Special Circumstances (Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez Legal Thriller Book 1)
£3.80
A New York Times and Amazon Bestseller.
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 the brutal double murder of two fellow lawyers.
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 discover that in this trial, ambition, friendship, greed, and long-standing grudges will play just as important a role as truth and justice.
Brilliantly paced, crackling with energy and suspense, SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES reminds us why we love to hate lawyers — but can’t get enough of courtroom drama when it’s done this well.
“Outstanding! Siegel’s characters are sharp and witty. Nobody writes dialogue better.” – Robert Dugoni, NY Times and Amazon bestselling author of MY SISTER’S GRAVE.
With SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, author Sheldon Siegel burst onto the legal thriller arena exposing the world of big-time law firms and lawyers in a fresh, sharp-witted, wonderfully sardonic page-turner. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES introduces us to criminal defense attorneys and former spouses Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez — incompatible for marriage, but just right for everything else.
“A page-turner of the finger-burning kind.”
— San Francisco Chronicle
“An A+ first novel.”
— The Philadelphia Inquirer
“With a winning protagonist and a gripping plot, Siegel’s debut is sure to make partner at its first-choice firm: the expanding empire of Turow, Grisham, Lescroart, Wilhelm, Margolin and Baldacci.”
— Publisther’s Weekly
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES is first book in the NY Times and Amazon best selling legal thriller series featuring Mike Daley & Rosie Fernandez.
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by Peter Whitaker
I enjoy legal dramas, ‘The Verdict’ by Barry Reid made a lasting impression on me when I read it back in the 1980’s, so downloading a copy of ‘Special Circumstances’ seemed like a good idea, and so it proved.
Being English I do not know that much about the American legal system other than what knowledge I’ve accrued from reading novels and watching movies and television dramas, and I suspect that even that is shallow, but I found Sheldon Siegal’s style of writing immediately inclusive. Obscure legal terms and procedures were explained in a natural fashion, as part of the fabric of the story, and not as footnotes. I never felt patronised in this respect and appreciated not having to use Google to find out what was going on. This made the book far more immediate and enjoyable as a result.
The story is perhaps a little unremarkable, a double murder at the prestigious law firm that the lead character Mike Daley was recently kicked out of lands his best friend in prison as the prime suspect. It’s Daley’s first case as a lone attorney and it turns out to be a huge public circus; the kind of event that could either make him or destroy him.
All the usual themes are present, greed, lust, ambition, lies, subterfuge, and of course death. Add to this the foibles of the various characters and you get an engrossing human interest story. Even Mike Daley has his believable, and perhaps more importantly forgivable, faults.
Was there anything that I thought could be improved upon? Well the actual investigation of the murder itself. It never felt like Daley got his hands dirty in this respect. I realise that this might not be too realistic in some respects but ‘Special Circumstances’ is a novel and a little artistic licence can go a long way, especially when it adds to the tension and excitement of the story.
In conclusion I found ‘Special Circumstances’ a thoroughly enjoyable read, one of the more satisfying Kindle books that I’ve indulged in for a while. I tend to read widely and enjoy moving from one genre to another, preferably contrasting subjects as this helps focus my attention. I found the clarity of the writing, the description of the subject matter, and the story itself engrossing so I expect to return to Sheldon Siegel very soon when I want to read another legal drama.
by l.123
This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I was not disappointed. Once I started it I couldn’t put it down. The story revolves around a large firm of lawyers where an unexpected suicide / double murder took place. The writer takes you thought the concepts of american law and takes you into the court room where he is defending his close friend, who is also lawyer. I love they way you are able to follow the actual case from both sides and experience some tricks of the trade. Mike Daley and his ex wife Rosie take up the challenge to prove Joel’s innocence which is touch and go. This is an well written legal thriller I and looing forward to reading other novels in the series.
Well done Sheldon Siegel!
by Barrie Wilson
Brilliant in every way! This is my first novel from Mr. Siegel and I have already ordered the next book in the series before finishing this one….9 in total…….yipppeee!!…it’s THAT good !.
The story flows like a well oiled machine; it is a serious page-turner; is believable and intelligent in its telling. ……step aside Mr. Grisham, whose books I found to be aimed at the movie industry rather than being more sensible and intelligent in their concept.
This novel by Mr. Siegel seems more believable, more intelligent and more suspenseful than anything from Mr. Grisham whose success, in my view, was partly due to the movie industry.
by Amazon Customer
Why is it that American authors do not seem to understand the difference between ‘pouring’ and ‘poring’ (you are certainly not alone Mr Siegel). I had a picture in my head on several occasions of Wendy upending her teapot over Mike’s legal documents rather than carefully PORING over them in the search for evidence. Great story otherwise.
by Elinor Salter
A clever read, well told, with lots of tension, and a perfect twist at the end that I was misdirected upon until the last few chapters.
by Windmill
I really enjoyed this novel. The plot is believable and interesting and the characters are well developed. You’ll never guess the ending.
by Sylvia E. Edwards
This is my first novel by Mr. Siegel, but I plan to read through all of them. I was struck by the similarity with Lincoln Lawyer, although this was much better written. I looked up publication dates, and Mr. Siegel published five years before Mr. Connelly.
I liked that his characters were very well drawn, and dialogue very real.
I enjoyed this tremendously, and now to start the second in the series..
by Kindle Jayne
I got this book because it was free, no other reason. What I did find was a new author for me to read.
The book is lengthy, very lengthy. The detailing is astronomical and the author has the ability through the detail of drawing in the reader and giving the impression that the reader is right with him in the courtroom.
A very detailed book that took a bit of reading. Loved it and looking forward to the next book.