John Ellsworth's Blog

End of Year and All’s…Well?

Released just this past Sunday, my new book Lawyers In Gray, about lawyers in the Gray law firm, is selling in the thousands and taking off with a roar. Early reviews look good, too. It’s a whale of a book, long and complex.

What else?

I’m thinking of Michael Gresham and Thaddeus Murfee off in Alaska on A Jury Called Alaska. The book is about 17,000 pages, and I’m shooting for 80-90K. I like the book so far. I like the idea of Michael and Thaddeus appearing in a book together and working together on a case of self-defense. The defendant they’re defending is the sister of Marcel Rainford, their investigator. Maria was forced to shoot at three home invaders in the middle of the night. Her husband was off guiding a big game hunt. Their young twins were down the hall asleep; her ill mother was down the hall hooked up to oxygen. Maria killed the first man to come charging through her shattered front door, then killed the second man as he had turned to leave but stopped to pick u his gun and, ever so slightly, turned toward her, which is when she fired and killed him. She has been charged with murdering him. Thaddeus and Michael say she fired in self-defense.

Another book I’m working on is Full Metal Jury, a Thaddeus Murfee high-speed adventure with more adventure than courtroom air time. It seems like the Thaddeus readers like this kind of book for Thaddeus the best, so here we go, anxious to please you. We will also be putting this book into new Amazon categories as it deserves to be read by a wider audience. Look for it on your screen.

I am also beginning the draft of Lettie for the Defense, the third Lettie Portman book.

And last but not least is a book I’ve titled Legal Sex, a book about a murdered woman whose attendance at sex clubs and exchanging spouses and all of the rest of an open marriage winds up getting her killed. In defending the man accused of killing her, Angus Wood finds himself investigating Washington DC’s steamier underbelly, searching for the real killer. The book goes into the sex doings of senators, members of Congress, and government officials, as the dead woman ran in classy circles. You won’t want to miss this one. The research is heavy, and the story is true—with different names, of course.

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A Day with Thaddeus

Imagine with me…

A Day With Thaddeus
I had just finished up my late breakfast. The dog needed walked early this morning, and so coffee and eggs had to happen later than usual. Rinsing off my plate in the sink, I peered out my kitchen window at the hummingbirds drinking from the feeder. It's hot here in July, and the birds know where to get a sweet sip this time of day. My phone rings on the counter. Who could be calling on a Saturday? The screen reads Thaddeus. That old chap? I wonder what he wants.
"Hey there, Thad! I haven't heard from you in a while!"
"Hello, old friend. Christine and I were just out back on the porch swing, and your name came up."
"Oh? Nothing bad I hope?"
"You? Never! Just reminiscing. Say, how would you feel about a summertime visit? The weather is near perfect here right now, a tad warm, but the air conditioning helps. What does your schedule look like in the near future?"
"You know me, retired now. I make my own schedule. I can write from wherever I want these days."
"How about a flight to SoCal? I can meet you tonight in the Gulfstream. See you in a few hours!"
"Thanks for the heads up!" I joke. "I'll pack a bag!" An unplanned, spontaneous trip is just what I need to clear the cobwebs.
*
I wait at the local airport. Thaddeus arrives in the G550, the beauty that she is. He greets me at the stairs with a handshake-pull-into-a-hug embrace.
"Thaddeus Murfee!"
"John! I'm so glad you were free. Let's head back home, eh? Christine is with the kids. She'll have breakfast ready in the morning!"
"That sounds perfect, Thad. I can't wait."
"Sit up front with me?"
"Wouldn't have it any other way, my friend."
*
I walk into the kitchen, and Christine greets me with a warm hug.
"John! We were so happy you said yes! We have missed you!"
"You haven't aged a bit, Chris," I say. "Something smells wonderful."
She turns around and fills a plate for me. "Is that biscuits and gravy? How did you remember?"
"Your favorites are often our favorites, too! I couldn't resist! She delivers the plate to the table where Thaddeus is seated, reading the paper.
"Wow, a real newspaper?" I ask. "I'm sure those have been archived in the history museums by now," I tease.
"You know me, John. Trying to stay up-to-date on the latest. Some days I can't finish reading though. Too much hurt. I'm definitely feeling defeated lately."
I look around and notice the empty plates scattering the table. "Kids eat already?"
"Oh, you betcha," Christine says. "They're out in the pasture now. Can't keep 'em off the horses these days!"
"Well, I'd love to join them!" I stop talking so I can start eating. I miss the Murfee kids, all million of them.
*
The three of us walk across the expansive back yard to join the children in the barn. Celena and Sarai are brushing and detailing. Turquoise is off with her friends somewhere. Parkus, Chad and Missy are already gone on a hike.
"Hi, girls!" I holler at the two.
"Hey, Mr. John!" They put their tools down and hop the fence to come greet me with a big hug. Squeeze. The two turn right back around to continue their routine.
"What a life you have built." I say distantly, as we watch the girls comb.
"We couldn't have done it without you, John."
I laugh. "What's the plan for the day?"
"Well, pretty open. I need to stop by the office for a bit, check in with BAT. There's a couple cases I want to stay filled in on."
"Don't mind if I join you, do you?"
"No, in fact, there's one I would really like your opinion on. I just can't seem to see through the sludge."
"Well, what are friends for?"
"Exactly."

Newsletter

Welcome back, friends.

Last week, we began our November of thankfulness. Wow, the responses I have received! Here are just a few from you:

Your daughter returning home from deployment (in time for Thanksgiving!)

Your grandson finally kicking cancer in the rear!

A quiet week among loud ones.

Perfect reading weather

I just absolutely love hearing from you! November is quickly becoming one of my favorite months with you all. To be unified in our thankfulness is a refreshing break we all need! Now, it's my time to share my family's list. You bet I asked them each personally! 

John: A week where I felt peace with daily rhythms. 

Deb: FaceTime and zoom calls, because I miss seeing the grands' faces!

Adriane: Healthy kids!  And, PIE planning for Thanksgiving!

Jonathan: Consistent work + happy wife ;) 

Grandkids: CHRISTMAS COMING SOON. 

Well, there you have it folks! I'll report back again next week. 

Until then, best of health and joy to you. 

John

Welcome to My Blog

Book 7 in the Thaddeus series is Unspeakable Prayers, my "heaviest" novel yet and one that is really taking off. People seem to like it enough to leave many reviews and that's always very gratifying. It seems like the more I write, the more I'm in touch with my readers--which is what makes my world go around.

Thanks for checking out my blog. I read all comments and will always try to respond to questions you might have.