"Fast-paced courtroom drama that makes the pages turn with its depiction of the American Legal Justice System, Mob rule, and the tale of one rookie lawyer who refused to quit!" (American Institute of Justice)

Thaddeus Murfee is 25, single, a lawyer of 18 months, and completely unprepared for the murder case that walks in. While Ermeline was passed out, her date carved his name in her breasts. Heavy, thick letters: V-I-C-T-O-R.

The guilty party is found murdered. Or was he guilty? Ermeline is arrested because she had motive and opportunity. She hires Thaddeus, who makes his debut defending his first murder case in this courtroom drama.

Ilene is a beautiful widow who loves horses. Ilene is introduced to Thaddeus one Saturday morning as he is caring for his own horse. She invites him to Christmas dinner. Soon Thaddeus finds himself in great need of her care, and she rushes in to help. Will her love be enough to pull him through this courtroom thriller?

Paralegal Christine Susmann, home from the war in Iraq, uses her military training to help Thaddeus put together the defense. Together they discover the dark forces behind the case, and Christine teaches him how to arm himself and how to shoot - a skill he will need. The suspense mounts while alibis fall away and the killer's plot is discovered.

In The Defendants, John Ellsworth offers you a courtroom thriller that puts you right in the front row to witness how murder cases are defended. See the politics behind all criminal cases and how love can grow out of the strangest beginnings anyone could imagine. In the end, Thaddeus is given a split second to save his own life. His reaction is amazing!