Author Profile: David Ellis, Author of Legal Thrillers

One of the most exciting legal thriller authors to emerge in the past decade is David Ellis. Ellis kicked off his writing career with LINE OF VISION, winner of the 2002 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Ellis's stellar debut was unique in that it was written from the perspective of the accused, a non-lawyer named Marty Kalish. The novel also introduced one of the most thrilling characters in legal fiction, criminal defense attorney Paul Riley. Riley would return in a number of Ellis's subsequent novels, including 2007's EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.

For David Ellis, experimenting with unconventional styles didn't end with his debut. In fact, Ellis's fourth novel IN THE COMPANY OF LIARS is perhaps the most unique legal thriller ever written. Somehow, David Ellis managed to weave suspense (and a great overall story) into a novel written backwards. That's right - IN THE COMPANY OF LIARS begins at the end and ends at the beginning.

David Ellis's most recent novel is THE HIDDEN MAN, which kicks off a new series of legal thrillers featuring attorney Jason Kolarich. The second book in the series BREACH OF TRUST is scheduled to be released by Putnam on February 3, 2011. Other novels by Ellis include LIFE SENTENCE and JURY OF ONE.

Perhaps the only thing more interesting than David Ellis's stories is his own biography, which includes serving as the House Prosecutor who convicted former Governor Rod Blagojevich in the impeachment trial before the Illinois Senate. (You may remember that Illinois Governor Blagojevich was accused of attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President Obama.)

David Ellis currently lives with his family in Springfield, Illinois, where he serves as the Chief Legal Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.

Learn more at LegalThrillers.net