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Cadence Elliott Legal Thriller #1
I Swear To Tell
A young attorney’s first murder case throws her into a world of lies and extreme violence. To save her client, she vows to expose the truth, even if it kills her.
How can a girl who was raised in a trailer park be working at a top D.C. law firm?
Cadence Elliott beat graduates from the country’s best law schools to the job. No Ivy League pedigree. No powerful Washington connections. She got there on merit.
Cadence found her exceptional drive as a teen, when she learned she could never trust her mother again. When she realized the adults who claimed to be looking out for her were liars.
She wanted to make damn sure she’d never have to rely on anyone else, ever again.
And becoming a lawyer meant she could be someone who stood up for the powerless.
In this first installment of a gripping new series, Cadence has been tasked with her first murder case: defending a 19-year-old girl charged with homicide.
The initial facts tell Cadence to argue self-defense, until it becomes clear that many people wanted the victim dead.
Diving deep into the case, Cadence enters the violent, hate-fueled world of extremist politics only to make her own deadly enemies.
Will her dogged pursuit of justice pay off, or will it prove fatal?
How can a girl who was raised in a trailer park be working at a top D.C. law firm?
Cadence Elliott beat graduates from the country’s best law schools to the job. No Ivy League pedigree. No powerful Washington connections. She got there on merit.
Cadence found her exceptional drive as a teen, when she learned she could never trust her mother again. When she realized the adults who claimed to be looking out for her were liars.
She wanted to make damn sure she’d never have to rely on anyone else, ever again.
And becoming a lawyer meant she could be someone who stood up for the powerless.
In this first installment of a gripping new series, Cadence has been tasked with her first murder case: defending a 19-year-old girl charged with homicide.
The initial facts tell Cadence to argue self-defense, until it becomes clear that many people wanted the victim dead.
Diving deep into the case, Cadence enters the violent, hate-fueled world of extremist politics only to make her own deadly enemies.
Will her dogged pursuit of justice pay off, or will it prove fatal?
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2020
1931 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Miller
15 books98 followersJJ Miller's "Force of Justice" is an Amazon bestseller (Pulp Thrillers). JJ aims to write the kind of thrillers he likes to read: ones that grab you by the collar from page one and never let go. He lives with his wife and three kids, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
April 5, 2021
What a page turner
It was not easy to decide who did it and why. I kept changing my mind and wondering who it really was. The characters were very believable and kept my interest. I would very much like a sequel.
It was not easy to decide who did it and why. I kept changing my mind and wondering who it really was. The characters were very believable and kept my interest. I would very much like a sequel.
July 8, 2024
3.5 stars. Decent start to a series from a first time author for me. I didn't get that tense nail biter feeling during the trial that I usually get from a legal thriller. What really peaked my interest here was the side story of Cadence's earlier life. The mysterious ending and where that might lead Candence next was a good hook to read book 2.
April 30, 2021
Page turner
Once you start reading you can't put it down until done reading. I'm hoping there will be a book two.
Once you start reading you can't put it down until done reading. I'm hoping there will be a book two.
July 24, 2025
This was a fun legal thriller pallet cleanser book. The premise was an interesting one, but in total, it didn't break any ground. It was just fun to read.
We have all the tropes. A poor girl that managed to get scholarships in law school to land a prestigious job at a law firm; a case where the victim can't pay, but the law firm assigns their new green lawyer to work pro bono; and a case that has all the odds against it, and should really be plead, but the client still insists on a trial.
Was it fun to read? Yes! Will I continue with this series? Probably not, but I'm not totally against it either.
We have all the tropes. A poor girl that managed to get scholarships in law school to land a prestigious job at a law firm; a case where the victim can't pay, but the law firm assigns their new green lawyer to work pro bono; and a case that has all the odds against it, and should really be plead, but the client still insists on a trial.
Was it fun to read? Yes! Will I continue with this series? Probably not, but I'm not totally against it either.
March 5, 2021
My first experience with J.J. Miller was most enjoyable. I am 73 and have been an avid reader from my my early walking days. Mr. Miller created a believable story line and characters so genuine that I believe I may have known a few. I look forward to further Cadence Elliott work and have downloaded the short story and will be reading the existing three book series mentioned at the end of "I Swear To Tell".
Very serious material and subject matter will keep me in the J.J. Miller camp.
Thank you.
Very serious material and subject matter will keep me in the J.J. Miller camp.
Thank you.
August 5, 2024
3.8 stars
A pretty good read albeit a very predictable plot (on the legal thriller part). I shouldn’t read this one at the same time as Witness 8 by Steve Cavanaugh. Anyway, for Cadence's story, though, that one promises to be quite interesting.
A pretty good read albeit a very predictable plot (on the legal thriller part). I shouldn’t read this one at the same time as Witness 8 by Steve Cavanaugh. Anyway, for Cadence's story, though, that one promises to be quite interesting.
April 26, 2021
Another masterpiece
Okay, I do not know this writer personally. I do, however enjoy the stories he writes. Sharp, detailed narration. Tales that are impossible to guess. Mind blowing endings that make me tickled pink. Back to work JJ.
Okay, I do not know this writer personally. I do, however enjoy the stories he writes. Sharp, detailed narration. Tales that are impossible to guess. Mind blowing endings that make me tickled pink. Back to work JJ.
February 8, 2021
Engaging and realistic
First time reading this author. Wasn't disappointed in the least bit. Pretty decent and engaging read. Will definitely recommend for those into legal thrillers.
First time reading this author. Wasn't disappointed in the least bit. Pretty decent and engaging read. Will definitely recommend for those into legal thrillers.
January 9, 2021
Intriguing title
Very enjoyable easy read.Start you will keep on reading.Enjoyed it through the weekend.Will wait
for other Cadence book to follow.
Very enjoyable easy read.Start you will keep on reading.Enjoyed it through the weekend.Will wait
for other Cadence book to follow.
July 21, 2023
Very sensational writing around the antiva forces and the hard right, with the left wining. You had to be a liberal to enjoy this book. The heroine is a young girl with ideals and self awareness that stands out in this lawyer's story. You could tell who was the "bad" guy right from the start. I did not finish this book, but skipped to the end. I will not read another of this authors novels. Not worth the price.
November 9, 2020
Review of I Swear To Tell
First book that I have read by this author and it was a very good storyline. The main character ( Cadence) is a very talented, tortured, brilliant Attorney, struggling to overcome a very sad childhood. She has managed to land a position in Washington Dc with a very small but powerful Law Firm. The Law Firm is owned by a Brilliant Older Woman who is both a mentor and friend to Cadence. Cadence respects her boss but is reluctant to tell her about the darkest chapter in her childhood. Cadence is assigned her first murder case, a young woman is charged with murdering a White Supremacist during a violent protest. The author understands The Rise of Neo Nazis White Supremacist Groups and the amount of violence that can happen at anytime. Cadence is also consumed with righting a wrong from her childhood and has to walk a thin line between saving a young woman s life and working on her personal life. The author understands that The Police Department locks in on a suspect and doesn't investigate any other possible leads to solve the crime. The courtroom scenes were awesome and the ending makes me look forward to the next book in the series
First book that I have read by this author and it was a very good storyline. The main character ( Cadence) is a very talented, tortured, brilliant Attorney, struggling to overcome a very sad childhood. She has managed to land a position in Washington Dc with a very small but powerful Law Firm. The Law Firm is owned by a Brilliant Older Woman who is both a mentor and friend to Cadence. Cadence respects her boss but is reluctant to tell her about the darkest chapter in her childhood. Cadence is assigned her first murder case, a young woman is charged with murdering a White Supremacist during a violent protest. The author understands The Rise of Neo Nazis White Supremacist Groups and the amount of violence that can happen at anytime. Cadence is also consumed with righting a wrong from her childhood and has to walk a thin line between saving a young woman s life and working on her personal life. The author understands that The Police Department locks in on a suspect and doesn't investigate any other possible leads to solve the crime. The courtroom scenes were awesome and the ending makes me look forward to the next book in the series
February 16, 2023
I Swear to Tell by J. J. Miller 1/4/2023 Kindle
I made the mistake of reading the second installment in this legal series before picking up this book, the first. Here we learn more details of Cadence Elliot’s tough upbringing she left behind to fight her way through law school to a prestigious Washington, D.C. firm. While she is defensive of her background, she excels against her Ivy league coworkers.
Her first case involves the defense of a teenage girl accused of murder. While the crime looks like self-defense, the more Cadence pursues the facts the deeper she becomes immersed in some strange politics. There are ample twists and turns to hold the reader’s attention and characters are well drawn.
This is a fun series and one I’ll continue to read and recommend.
I made the mistake of reading the second installment in this legal series before picking up this book, the first. Here we learn more details of Cadence Elliot’s tough upbringing she left behind to fight her way through law school to a prestigious Washington, D.C. firm. While she is defensive of her background, she excels against her Ivy league coworkers.
Her first case involves the defense of a teenage girl accused of murder. While the crime looks like self-defense, the more Cadence pursues the facts the deeper she becomes immersed in some strange politics. There are ample twists and turns to hold the reader’s attention and characters are well drawn.
This is a fun series and one I’ll continue to read and recommend.
August 6, 2022
Good Plot
I gave the review three stars, because the plot was very good but the writing was pretty average. The dialogue in the book is not bad, but it’s also not great. The author did a good job with the plot there’s enough twists and turns to keep you moving forward. However there are times where the writing seems a little pedestrian. The dialogue at times is good, and there’s other times were it seems so average. The courtroom scenes are very good and they’re very compelling. So overall for plot I would give the book for stars but for writing I would give it two stars so I averaged it to three stars
I gave the review three stars, because the plot was very good but the writing was pretty average. The dialogue in the book is not bad, but it’s also not great. The author did a good job with the plot there’s enough twists and turns to keep you moving forward. However there are times where the writing seems a little pedestrian. The dialogue at times is good, and there’s other times were it seems so average. The courtroom scenes are very good and they’re very compelling. So overall for plot I would give the book for stars but for writing I would give it two stars so I averaged it to three stars
December 30, 2021
This is the first book in what I hope to be a good series. If the rest are like this then I'm going to like it. Cadence Elliott is a relatively young and new attorney in D.C. who is given her first big case, a murder. Living in these times, it is interesting to read about the clash of the alt-right with the alt-left with one left dead and one from the other side charged with the murder. For those readers who choose the middle ground is there a true villain? It's an interesting concept. But does ideology equal murder or does one trump the other. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
July 21, 2022
Cadence Elliott is a young lawyer from a tough upbringing. While fighting from the demons of her past, she must fight for her client in the biggest case she had since joining a reputable firm who’s taking the case of a young left leaning activist who’d seemingly beaten to death a white supremacist protester at a manifestation.
What a great book. It’s a page turner. Nice character development and a really clever plot designed to keep you saying : one more chapter! I can’t wait to read the next installment of Mrs Elliott adventures.
A solid 5*.
What a great book. It’s a page turner. Nice character development and a really clever plot designed to keep you saying : one more chapter! I can’t wait to read the next installment of Mrs Elliott adventures.
A solid 5*.
September 1, 2025
I read J. J. Miller’s, “The Midnight Lawyer,” last week, so I thought that I would try another of his series, and read “I Swear to Tell.” Cadence Elliot is a young D.C. lawyer and defends a young lady accused of killing a white supremacist at a rally. It is a good story that reads well, moves quickly, and has likeable characters, but for some reason that I can’t quite put my finger on, I did not like it as much as last week’s choice. I admit that I did get caught up in the last courtroom scene, wondering how it was going to end. (266 pages)
July 27, 2020
Good read!
A new author to me, and I was pleasantly surprised to find such a well thought out plot, characters with true depth, and a plausible storyline.
There were a couple of sub stories. However, in chapter 26 the prosecutor goes from being Gerard Underhill to become Gerard Underwood for three paragraphs, and back to Gerard Underhill. This is a pretty big gaffe, and it was distracting!
A new author to me, and I was pleasantly surprised to find such a well thought out plot, characters with true depth, and a plausible storyline.
There were a couple of sub stories. However, in chapter 26 the prosecutor goes from being Gerard Underhill to become Gerard Underwood for three paragraphs, and back to Gerard Underhill. This is a pretty big gaffe, and it was distracting!
February 17, 2023
Thriller: All together too real!!
J.J.Miller is a remarkable author blending complex subplots into this novel that reads like nonfiction. The legalese is interwoven into easy to understand sentences. What impressed me most even after seven decades reading fiction and fifteen years in a legal profession: surprisingly I did not want the story to end. Thank goodness there is a Book 2.
J.J.Miller is a remarkable author blending complex subplots into this novel that reads like nonfiction. The legalese is interwoven into easy to understand sentences. What impressed me most even after seven decades reading fiction and fifteen years in a legal profession: surprisingly I did not want the story to end. Thank goodness there is a Book 2.
June 30, 2025
A Legal Thriller - Somewhat Accurate
Interesting story ala Perry Mason - revealing the real criminal in a dramatic courtroom scene where last minute evidence turns the tide. Somewhat formulaic. Cadence is interesting - if a bit stereotyped. Abandoned by her mother. Questionable childhood but she was able to put herself through college and law school and end up in one of the most prestigious firms in DC. An okay story but not beautifully written.
Interesting story ala Perry Mason - revealing the real criminal in a dramatic courtroom scene where last minute evidence turns the tide. Somewhat formulaic. Cadence is interesting - if a bit stereotyped. Abandoned by her mother. Questionable childhood but she was able to put herself through college and law school and end up in one of the most prestigious firms in DC. An okay story but not beautifully written.
November 12, 2025
The book is supposedly a legal thriller, but it didn't read like one.
one would expect the lawyers would fight over discovery materials.
the author didn't do a segment on voir dire (jury selection).
the author didn't have second chair lawyer on either sides.
the investigators on both sides were disappointing. Just seems they didn't know how to do their jobs.
The other story about Cadence personal life was a bit more thrilling. And it might encourage me to read the second book.
one would expect the lawyers would fight over discovery materials.
the author didn't do a segment on voir dire (jury selection).
the author didn't have second chair lawyer on either sides.
the investigators on both sides were disappointing. Just seems they didn't know how to do their jobs.
The other story about Cadence personal life was a bit more thrilling. And it might encourage me to read the second book.
July 31, 2020
Decent read
This is the first work I’ve read by this author. Overall, it was a decent read but don’t expect a Grisham or Connelly type legal thriller.
The lead character Cadence, is your typical underdog in court and for most of her life. I will read the next book in the series—if only to get more of her story.
This is the first work I’ve read by this author. Overall, it was a decent read but don’t expect a Grisham or Connelly type legal thriller.
The lead character Cadence, is your typical underdog in court and for most of her life. I will read the next book in the series—if only to get more of her story.
October 2, 2020
The author has done a good job making the plot and characters as realistic as possible in this thriller by a new to me author. I found it an engaging read and one that I encourage lovers of legal thrillers to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 13, 2020
The story could have been a lot better.
The author got off track a lot. He was caught up in the details and the story didn't move along like it should have. A lot of the courtroom drama didn't seem realistic. The trial preparation was almost non existent and the secondary stories got in the way of the main story.
The author got off track a lot. He was caught up in the details and the story didn't move along like it should have. A lot of the courtroom drama didn't seem realistic. The trial preparation was almost non existent and the secondary stories got in the way of the main story.
November 18, 2020
Young Smart New Lawyer in DC
I liked the title, it's usually swearing not to tell. Cadence is a gritty young woman who loves her job defending her clients . She's not privileged but works in a fine law firm. She trusts herself even though others don't. I read this book straight through.
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I liked the title, it's usually swearing not to tell. Cadence is a gritty young woman who loves her job defending her clients . She's not privileged but works in a fine law firm. She trusts herself even though others don't. I read this book straight through.
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December 1, 2020
Don't miss this 1st Book in a series to come!
Excellent read! Great characters that envelope you into their souls.
Fast paced story line encompassing today's history.
Main character, Cadence, leaves you wanting more intrusion into her life. Can't wait for this series to go forward with many more chapters.
Excellent read! Great characters that envelope you into their souls.
Fast paced story line encompassing today's history.
Main character, Cadence, leaves you wanting more intrusion into her life. Can't wait for this series to go forward with many more chapters.
February 3, 2021
More than5*****
One heck of a good book! Could not stop reading, even for lunch. So relative for today's culture climate and attitudes. The characters so well defined. So well played. This will be a series I will be looking forward to following. Highly recommended for those who like Legal thrillers.
One heck of a good book! Could not stop reading, even for lunch. So relative for today's culture climate and attitudes. The characters so well defined. So well played. This will be a series I will be looking forward to following. Highly recommended for those who like Legal thrillers.
January 22, 2022
Well worth the time to read.
This is the first book by this author that I have read. I plan to read the next book in the series because this one was so well written. The character descriptions, the exciting plot and the surprise ending kept me glued to the pages. I read this novel in one sitting!
This is the first book by this author that I have read. I plan to read the next book in the series because this one was so well written. The character descriptions, the exciting plot and the surprise ending kept me glued to the pages. I read this novel in one sitting!
May 2, 2022
Really between a 3.5 - 4.
I enjoyed this story but I did have a few problems with it. There are several different plot lines being followed in the story and any one of them could have totally destroyed Cadance’s ability to concentrate. One real problem I had was solved at the end of the book.
Sorry I haven’t been more descriptive but I hate spoilers!
I enjoyed this story but I did have a few problems with it. There are several different plot lines being followed in the story and any one of them could have totally destroyed Cadance’s ability to concentrate. One real problem I had was solved at the end of the book.
Sorry I haven’t been more descriptive but I hate spoilers!
November 28, 2022
This book was written well, and there wasn't a bunch of characters to remember.
I especially liked the way that the author follows the theme of the story. J.J. is a new author for me. But I know that I'm going to continue reading his books.
I'm very familiar with Federal courts, so the description of the court proceedings was very accurate.
.
I especially liked the way that the author follows the theme of the story. J.J. is a new author for me. But I know that I'm going to continue reading his books.
I'm very familiar with Federal courts, so the description of the court proceedings was very accurate.
.
April 12, 2023
Alot of references to neo-Nazi's, racism, white Supremacists, etc......There was a second storyline with the main character's past which felt like it should've been a whole other book......it was easy for me to figure out who the real killer was......the book was kind of mashed up in my opinion and should've stuck to just a legal thriller with less neo-Nazi references.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews