The Alphabet in Crime Fiction meme hosted by Kerrie Smith at her Mysteries in Paradise blog has arrived at the letter "S". I have chosen a legal mystery, Solomon v. Lord. It is the first in Levine's series. The books feature wonderfully funny legal scenes while being good mysteries. Real life trials often feature humour amidst the tension.****
20. - 335.) Solomon v. Lord by Paul Levine – The funniest courtroom mystery I have read. Steve Solomon is a wise cracking / university baseball semi-star / trial lawyer who shoots from the lip while following Solomon’s Laws (No. 2 – In law and in life, sometimes you have to wing it.) Victoria Lord is the rule abiding / club tennis star / assistant D.A. In a hilarious trial over illegally importing birds both end up in jail for civil contempt because of their biting comments to each other. After Victoria is fired Steve unethically, but cleverly, creates a partnership with Victoria so they can represent Katrina Barksdale who has been charged with murdering her husband during some very kinky sex. To his dismay Steve discovers Victoria is engaged to a vegan avocado magnate, Bruce Bixby. Complicating life is a State custody hearing over Steve’s ward and nephew, 11 year old Bobby, still recovering from a maternally abusive life. Bobby’s brilliant mind ricochets around including the ability to instantly form anagrams from people’s names. Steve reminded me of deceased Melfort lawyer, Stuart Eisner. The duo could be the 21st Century Tracy and Hepburn. Brilliant. Hardcover or paperback. (May 8/06)
Bill - Oh, this does sound really funny! I absolutely am going to try some of Paul Levine's work. I'd heard of him, but never sampled yet. Time to rectify that. Soon.
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks. I do not believe you will be disappointed when you read his books.
ReplyDeleteFunny courtroom mystery? Hm, this one sounds tempting.
ReplyDeleteDorte: You will be entertained. Court and hunour are not mutually exclusive.
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