What do you think?
Rate this book
Thaddeus Murfee Legal Thrillers #11
The Crime
AMAZON HAS SAID, "WE ARE INSPIRED BY THE SUCCESS OF THIS WRITER AND HOW HE IS DELIGHTING READERS"--AMAZON PRESS RELEASE 10/15/18
He couldn't keep his hands off his stepdaughter. The question becomes, who shot him? The mother or the stepdaughter? Or maybe it was even the woman he was seeing? Or the company he owed money?
Thaddeus defends the mother on murder charges. The case goes to trial. Midway, the trial takes an unexpected turn and it looks as if the real killer has been exposed. Thaddeus isn't finished with the case, however, and soon he's back in trial yet again. The police and the District Attorney are certain they now have the killer in a death penalty case.
Of all his cases, this one is Thaddeus' most memorable and most difficult. Enjoy a front row seat as the courtroom whiz takes on the establishment only to find his entire world turned upside down. It's back and forth, cat-and-mouse until the unthinkable happens.
Can Thaddeus win-over a jury of twelve tough Westerners who aren't afraid of handing out the death penalty?
John Ellsworth, USA Today and AMAZON TOP 100 BESTSELLER
He couldn't keep his hands off his stepdaughter. The question becomes, who shot him? The mother or the stepdaughter? Or maybe it was even the woman he was seeing? Or the company he owed money?
Thaddeus defends the mother on murder charges. The case goes to trial. Midway, the trial takes an unexpected turn and it looks as if the real killer has been exposed. Thaddeus isn't finished with the case, however, and soon he's back in trial yet again. The police and the District Attorney are certain they now have the killer in a death penalty case.
Of all his cases, this one is Thaddeus' most memorable and most difficult. Enjoy a front row seat as the courtroom whiz takes on the establishment only to find his entire world turned upside down. It's back and forth, cat-and-mouse until the unthinkable happens.
Can Thaddeus win-over a jury of twelve tough Westerners who aren't afraid of handing out the death penalty?
John Ellsworth, USA Today and AMAZON TOP 100 BESTSELLER
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2019
2859 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
John Ellsworth
150 books516 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 84 reviews
June 25, 2020
Amazing tale with clients that were smarter then Thaddeus. He was doing a great job defending the mother Sheila and out of the blue (won’t spoil it), the charges are dropped with prejudice , thus she can’t be retried. Thaddeus kind of knew but really didn’t. Then he’s brought before the bar to defend his license all because of the quandary he was in. It goes on but Ellsworth tells a great tale.5
July 28, 2019
An Interesting Read
The plot was interesting. The dialogue was pretty realistic. I liked Thaddeus Murfee and his wife and their family. The actual trial parts seem somewhat less than plausible, but I’m no lawyer. The weirdest part was the judge name for the second trial. Chapter 37 the judge is Cecile Van Meter. Then I’m Chapter 38 the author mentions the Judge and uses the male pronoun “he”. Then in Chapter 41 the Judge for the same trial is Judge Stormont. I understand Ellsworth is an Independent author. Maybe he needs a better proofreader. On the whole I liked a lot about the book, but how it fell together didn’t sit right with me. It was sort of “what the...” I am going to try one more and read the first book in the series.
The plot was interesting. The dialogue was pretty realistic. I liked Thaddeus Murfee and his wife and their family. The actual trial parts seem somewhat less than plausible, but I’m no lawyer. The weirdest part was the judge name for the second trial. Chapter 37 the judge is Cecile Van Meter. Then I’m Chapter 38 the author mentions the Judge and uses the male pronoun “he”. Then in Chapter 41 the Judge for the same trial is Judge Stormont. I understand Ellsworth is an Independent author. Maybe he needs a better proofreader. On the whole I liked a lot about the book, but how it fell together didn’t sit right with me. It was sort of “what the...” I am going to try one more and read the first book in the series.
July 16, 2019
If you want to read this book, you should try to read it in one sitting. Otherwise, every time you pick it up to read the story will have veered in another direction and you won't know where you are!! Well, that's a bit of exaggeration, but this is a plot that goes in more directions that any I have read in a very long time.
I love the Thaddeus books. He is a loving man to his wife and family, a giving and generous friend to those who need him, a kick-ass lawyer who never gives up. Except, maybe this one time...
I love the Thaddeus books. He is a loving man to his wife and family, a giving and generous friend to those who need him, a kick-ass lawyer who never gives up. Except, maybe this one time...
May 28, 2020
Thank goodness Thaddeus is back to his old self!
For those who have suffered through all the angst of the last few novels, you will be pleased to know that THIS one is a legal thriller:nothing more. The story reads familiar, similar to a made-for-television movie. Thaddeus has become more introspective, a positive thing. Not TOO many people we like get killed off. I liked this story the best, since the early books. It's been fun watching Thad mature.
For those who have suffered through all the angst of the last few novels, you will be pleased to know that THIS one is a legal thriller:nothing more. The story reads familiar, similar to a made-for-television movie. Thaddeus has become more introspective, a positive thing. Not TOO many people we like get killed off. I liked this story the best, since the early books. It's been fun watching Thad mature.
July 5, 2019
As always, a pleasure
I'm not sure what the big mistake was, but I think all errors in this story should also have been fixed at that time. Only negative.
Great story. I hope we get to hear what happens to Karl soon.
Such good easy reading. Always a great story!
I'm not sure what the big mistake was, but I think all errors in this story should also have been fixed at that time. Only negative.
Great story. I hope we get to hear what happens to Karl soon.
Such good easy reading. Always a great story!
November 22, 2019
Good, but I feel A little lacking
I was never ever able to get into the story, which is very unusual with an Ellsworth novel. Perhaps I am naive, but the whole story seemed too contrived, thus not of great interest.
I was never ever able to get into the story, which is very unusual with an Ellsworth novel. Perhaps I am naive, but the whole story seemed too contrived, thus not of great interest.
Want to read
June 22, 2019author gift 399
July 5, 2019
What’s an attorney to do, when a prospective client shows up at his office and asks Thaddeus what kind of response she should give to the police, after she kills her husband. She pays him $100. Of course, Thaddeus feels like he has persuaded her not to kill her husband. He didn’t let the police know of possible danger, because she said that she had “been talked down.” She admitted to Thaddeus that her husband has raped her 14 year old daughter and cheated on her many times. Imagine Thaddeus’ surprise, when he gets a call that his client has been arrested for murder. His client admitted to killing her husband to the police. Now Thaddeus has the job of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that his client is innocent. To make matters even more complicated, her daughter was in the office where the murder took place. Did the mother confess to killing her husband to protect her daughter, who could’ve killed her stepfather? Thadddeus is also fighting a complaint from a family member to have him disbarred. The complaint stated that Thaddeus didn’t let his client’s husband or the police know of imminent danger. Will his law license be taken from him? Will Thaddeus be able to get his client off from a murder charge? Did she or her daughter murder her husband? There were underlying themes in this book. It keeps the reader completely in the dark, until the very end. I enjoy all of Thaddeus’ books. He really is a great lawyer and he’s not afraid of insurmountable odds for cases that he takes. Really good book.
December 1, 2020
Fact appears to be a Lie; Lies appear to be Facts!
Story starts off in a straightforward manner. Mrs. Sheila approaches the famous Lawyer Mr. Thaddeus Murfee stating that she's going to shoot her 2nd husband for raping her 14 year old daughter. Lawyer talks her down on the shooting part, however within a few minutes of she stepping out of the Lawyer's office, her husband Russell is shot dead. Mrs. Sheila confesses to the crime and Mr. Murfee has his task cut out to get her the minimum of punishment on the grounds of the crime committed by her 2nd husband. He calls the daughter of Mrs. Sheila, Patrica Jeans (PJ) to the stand and BOOM,PJ says she's the one who shot her step-dad.
Who did shoot Mr. Russell is to be ascertained by Mr. Murfee.
Read this legal novel to know the true killer.
Story starts off in a straightforward manner. Mrs. Sheila approaches the famous Lawyer Mr. Thaddeus Murfee stating that she's going to shoot her 2nd husband for raping her 14 year old daughter. Lawyer talks her down on the shooting part, however within a few minutes of she stepping out of the Lawyer's office, her husband Russell is shot dead. Mrs. Sheila confesses to the crime and Mr. Murfee has his task cut out to get her the minimum of punishment on the grounds of the crime committed by her 2nd husband. He calls the daughter of Mrs. Sheila, Patrica Jeans (PJ) to the stand and BOOM,PJ says she's the one who shot her step-dad.
Who did shoot Mr. Russell is to be ascertained by Mr. Murfee.
Read this legal novel to know the true killer.
May 5, 2023
Clever and manipulative
Thaddeus Murphy has been practicing law for a long time. He views things from a different perspective than the average attorney? He's very clever. I find him intriguing and don't always catch the angle he's taking.
This book is about a murder that was due to an absolutely horrible excuse for a man or human. With so many confessions, how do we deduce the truth?
As we wade through all the testimony and expert witness stories, facts become muddled. The defendants are manipulative, which doesn't help.
Also, the threat of disbarment does not ease the battle Thaddeus is fighting. Then add his wife, Christine's traumatic accident. This is alot for Thaddeus to continue is beloved passion of practicing law.
Its easy to see why someone who's been successful, might consider throwing in the towel.
Thaddeus Murphy has been practicing law for a long time. He views things from a different perspective than the average attorney? He's very clever. I find him intriguing and don't always catch the angle he's taking.
This book is about a murder that was due to an absolutely horrible excuse for a man or human. With so many confessions, how do we deduce the truth?
As we wade through all the testimony and expert witness stories, facts become muddled. The defendants are manipulative, which doesn't help.
Also, the threat of disbarment does not ease the battle Thaddeus is fighting. Then add his wife, Christine's traumatic accident. This is alot for Thaddeus to continue is beloved passion of practicing law.
Its easy to see why someone who's been successful, might consider throwing in the towel.
August 26, 2024
this book took a little dip, but it was ok
The ball kinda dropped on this book. It was readable but lacking drama, suspense, humor, Thaddeus charm and hazardous and explosive adventure. I love Thaddeus as a lawyer but I had a hard time accepting the fact that he was not smart representing this mother and daughter duo. The mother and daughter storyline was mediocre. I had a hard time imagining anything in this story compared to the other books. I couldn’t even imagine the rape plot. It was too nonchalant. This book was flat. This story was so far fetched. It’s like the author ran out of ideas or storyline. And Thaddeus and Christine storyline as married needs to play out, there’s no chemistry between Thaddeus and Christine. They seem like friends with benefits. There seems to be no warmth. The affection is off. They don’t seem like a husband and wife.
The ball kinda dropped on this book. It was readable but lacking drama, suspense, humor, Thaddeus charm and hazardous and explosive adventure. I love Thaddeus as a lawyer but I had a hard time accepting the fact that he was not smart representing this mother and daughter duo. The mother and daughter storyline was mediocre. I had a hard time imagining anything in this story compared to the other books. I couldn’t even imagine the rape plot. It was too nonchalant. This book was flat. This story was so far fetched. It’s like the author ran out of ideas or storyline. And Thaddeus and Christine storyline as married needs to play out, there’s no chemistry between Thaddeus and Christine. They seem like friends with benefits. There seems to be no warmth. The affection is off. They don’t seem like a husband and wife.
August 9, 2021
Great read! Surprising ending but looking forward to the new Colorado life; hopefully he goes back and rakes the Flagstaff DA over the coals....would be nice if goodreads advised us of the next book in the series like Amazon does on some other authors i've read. I have read every John Ellsworth book in order of their release and I cannot wait for him to get more books out there; I stopped reading for 18 months just so I could get a few books in a row to read from him; What A GREAT AUTHOR!!!
November 21, 2023
I always enjoy John Ellsworth’s books and I really wanted to, and tried to, enjoy this one also. But I just couldn’t. There are simply too many continuity issues in it. All of his books have a few but in this one there were more than usual and more distractingly some that impacted negatively the plot and subverted the dénouement of the story.
I will continue to read John Ellsworth but I really wish he would get an editor who would catch the inconsistencies.
I will continue to read John Ellsworth but I really wish he would get an editor who would catch the inconsistencies.
July 1, 2019
I was enticed by the opening pages where a young filly is skillfully tamed...in tasteful R-rated fashion. XLNT. The author went on to take me on a courtroom journey, a trial to beat all others. As always, our star counsel is Thaddeus Murfee, assisted by his daughter. At times, they don't know up from down in the case, but they don't disappoint.
November 19, 2019
This John Ellsworth novel about the journey Thaddeus Murder takes along with people he does his best to represent through a trial. This defendant causes shock and awe as the story unfolds. Another great story about the very skilled attorney, amazing husband and great father to his and Christine's children as well as the children they adopt.
February 25, 2020
As almost always, John Ellsworth delivers with another Thaddeus Murfee case. All the angst, twists and turns, self-doubt, and self-confidence I've come to expect in such a tale are complete. A bit on the brutal side, so if you're squeamish about violence... close your eyes to a couple of scenes.
Meanwhile... there's another on the way.
Meanwhile... there's another on the way.
November 20, 2020
Thaddeus comes through again with a few more scars
This, like the previous books in this series is a page turner for me. Ellsworth does such a good job of weaving the story that you never know what is going to happen until you read the next page. Thaddeus is tough, brilliant, basically very ethical, loves his family first and foremost, but can be brutal when he has to be.
This, like the previous books in this series is a page turner for me. Ellsworth does such a good job of weaving the story that you never know what is going to happen until you read the next page. Thaddeus is tough, brilliant, basically very ethical, loves his family first and foremost, but can be brutal when he has to be.
March 13, 2021
Another great job
I am a big fan of John Ellsworth because he never lets me down. Good plots and fast paced action along with a very human side to all of his characters. I originally was going to read a couple of his books but I can't stop. So be warned if you start reading you are going to have a difficult time leaving.
R
I am a big fan of John Ellsworth because he never lets me down. Good plots and fast paced action along with a very human side to all of his characters. I originally was going to read a couple of his books but I can't stop. So be warned if you start reading you are going to have a difficult time leaving.
R
August 12, 2021
Thad gets played!
John Ellsworth, I really enjoy reading this author! His characters are very entertaining and the books are great reads! This book started with excitement and ended with the same " How the Hell did they do that!" . John Ellsworth has kept me deep in his series for 11 books and I have 4 months left in the year.
John Ellsworth, I really enjoy reading this author! His characters are very entertaining and the books are great reads! This book started with excitement and ended with the same " How the Hell did they do that!" . John Ellsworth has kept me deep in his series for 11 books and I have 4 months left in the year.
April 1, 2024
Enjoyed the read and Thaddeus as usual is the consummate lawyer but this time is misled by a very clever woman indeed. She almost undoes him as the main character. The story is relatively short and not difficult to figure out the plot but well written and legally clever nonetheless. A good read and I don’t believe for a second that he is leaving the practice of law.
June 29, 2019
What can I say about the way John Ellsworth writes a story? He puts you right in the heart of it, like you are there and gets the reader 'involved' by the characters. I love Thadddeus Murfee's legal thrillers! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. Get it! You won't be sorry!
September 12, 2019
Just never felt to me that this story was realistic. Mother confesses to murder of her second husband who was raping his step daughter. At trail daughter steps up and says she did it. Mother acquitted as is daughter (self defense). Mother than admits killing but can't be tried a second time.
May 6, 2020
Another good book
I liked other books better than this, most books concerning Thaddeus I could hardly put down. I got a little bored with this one, not crazy about the story line..but I did read it entirely.
I liked other books better than this, most books concerning Thaddeus I could hardly put down. I got a little bored with this one, not crazy about the story line..but I did read it entirely.
July 27, 2020
Unsatisfying
I Had a hard time Getting into this book because I didn't like the defendant and her daughter and the way they were doing Thaddeus. The trial lasted way too long for me. I Felt bad for everything that happened.
I Had a hard time Getting into this book because I didn't like the defendant and her daughter and the way they were doing Thaddeus. The trial lasted way too long for me. I Felt bad for everything that happened.
December 12, 2020
A real crime read
This story has many twists and turns,all designed to keep the reader guessing - what's next? Just when you think you've got it figured out boom, you don't! A great read.
This story has many twists and turns,all designed to keep the reader guessing - what's next? Just when you think you've got it figured out boom, you don't! A great read.
December 16, 2020
Thank God for these books!!!
This series is the best. During this awful time for everyone, I'm flying through this series. Days at work with no customers are long and boring. Thaddeus and family keep me amused and entertained. Easy, fast paced, entertaining. Keeps me going!
This series is the best. During this awful time for everyone, I'm flying through this series. Days at work with no customers are long and boring. Thaddeus and family keep me amused and entertained. Easy, fast paced, entertaining. Keeps me going!
May 21, 2021
Disappointed. Plot too contrived and somewhat predictable.
John Ellsworth is worthy of much better plots and depth of his characters .
Legal thrillers are one of my favorite genres. It isn't that this is an awful read but it could have been better.
John Ellsworth is worthy of much better plots and depth of his characters .
Legal thrillers are one of my favorite genres. It isn't that this is an awful read but it could have been better.
August 21, 2021
Thaddeus
I love this guy! I can hardly put your books down. What a talented writer you are. Please don't stop!
You have created a family that is easy to love and constantly look forward to the next adventure.
I love this guy! I can hardly put your books down. What a talented writer you are. Please don't stop!
You have created a family that is easy to love and constantly look forward to the next adventure.
September 7, 2021
Really good book.
The characters that John Ellsworth developed are really wonderful. From the first page of these books I was hooked. A really can't put down able book. Something anyone could enjoy.
The characters that John Ellsworth developed are really wonderful. From the first page of these books I was hooked. A really can't put down able book. Something anyone could enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews