Lawyers in Gray: A Legal Thriller

by John Ellsworth

Are you selling secrets to the Russians? These ladies and gentlemen Want to Know.

The Department of Justice has hired the law firm of Gray, Soros, Shepherd, and Standish to defend American environmental interests when the Russians come to the US and begin fracking. Gray law suddenly starts losing environmental cases across the US as secret DOJ documents keep turning up in Russian hands. Suddenly Russian fracking is running wild across the United States.

The FBI calls upon a Gray lawyer named Miles Standish to plug the leak of Top Secret documents. Miles accepts the assignment and sets up a secret arm of the law firm that has just kicked him out. He narrows down the suspects to one. Now to prove what he knows. A lawyer from Gray law joins his team. Her name is Inga Kopovsky. He has admired her before, and she has noticed him. They have dinner and make a plan.

Can they expose the Russian and American spies before US drinking water is contaminated and panic takes to the streets? Can Miles Standish outsmart the Russian assassin close behind with her guns?

If you like high-level intrigue and spies on spies, here's Miles Standish in a desperate chess game with the Russians. Red, White, and Spy is a thriller that will only make you want more in this proposed ten-book Miles Standish series. Grab this one now!

What Amazon readers are

★★★★★ 'Once I started reading, I didn't want to put it down!'
★★★★★ 'Recommend to anyone who likes legal thrillers.'
★★★★★ 'Once again, I love the way the author keeps you on your toes on who is going to be involved in the next crime.'
★★★★★ 'So far, this series is a must-read. John Ellsworth is a new author to me, and I will continue to read what he writes.'
★★★★★ 'John Ellsworth has done a great job creating a character who is in the same category as John Grisham, And the other great writers, my new favorite.'
★★★★★ 'Of course, I enjoy all of his books, but this one was exceptional!'
★★★★★ 'Remarkable book!'
★★★★★ 'John Ellsworth doesn’t fool around.'
★★★★★ 'Simply awesome.'
★★★★★ 'This is another unputdownable book by Mr. Ellsworth. Originally published as Lawyers In Gray, this second edition has been edited and re-written to make a more enjoyable and faster read for you. Enjoy!

Genres: Legal Thriller

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2022

About the author

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

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very original legal mystery/thriller about espionage at Gray Law, a 700 lawyer power player in DC. Someone at Gray is leaking classified documents to a Russian law firm opposing them in a major lawsuit about the environmental damage of fracking in Western states. Angus Wood, Gray's respected but deposed chairman, is tasked by the FBI to take the reigns of Gray again after his replacement is found murdered in his office - and to find the leaker. Lots of suspects among a cast of intriguing characters who power this smart, fast read in a sort of non-Michael Grisham legal mystery/thriller.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are good lawyers and there are bad ones!!! However, there are also lawyers who aren’t who they claim, aren’t there??? Those who are in shades of gray!!! I enjoyed this story, long as it was, and recommend the book.

[Don · Rating 1 out of 5]

Over 15% into it and I am not enjoying it. Thus I hereby quit and give it a 1.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing as Always

John Ellsworth is always a great read. His characters stand out and are memorable, his descriptions realistic. This book is different from most but still wonderful

[bob hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of my favorites, too much random dialogue. Plot was all over the place Not sure if Ellsworth wrote this one!

[Harold Stauffenberg · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very hard book to read and enjoy

Let me say upfront, John Elseworth is one of my favorite authors. However, this book was my least liked of any of his books. The dialog in this book was horrible. A bunch of clipped sentences that would hardly pass for dialog. It was like sitting in stop and go traffic for hours. I find it hard to believe that John Ellseworth actually wrote this dialog. Maybe he developed the story line and handed it off to someone else to write the story.

This plot was a decent plot. But the characters had zero depth and the dialog between the characters was horrid. The only thing that kept me from going on to another book after the first few chapters was the fact that I always finish a book once I start it. In this case, I could not wait to get finished. It was a horrible horrible reading experience because the dialog was so painful to read.

John, please please please go back to Thadeus and a Michael and never bring this character or writing style into anything else you write.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tense, tight, and very complex plot with enough twists to set you spinning every time you think you have it figured out. Outstanding!…And just a bit unnerving.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a dishonest, conniving group of people, and I don't just mean the lawyers. The FBI were just as bad.

The things these people will do to protect themselves. From innuendos to planting evidence. From planting evidence to threats. From threats to murder.

If you love reading books with non-stop action and intrigue, then books by John Ellsworth should be at the forefront of your WTR list.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of Lawyers in Gray from the author and have chosen to leave a review.

[Richard JF Gallick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book, good story line, waiting for the next to come out. John Ellsworth certainly knows how to bring it together.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give 5 stars to the marketing campaign that intrigued me enough to choose this book, but the book itself was a disappointment. Miles Standish, the once and future chairman of a DC law firm had to keep a lot of balls in the air, including the solving of a murder, a spy case against the Russians, a soon-to-be ex wife, a lover with questionable motivation, and the rescue of a boy from a terrible home life. There were so many layers in this story of political intrigue and so many red herrings, I gave up trying to predict the ending. Through it all, Standish is wily and determined, but I can’t say he is ever likable. This is the first of a promised series of ten books, but I do not intend to follow his career any further.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Convoluted But Compelling

Illegal fracking by Russia is at the heart of this story. Since the EPA has limited power to stop the carcinogenic runoff resulting from the fracking, an undercover governmental group decides to take matters into its own hands. Using the Grey law firm as a front, they bring in its past Managing Partner to oversee identifying a murderer and the mole selling secret documents to the Russians

There is a lot going on in this twisty story. As always Ellsworth’s plots are superior to his actual writing. This story can get very convoluted but you’ll find yourself unable to stop reading.

[Joanne S Middleton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Big disappointment!

I looked forward to this new series with great expectations as I am a major Ellsworth fan. What a disappointment! Besides the typos and mixed up character names, it just was not the Ellsworth I know and love. Rambling and then condensing the narrative! This was the first time I came near not completing the read! Because I hoped it would somehow get better, I did finish the book. Shook my head and vowed not to read the second Miles Standish book! This one was a total waste of my time.

[Morgan O'Cailleigh]

Disappointing

I've read all of Ellworth's books and enjoyed each one. They were fun and entertaining. Not this one. Disjointed, confusing, a good premise but poorly put together and frankly, a mishmash of characters and plotlines. It started out reasonably well but devolved into a weird, almost unreadable story. Don't waste your time.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawyers in Gray by John Ellsworth
There are good lawyers and there are bad ones!!! However, there are also lawyers who aren’t who they claim, aren’t there??? Those who are in shades of gray!!! I enjoyed this story, long as it was, and recommend the book.

[Jim Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent courtroom drama thriller with a complex storyline and great realistic characters. Plenty of legal intrigue in this page turning read. A highly recommended read with several twists. Great start to a new series.

[Kay Hagan-Haller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like there was something missing. I have read all of Ellsworth’s books. Love Thaddeus and Michael Grisham, and SIL series. This had some things that bothered me—like the ending. I won’t spoil it.

[Reg Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read some of the reviews, I must confess that that I switched authors after reading this book. The writing style (switching between first and third person) made it a difficult read. The storyline was really intriguing though. I'll try another book.

[Thomas R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Lawyers in Gray

Great storyline. The author understands Putin and his Oligarchs and how they have used greed to compromise our country. Its amazing how the Legal system and our Intelligence Community have combined to protect our Democracy.

[Beverly Mccollum · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating is a 3.75. I’ve read and enjoyed several of the authors novels. This one also offers a fast-paced plot-interesting and often complex characters and an action-packed tale involving ( among other things!) environmental law, Russian spies and the FBI. An intriguing book to say the least.

[Patricia L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Flawed

Disjointed reads like a diary. No thought given to making a time line. Many written mistakes so easily caught. Seems like more than 1 person wrote the book without consulting the other. Poor proof reading..To bad had makings of a awesome book….

[Joyce Soucy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disconnected and implausible plot line

Too many characters, villains and plots and sub-plots. Every time it seemed to wrap-up it headed another direction. It was more challenge than enjoyment.

[Laura Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great legal thriller!

I could not put this one down, I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. This is another John Ellsworth's entertaining novels! I will be waiting for book 2.

[Gail Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth every minute of my time reading

What a great book! I almost read it without stopping. Nothing in this story was easy to figure out ahead and characters are well thought out. Worth every minute of my time reading.

[Richard Crowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly written. Not a compelling format.

The story was not engaging. The plot did not build through the book. There was little character development and few consequences for treasonable acts.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than intrigue

So much intrigue kept me on toes! John Ellsworth crafted a tale for the end of the year to put a big smile on my face. I can't wait to bring my opinion back to book club.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawyers and conspiracy

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes legal drama and thrillers. Re ally enjoyed this book. Loved how Benji was smart enough to and brave to save his dad.

[William Rutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Just like all the other John Ellisworth books.

I love reading John's books. I do have the problem putting his books down after I start reading. There are always twists and turns that keep showing up.

[Stacy Mick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did anyone else notice that chapter 5 entitled Michael Gresham, was a copy of a previous one for Miles Standish? It's like it was mistakenly copied and just left there. Does anyone proofread his books. They are full of errors.

[Bob Hovey · Rating 1 out of 5]

AI?

Not only is this the worst ellsworth book i've read.This is the worst book i've ever read. Having read the whole thing, I still don't know what it was about. Extremely disjointed, nearly incoherent in some sections.

[Linda Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-stop, hard-hitting

Unexpected twists throughout, fascinating story. Four stars instead of five because I didn’t like some of the rawness and the cursing.