Redemption
- Judith D Collins
- Jan 8
- 9 min read
Updated: Jan 9
Scott Pratt & the Birth of Joe Dillard (Joe Dillard Series)
Narrator: Lyle Blaker
ISBN: 978-1944083342
Publisher: Phoenix Flying LLC
Publication Date: 12/16/2025
Format: Audio
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Memoir
TOP BOOKS OF 2025
“Strange how the waves of destiny wash over a man’s soul, leaving ugly cracks and crevices here, polished splendor over there. Strange indeed.”—Scott Pratt, Bestselling Author of the Joe Dillard Series
A lawyer’s fall from grace paved the way for an author’s rise to unimaginable success.
In December of 2005, Scott Pratt was marched to a jail cell after being charged with suborning perjury. Within two years, he had written a legal thriller that was a finalist for the top mystery novel worldwide.
Joe Dillard, Scott’s primary protagonist, served as a whiteboard for the author’s life, enabling him to reimagine and reinvent himself.
Dillard acted as a literary marionette while his puppeteer subjected him to unimaginable adversity. His mother had Alzheimer’s and didn’t recognize him half the time. His sister was an addict who was in and out of jail. The son of the victim tried to kill him—twice. Another client escaped prison and committed murder.
All of this happened in the first novel. Eight more followed.
Scott didn’t spare his main character any more than life had spared him. Dillard wrestled with a rowdy assortment of demons. They stalked him by day and invaded his dreams at night.
Those same demons haunted Scott, creating a vicious tug-of-war between his talent and his volatility. Back and forth, his life went from lavish to bankrupt, from a lakeside estate to the cramped quarters of his mother-in-law's basement.
Like Joe Dillard, Scott persevered by leaning into his family's sacred concept of love.
Scott’s precipitous fall has lived on as a cautionary tale for the local legal community in his hometown. One of those lawyers, who worked from the same office Scott once occupied, favors a broader view of his predecessor’s life, hailing his journey as “The great American redemption story.”
Regardless of perspective, Scott was no ordinary Joe.
My Review
REDEPMPTION: Scott Pratt & the Birth of Joe Dillard is a deeply impactful and emotionally resonant work that masterfully intertwines two compelling narratives—one, a poignant biography of the acclaimed author Scott Pratt, and the other, a captivating origin story for his beloved protagonist, Joe Dillard.
For those who cherish Scott Pratt and the thrilling Joe Dillard Series, REDEMPTION is an essential addition to your literary collection; it stands as an inspiring, timeless classic that deserves a place on every bookshelf. As a long-time fan of Pratts and the Joe Dillard series (having read them all), I couldn’t resist delving into this remarkable journey, so I purchased it in every format available—e-book, audio, and paperback. If only there were a hardcover edition to complete my collection!
Now, fans need a movie or TV series (more on that wish below).
This extraordinary book has the power to transform your perspective, leaving you inspired and invigorated by its raw authenticity. It’s more than just a read; it’s a profound experience that will linger in your mind long after you turn the last page.
Scott was no ordinary Joe! “The great American redemption story.”
About...
The Real-Life Fall and Rebirth
~The Arrest:
The story begins with the real-world crisis of Attorney Scott Pratt, who was arrested in December 2005 after being charged with suborning perjury.
~The Rebuilding Process:
It traces Pratt's journey from a "precipitous fall" in the legal community to his decision to rebuild his life through writing.
~Financial & Personal Struggles:
The plot details his life's "vicious tug-of-war," moving from a lavish lakeside estate to living in his mother-in-law's basement with his family.
~The "Birth" of Joe Dillard (A literary stand-in):
The book explores how the character Joe Dillard became a vessel for Pratt's own legal battles and personal demons. It reflects on how Pratt infused the first Dillard novel, An Innocent Client, with his own hardships, including:
~Family Trauma:
A mother with Alzheimer’s and an addicted sister in and out of jail.
~Legal & Physical Danger:
Dealing with clients who escaped prison to commit murder and surviving two assassination attempts by a victim's son.
~Parallel Journeys:
The narrative highlights the "Great American Redemption Story" of a man who used his failures to create a bestselling legal thriller series.
Core Themes
~Sacred Love: Like Dillard, Pratt is depicted as persevering by leaning into his family’s concept of love.
~Authenticity: The book emphasizes that much of the "hell" Dillard suffers was pulled directly from Pratt’s real-life experiences.
My thoughts...
Scott Pratt’s inspiration for writing was primarily born from a major legal and personal crisis that ended his career as a criminal defense attorney. With the professional ruin that forced him to channel his frustration and energy into a new career. Pratt creatively used his fictional protagonist, Joe Dillard, as a "whiteboard" to reimagine his own life. Writing became a way to navigate his own "demons" and the "vicious tug-of-war" between his legal talent and personal volatility.
He successfully portrayed the "bizarre, sometimes unbelievable" world of criminal law accurately. Much of the adversity Joe Dillard faced both professionally and personally was pulled directly from Pratt's real-life family struggles.
In the wake of Pratt's beloved wife, Kristy, passing in 2018, followed closely by Scott's untimely death just months later in the same year, a profound sense of obligation took root within his son Dylan and brother Dan. They felt a compelling "duty" and a "matter of honor" to honor their legacy by publishing this biographical work titled, Redemption in 2025. Their goal was not merely to recount events but to illuminate the remarkable journey of his "heroic rise," ensuring that fans could fully grasp the depths from which he had emerged and the resilience that defined his life.
Well done!
In addition to exploring critical themes and delivering a powerful message, readers will uncover invaluable insights about the world of publishing, particularly the transition from traditional publishing to the dynamic realm of self-publishing. Authors will want to pay close attention to this tumultuous journey, filled with challenges and triumphs, that ultimately shaped Pratt’s legacy and redefined his path to success. This narrative promises to be both enlightening and inspiring for anyone considering their own writing journey.
The central themes of REDEMPTION focus on the intersection of a real-life "fall from grace" and the creative process used to overcome it.
The primary themes include:
~The Great American Redemption Story
~Perseverance through Adversity
~The Sacred Concept of Love
~Art as a Mirror of Life and Personal Demons
~Duty and Honor
~Cynicism and a closer look at the legal system
~Vulnerability and truth
~Resilience and Self-Reinvention
A central theme revolves around the unwavering decision to eschew any embellishments. The authors consciously steer clear of crafting a flattering narrative, instead choosing to delve into an unvarnished and candid depiction of Pratt’s formidable challenges. This approach aims to offer a genuine glimpse into his arduous journey, revealing the harsh realities that shape his legacy. Scott would be proud.
Reflecting on Pratt’s actual legal experiences, the narrative addresses the flaws and corruption within the judicial system, portraying it as a "Goliath" where the "little guy" often struggles to find true justice. In both his real life and the Joe Dillard series, Scott Pratt drew directly from personal trauma to shape his characters' lives.
Parallels in Family Struggles
The adversity Joe Dillard faces, particularly in the debut novel An Innocent Client, serves as a "fictionalized diary" of Pratt’s own experiences and continues with a 10-book series. I have read them all and cherished.
~Mothers and Illness
~Wife and Illness
~Sisters and Addiction
~Economic Collapse
~Danger to Family
Despite these hardships, a central theme in both Pratt's life and his books is the reliance on a "sacred concept of love" from family to survive. Pratt's children, Dylan and Kody, and Scott's brother Dan, eventually completed his final works and continue to do so.
In addition to the central theme of redemption, the Joe Dillard series explores several recurring legal, social, and moral themes across its 11 novels:
~Justice vs. the Legal System
~The Flaws of the Law
~Atonement for the Past
~Ethical Dilemmas
~Social and Cultural Issues
~Southern Culture and Gender
~Racial Tensions
~Contemporary Crises
~Individual and Family Struggles
~Moral Integrity and the Inner Code
~The Burden of Family Loyalty
~Mental Health and Despair
~Religion and the Supernatural
~Spirituality and Skepticism
~The Presence of Evil
The overarching takeaway message from REDEMPTION and the series as a whole is that personal ruin can be the catalyst for creative rebirth, provided one has the resilience to confront their past.
A key message is that true strength comes from being "raw and vulnerable." By refusing to "pull punches" and exposing his real-life demons (addiction, family illness, and legal ruin), Pratt created a character in Joe Dillard that resonated more deeply with readers than a standard fictional hero.
The narrative serves as a "cautionary tale" that ultimately encourages self-reinvention. Pratt used his fictional protagonist to reimagine his life, showcasing that one can rebuild even when everything has been "beaten and broken" despite all odds.
A major takeaway is the importance of family as a "sacred concept of love". Both Pratt and his fictional counterpart, Joe Dillard, survived professional and personal collapse by leaning heavily on the unwavering support of their families.
Beyond the central theme of redemption, Scott Pratt's experiences offer practical and philosophical lessons about life, work, and the creative process, proving you can change your path, even later in life:
Pratt began his first novel at age fifty, after a long career as a lawyer and journalist. His experience shows it is possible to transition careers dramatically, even after a fall, if you lean into existing talents (in his case, writing).
A key lesson is the power of being "raw and vulnerable" in art. Pratt's decision to channel his real-life "brutal struggles"—including the pain of family illness, addiction, and professional ruin—into his fiction gave his work a powerful authenticity that resonated strongly with his audience.
Having worked on both the defense and prosecution sides (as Dillard did in the books), Pratt recognized the inherent flaws in the legal system. His work teaches that the law is often a "human experience" driven by competition and the desire to win, and that "true justice" is not always achieved within its confines.
A "moral compass" matters more than the rulebook: Both in his life and Dillard's, operating by an internal "inner code" of what is right—even if it sometimes conflicts with what is strictly legal or conventional—is presented as essential for maintaining integrity in a "jaded system".
The lesson from the Redemption book is that you must experience the "devastating lows" to truly appreciate the "heroic rise". The deepest, most compelling stories often come from confronting and overcoming significant personal trials.
The characters in the Scott Pratt universe are deeply interconnected, with the 2025 biographical work REDEMPTION highlighting how the real-life Pratt family served as the blueprint for the fictional Dillard family.
What an incredible job Dylan Pratt and his family have accomplished in honoring their father's legacy! Fans from every corner of the globe truly appreciate how they carry on his name through their remarkable efforts. He was such an admired figure, navigating life's journey from the depths of hardship to the heights of success, always cherishing his family. His love and devotion, coupled with his inspiring spirit, leave a lasting imprint that continues to motivate countless individuals. Thank you!
The audiobook...
I recently had the delightful opportunity to dive into the audiobook, skillfully narrated by the incredibly talented Lyle Blaker. His portrayal of Scott and Joe truly brought their characters to life, infusing each moment with rich emotion and heartfelt passion. The immersive listening experience he created made it feel as though I was right there in the thick of the story, experiencing every twist and turn alongside the characters.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book, both in written form and as an audiobook, as well as the entire Joe Dillard series. I eagerly anticipate what thrilling developments await in the next installment! #CoverLove
AMAZON VIDEO: I would love to see a TV series based on Scott Pratt/Joe Dillard series, Starring Billy Bob Thornton as Joe Dillard/Scott Pratt. We all loved him in Goliath (an attorney) and, of course, Landman, a perfect pick.
Recs...
Readers and fans who enjoy Scott Pratt's work and his Joe Dillard series often look for character-driven legal thrillers with a strong sense of place, moral ambiguity, and deep personal stakes. I recommend the following (all favorites of mine, as I am a huge legal thriller fan).
~John Grisham
~Michael Connelly
~Scott Turow
~David Baldacci
Authors with Character-Driven Series
~Robert Bailey
~Victor Methos
~Steve Cavanagh
~Greg Iles
Also, check out "The Darren Street" series under the Scott Pratt umbrella.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars+
Pub Date: Dec 16, 2025
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About the Author
Scott Pratt was a national bestselling author whose books have sold more than six million copies. He was born in South Haven, Michigan, and grew up in Jonesborough, Tennessee. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from East Tennessee State University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee. He lived in Johnson City, Tennessee. WEBSITE
