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Thaddeus Murfee Legal Thrillers #0-2

The Defendants Box Set: Thaddeus Murfee / The Defendants / Beyond a Reasonable Death

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The first three novels in the Thaddeus Murfee Legal Thrillers series, in one Collector's Edition box set.

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 his first 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 is he, really?

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 guy selling government secrets? What proof do they actually have of this serious accusation?

Meet the foreign agents who will pay top dollar for U.S. war plans...

The Defendants
Thaddeus is just a little bit older and has hung out his shingle. He's a solo lawyer learning how to pattycake, when a new case walks in the door. While Ermeline was passed out, someone carved her date's name in her chest. Then the date is murdered. Ermeline is charged with First Degree murder and comes to Thaddeus.

Can the young lawyer figure out what to say and do in court before a full-fledged jury trial? Will he have what it takes to do a bang-up job for his client? And what about the government lawyers who have set him up to fail? And what about the mob hitman headed his way?

Thaddeus has his hands full and, to top it all off, he's found a girlfriend.

Beyond a Reasonable Death
This legal thriller is the story of the same young lawyer in a small town who has now crossed the mob. They send a hit man after him. Trying to break free, he sues them and a courtroom drama ensues. Very quickly he learns you don’t sue the mob and go back to normal living. He is pursued relentlessly and runs west to the mountains of Arizona, where he seeks refuge with a Navajo shepherd. He sets up his office in a cabin while he pursues his case against the godfather.

The shepherd has many lessons for Thaddeus Murfee—lessons about surviving when all odds are against you. Together they face the first mob soldier sent after Thaddeus. Plus…the old shepherd has a granddaughter who attends medical school. Katy teaches him to fly-fish, and romance blossoms. Then, he is pursued again and must abandon her in this powerful crime fiction.

Set in Chicago, Mexico, and Arizona, Thaddeus is hunted. He must battle wealthy lawyers who seek to protect the mobsters. Thaddeus takes his case to trial with astounding results.

1083 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 25, 2014

1446 people are currently reading
276 people want to read

About the author

John Ellsworth

140 books513 followers
Formerly 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

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5 stars
561 (56%)
4 stars
307 (30%)
3 stars
95 (9%)
2 stars
20 (1%)
1 star
18 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for bex.
2,435 reviews24 followers
November 12, 2020
2 star

I'd not have read more than the first if I hadn't gotten them as box set. Part of it is style not really suiting my taste. But it's more than that. Book one messes with the time line in a very confusing way and why it goes back and tells me stuff doesn't always make sense. Then it seems to ignore evidence that ought to have been significant early on just to rely on it later. Why did no one attempt to follow up on her Hector story earlier?
The MC becomes increasingly unlikeable in book 2. He's moderately better, and a bit more developed, in Book 3 but it emds on a cliffhanger. Overall they're very event focused and more lacking in character.
374 reviews
November 5, 2020
I just started this series and plan to continue with them all

With this 3-book compendium I was able to read the first 3 books almost as one. The story and characters are a part of each so it’s a fun read. I really like Thad and he’s definitely an inventive legal mind. He makes an insane amount of money with his inventive legal mind but, so far, he tries to live a fairly normal life, if you consider airplanes and helicopters normal. Even though it’s all bigger than life, these three books are a fun read.
45 reviews
February 21, 2021
Totally absorbing !!

Don't rely on page no. to mark your place !! As page 258 lasts from chapter 6 through to the 3rd book A great read ALL the way3, extremely difficult to put down ! I was involved throughout. Three books all terrific. If ever I should need the services of a criminal lawyer I know who to call- Murfee, in the shape of John Ellsworth. After viewing his credentials I know he will not let ME down, will you ??
28 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2020
Surprisingly good s.tories that move along with great intent

When you begin getting to know Thad your surprised by him. He’s interesting, intense and very diverse. He is above all else a good honest and loving young man who has a vast impact on his beliefs. It’s fun walking thrift with him.
Profile Image for Suzanne.
131 reviews
November 1, 2020
Great legal thriller series

Thadeus Murfee is now a fully fledged lawyer. Initially, hesitant in the courtroom arena he eventually “finds his groove” and becomes a formidable foe. His legal twists and turns are nothing short of amazing as he takes on “The Mob” who have a price on his head. This Collectors Edition is definitely well worth the read.
261 reviews3 followers
November 2, 2020
Terrific reads

This is a great series. The Thad Murfrees character is wonderful. He's human, but not superhuman. He's got enough flaws to make him relatable, but not so many that you want roll your eyes at him. Well, maybe just a little. I read the first three books in the series and could not the books down .
Profile Image for Debbie Clark.
164 reviews
November 9, 2020
Excellent

This 3-book box set is the beginning of a series featuring Thaddeus Murphee. Thad started out as a small time lawyer not long out of law school. He practiced in Orbit, a small town about 2 or 3 hours south of Chicago. After his first successful criminal defense case, he sued the Chicago mob and won. Now he’s worth millions and has a price on his head.
421 reviews1 follower
November 10, 2020
Back to back

Just read the first three books as a box set; I had already read the prequel and Thaddeus piqued my interest. What a character, everyone, in every walk of life needs a Thaddeus. He takes the hits, and big hits at that. Then he figures out a solution - big thanks to Henry for that. I am utterly in awe of the guy. Don't ever, ever tell me he's not real !
Profile Image for Linda.
1,077 reviews43 followers
November 17, 2020
I recommend the book! A young attorney sues the mob and wins a casino and instant wealth. He has the mob and the IRS chasing him. He never declines a case where clients really need help. The writing is quick and fresh. There are no overt sexual acts or vulgar language.

Thank you, Mr. Ellsworth, for a good read!
Profile Image for CAROL VANATTA.
223 reviews4 followers
May 4, 2021
OMG I GASPED, I LAUGHED , I CRIED..

Mr.ELLSWORTH MAY JUST BE MY FAVORITE AUTHOR.
HOW HE IS ABLE TO STIR ALL THESE Emotions INTO EVERY NOVEL IS
HIS SECRET.
PLEASE READ EVERYTHING HE WRITES.
MAY I SUGGEST YOU BEGIN WITH
THE DEFENDANTS: COLLECTOR'S EDITION ?IT GIVES A FOUNDATION FOR GDTTING TO KNKW THADDEUS
MURFEE.
A TREMENDOUS FAN
CAROL VANATTA




413 reviews1 follower
May 28, 2021
Legal gambling

Great three book combo. With legal backdrop, author crafts David/Goliath battles unique to each book. The main character threads his way from killers to keep his close friends safe. Fast moving page turner will be hard to put down. Great plot twists keeps reader guessing where story going.
99 reviews
October 28, 2020
Lucky or Smart

Great, but really three stories with a common string following through them. Well worth the read. Sometimes intense. Nobody is that smart and lucky, but I like it when the good guys win. It kept me interested through the whole read. I recommend it.
319 reviews3 followers
October 30, 2020
Thrillers along with a brilliant mind.

Young lawyer with a very sharp mind goes up against gangsters and then the government. Comes away with a win and millions every time. Had trouble putting the book down.
2 reviews
November 13, 2020
Wow! Couldn’t put this book down!

Loved these three stories! My attention was caught on the first page and never left. So glad I found this author. Will definitely read his others!
1 review
December 9, 2020
3rd book just dragged out.

I enjoyed the first two books very much then came the 3rd book, it just dragged out too much. I got totally bored, in fact finally just gave up and it takes a lot for me to give up on a book.
1,046 reviews5 followers
December 16, 2020
Wow, what a series.

Each book pulls you going for the distance. Due to the trials he handled he won big time and it was just a flux that it turned out the way it did. Loved, loved, loved, loved this whole series.
171 reviews1 follower
September 18, 2022
Legalese

I have read this author before and thoroughly enjoyed his work. No disappointment with this book either. Well written, keeps you guessing. When I finished it's like I lost a friend. Highly recommended.
59 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2020
Legal mystery

A great storyline - a young lawyer, the mob/mafia, the FBI, millions in assets, family values. Everything intertwined to carry the reader’s interest to the last page.
47 reviews
November 2, 2020
I was gasping the whole way

This combination of books was wonderful and led you thru the whole story for what seemed like a few years but lasted a few days. Definitely a must read
769 reviews
November 18, 2020
The defendants

I enjoyed these books. Very quick and easy read. The down side is that they were very simple and highly improbable.
115 reviews
December 10, 2020
I loved it. Great concept, good characters. Actually I was not expecting much and so it was a nice surprise.
50 reviews
January 11, 2021
great read

this author just gets better and better I have read a lot of his books and enjoyed every one. Thank you John for some excellent stories!
4 reviews
May 4, 2021
If you like a mix of thriller, legal eagles and love story then you will enjoy Thaddeus Murfee. The characters and story are all richly developed. Its hard to put the book down.
4 reviews
October 17, 2022
quit leaving me hangin

Don’t like ur style but it had a good plot was left hanging throughout. U just dropped off in several places.
606 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2023
A great read, very well done

I read three books in 5 days. I stayed way past my normal bedtime to finish them, it was worth it. I will definitely read more from this author.
19 reviews
September 12, 2023
PLOT VS GRAMMAR

The storyline was really good. However, the grammar and punctuation and misspellings and improper tenses were maddening. Took a lot from the read.
62 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2024
Short with inconclusive ending

Good story with a lot of good characters but it ended too abruptly, with.another story capture of the.kidnapper. I'd like to read that story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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