John Ellsworth

Could not put it down

Intelligent dialog, fully 3-D characters, from the highest judges to abused foster children, this is an excellent diagram for how Justice is for Just Us; the privileged white male. I cried the whole last chapter of this book. True reflections of human frailty shine throughout this novel, dispelling the notion of "Good guys vs Bad guys." All humans are somewhere in between. "A Monster Calls."

📚⚖️ **Book Review: *The People’s Lawyer***
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5 stars)

If you want a legal thriller that hits heavy emotional beats **and** keeps the courtroom drama sharp, *The People’s Lawyer* absolutely delivers. This story follows **Assistant District Attorney Lettie Portman**, a fierce, justice-driven prosecutor specializing in sex crimes — but this case hits way too close to home.

When a 14-year-old girl becomes the victim of abuse by her mother’s boyfriend, Lettie show more is the one who steps in to fight for her. But when the legal system repeatedly fails — not once, but twice — Lettie is pushed to the edge. Forced to confront her own past trauma, she’s torn between the justice she swore to uphold and the vengeance she aches to take. The stakes are emotional, raw, and at times, painful.

🔥 **What worked for me:**
This book hooked me right away. I don’t usually gravitate toward stories involving child abuse or trafficking — those subjects are incredibly hard for me to sit with — but something about this case, this girl, and Lettie’s determination pulled me in. The emotional intensity felt real. The legal elements were fascinating. And Lettie? Powerhouse. Flawed, human, angry, and driven.

⚠️ **But heads up:**
This book **does** deal heavily with child abuse and trauma. If those topics are triggers, proceed with caution. It’s not graphic for shock value, but it is very present. If you’re comfortable with those themes and love legal thrillers with moral gray areas and courtroom grit, this is worth picking up.

💬 **Overall:**
A gripping, emotionally charged story about justice, trauma, and the cracks in the legal system. Not a light read — but definitely a compelling one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5/5 stars. show less

I feel like I know this author's name but whether it is because I've read something else by him or just because I've seen it on the cover of this book, I can't say. The characters from this book did not seem familiar to me as I read.

The plot took many twists and turns--most of which I didn't predict. I'm still trying to sort out exactly how everything played out.

Perhaps the significance of Arnie's handcuffs would make more sense to me if I'd read the first book in the series. I'm not quite show more sure why Esme and Michael react to it as they do at the end of this book.

In the end, I am a bit disappointed by Michael Gresham's character. I feel like he started out abiding by the code of conduct that lawyers are supposed to and by the end of this book, I feel like he is willing to overlook things that a lawyer probably shouldn't. show less

I didn't read part 1, so I will definitely be doing that. I read this book in one setting; it was that good! (Will be purchasing the others so I can get caught up.) John Ellsworth has managed to write a book that makes you feel like you are right there in the midst of the action. Christine is definitely someone I'd like on my side if I was ever in trouble.

It has the right amount of "sit on the edge of your seat, heart pounding drama", this book had me up all night, and I just couldn't put show more it down. (I've got the bags under my eyes to prove it!) The plot is well developed, and you can definitely identify with the characters!
I will be recommending this book to everyone who loves a good story, with lots of drama, deceit, and action!

Bravo Mr. Ellsworth, bravo! show less