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The Defendant's Father: A Legal Thriller
A killer in the guest room.When Michael Gresham and his wife offer to help their priest, life takes a dark turn. The holy man’s has a son, illegitimate of course, and he’s on a first degree murder charge.It’s time for Gresham to step up, and this time it includes having the boy in their home.Neither he or his wife were prepared for what happened next
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2020
1441 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
John Ellsworth
152 books517 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 60 reviews
May 13, 2024
I hated the ending of this book. If I had been in the same shoes, I would have made a different choice. Ruined the story for me.
December 29, 2021
Yes, a double surprise ending from the earlier reviews. I have to admit I should have saw it coming. A good thriller and a standalone book apart from the first Michael Gresham book. Not one mention of his previous inflicted health problem or Brother from book one. I found that rather strange considering the circumstance's and degree of the health issue and the closeness of his family. Oh, and the money... one paragraph in book 2. I will give book 3 a read next as these books are very fast moving and the dialogue flows rapidly. Oh, I did notice several typos in the book, along with the defendants last name being switched to the deceaseds last name. Mmmmmm... are their any decent proofreaders anymore?
January 11, 2022
Unfathomable ending
I love this authors writing style , character development and story telling HOWEVER, he completely suspended reality with the ending of this chapter in the life of Micheal Grisham. I don’t want to say more to spoil it for others but it ruined the book for me.
I love this authors writing style , character development and story telling HOWEVER, he completely suspended reality with the ending of this chapter in the life of Micheal Grisham. I don’t want to say more to spoil it for others but it ruined the book for me.
April 27, 2024
What A Shocker
I thought the other kid was the killer. They were two monsters and to think the one kid would still commit another crime after being found innocent was a shocker. A true psychotic ingrate!! It was a scary plot realising young kids can be so vicious and cruel with no remorse or compassion. Our world today!! In the end there is no way I could have done what the parents did.
I thought the other kid was the killer. They were two monsters and to think the one kid would still commit another crime after being found innocent was a shocker. A true psychotic ingrate!! It was a scary plot realising young kids can be so vicious and cruel with no remorse or compassion. Our world today!! In the end there is no way I could have done what the parents did.
March 23, 2024
TERRIBLE
After reading the first book and seeing what a terrible lawyer this guy is, this second book also proves he's stupid. I can't take anymore of such a bad storyline and will waste no more of my time! ALSO... perhaps the author could invest in a proofreader and save himself the embarrassment of giving the defendant the last name of the victim in the closing statement. Very poorly written.
After reading the first book and seeing what a terrible lawyer this guy is, this second book also proves he's stupid. I can't take anymore of such a bad storyline and will waste no more of my time! ALSO... perhaps the author could invest in a proofreader and save himself the embarrassment of giving the defendant the last name of the victim in the closing statement. Very poorly written.
July 26, 2021
Twists
Good courtroom story. Characters mostly real, need to have a Marcel story of his own... Hint hint.did not care for the ending, but that is my problem. Others will love it... No spoilers here.
Good courtroom story. Characters mostly real, need to have a Marcel story of his own... Hint hint.did not care for the ending, but that is my problem. Others will love it... No spoilers here.
November 27, 2023
Book was a decent read until the ending in which I didn’t like at all.
August 23, 2024
It was depressing and with all the errors and lack of common sense by the attorney, it was not believable .
November 8, 2024
Ok so this was a quick read. I enjoy a legal thriller. This was totally unbelievable. A teenaged boy, new to the school, is charged with the gruesome murder of high school girl. He is the secret son of the Catholic priest who basically raised defense attorney Michael Gresham. Michael feels he owes Father Bjorn his best effort. He asks for custody of the boy and brings him home to live with him, his attorney wife Danny and their baby girl. It soon becomes obvious to everyone on the planet that something is very wrong with Jana. Yet we move on as if maybe he just has a few social problems. No way this is credible. And the ending. Laughable. This may be it for me and Mr. Ellsworth. 3 stars because I admit I couldn’t put it down.
September 15, 2024
this book is not to be resisted, a must read, highly recommend
I’m conflicted. The perp really had me fooled. I thought he was being treated unfairly. I really felt bad for him. I’m thinking he deserved love and a chance. Mental health is real. So, good job author. It takes a lot to throw me off. I’ll have to admit I was gotten. This storyline had many twists and turns. It had my mind going in all directions trying to figure out the plots. I did think conspiracy between the two but author was very clever throughout the story. He kept injecting different scenarios and each scenario I thought I was wrong about the perp. I truly enjoyed this book.
I’m conflicted. The perp really had me fooled. I thought he was being treated unfairly. I really felt bad for him. I’m thinking he deserved love and a chance. Mental health is real. So, good job author. It takes a lot to throw me off. I’ll have to admit I was gotten. This storyline had many twists and turns. It had my mind going in all directions trying to figure out the plots. I did think conspiracy between the two but author was very clever throughout the story. He kept injecting different scenarios and each scenario I thought I was wrong about the perp. I truly enjoyed this book.
January 30, 2022
Some of the plot was a little incredible if I’m honest - can’t say much without giving too much away.
Bought into Michael Gresham as a character. Am looking forward to reading more of the series
Not related to the storyline itself but there were quite a lot of typing errors in the book (I thought it would have been proofread - but it’s an early book in the series - maybe issues like this will be ironed out as they progress.
Bought into Michael Gresham as a character. Am looking forward to reading more of the series
Not related to the storyline itself but there were quite a lot of typing errors in the book (I thought it would have been proofread - but it’s an early book in the series - maybe issues like this will be ironed out as they progress.
April 22, 2022
My God! What a book!
I surely do not want to give away the plot but this book is amazing. So much good and evil, suspense, tension, and ultimately love.
I have now read three of John Ellsworth's books and they just keep getting better and better. I can't wait to get into the next.
I surely do not want to give away the plot but this book is amazing. So much good and evil, suspense, tension, and ultimately love.
I have now read three of John Ellsworth's books and they just keep getting better and better. I can't wait to get into the next.
May 7, 2022
Another shocking ending.
This book lulled me into a very relaxed calm until I got near the end. Then as John does he woke me up with an iron skillet slammed into the back of my skull. I was not expecting it so it really brought the whole story together. It's after 2am and I don't foresee sleep coming my way tonight. Thank God I'm retired.
This book lulled me into a very relaxed calm until I got near the end. Then as John does he woke me up with an iron skillet slammed into the back of my skull. I was not expecting it so it really brought the whole story together. It's after 2am and I don't foresee sleep coming my way tonight. Thank God I'm retired.
January 19, 2025
Excellent story
This was a great story with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. I appreciate an author who can make the reader both like and dislike a character, and this one does that with Jana. The ending felt abrupt. I expected more of a wind down. But I'll read the next one in the series.
This was a great story with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. I appreciate an author who can make the reader both like and dislike a character, and this one does that with Jana. The ending felt abrupt. I expected more of a wind down. But I'll read the next one in the series.
April 21, 2025
Disgusting
The concept of this book is abhorrent. A priest fathering a child, then pressing an attorney to take his accused murderer into his home. The very sick man this son turns out to be. The. A child of rape.
If I had known all of this before reading the book, I would have never purchased it or read it. It is a disgusting book.
The concept of this book is abhorrent. A priest fathering a child, then pressing an attorney to take his accused murderer into his home. The very sick man this son turns out to be. The. A child of rape.
If I had known all of this before reading the book, I would have never purchased it or read it. It is a disgusting book.
January 19, 2021
WOW. What a book!
From guilty to innocent and back again - and again and again. And then there’s the end, which will turn you inside out. I’m off to get the next one in the series.
From guilty to innocent and back again - and again and again. And then there’s the end, which will turn you inside out. I’m off to get the next one in the series.
August 14, 2021
Ellsworth writes another fabulous novel. I kind of figured out how this one was going to go, but it still was quite amazing. This kid Jana, was one sick puppy. What he does is a sad tale, but makes for a good book.
October 10, 2021
Surprise ending!
Another spell bound Michael Gresham story. Will be interesting in seeing what's next for this series. Enjoyed the story yet quite shocking!Good reason on why it would be difficult being an Attorney.
Another spell bound Michael Gresham story. Will be interesting in seeing what's next for this series. Enjoyed the story yet quite shocking!Good reason on why it would be difficult being an Attorney.
February 12, 2022
Inside the Lawyer's Mind
Author John Ellsworth brings the reader right into the investigation and trial court room involving the "son" of the the highly-loved local Catholic priest. Lots of unusual twists and strange evidence kept me turning the pages.
Author John Ellsworth brings the reader right into the investigation and trial court room involving the "son" of the the highly-loved local Catholic priest. Lots of unusual twists and strange evidence kept me turning the pages.
Read
February 16, 2022Beyond poetic license
I found the premise unbelievable. I do not think the story held up . That an experienced criminal defense lawyer could be that naive or that a priest could be universally loved is beyond belief.
I found the premise unbelievable. I do not think the story held up . That an experienced criminal defense lawyer could be that naive or that a priest could be universally loved is beyond belief.
February 17, 2022
enjoyed
Much improved over first in this series. I read this book in a few days. Really like the characters. I must say with Mike’s results for his first 2 defendants —I might cheer if he became a prosecutor
Much improved over first in this series. I read this book in a few days. Really like the characters. I must say with Mike’s results for his first 2 defendants —I might cheer if he became a prosecutor
July 26, 2022
what a Thriller
This book was amazing. I thought I had it figured out, but I was so wrong. I was on pins and needles through the last few pages. And after all the wrongs (murders and rapes), and against all odds ,humanity shines through in the end.
This book was amazing. I thought I had it figured out, but I was so wrong. I was on pins and needles through the last few pages. And after all the wrongs (murders and rapes), and against all odds ,humanity shines through in the end.
February 13, 2023
Impossible to put the story down!
I loved and hated this story! The characters are not easy to read, especially the evil ones. I was feeling sorry for Jana in the beginning, wrong. The ending startled me. Excellent read
I loved and hated this story! The characters are not easy to read, especially the evil ones. I was feeling sorry for Jana in the beginning, wrong. The ending startled me. Excellent read
July 2, 2023
Amazing
An amazing story. I could not put it down. No way did I think that it would end this way even though I could tell that the Priests son was a lowlife. How terrible that the lawyer and family had to go through that.
An amazing story. I could not put it down. No way did I think that it would end this way even though I could tell that the Priests son was a lowlife. How terrible that the lawyer and family had to go through that.
July 26, 2024
Liked the main character, liked the different story lines added in, equally as fun as the main plot. HATED THE ENDING. If the author was trying to make some kind of hidden statement he ruined the book for me.
December 29, 2024
Oh John Ellsworth
I quit reading you several years ago. I just went off in a different direction. I was happy to recognize all main characters in this story. And more than happy to find out that some things never change. You are still an extraordinary writer.
I quit reading you several years ago. I just went off in a different direction. I was happy to recognize all main characters in this story. And more than happy to find out that some things never change. You are still an extraordinary writer.
June 26, 2025
Wow
What an incredible story. As the wife of a defense attorney this scares me. But I can see how it is possible. Well done storytelling John. I have read many many books by this author. Each one so gripping.
What an incredible story. As the wife of a defense attorney this scares me. But I can see how it is possible. Well done storytelling John. I have read many many books by this author. Each one so gripping.
December 11, 2020
Very Good
A very good book as a John Ellsworth always is. A personal involvement complicates the case. Not to be missed.
A very good book as a John Ellsworth always is. A personal involvement complicates the case. Not to be missed.
March 31, 2021
Good rest
Grea read for vacation. Surprise at end of book but loved the way the author inserted little surprises along the way.
Grea read for vacation. Surprise at end of book but loved the way the author inserted little surprises along the way.
April 27, 2021
Thadegy
Intense and as usual kept my interest all the way through. Anything more I say might make it more difficult for a new reader.
Intense and as usual kept my interest all the way through. Anything more I say might make it more difficult for a new reader.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews