was even starting Book 2. Don’t waste your time reading about a depraved psychopath. I started skipping chapters & read the last few . Ellsworth description of the murders was bad enough ( spoiler alert) but for the main character’s wife to get raped & conceive by the psychopath is unnecessary & adds nothing of value . I do not recommend this book.
This book was sick and unbelievable. I read his first book and decided it was average. There were some incidents in the Book 1 that did not make sense. However, I chose to read Book 2 in hopes the author would clarify the previous book. My mistake was even starting Book 2. Don’t waste your time reading about a depraved psychopath. I started skipping chapters & read the last few . Ellsworth description of the murders was bad enough ( spoiler alert) but for the main character’s wife to get raped & conceive by the psychopath is unnecessary & adds nothing of value . I do not recommend this book.
September 4, 2016
Okay
Can't say I loved this book. Disliked the ending immensely, way over the top. The courtroom scenes saved the book.
Can't say I loved this book. Disliked the ending immensely, way over the top. The courtroom scenes saved the book.
November 14, 2018
Great legal thriller
To be honest, I usually don't read legal thrillers for the fact that some.if the jargon just doesn't sound right, but that is so not the case here. Everything in this book sounds so real life....and with the authors backgroumd, it should. So we'll written, he even had me fooled
To be honest, I usually don't read legal thrillers for the fact that some.if the jargon just doesn't sound right, but that is so not the case here. Everything in this book sounds so real life....and with the authors backgroumd, it should. So we'll written, he even had me fooled
October 24, 2017
We all know there is evil in this world and this author brings us face to face with it. I have to admit to feeling more than a little queasy as I read this book. I need to quickly read another story to erase this one.
July 26, 2019
While this book may be interesting to someone who has never been in a courtroom, or never read a mystery novel with a courtroom scene, I found the expert witness credentials to be filler, and there is a lot of filler in this book. Street travel narrative, small sidelines to other cases that were poorly developed, characters that were briefly introduced, problems miraculously solving themselves, just boring and unnecessary. Danny was a great attorney in previous, but she becomes a mother and her part is no longer important no matter the few lines where he says she is.
The story was predictable, and everything after the trial was full of holes and just not believable. Now future books will show a child by a rape Gresham is going to raise? Throw in at the end some Catholicism and ED to make the pro-choice point? Did anyone know before this book that he has ED and by the way is a staunch Catholic? Uh, no.
The story was predictable, and everything after the trial was full of holes and just not believable. Now future books will show a child by a rape Gresham is going to raise? Throw in at the end some Catholicism and ED to make the pro-choice point? Did anyone know before this book that he has ED and by the way is a staunch Catholic? Uh, no.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2018
The boundary marking "spoiler" territory is can't be pinned down.
The snappy writing did not compensate, in my book, for a plot that was offensive.
The attorney made his wife vulnerable to sexual assault by taking into their home a teen-age violent-crime defendant who doesn't even present as pristine. Reading that was as entertaining as watching a turd float in a punch bowl.
Just because a plot is original doesn't mean it's good.
There was little to no character development, either - except the surprise reveal, at end, of the extent of the defendant's wrong-doing.
Nothing redeeming ever emerged. Just conventional unpeeling of at most two layers of story.
To boot, the title is flippant.
The snappy writing did not compensate, in my book, for a plot that was offensive.
The attorney made his wife vulnerable to sexual assault by taking into their home a teen-age violent-crime defendant who doesn't even present as pristine. Reading that was as entertaining as watching a turd float in a punch bowl.
Just because a plot is original doesn't mean it's good.
There was little to no character development, either - except the surprise reveal, at end, of the extent of the defendant's wrong-doing.
Nothing redeeming ever emerged. Just conventional unpeeling of at most two layers of story.
To boot, the title is flippant.
March 19, 2016
Very strongly recommend this book.
As always John Ellsworth gets you hooked with the first chapter. Read everything he wrote and will be reading everything he writes. This book is about high school girls gruesome murders, so far only one boy is arrested. Without any pay Michael and his wife takes on the case. This case puts them in danger. Last twist at the end will make you scream or hold your breath. But at the same time you might even pray. Enjoy every chapter slowly, you'll be rewarded at the end. I will nominate Michael Gresham and Thaddeus Murfee for the Subprime Court.
As always John Ellsworth gets you hooked with the first chapter. Read everything he wrote and will be reading everything he writes. This book is about high school girls gruesome murders, so far only one boy is arrested. Without any pay Michael and his wife takes on the case. This case puts them in danger. Last twist at the end will make you scream or hold your breath. But at the same time you might even pray. Enjoy every chapter slowly, you'll be rewarded at the end. I will nominate Michael Gresham and Thaddeus Murfee for the Subprime Court.
May 30, 2018
I think I have bought every John Ellsworth book so far (except the ones he wrote with his wife) but, truth be told, I was somewhat disgusted with this one. It started out okay, but it wasn't long before the language and sex became untenable. I'm not even sure why I finished, except that about the time I was going to quit, the story became quite compelling. I was disappointed with the endings of both Michael Gresham books that I've read! While there are some great twists and surprises in the Michael Gresham series, they don't seem up to the same calibre as the Thaddeus Murfee ones. I do feel that Ellsworth is an excellent writer, however, with a good grip on the law.
March 15, 2016
Enjoyable
A very good story. I always like John Ellsworths writing. About 2/3 of the way through the book, I did figure out "who dunnit", but was interested in how the story would end. I was disappointed that Michaels brother was not mentioned. I think he plays a big part in developing Michael's character.........
A very good story. I always like John Ellsworths writing. About 2/3 of the way through the book, I did figure out "who dunnit", but was interested in how the story would end. I was disappointed that Michaels brother was not mentioned. I think he plays a big part in developing Michael's character.........
October 12, 2017
Second book I've read by this author. Also second time he defends and gets off the actual killer. The epilogue really turned me off.
Read
June 17, 2017I have read and loved all the Thaddeus Murphy books by this writer and I wondered could this new protagonist, Michael Gresham stack up.
Michael Gresham is a criminal lawyer working with his wife, Danny, his friend and confidant Marcel, who also acts as his researcher, and his secretary, Mrs Lingscheit making a tight little legal team.
We meet Michael at the Grand Jury Room in Chicago, or rather outside it as lawyers cannot enter the Room. Gresham is here on behalf of his client, a thrice-elected sheriff who is being accused of and charged with embezzling public funds. Then suddenly, the client loses it and takes a woman hostage, dragging her into the Jury Room where he proceeds to threaten all those already there.
The hostage situation is overcome, negotiations completed, and the sheriff is taken off to jail.
But this is only a very small part of the story. Gresham receives a call for help from his priest. The priest confesses that years ago he had a sexual relationship with one of the congregation, and a boy was born. He has had no dealings with the boy but has now heard that the boy is arrested for murder and he calls upon Michael Gresham to help.
In true John Ellsworth style, we are taken through a twisted and complicated plot to reach the surprise at the end.
Oh, and by the way, there is a foolish would-be drug dealer who is represented by Gresham, who manages to get the case dismissed when the arrested cocaine is shown to be missing from the police evidence room.
The trial scenes are evidence of an experienced criminal lawyer, all the characters are believable and on second reading, I enjoyed this fast paced book and will look for anther in the series.
October 26, 2018
Shocking turn of events
Trial lawyer Michael Gresham is the man to have at you defense table if ever convicted of a crime you didn't commit. Young Jana hasn't had a fair shake at life since his Father couldn't have anything to do with him. Left to pretty much fend for himself and getting ever deeper in trouble his mother has no choice but to reach out to Jane's father . The Catholic priest steps up behind the scenes and does what he can. Jana will eventually need more than a behind the scenes absentee father to bail him out of the trouble that has been pinned on him. That is where Michael steps up and fights for the boys life after he has the murder offensive a young girl pinned on him though some circumstantial evidence.
Can Michael save this young man or has the damage already been done?
Trial lawyer Michael Gresham is the man to have at you defense table if ever convicted of a crime you didn't commit. Young Jana hasn't had a fair shake at life since his Father couldn't have anything to do with him. Left to pretty much fend for himself and getting ever deeper in trouble his mother has no choice but to reach out to Jane's father . The Catholic priest steps up behind the scenes and does what he can. Jana will eventually need more than a behind the scenes absentee father to bail him out of the trouble that has been pinned on him. That is where Michael steps up and fights for the boys life after he has the murder offensive a young girl pinned on him though some circumstantial evidence.
Can Michael save this young man or has the damage already been done?
August 18, 2019
Another amazing book by author John Ellsworth. This is the 2d book in the Michael Gresham series, or #3 if you count the prequel which is Michael's family history and how he came to be a lawyer.
I read this book, 'Secrets Girls Keep', in one sitting. I cannot describe the breathless page turning, the wondering who really murdered the victim, how this is going to play out in court, plus the mighty twists and turns that will throw the reader completely off the track many times over.
John Ellsworth is an amazing author - I urge you to read this series. And then, like I plan to do, I will read all his other series as well as his individual novels. He is that good. He is that amazing as a weaver of intricate plots.
I read this book, 'Secrets Girls Keep', in one sitting. I cannot describe the breathless page turning, the wondering who really murdered the victim, how this is going to play out in court, plus the mighty twists and turns that will throw the reader completely off the track many times over.
John Ellsworth is an amazing author - I urge you to read this series. And then, like I plan to do, I will read all his other series as well as his individual novels. He is that good. He is that amazing as a weaver of intricate plots.
September 7, 2020
I was OK with the storyline until the end. The twist was shocking, but what happened after the reveal was sickening and uncalled for.i enjoyed the first book, but there were numerous glaring typos (he erroneously put the last name of the main victim as the last name of the accused, about 80% in), and the timeline was sketchy. Said in the early chapters that his daughter was 18 months old, yet later in the book, referred back to the trial in Book1 as taking place last year. Michael didn’t really get serious with Fanny until after the trial had ended. No mention, either, of the traumatic injuries Michael suffered in book 1. I was looking forward to reading more, but maybe not, now.
October 2, 2017
Disapointed
Screenwriting "The Lawyer" I was hoping that book two in the series would follow more closely. While there were couple of references back, there were things that I thought were left out that , like his brother Ernie and the debilitating effects of Michael being set in fire in book one. This was a gruesome plot and for me hard to believe a lot of the happenings that took place. Might come back for the next book in the series but will likely take a break and read someone else for a while.
Screenwriting "The Lawyer" I was hoping that book two in the series would follow more closely. While there were couple of references back, there were things that I thought were left out that , like his brother Ernie and the debilitating effects of Michael being set in fire in book one. This was a gruesome plot and for me hard to believe a lot of the happenings that took place. Might come back for the next book in the series but will likely take a break and read someone else for a while.
February 21, 2018
This book is not as appealing as the first in the series as the characters seem to be a bit contrived. This may be only my impression. The nature of the teen-age main character was such that more control over his speech an actions should have been exerted by adults. That, however, would probably made the story line entirely different. I will continue reading books in the series, as I do like the author's work. My advanced age may affect my view of young characters. I should add that I find the main characters quite interesting and likeable.
March 8, 2018
Easy Read
My daughter is a criminal defense attorney, in Phillies. I like to relax when I read. This book is an easy, quick read. The plot was certainly interesting. However, the brutality of the crimes was hard to read because they were juxtaposed not fully defined characters. The crimes vibrant, but character s weren't. They were stock characters. It was good to see the details of the working court, the vivid clothes. It was easy to see each and every room. I would like to also see the fullness of the people.
My daughter is a criminal defense attorney, in Phillies. I like to relax when I read. This book is an easy, quick read. The plot was certainly interesting. However, the brutality of the crimes was hard to read because they were juxtaposed not fully defined characters. The crimes vibrant, but character s weren't. They were stock characters. It was good to see the details of the working court, the vivid clothes. It was easy to see each and every room. I would like to also see the fullness of the people.
May 12, 2018
Stop Reading
Contrived. Poor grammar. Sub-plots begin and end at random, and for no good point. Shitty jokes, that seem to be written in to make up for the aforementioned ridiculous sub plots.
Character development, main character is apparently a good lawyer, but somehow gets screwed by every 3rd client he represents, or his wife does, literally.
I've read his first two, and I am saddened that I read that much.
Do yourself a favor.
Stay away from this TERRIBLE AUTHOR.
Contrived. Poor grammar. Sub-plots begin and end at random, and for no good point. Shitty jokes, that seem to be written in to make up for the aforementioned ridiculous sub plots.
Character development, main character is apparently a good lawyer, but somehow gets screwed by every 3rd client he represents, or his wife does, literally.
I've read his first two, and I am saddened that I read that much.
Do yourself a favor.
Stay away from this TERRIBLE AUTHOR.
August 23, 2024
When the confessional turns in to the one confessing, life gets messy. Father Bjorn isn't supposed to have any secrets, but he does. His sins are brought to light and a mysterious killer is attacking victims left and right, with a very unusual method. Michael Gresham is called in on the case, as Father Bjorn is his priest.
Well I didn’t enjoy this one at all. Took me forever to get through because I am stubborn. If you look for a good legal thriller, look somewhere else. Plot has more holes than Swiss cheese and the characters are boring at best.
I will pass for the rest of this series.
Well I didn’t enjoy this one at all. Took me forever to get through because I am stubborn. If you look for a good legal thriller, look somewhere else. Plot has more holes than Swiss cheese and the characters are boring at best.
I will pass for the rest of this series.
August 30, 2017
I like the author's style, for the most part. The main character, Gresham, reminds me of Nelson DeMille's "Det. John Cory". This book didn't excite me, though. It was a bit gross, but that's how murder mysteries go. I find that, similar to the first Gresham book, the ending takes a nose dive. There are a few twists in the story, to keep it interesting, but the climax is predictable, with the exception of the nose dive which was simply unnecessary.
December 6, 2017
Love this author, hooked right from the beginnning, usually don't read lawyer bks but j. Ellsworth makes them very interedting. Keeps you wondering through whole bk. Would recommend to my reader friends.
Love this author, hooked from the beginning. Usually don't resd lawyer bks. But j. Ellsworth is an author i would continue to follow. Eould recommended this bk to all my friends. On to the next one.
Love this author, hooked from the beginning. Usually don't resd lawyer bks. But j. Ellsworth is an author i would continue to follow. Eould recommended this bk to all my friends. On to the next one.
April 13, 2018
Good to know
That your so *#%! rich off your books you can tick off those who think the world of Bush! Gives me great pleasure to know you are literally online bashing Trump proving to the world that democraps are by and large filthy nasty people! You think you can keep your pettiness to yourself? Because I have no problem reviewing every single book where you show your IQ is below 5!
That your so *#%! rich off your books you can tick off those who think the world of Bush! Gives me great pleasure to know you are literally online bashing Trump proving to the world that democraps are by and large filthy nasty people! You think you can keep your pettiness to yourself? Because I have no problem reviewing every single book where you show your IQ is below 5!
April 21, 2018
Good book but a major faux pas.
I enjoy Ellsworth's books. I've already ordered book three in the series; however, I think the writer should be honest with the reader. In chapter four, he tells us that no one noticed the red muffler falling from the bleachers onto the ground below. At the end of the story, we find this is disinformation. In between, the reader struggles to solve the mystery. In order to avoid a spoiler, I will just say,"That's not fair."
I enjoy Ellsworth's books. I've already ordered book three in the series; however, I think the writer should be honest with the reader. In chapter four, he tells us that no one noticed the red muffler falling from the bleachers onto the ground below. At the end of the story, we find this is disinformation. In between, the reader struggles to solve the mystery. In order to avoid a spoiler, I will just say,"That's not fair."
March 4, 2019
This is the 2and book I have read for the Michael Gresham and this book was better than the first. This story was about Religion, rape, Political politicians, and of course the law. The author really makes you feel like a Defense Attorney and how this profession can consume your whole life, sometime impacting it in life changing ways. I loved the ending it was more realistic than the first book I read.
July 2, 2019
This book kept me up at night wanting more! I have to say it was the most surprise ending I've ever experienced in a book in a very long time, though I can't say I was happy with the ending. It was too brief, curt and left no idea what would happen to their marriage in the future, or Michael's deepest and truest feelings about it. It could have been elaborated on a little more.
Overall I really enjoyed the book, and look forward to yet another great offering from John Esworth.
Overall I really enjoyed the book, and look forward to yet another great offering from John Esworth.
August 20, 2017
This story was good.
I chose three stars because of the grammer and misspellings throughout. It was a good story with a lot of plot twists that will keep you reading. I am not an english teacher, nor was I very proficient in school in that area, but as an adult, I do gravitate towards correct use and practice. The average person will enjoy this book.
I chose three stars because of the grammer and misspellings throughout. It was a good story with a lot of plot twists that will keep you reading. I am not an english teacher, nor was I very proficient in school in that area, but as an adult, I do gravitate towards correct use and practice. The average person will enjoy this book.
August 28, 2017
Wow what a roller coaster ride.
This is the 2nd John Ellsworth book I've read and as far as legal / ps,yeh suspense it ranks close to the top. This story pulls you in on a dark, disturbing rollercoaster ride ..so dark at times I almost stopped reading.. There is a saying " No good deed goes unpunished" and it is epitomized in this novel
This is the 2nd John Ellsworth book I've read and as far as legal / ps,yeh suspense it ranks close to the top. This story pulls you in on a dark, disturbing rollercoaster ride ..so dark at times I almost stopped reading.. There is a saying " No good deed goes unpunished" and it is epitomized in this novel
December 17, 2017
Could not put it down.
This book was one of the best law book l have read in a lone time. You did not hold anything back you told it straight forward. I am like this if you are going to tell the story "tell it" don't sugar coat it and that is exactly what you did. l look forward to reading my next book.
This book was one of the best law book l have read in a lone time. You did not hold anything back you told it straight forward. I am like this if you are going to tell the story "tell it" don't sugar coat it and that is exactly what you did. l look forward to reading my next book.
January 23, 2018
WOW!
Books don't get much better than this. Ellsworth is an amazing writer. Fast paced and interesting characters. Jana's character is astounding. Never would have believed the outcome for his part of the story. Loved the family dynamic in Michael's life. Lots of surprises for the reader. Don't miss it.
Books don't get much better than this. Ellsworth is an amazing writer. Fast paced and interesting characters. Jana's character is astounding. Never would have believed the outcome for his part of the story. Loved the family dynamic in Michael's life. Lots of surprises for the reader. Don't miss it.
March 17, 2018
No Negative Review Here!
I was skeptical about reading this book because of so many negative reviews. I am so glad that I took the plunge anyway. I haven't been let down by a John Ellsworth book yet! There were some gruesome sections, but he is a prosecuting attorney and this is a work of fiction. I thought the end was intriguing. Maybe a prequel to a next mystery??
I was skeptical about reading this book because of so many negative reviews. I am so glad that I took the plunge anyway. I haven't been let down by a John Ellsworth book yet! There were some gruesome sections, but he is a prosecuting attorney and this is a work of fiction. I thought the end was intriguing. Maybe a prequel to a next mystery??
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews