An Innocent Client

Joe Dillard is a criminal defense attorney in Tennessee who wants to leave criminal law behind. Before taking a planned shift to civil practice, he accepts one final case defending a young woman accused of murder at a local motel. The investigation leads Dillard through the darker corners of his small town, forcing him to confront both the local power structure and his own principles. As he works to uncover the truth, he must balance his duty to his client with his personal moral code and desire for justice. The narrative explores the nature of innocence and guilt while examining how the legal system impacts both the accused and their defenders. Questions of trust, redemption, and the price of seeking truth emerge against the backdrop of small-town Tennessee's legal and social dynamics.

Readers describe An Innocent Client as a fast-paced legal thriller that holds interest through strong character development and courtroom scenes. Many compare it favorably to John Grisham's early works. Readers highlighted: - Authentic legal details and procedures - Complex protagonist Joe Dillard's moral struggles - Regional setting details of Eastern Tennessee - Clear, straightforward writing style Common criticisms: - Some found the ending predictable - Several readers noted formatting issues in the ebook version - A few felt secondary characters needed more depth Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (48,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (17,000+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "The protagonist isn't a typical 'white knight' lawyer - he's conflicted and real. The case details feel authentic rather than Hollywood-style." - Goodreads reviewer Another notes: "Good pacing but the twist wasn't hard to see coming." - Amazon reviewer

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🔹 Scott Pratt wrote "An Innocent Client" while working as a criminal defense attorney in Tennessee, drawing from his real-life experiences to create the authenticity in protagonist Joe Dillard's courtroom scenes. 🔹 The novel is the first in what became the bestselling Joe Dillard series, which now consists of eight books following the morally conflicted defense attorney turned prosecutor. 🔹 The book explores the ethical dilemma faced by many defense attorneys: the obligation to zealously defend clients regardless of their guilt or innocence, a struggle that mirrors real-world challenges in the legal profession. 🔹 Prior to becoming an author, Pratt worked as a newspaper reporter, a criminal defense attorney, and even tried his hand at golf professionally before finding success in legal thriller writing. 🔹 The novel's setting in Eastern Tennessee's mountain country reflects the author's intimate knowledge of the region's legal system and culture, having practiced law there for over fifteen years.