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Thaddeus Murfee Legal Thrillers #0
A Young Lawyer's Story
Your first job out of school will be to...spy on your boss. Welcome to the government.
There is no job description and the job isn't advertised anywhere, not even on the Job Board at Georgetown Law. But Thaddeus Murfee just graduated from law school and has $200 left from his student loan. He is so broke he has to borrow his roommate's suit for the job interview. While he is so desperate to earn rent and food money, he fails to nail down exactly what it is he'll be doing.
They tell him a U.S. Attorney is selling government secrets.
But Thaddeus Murfee likes his new boss, the U.S. Attorney. Good things happen and gifts flow his way. What's not to like? The government lawyer even has a daughter he wants Thaddeus to meet. Were the people who hired him just totally wrong about the attorney selling government secrets? What proof do they actually have of this serious accusation?
This thrilling collection of good-lawyers/bad-lawyers will keep you up late at night. Beware: you might show up late for work. But when you get to work you just might find everyone talking about this new, exciting romp through the backstreets of Washington, D.C. On one side, a new, innocent lawyer just out of school. On the other side, the full force and might of the U.S. government.
Welcome aboard!
Previously published as Thaddeus Murfee
There is no job description and the job isn't advertised anywhere, not even on the Job Board at Georgetown Law. But Thaddeus Murfee just graduated from law school and has $200 left from his student loan. He is so broke he has to borrow his roommate's suit for the job interview. While he is so desperate to earn rent and food money, he fails to nail down exactly what it is he'll be doing.
They tell him a U.S. Attorney is selling government secrets.
But Thaddeus Murfee likes his new boss, the U.S. Attorney. Good things happen and gifts flow his way. What's not to like? The government lawyer even has a daughter he wants Thaddeus to meet. Were the people who hired him just totally wrong about the attorney selling government secrets? What proof do they actually have of this serious accusation?
This thrilling collection of good-lawyers/bad-lawyers will keep you up late at night. Beware: you might show up late for work. But when you get to work you just might find everyone talking about this new, exciting romp through the backstreets of Washington, D.C. On one side, a new, innocent lawyer just out of school. On the other side, the full force and might of the U.S. government.
Welcome aboard!
Previously published as Thaddeus Murfee
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2016
4030 people are currently reading
1287 people want to read
About the author
John Ellsworth
141 books515 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 240 reviews
February 23, 2020
"The resume was the $39.99 version without goals and hobbies.
"He has no goals," said the Assistant U.S. Attorney.
'he has no hobbies, either" said the Chief of Staff".
A Young Lawyer's Story (Thaddeus Murfee Legal Thrillers #1)
by John Ellsworth
Thaddeus is a young lawyer. He is broke and looking for a job. When he gets one, working for the United States Government he is thrilled..until he finds out what the job entails.
Turns out , his new boss wants him to spy for the Government. Poor Thaddeus. All he wants to do is practice law but due to circumstances beyond his control, he is swept up into a world of Spies, espionage and Government secrets.
I enjoyed this book. Thaddeus is young but he's sassy and mouths off alot (in a good way). I liked how fast paced the book was and it was easy to follow.
It sort of reminded me of john Grisham meets Joe Finder. I think this book is the perfect escapist book. There are many aspects of it that I am not sure were realistic but then again, in the times w e live in, I could see something like this happening.
3.5 stars. Recommended to fans of Legal thrillers.
"He has no goals," said the Assistant U.S. Attorney.
'he has no hobbies, either" said the Chief of Staff".
A Young Lawyer's Story (Thaddeus Murfee Legal Thrillers #1)
by John Ellsworth
Thaddeus is a young lawyer. He is broke and looking for a job. When he gets one, working for the United States Government he is thrilled..until he finds out what the job entails.
Turns out , his new boss wants him to spy for the Government. Poor Thaddeus. All he wants to do is practice law but due to circumstances beyond his control, he is swept up into a world of Spies, espionage and Government secrets.
I enjoyed this book. Thaddeus is young but he's sassy and mouths off alot (in a good way). I liked how fast paced the book was and it was easy to follow.
It sort of reminded me of john Grisham meets Joe Finder. I think this book is the perfect escapist book. There are many aspects of it that I am not sure were realistic but then again, in the times w e live in, I could see something like this happening.
3.5 stars. Recommended to fans of Legal thrillers.
October 2, 2019
I've come up with the idea of reviewing all the "hot" kindle legal thrillers, mainly taken from Amazon's top 100 list, otherwise basically a random sample. I may write a blog piece summarizing my thoughts after I've gone through a sufficient number of these.I've started with this one, which I believe is self-published yet appears to have been quite commercially successful. It has 753 ratings, 4.3 average.
In the Amazon book description
OVER 1,500,000 COPIES SOLD, AMAZON HAS SAID, "WE ARE INSPIRED BY THE SUCCESS OF THIS WRITER AND HOW HE IS DELIGHTING READERS"--AMAZON PRESS RELEASE 10/15/18
Despite all this, the book is typical of so many self-published books (unfortunately) - sophomoric writing, characters that are flat and two dimensional, and situations that go beyond suspension of disbelief. What I am mainly interested in is how the authors of legal thrillers handle the courtroom scenes and other legal stuff - if done well I could forgive all else. but alas, in this book, those scenes are not much better than the rest of the writing.
Now on to William Bernhardt's Death Row
In the Amazon book description
OVER 1,500,000 COPIES SOLD, AMAZON HAS SAID, "WE ARE INSPIRED BY THE SUCCESS OF THIS WRITER AND HOW HE IS DELIGHTING READERS"--AMAZON PRESS RELEASE 10/15/18
Despite all this, the book is typical of so many self-published books (unfortunately) - sophomoric writing, characters that are flat and two dimensional, and situations that go beyond suspension of disbelief. What I am mainly interested in is how the authors of legal thrillers handle the courtroom scenes and other legal stuff - if done well I could forgive all else. but alas, in this book, those scenes are not much better than the rest of the writing.
Now on to William Bernhardt's Death Row
April 28, 2018
GA I received a free electronic copy of this novel from author John Ellsworth in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, sir, for sharing your hard work with me.
I thoroughly enjoyed Thaddeus Murfee. His lack of experience in the courtrooms of the world get him a few passes, but it is his wide-eyed awe for justice brings home the bacon. This was a fast read, an 'up' tale that may help you believe again in that blind lady of the law.
I thoroughly enjoyed Thaddeus Murfee. His lack of experience in the courtrooms of the world get him a few passes, but it is his wide-eyed awe for justice brings home the bacon. This was a fast read, an 'up' tale that may help you believe again in that blind lady of the law.
September 25, 2017
Having read all of the other books in the Murfee series, I thought I would read the prequel, which turned out to be a rather preposterous spy story. Murfee, fresh out of law school and just passed the bar exam is variously a US attorney's office secretary, leading a team of cybercrime attorneys, a fledgling spy and a trial defence attorney. Ellsworth well known issues with timing occur - the epilogue has a seven month period as a witness which then disappears two paragraphs later. This book is set 10 years before the final book, yet has a reference to Game of Thrones on TV. Despite this lack of attention of detail, I have generally enjoyed the books.
April 24, 2021
I found the writing to be easy to read, and the protagonist, Thaddeus Murfee, an intelligent and well-rounded character. Some of the premises in this story seemed unrealistic to me, which tainted my enjoyment of the tale.
July 14, 2017
Making the acquaintance of Thaddeus Murfee, just out of law school and hired by the office of the US Attorney, in DC, was very exciting at times, and then boring at other times. Indeed, the web of political games Thaddeus Murfee finds himself in from the first day is not something he enjoyed – and neither did I, as a reader, as a matter of fact.
There's no doubt, I found myself rooting for Thaddeus, who is a wonderful, clever young man, graduated 3rd of his class in Georgetown; although the young man lacks experience in the professional legal world and he knows he’s bound to make mistakes. What he didn't expected is that he would be asked to spy on his boss. Thaddeus definitely needed a crash course in counterintelligence, which his devious handlers didn't provide.
I’ve never been fond of D.C. politics and this confirms it (One exception: I am a fan and will always, always love the West Wing series by Aaron Sorkin). To conclude, I hope that Thaddeus next adventure will be more compelling, now that he moved to the small town of Orbit, just outside Chicago. I am indeed super curious.
There's no doubt, I found myself rooting for Thaddeus, who is a wonderful, clever young man, graduated 3rd of his class in Georgetown; although the young man lacks experience in the professional legal world and he knows he’s bound to make mistakes. What he didn't expected is that he would be asked to spy on his boss. Thaddeus definitely needed a crash course in counterintelligence, which his devious handlers didn't provide.
I’ve never been fond of D.C. politics and this confirms it (One exception: I am a fan and will always, always love the West Wing series by Aaron Sorkin). To conclude, I hope that Thaddeus next adventure will be more compelling, now that he moved to the small town of Orbit, just outside Chicago. I am indeed super curious.
August 20, 2020
I rarely write reviews, but after finishing the first book, I felt compelled. It's horrible. The plot is fine, but it really breaks down in the actual telling of the story. The prosecution's entire case took less than 2 paragraphs. The defense's case took a page and a half - roughly 5 paragraphs. Basically, it was all buildup for an extremely short climax. Probably the shortest climax I've ever read in the legal thriller category. There were several sentences that literally made no sense - the wrong words were used, making the reader puzzle out what word the author meant. I had hoped for a new series to begin enjoying, but instead I'm left disappointed after reading this dud. Stay away.
November 25, 2016
Good quick read. Engaging
This was a fun book. Quick and kept me glued to the pages. Will be more books written by John Ellsworth.
This was a fun book. Quick and kept me glued to the pages. Will be more books written by John Ellsworth.
May 14, 2020
Fast paced thriller with twists and turns throughout. Well written and kept my interest until the last page! A very good read.
April 7, 2020
could be a good series
December 14, 2016
Decent plot, poorly developed
It started out okay but took too many abrupt, vague turns. A lot of grammar errors could have easily been remedied with much needed editing. That would also have helped, perhaps, with better story development. I wanted to like this book but it was kind of a mess, like a draft rushed to publication. I would like to read the follow-up books but am afraid they will be no better contextually and the grammar errors make reading a chore at times. Glad this was free....
It started out okay but took too many abrupt, vague turns. A lot of grammar errors could have easily been remedied with much needed editing. That would also have helped, perhaps, with better story development. I wanted to like this book but it was kind of a mess, like a draft rushed to publication. I would like to read the follow-up books but am afraid they will be no better contextually and the grammar errors make reading a chore at times. Glad this was free....
June 23, 2016
Must read.
If you're Thaddeus Murfee and John Ellsworth fan, this book will help you understand how Thaddeus started his career. Fall in love with this character with the Chase, The Bad Baby and I have been reading all the books this author wrote. This story starts with him just graduated and starting his first job. FBI and CIA recruiting and making of double agents, and throwing them under the bus when they are caught.
If you're Thaddeus Murfee and John Ellsworth fan, this book will help you understand how Thaddeus started his career. Fall in love with this character with the Chase, The Bad Baby and I have been reading all the books this author wrote. This story starts with him just graduated and starting his first job. FBI and CIA recruiting and making of double agents, and throwing them under the bus when they are caught.
April 17, 2018
I liked the plot of this book and the characters. The writing seemed basic and easy to read but not as much in depth as I usually find in novels of the genre.
November 23, 2018
Very Interesting
I started by reading Flagstaff Station. Actually, I pre-ordered the book and read it as soon as it dropped in my Kindle library. I read the book straight through. I really enjoyed the turn Flagstaff Station took right of the bat. The book was better than I expected. At the end of the book I saw a listing of other books by John Ellsworth. A while series of Thaddeus Murder legal thrillers!
A Young Lawyer's Story was intriguing, entertaining and definitely a thriller. It was great seeing where Thaddeus started. I really like the Matheson and Ollie characters. I don't know where the series is going or who returning characters might be. But I really look forward to a new series. It doesn't ruin the outcome by knowing where Flagstaff Station begins. There is a long road in between to travel for Murfee and I am sure it will be exciting, if I go by the two books I have already read.
I started by reading Flagstaff Station. Actually, I pre-ordered the book and read it as soon as it dropped in my Kindle library. I read the book straight through. I really enjoyed the turn Flagstaff Station took right of the bat. The book was better than I expected. At the end of the book I saw a listing of other books by John Ellsworth. A while series of Thaddeus Murder legal thrillers!
A Young Lawyer's Story was intriguing, entertaining and definitely a thriller. It was great seeing where Thaddeus started. I really like the Matheson and Ollie characters. I don't know where the series is going or who returning characters might be. But I really look forward to a new series. It doesn't ruin the outcome by knowing where Flagstaff Station begins. There is a long road in between to travel for Murfee and I am sure it will be exciting, if I go by the two books I have already read.
January 20, 2021
Legal Thriller
This book kept me interested from the first chapter which starts with an introduction to Thaddeus Murfee, a young lawyer who graduated third in his class, but lacks in-court experience. He is offered a job by a member of the Washington, DC, Attorney General’s office, who offer him more money than he could ever imagine earning right out of the gate. He is basically being recruited as a spy in the Attorney General First Chair’s office. The rest is a wild ride which exposes the espionage and secret behind-the-scenes workings of government. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys legal procedurals.
This book kept me interested from the first chapter which starts with an introduction to Thaddeus Murfee, a young lawyer who graduated third in his class, but lacks in-court experience. He is offered a job by a member of the Washington, DC, Attorney General’s office, who offer him more money than he could ever imagine earning right out of the gate. He is basically being recruited as a spy in the Attorney General First Chair’s office. The rest is a wild ride which exposes the espionage and secret behind-the-scenes workings of government. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys legal procedurals.
December 6, 2018
I love legal thrillers so I was excited to listen to a new series’s. That being said, there is something odd about this book. It’s like the characters and their thoughts and dialogue isn’t intelligent enough to be doing what they’re doing in the positions they’re in. Also the story and characters aren’t very fleshed out so it’s hard to get emotionally attached to anything. I’m almost half way though and I don’t know if I’ll be able to finish. If this wasn’t the start to a series, I’d definitely throw in the towel at this point. If things change, I’ll update this review.
April 29, 2021
This book started off with a decent premise - a young attorney hired by the government to spy on the sitting US Attorney, suspected of selling secrets to the Chinese. It started falling apart when the inexperienced Murfee was asked to head a government intelligence office (the suspension of disbelief by this point was a big ask). The trial portion of the book was just farcical, and read as if it was written by a high school student. I would usually DNF books like this, but since it was a short read, I stuck with it, to its head-shaking conclusion. Oof.
October 6, 2021
“A Young Lawyer’s Story” is very clever and emotion-provoking. It is well-paced and hard to put down. The new, smart lawyer gets knocked around and gradually finds his way through the maze of the government legal system and trial court, but only after several intense twists.
I received a free copy of this book for my voluntary honest review. The story seems to have enough bits of truth to make it believable and thrilling, but not to an extreme. The characters are likable or detestable as needed to sustain the tension. Overall, I can easily recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book for my voluntary honest review. The story seems to have enough bits of truth to make it believable and thrilling, but not to an extreme. The characters are likable or detestable as needed to sustain the tension. Overall, I can easily recommend this book.
May 5, 2022
New author to me
I'm not generally a fan of Legal procedurals, but this one caught my eye, and I'm glad! I thoroughly enjoyed Thaddeus Murfee and his mixture of amateurish ambition, gullibility, quick recognition of his mistakes which he learned from for the future. I loved his cheekiness with the growly arrogant judge. I like that he recognized his need to grow in wisdom and skill,so landed in Orbit, a tiny town to start a tiny practice in. I'm anxious to read his next adventure and will be following John Ellsworth for awhile.
I'm not generally a fan of Legal procedurals, but this one caught my eye, and I'm glad! I thoroughly enjoyed Thaddeus Murfee and his mixture of amateurish ambition, gullibility, quick recognition of his mistakes which he learned from for the future. I loved his cheekiness with the growly arrogant judge. I like that he recognized his need to grow in wisdom and skill,so landed in Orbit, a tiny town to start a tiny practice in. I'm anxious to read his next adventure and will be following John Ellsworth for awhile.
July 31, 2017
Thaddeus Murfee
Loved this book. It kept me reading when I should have been doing other things. It was great to see the good guys win. I spent many years in the prosecutor's office. I've seen a few rulings that this book reminded me of. I've even seen a few defense attorney's sent to jail for contempt. This was an entertaining read for me. I will be looking for more of this author's books. If you enjoy legal stories, I recommend this book.
Loved this book. It kept me reading when I should have been doing other things. It was great to see the good guys win. I spent many years in the prosecutor's office. I've seen a few rulings that this book reminded me of. I've even seen a few defense attorney's sent to jail for contempt. This was an entertaining read for me. I will be looking for more of this author's books. If you enjoy legal stories, I recommend this book.
October 28, 2017
I did not realize this novel was a prequel, so it is the first Thaddeus Murfee thriller I've read. I'm glad for the background before going on to others in the series. I liked Murfee's character development, enjoyed watching him struggle against the situation in which he found himself and finally win back his "freedom". Unfortunately, as with other Ellsworth novels, errors in grammar and sentence structure detract from his work. I wish he would get himself a good editor.
April 6, 2018
Murfee, awkward newby
Murfee is hired for a government legal position after graduating 3rd in his class at Georgetown. A lot seems to fall into place for him. Even his salary gets raised a couple of times in his first 3 weeks on the job. He was definitely a likeable courtroom rookie when he had to defend his high stakes case in front of a grumpy judge. Ellsworth's novel is a fun, quick read.
Murfee is hired for a government legal position after graduating 3rd in his class at Georgetown. A lot seems to fall into place for him. Even his salary gets raised a couple of times in his first 3 weeks on the job. He was definitely a likeable courtroom rookie when he had to defend his high stakes case in front of a grumpy judge. Ellsworth's novel is a fun, quick read.
March 14, 2019
Loved this read,right up there with another author whose name I will not mention. This book has kept me up later than usual because I didn't want to lay it down. Thank you for sharing your talent with me. Now on to the next, Sisters In Law.
Loved this book, right up there with another author whose name I will not mention. This book has kept me up later than usual because I didn't want to lay it down. Thank you for sharing your talent with me. Now on to the next !!!
Loved this book, right up there with another author whose name I will not mention. This book has kept me up later than usual because I didn't want to lay it down. Thank you for sharing your talent with me. Now on to the next !!!
June 8, 2019
Intriguing
This was my first John Ellsworth book. This legal thriller is about a young lawyer fresh out of law school. He is offered a job with the U.S.Attorney's office in Washington D.C. He is excited to start this new journey, though he soon finds out things are not what they seem. He soon finds himself caught up in a world espionage. The book is real page turner. Can't wait to read another book by this author. Recommended reading.
This was my first John Ellsworth book. This legal thriller is about a young lawyer fresh out of law school. He is offered a job with the U.S.Attorney's office in Washington D.C. He is excited to start this new journey, though he soon finds out things are not what they seem. He soon finds himself caught up in a world espionage. The book is real page turner. Can't wait to read another book by this author. Recommended reading.
July 28, 2019
This Is A Good One
I read one of John Ellsworths later books on this character, Thaddeus Murfee. I did give him some grief in the review about some of the editing of the book. I found the plot to be somewhat confusing. So I thought I would give him one more try. This is a great first book for an author. I really like the plot. I like the character development. And I found myself reading the book through in one setting. I highly recommend the book.
I read one of John Ellsworths later books on this character, Thaddeus Murfee. I did give him some grief in the review about some of the editing of the book. I found the plot to be somewhat confusing. So I thought I would give him one more try. This is a great first book for an author. I really like the plot. I like the character development. And I found myself reading the book through in one setting. I highly recommend the book.
January 18, 2020
Second star to the right, and straight in til morning!
I really enjoyed this book. The plot was totally unexpected, attention getting, and educational. It also made me worry, angry, laugh, and write this review. A young “cheeky” lawyer woh only wanted to practice law, but was tricked, threatened, lied to, and mistreated by representatives of the U.S. Government. I can’t wait to get started on the next book in the series.
I really enjoyed this book. The plot was totally unexpected, attention getting, and educational. It also made me worry, angry, laugh, and write this review. A young “cheeky” lawyer woh only wanted to practice law, but was tricked, threatened, lied to, and mistreated by representatives of the U.S. Government. I can’t wait to get started on the next book in the series.
April 19, 2020
I just finished reading my first book, The Young Lawyer, by John Ellsworth. I enjoyed the start of the series and will read more. Young Thaddeus was third in his class in law school but is inexperienced in the ways and nuances of trying high profile cases. While parts of the story may be a stretch, I like the storyline and it held my interest. Espionage, spying, corrupt government people in high positions, traitors, courtroom drama, a powerful judge, all come together to make for a good read.
August 21, 2020
Overly simplistic characters without credibility !
A new law school graduate, supposedly of high scholastic standing, is recruited to spy on a U.S. ATTORNEY in D.C. Murfee proves to be brash, egocentric, injudicious, and naive beyond belief. Thaddeus Murfee' s character behaves more like a 17-year-old teenager than a potential "legal eagle." The plot is developed only as a short story vehicle and frequently is punctuated with absurd events.
A new law school graduate, supposedly of high scholastic standing, is recruited to spy on a U.S. ATTORNEY in D.C. Murfee proves to be brash, egocentric, injudicious, and naive beyond belief. Thaddeus Murfee' s character behaves more like a 17-year-old teenager than a potential "legal eagle." The plot is developed only as a short story vehicle and frequently is punctuated with absurd events.
August 14, 2021
Thaddeus Murfee needs a job...and fast. He is about to get kicked out of his home and he has student loans to pay. Freshly graduated from law school, he is approached by the government to work undercover and spy on his boss. Everything is 'hidden' but they are willing to pay him a huge salary so he accepts. Later he wishes he hadn't. Things get pretty intense, and he ends up defending his former boss from those who hired him. A really good story.
August 15, 2021
Great sequel to the Thaddeus Murder series
I've read everyone of the books in the the Thaddeus Murder series. This was the icing on the cake. It was great the read about Thaddeus beginning.
The book was exciting and enthralling. I had a hard time putting it down.
The ending wss as it should be.
Great book for anyone who loves the Thaddeus Murder series or any of the other John Ellsworth books. I've read them all. Can't wait for the book
I've read everyone of the books in the the Thaddeus Murder series. This was the icing on the cake. It was great the read about Thaddeus beginning.
The book was exciting and enthralling. I had a hard time putting it down.
The ending wss as it should be.
Great book for anyone who loves the Thaddeus Murder series or any of the other John Ellsworth books. I've read them all. Can't wait for the book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews