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Lettie Portman #2
Justice in Time
A Legal Thriller With Romance by USA TODAY Bestseller John Ellsworth
Assistant District Attorney Lettie Portman charges a U.S. Senator with the murder of his wife. The wife was found dead sitting in her Mercedes with a garden hose from the exhaust into her window. Suicide? Maybe, except the detectives learn the wife's fingerprints are nowhere on the hose. She appears to reach from the grave and point an accusing finger at her husband. And there's another twist: the Senator's Million Dollar Lawyer is involved in a deadly conspiracy against Lettie.
Lettie is hard at work on the case when she finds Detective Tony Reedy won't give up on her. She's been injured before when she lost her childhood. But she wants to love again and she asks him to wait. He reaches out but will he be able to touch her?
Assistant District Attorney Lettie Portman charges a U.S. Senator with the murder of his wife. The wife was found dead sitting in her Mercedes with a garden hose from the exhaust into her window. Suicide? Maybe, except the detectives learn the wife's fingerprints are nowhere on the hose. She appears to reach from the grave and point an accusing finger at her husband. And there's another twist: the Senator's Million Dollar Lawyer is involved in a deadly conspiracy against Lettie.
Lettie is hard at work on the case when she finds Detective Tony Reedy won't give up on her. She's been injured before when she lost her childhood. But she wants to love again and she asks him to wait. He reaches out but will he be able to touch her?
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2021
479 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
John Ellsworth
141 books514 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 63 reviews
November 15, 2022
WHAT?
First book, married to Ryan. (Boyfriend Tony). Dennis commits suicide. (Knocks on her front door)
I am completely lost. Are the books not related?
First book, married to Ryan. (Boyfriend Tony). Dennis commits suicide. (Knocks on her front door)
I am completely lost. Are the books not related?
January 29, 2022
proof reading
In book 1 she had a husband and her brother committed suicide. Author forgot his own story line. Proof read.
In book 1 she had a husband and her brother committed suicide. Author forgot his own story line. Proof read.
December 13, 2023
Really amateurish. Eye rolling. This is my first book by this author and would be my last had a good friend not raved about his books. I'll try another.
March 20, 2022
I enjoy this second book in Letty Portman series but I did loved more the first one.
It’s told in the same fast pace suspenseful story with quite a few loose ends that will come together before the final page. I think it’s a bit too much the fact that Letty is overthinking her value and what she deserves and in a way it’s understandable with her past. But I also think that the with has done a great job in showing her vulnerability and how real her feelings are , even in the most intimate moments with Tony.
I’ll definitely be reading more from the author in the future.
Kindle unlimited read
It’s told in the same fast pace suspenseful story with quite a few loose ends that will come together before the final page. I think it’s a bit too much the fact that Letty is overthinking her value and what she deserves and in a way it’s understandable with her past. But I also think that the with has done a great job in showing her vulnerability and how real her feelings are , even in the most intimate moments with Tony.
I’ll definitely be reading more from the author in the future.
Kindle unlimited read
July 24, 2021
Lettie Portman book 2
Loved book 2, but many discrepancies from book one. Brother committed suicide in book one and she was married to a lawyer. Otherwise the plot was good and kept you guessing T times.
Loved book 2, but many discrepancies from book one. Brother committed suicide in book one and she was married to a lawyer. Otherwise the plot was good and kept you guessing T times.
April 30, 2022
Absurd. A story with startlingly poor writing. So many inconsistencies with the first book of the series, it’s almost as if the author didn’t read their own writing.
September 3, 2023
I had high hopes for Justice in Time by John Ellsworth, especially after enjoying the first book in the series. Regrettably, this book turned out to be a major disappointment.
What I liked about Justice in Time:
Unfortunately, there was nothing within Justice in Time that I found enjoyable. The storyline was of such poor quality that I couldn't even take pleasure in Lettie finally allowing Tony into her life and letting down her emotional barriers.
What I disliked about Justice in Time:
What a chaotic mess! Justice in Time presented an entirely unrealistic and disjointed storyline. It was as if John Ellsworth had thrown a plethora of ideas at the wall and decided to incorporate every one of them into the book. The storyline was filled with numerous disconnected events that I found myself constantly questioning both the storyline's direction and my own understanding of it. The book also suffered from poor writing, riddled with plot errors and absurd dialogues. The motivations behind the characters' actions often didn't align, leaving me perplexed.
What I think would have made Justice in Time better:
In my opinion, the editors and publishers should have conducted a thorough review of the book before giving it the green light for publication. This book missed the mark so significantly that I'm left wondering how it managed to get approved.
Would I recommend Justice in Time by John Ellsworth:
Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend Justice in Time. This book was a profound letdown and has discouraged me from continuing with the series or exploring any more of John Ellsworth's works.
****
Assistant District Attorney Lettie Portman charges a U.S. Senator with his wife's murder. The wife's death initially looks like suicide, but there are suspicious elements. As Lettie investigates, she also faces a deadly conspiracy involving the Senator's Million Dollar Lawyer. Amidst this, Lettie seeks a new chance at love with Detective Tony Reedy, despite her past traumas.
What I liked about Justice in Time:
Unfortunately, there was nothing within Justice in Time that I found enjoyable. The storyline was of such poor quality that I couldn't even take pleasure in Lettie finally allowing Tony into her life and letting down her emotional barriers.
What I disliked about Justice in Time:
What a chaotic mess! Justice in Time presented an entirely unrealistic and disjointed storyline. It was as if John Ellsworth had thrown a plethora of ideas at the wall and decided to incorporate every one of them into the book. The storyline was filled with numerous disconnected events that I found myself constantly questioning both the storyline's direction and my own understanding of it. The book also suffered from poor writing, riddled with plot errors and absurd dialogues. The motivations behind the characters' actions often didn't align, leaving me perplexed.
What I think would have made Justice in Time better:
In my opinion, the editors and publishers should have conducted a thorough review of the book before giving it the green light for publication. This book missed the mark so significantly that I'm left wondering how it managed to get approved.
Would I recommend Justice in Time by John Ellsworth:
Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend Justice in Time. This book was a profound letdown and has discouraged me from continuing with the series or exploring any more of John Ellsworth's works.
****
Assistant District Attorney Lettie Portman charges a U.S. Senator with his wife's murder. The wife's death initially looks like suicide, but there are suspicious elements. As Lettie investigates, she also faces a deadly conspiracy involving the Senator's Million Dollar Lawyer. Amidst this, Lettie seeks a new chance at love with Detective Tony Reedy, despite her past traumas.
February 4, 2025
Good story, terrible editing
This is probably the 10th book I've read by John Ellsworth, and I was stunned by how terrible the editing is for this book. Almost like there wasn't one. Here are just a few of the more egregious slips: Lettie and her boyfriend fly from London to London on an all night flight, Lettie refers to the man who killed her sister (when it was her brother), in the first book Lettie is a 4th year ADA - she starts this one as a 3rd year and then later is a 4th year, Lettie refers to a cross bow that previously saved her life (hasn't been a part of either book and the man who taught her the cross bow isn't past of her life until early in the first book), the use of Senator when referring to a lawyer and not the Senator, use of "corner" for coroner and all the myriad places where words were missing or extra words added. I'm not a reader who can just slide by these things. My brain screams when it is this bad. I'm taking a break from Ellsworth's books for a bit, but will come back and try again because they are good. If this has been the first I'd read I would not stay with him.
This is probably the 10th book I've read by John Ellsworth, and I was stunned by how terrible the editing is for this book. Almost like there wasn't one. Here are just a few of the more egregious slips: Lettie and her boyfriend fly from London to London on an all night flight, Lettie refers to the man who killed her sister (when it was her brother), in the first book Lettie is a 4th year ADA - she starts this one as a 3rd year and then later is a 4th year, Lettie refers to a cross bow that previously saved her life (hasn't been a part of either book and the man who taught her the cross bow isn't past of her life until early in the first book), the use of Senator when referring to a lawyer and not the Senator, use of "corner" for coroner and all the myriad places where words were missing or extra words added. I'm not a reader who can just slide by these things. My brain screams when it is this bad. I'm taking a break from Ellsworth's books for a bit, but will come back and try again because they are good. If this has been the first I'd read I would not stay with him.
November 28, 2021
This novel is too repetitious and wordy and seems hastily written.
Prosecutor Lettie has the perfect boyfriend, but keeps obsessing how she can overcome her past abuse, trust him and have sex with him. The unbelievable saintly boyfriend has one main trait: he’ll do anything for Lettie. If Lettie can’t relate better to this paragon of virtue how would she react to a real human being. It gets really tiresome.
There are lots of contradictions in the book. One egregious example is that a character advises someone (keeping it vague to avoid spoilers) not to murder a person. Later he describes how he advised him to commit the murder. Motives don’t always make sense. A character in England shoots someone (where he got a gun in that country is a real mystery). The shooting is senseless and can’t accomplish anything. My guess is the author just wanted to throw in a little violence. Not to worry though. The murder doesn’t stop our heroine from enjoying a tour of London.
There’s more, unfortunately. This book is not good.
Prosecutor Lettie has the perfect boyfriend, but keeps obsessing how she can overcome her past abuse, trust him and have sex with him. The unbelievable saintly boyfriend has one main trait: he’ll do anything for Lettie. If Lettie can’t relate better to this paragon of virtue how would she react to a real human being. It gets really tiresome.
There are lots of contradictions in the book. One egregious example is that a character advises someone (keeping it vague to avoid spoilers) not to murder a person. Later he describes how he advised him to commit the murder. Motives don’t always make sense. A character in England shoots someone (where he got a gun in that country is a real mystery). The shooting is senseless and can’t accomplish anything. My guess is the author just wanted to throw in a little violence. Not to worry though. The murder doesn’t stop our heroine from enjoying a tour of London.
There’s more, unfortunately. This book is not good.
September 11, 2021
Decent but inconsistent -Spoiler Alert
I like the character Lettie Portman, but as this is the second book in the series the author has changed this assistant DA from a married woman with a caring husband and son they both dote on while living in a higher end nearly a McMansion to a single woman raising her son in an apart with an absent dad of a different name. In book one her brother Dennis kills himself after Lettie gets financial restitution of millions from her stepfather and in book two Lettie doesn't have that money. Very inconsistent. I don't think I'll bother with book 3.
I like the character Lettie Portman, but as this is the second book in the series the author has changed this assistant DA from a married woman with a caring husband and son they both dote on while living in a higher end nearly a McMansion to a single woman raising her son in an apart with an absent dad of a different name. In book one her brother Dennis kills himself after Lettie gets financial restitution of millions from her stepfather and in book two Lettie doesn't have that money. Very inconsistent. I don't think I'll bother with book 3.
December 6, 2022
Great story
The Story was just fine, in fact very interesting and fairly fresh. However, It's beginning to feel like a plug in the name and continue on with the story plot line. Aggressive but very feminine lawyer and beautiful, sexy detective, yada, yada, yada. Also, There were a lot of editing mistakes. Plus, I have 1 question. Why did the fact that the senator sperm was in DiDi's va-j-j not prove that he arrived well in advance of finding her dead? That whole freaky scenario just slipped out of sight and was not heard from again. Looks like it would have been proof positive.
The Story was just fine, in fact very interesting and fairly fresh. However, It's beginning to feel like a plug in the name and continue on with the story plot line. Aggressive but very feminine lawyer and beautiful, sexy detective, yada, yada, yada. Also, There were a lot of editing mistakes. Plus, I have 1 question. Why did the fact that the senator sperm was in DiDi's va-j-j not prove that he arrived well in advance of finding her dead? That whole freaky scenario just slipped out of sight and was not heard from again. Looks like it would have been proof positive.
December 8, 2021
Addictive, great, suspenseful!
This book is filled with excitement and suspense! This seems a little like, John Grisham and David Baldacci rolled into one. I love the fact that everything in the book is not stretched out. Yes, there is a little suspense all throughout the book, but the author does not make you wait. Once you start reading, you will not be able to put it down. One lawyers life, will soon be turned upside down and inside out! You need to read to see how she handles it. You will soon become a fan!
This book is filled with excitement and suspense! This seems a little like, John Grisham and David Baldacci rolled into one. I love the fact that everything in the book is not stretched out. Yes, there is a little suspense all throughout the book, but the author does not make you wait. Once you start reading, you will not be able to put it down. One lawyers life, will soon be turned upside down and inside out! You need to read to see how she handles it. You will soon become a fan!
June 21, 2023
I so badly wanted to love this series. I loved the Thadeaus series. After reading book 1 of the Lettie series I was a bit disappointed in some discrepancies but it wasn’t quite enough to not continue the series. I don’t even want to finish book 2. It’s as if pages were just thrown together. The straw which broke the camels back was reading about Lettie and Tony taking the red eye fro mall don tk San Diego and the next page they are back in London
It may be time for John to hang up his hat OR get a new editor
It may be time for John to hang up his hat OR get a new editor
April 26, 2021
Wow, what a book this is, maybe his best ever! This is “I can’t put it down “ at its best! The story just goes on and on and you want to know what’s next. Great work with Lettie Portman as the lead character. Then he adds a touch of romance in with what’s happening and it gets better yet, if that’s possible.
I have to give it to John Ellsworth for one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in quite awhile. 5
I have to give it to John Ellsworth for one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in quite awhile. 5
April 29, 2021
Excellent
I love Ellsworth books so much and this one did not disappoint!! It was unbelievable. I was so sad to see it end!! You just have to love Lettie and feel all the emotions with her. She was incredible in this book. There’s so much action and suspense with a little romance. Ellsworth really outdid himself with this book. It was fantastic from the first page to the last. I couldn’t put it down.
I love Ellsworth books so much and this one did not disappoint!! It was unbelievable. I was so sad to see it end!! You just have to love Lettie and feel all the emotions with her. She was incredible in this book. There’s so much action and suspense with a little romance. Ellsworth really outdid himself with this book. It was fantastic from the first page to the last. I couldn’t put it down.
April 29, 2021
Enjoyable!
I always enjoy his books. But in California, the lawyers have let closings get away from them. In other states, closings are handled in lawyers offices and helps to pay the overhead. In California, escrow companies an title companies have taken away lawyers' business. Also, District Attorneys very rarely use grand juries in California. Also, the Fireman should have waived extradition to be able to be driven directly back to California.
I always enjoy his books. But in California, the lawyers have let closings get away from them. In other states, closings are handled in lawyers offices and helps to pay the overhead. In California, escrow companies an title companies have taken away lawyers' business. Also, District Attorneys very rarely use grand juries in California. Also, the Fireman should have waived extradition to be able to be driven directly back to California.
May 6, 2021
Another good one by John Elsworth
The only thing I can think of as I finished this book is that you always think you’ve seen the worst that man can do and then you have to realize you’ve just seen something even worse. Realizing this book is fiction, it’s written so that you realize that, in fact, man is capable of such depravity and such disdain for human life, it has probably happened. Caveat: the word “man” is a reference to mankind and is not a gender reference.
The only thing I can think of as I finished this book is that you always think you’ve seen the worst that man can do and then you have to realize you’ve just seen something even worse. Realizing this book is fiction, it’s written so that you realize that, in fact, man is capable of such depravity and such disdain for human life, it has probably happened. Caveat: the word “man” is a reference to mankind and is not a gender reference.
February 23, 2022
Great disappointment
I've come to enjoy Mr. Ellsworth for a while, but I didn't like the disjoint from book one to book two. What happened to the marriage and husband of book one? How was it a brother who kills himself in book one appears again without explanation? Not the quality writing and plot turns of Mr. Ellsworth captured me with. The book was contrived in too many places.
I've come to enjoy Mr. Ellsworth for a while, but I didn't like the disjoint from book one to book two. What happened to the marriage and husband of book one? How was it a brother who kills himself in book one appears again without explanation? Not the quality writing and plot turns of Mr. Ellsworth captured me with. The book was contrived in too many places.
January 26, 2024
Enjoyed the book but was very confusing as the story did not continue on from the first book. Lettie was married in the first book but in the second had been on her own for years. Also brother died in first book but then was alive in second book only to die again. Felt like they were about 2 different people. Only bought the second book as enjoyed the first so much so it was a little disappointing.
June 21, 2021
Intrigue, murder, justice?
This is the second novel about Lettie Portman, assistant district attorney. A US senator, up for re-election and divorcing his wife, and insider trading, is looking to murder Lettie so his case becomes an afterthought. Will he be successful? Who helps him? Who helps Lettie? We get to k ow Lettie better and we even get a little Thaddeus thrown in!
This is the second novel about Lettie Portman, assistant district attorney. A US senator, up for re-election and divorcing his wife, and insider trading, is looking to murder Lettie so his case becomes an afterthought. Will he be successful? Who helps him? Who helps Lettie? We get to k ow Lettie better and we even get a little Thaddeus thrown in!
July 2, 2021
Legal mystery with romance
Very interesting. Involved plot. Lots of scenarios . lots of characters. Lots of information on the workings of the legal system. Am sure it took a lot of work and authorship to pull it together. Found myself skipping descriptions and pages. Still a good book. Try it
Very interesting. Involved plot. Lots of scenarios . lots of characters. Lots of information on the workings of the legal system. Am sure it took a lot of work and authorship to pull it together. Found myself skipping descriptions and pages. Still a good book. Try it
November 14, 2022
Very strange. It is almost like the author wrote two versions of the same book and published them anyway. Book 1, Lettie is married, her brother kills himself, and she gets millions of dollars in a lawsuit. Book 2, Lettie is single, her brother shows up at her door, and she is broke. I like the first version of Lettie better. Author should lay off the drugs.
April 12, 2025
This was all over the place and as a second book in a series, why were facts changed?! Husband vs boyfriend. Brother committed suicide vs alive again with no family? And nobody cared that he died? Other brother was changed to a sister with a small tangent of them becoming close in a couple days, but why? Storyline didn’t tie into anything, why bother?! Not a fan at all -2 ⭐️’s
May 19, 2021
Sometimes characters mixed up
The book was good and smoothly moved along. There was good character development that grew throughout the book. There were only a few times the author got two of the characters mixed up. That doesn't take away from the story. It's a page turner.
The book was good and smoothly moved along. There was good character development that grew throughout the book. There were only a few times the author got two of the characters mixed up. That doesn't take away from the story. It's a page turner.
August 8, 2021
Fast pace and great ending.
Do not mess with Lettie Portman it will cost you on the end. Tough fighting Lettie has her hands full. Murder, politicians and greed all in one book. Plus it is a quick read.
Do not mess with Lettie Portman it will cost you on the end. Tough fighting Lettie has her hands full. Murder, politicians and greed all in one book. Plus it is a quick read.
September 28, 2021
Great story crappy ending
Spoiler alert. Tony was the knight in Shining Armor. Painted within the lines. The last two chapters, besides being confusing as all hell, also bumped Tony of is White Charger. Really sucky ending to an otherwise great story.
Spoiler alert. Tony was the knight in Shining Armor. Painted within the lines. The last two chapters, besides being confusing as all hell, also bumped Tony of is White Charger. Really sucky ending to an otherwise great story.
October 5, 2021
Romance , Intrigue,murder ,who done it except the reader knows!!
A book for the mature only! You will be waiting to see how he gets caught (the culprit)!! If you like mystery , you'll like.this book!!you
A book for the mature only! You will be waiting to see how he gets caught (the culprit)!! If you like mystery , you'll like.this book!!you
January 2, 2022
No one is above the law!
Just because someone is in a position of power, doesn’t mean that they can do something wrong and get away with it! When Lettie’s brother dies in a murder attempt against her, she does what it takes to make the guilty pay!
Just because someone is in a position of power, doesn’t mean that they can do something wrong and get away with it! When Lettie’s brother dies in a murder attempt against her, she does what it takes to make the guilty pay!
March 5, 2022
Excellent
Loved this book, I didn't want the story to end. So happy justice was served. Also showed we are all human make some dumb mistakes sometimes but they still got their man.
Loved this book, I didn't want the story to end. So happy justice was served. Also showed we are all human make some dumb mistakes sometimes but they still got their man.
October 2, 2022
as usual Ellsworth has turns and returns which will keep wanting to turn pages!
Ellsworth always has a way wanting you to keep turning pages, he even has an erotic sense in this one🤗👍
Ellsworth always has a way wanting you to keep turning pages, he even has an erotic sense in this one🤗👍
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews