Sean K Ellis was convicted in 1995-at his third trial, after two prior hung juries -of the murder and robbery of controversial Boston detective John J. Mulligan. Age nineteen at the time of the crime, Sean insisted he was innocent. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Sean was a childhood friend of the author's son. In for life is Murphy's riveting account of her journey through a corrupt justice system in a quest to free him. The book goes far deeper into the Ellis case than does the acclaimed Netflix series, Trial 4; woven throughout are insights from Murphy's two decades of prison conversations with Sean that deepened their bond-a bond that became life changing for both.