Special Circumstances

My students need a lot from me at the beginning of the school year, and though that is the thing I love most about my professional life, being the support that sets them up for success, it is also a heavy emotional load. I am one of those extroverted introverts. I love being with people, connecting them to others, and having great conversations, both deep and not-so-deep. It also drains me. And so at this time of year my reading turns to entertainment. I am emotionally invested in 20+ grad students right now, I don't want to spend my book time with depressed tenant farmers, emotionally numb overeducated Brooklyn residents, or lone children trying to stay alive in war-torn countries. Normally those are my (book) people, but right now I show more want engaging immersive stories where the book does all the work. Hello Special Circumstances!

It has been ages since I read a courtroom thriller, and I forgot how much I like them when they are good. (I think The Murder Rule scarred me and I could not make myself return to the genre.) One of the downsides of being a lawyer is that I hate most books and movies set in the US justice system because they are so spectacularly wrong. In addition to being lazy and irritating, the misdirection destroys people's understanding of or faith in a system that, despite its flaws, is one of the few things I passionately believe in. Special Circumstances gets it right. It is challenging and surprising and charming. Siegel knows how courtrooms run and pays attention to law and procedure, but it never messes with the tension. Here the author also pokes some fun at Biglaw in a way that will be much more satisfying to those of us who know the score than books like The Firm (which I did not like much, though the movie is a hoot.) The characters here were played up for comic effect, but they were also people who in toned-down versions I used to work with.

The book is from the early aughts and is dated in several ways, but it is still fun. (The women were all measured for hotness and were all sleeping around, unless they were over 50 in which case they were sexless loyal helpmates or mothers. I cringed whenever a POC was called to the stand -- every Black person was "dignified" or "articulate" or something similar, and the one Asian witness played into several stereotypes.) I enjoyed the heck out of this and am hoping to track down copies of later books in the series. Highly recommended for those who are or have been lawyers, especially those of us of a certain age. show less

I love legal novels (hate to call them thrillers since they don't seem to reach that level of stimulation.) Especially those that focus on legal technicalities and niceties, relationships between lawyers and clients, and those that have lots of courtroom dialogue. This one succeeds on all counts. It's often acerbic and satirical at times and that adds to the enjoyment.

I could detail the plot, but I'm too eager to move to the second in the series.

From Book Cover:

Debut author Sheldon Siegel bursts into the legal thriller arena with a riveting courtroom drama, exposing the world of big-time law firms and lawyers in a fresh, sharp-witted, wonderfully sardonic page-turner. Meet Mike Daley. Ex-priest. Ex–public defender. And as of yesterday, ex-partner in one of San Francisco's most prominent law firms. Today he's out on his own, setting up practice on the wrong side of town. Then his best friend and former colleague is charged with a brutal double murder, and Daley is instantly catapulted into a high-profile investigation involving the prestigious law firm that just booted him. As he prepares his case, Daley uncovers the firm's dirtiest secrets. It doesn't take long for him to show more discover that in this trial, ambition, friendship, greed, and long-standing grudges will play just as important a role as truth and justice.

My Thoughts:

I found that there was a fair amount of humor in this legal thriller...yet it didn't take away anything from the story line. The court room scenes are like reading from a court transcript only a thousand time s more interesting. I found the main character to be almost perfect in his imperfectness. He had issues both professional and personal...he made mistakes and he realizes very early on that he may be in way over his head here. Anyone that likes court room dramas will love this book...those that say they don't like the courtroom drama so much may just change their minds with this one. 5 stars for a great first time writer. show less

In Sheldon Siegel's debut courtroom thriller we meet Mike Daley. He's a former priest and a former public defender. He's just been asked to leave his a job as a partner in a prestigious law firm for not bringing in enough business. His last obligation is to attend the going away function that's been planned and picking up his final draw, which he needs to open his new criminal defense firm. The next day two of his former partners are found dead, and Mike's best friend, also a firm partner, is accused of their murders. Now Mike's first case is high profile and high risk. The new District Attorney, and coincidentally one of their former partners, has asked charged Joel with Murder in the First Degree with Special Circumstances, which show more carries the death penalty.

Mike Daley and his ex-wife Rosie are interesting characters who engage in lots of witty banter. The courtroom scenes are quick paced and believable. The new district attorney, Prentice Gates III (Skipper), is everything we love to hate in lawyers. There was lots of action, twists and turns, and some surprises at the end. If you are a fan of courtroom thrillers, I highly recommend this one. show less

This novel was Sheldon Siegel's first legal thriller published in February 2000. As a reader that loves legal thrillers I'm surprised that I only learned of this author recently. There are currently 10 novels in this series and I'm ready to read them all.

Mike Daley has been fired at year-end from a prominent San Francisco law firm. He had already decided to set up his own firm (renting office space from another attorney who is also his ex-wife) but he never expected his first major client to be a friend and former colleague charged with murder of 2 individuals - a man and a woman. The prosecution may call this case special circumstances by legal definition. For Mike, the special circumstances that seem almost inconceivable is the show more setting of the alleged murder is at his old law firm and as the attorney of record and ex-priest he'll be defending a rabbi's son.

As I kept turning pages I continued to vacillate my prediction for guilty or not guilty. I made my final prediction and was correct but the clues to motive escaped me. If you enjoy legal thrillers I'd recommend adding this author/title to your tbr list. I'm looking forward to reading Mike Daley's next case. show less

I plodded through this book but about halfway through, I was no longer interested in "whodunit". The characters, including Mike Dailey weren't that interesting to me. Maybe it was just too many lawyers. I was convinced that Joel actually did the murders and the actual murderer came out of nowhere. There weren't even any hints. The courtroom scenes were too long and repetitive. I won't continue this series.

Another exciting new author!! Special Circumstance is Sheldon Siegel's first novel. Mike Daley gets fired from his stuff huge law firm and he's not really unhappy about it. Plus, the very day he's fired, the most profitable partner and an associate are murdered in the office. Not his problem, until his best friend - and really only lawyer friend - in the firm is charged with the murder. This story moves along really well and is captivating. The characters are quite interesting and credible. I sure hope he's working on another.