I was interested to read this book but I ended up not being as hooked as I thought I might be. I’m not one for heavy legal details and overall, the book just wasn’t grabbing me enough.

How long would you search for justice? In 1995, the Elaine Alice Murphy saw the headline that a child-hood friend of her son had been convicted in the murder of a Boston police detective. Not understanding how the sweet, quiet boy she knew had become a convicted murderer, she went to visit him in prison. That began a 21-year quest to prove that Sean Ellis was not guilty of murder. The author challenges not only the legal system, but also the societal injustices that are so prevalent in our country. This memoir reads like a novel as the author takes us through the years of this found family's fight for justice.

A very detailed book about Sean Ellis, who served 20 years for a crime he didn't commit.

I remember watching the Netflix documentary on it and so it was great to be able to read it from Elaine's point of view.

Thank you for the opportunity to read 'In For Life'.

This is an extremely thorough and detailed book documenting the legal journey of Sean Ellis, who was imprisoned for 21 years for the murder of a Boston policeman. Elaine Murphy was persistent and meticulous in her quest to get to the bottom of what had happened on the night of the murder and in her support of Sean Ellis, who was a classmate of her son's during primary school.

At times, the book seemed a little too detailed and laboured over small points but I understand that Elaine Murphy wanted to document everything. She is to be commended and reading the book inspired me to watch 'Trial 4' on Netflix which followed Sean Ellis's case.

Wow!
This story is one of those rare ones that totally floors you and blows you away!
A wonderful tale of hope, perseverance, integrity and a gross miscarriage of justice, written by a woman who had so much faith In the accused.
I stayed up all night to finish it.
A brilliant true story well worth reading.

An interesting and thought provoking read. I had briefly heard of Sean Ellis and his case before,however I did not know too much. The dedication of the author and those around Sean was so clear to see in the book. The only thing for me about the book, was a found certain parts dragged on a little bit,or were unnesseraliy descriptive. For example a bit to !such about the authors home life. Other than that though a very good book and one I would happily recommend.

DNF: I got to 44% before giving up. I just could NOT get over how BORING this book was. I understand that the case would revolve around minute details, but I was just not into how many people were at the Walgreens, who was wearing what, etc.
The most annoying part of the book for myself, was that the author went out of her way to state over and over again the differences between Sean's family and her own. We get it, class and race were great dividers.

Further, I could not get over that the author was doing MORE work then the actual prisoner. Sean just kept saying he was not a snitch, not going to snitch, etc.

I gave up. I am finished. I could NOT GO ON!

This is a compelling narrative of a life incarnated by mistakes and corruption by the Boston police force. The compassion by the author and friendship with both the accused and his family over a number of years. It turned me to the Netflix series on completion of the book. The grace and dignity by Sean, his family members and legal team in the face of such blatant corruption and racism.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this book before publication. Massive credit to Elaine Alice Murphy for getting behind this appalling travesty of justice. As a British citizen I am not suggesting that we have our house in order but I thank my lucky stars that we are miles ahead of the US regarding crime and punishment. Will it ever change? On a positive note at least justice was finally done.

The author knocked it out of the park with this one. The very moving story of a friend of her son’s from grade school, who once grown, lands in prison convicted of murdering a cop. The more she learns about the case, the more she feels that he is innocent and begins digging into on her own. What she finds is much of what people are concerned about in the criminal justice system and more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Review

A truly moving and engaging true-crime read, the author did an incredible job of balancing a narrative memoir writing style with descriptive prose that painted a vivid image of the case itself. The personal connection the author had with this case and the young man imprisoned falsely amplified the emotional connection readers had with Sean, and the way the author handled both the actual case and her own personal work in investigating and championing on behalf of Sean was both professional and passionate in her delivery.

The theme of racial prejudice in the justice system and our world as a whole was thoroughly explored in this nonfiction read. The story has had an even greater impact in recent years, with the level of violence between police officers and people of color increasing exponentially in the last decade and becoming much more public. Sean becomes a prime example of how the justice system has been created to work against people of color, especially young Black men, and the exploration of not only this grave injustice in the United States but the dramatic nature of the crime itself was enough to keep this reader on the edge of his seat, enthralled with each twist and turn in the case.

The Verdict

Beautifully written, heartfelt in its delivery, and thought-provoking both thematically and in the actual investigation, author Elaine Alice Murphy’s “In For Life” is a must-read true-crime thriller and nonfiction read. The vital importance of Sean’s case both personally for himself and the author and for the direction our nation as a whole has gone in over the last decade made this such an impactful read, and I highly recommend anyone wanting a better understanding of how both the justice system and society for young Black men in the United States to grab their own copy of this worthwhile book.

An amazing read that tells the raw story of a wrongful conviction. A life-changing memoir that makes you take a look and reflect on the justice system and the injustices experienced by Black individuals in the U.S.

Such a insightful book that everyone should take the time out of their day to read about the US justice system.

I have watched and rewatched the Trial 4 Netflix series and it strikes me that most of us would never know how the justice system in our country works completely different depending on your race or social status. This book was given to us as an ARC and at first skeptical of what the book could offer that the documentary could not; the reader gets hooked quick. Written by Elaine Murphy who appears as a central figure in the series and brings a personal touch to the drama, that is not reflected in the show. Highly recommended and I dare say should be required reading in high school through college. It's a look inside another world by someone, the author, who was brought up, raised their children and lived in a completely different reality then those who just happen to be a different skin color. If there is any book or TV show for that matter that shines a bright hot spotlight on our troubling times this, is it. Fair warning, be prepared to be angry, but at the same time, there is hope, there are good people in this world fighting the good fight and getting into "good trouble". The author is one and you will meet others in the book, inspiring.

Thank you NetGalley, IBPA and the publisher for a read not likely to ever be forgotten.