Rating: 
Summary: terrific style, good courtroom scenes
Review: I really enjoyed this book, from Chapter 1. Mike Daley talking to me, the reader, expresses a lot of the same reactions and in many of the same words I would myself. This book sticks so well to procedure if I ever need to try a criminal case in California I may use it as a manual (I'm kidding, but the testimony, the objections, the rulings, the weighing of the evidence I really couldnt fault. I really like the character of the trial judge, they should all be so competent and fair. The author might have moved some of the action a little faster, but thank God he didnt spend pages and pages on voir dire, and every juror's life story as some authors of this genre do. In a novel that is boring. If you think the obnoxious big firm partners were an exaggeration, I can tell you I have met attorneys like Art Patton and Skipper Gates and Hutch the video man. I liked this book much more than Incriminating Evidence. Even the surprise ending, given some of the scumbag characters we were dealing with, was plausible. Here's what I didn't care for or fully understand: what is this with the main character being an ex-priest? It had little or nothing to do with the story. I have several friends who are divorced from each other and live happily together, Mike and Rosie's situation didn't bother me. I'd like to see their daughter have more of a role. I wasn't sure what the point was of having Mort on the team, and leave halfway through it. These are not real flaws in the book. Treat yourself to an enjoyable read, and if youre not one of us despicable lawyers, don't worry, the author does a great job of explaining legal jargon in layman's terms.
Rating:
Summary: Colorful, humorous and entertaining legal thriller.
Review: Lawyer Sheldon Siegel's first novel, "Special Circumstances," is reminiscent of the best work of William Bernhardt. Both authors leaven their plot lines with ample doses of humor and sarcasm. They poke fun at the arrogant, the pompous and the greedy in the judicial and political communities.The protagonist is Mike Daley, ex-priest and ex-public defender. Mike has just been let go from Simpson and Gates, one of San Francisco's most prestigious and wealthiest law firms. Mike is starting his own practice with his ex-wife, Rosie, with whom he gets along fine as long as they are no longer married. Soon, Mike has a high-profile case on his hands. He is defending Joel Friedman, a lawyer and Mike's best friend, who is charged with double homicide. An unknown assailant murdered two lawyers, Bob Holmes and Diana Kennedy, late at night in the offices of Simpson and Gates. The murders took place while a multi-million dollar deal was being negotiated that could make or break the firm. The deaths were clumsily made to look like a murder/suicide. Unfortunately for Joel, there is a great deal of circumstantial evidence that points to him. Siegel has a large cast of characters, all of whom he depicts vividly and entertainingly. There are the sleazy, lying corporate lawyers, the bitter soon to be ex-wife of the deceased, the politically ambitious and smarmy DA and the savvy no-nonsense judge. Siegel explains the complicated legal maneuverings smoothly and clearly and the courtroom scenes are well done. There are a few weaknesses in this novel. At over five hundred pages, it is a bit too long. In addition, the ending is somewhat melodramatic and far-fetched. However, these flaws do not detract from the novel as a whole. "Special Circumstances" is a fascinating legal thriller with enough wit and smarts to make this a very impressive debut novel.
Rating:
Summary: An Entertaining Debut for Siegel, but...
Review: This book was fun to read. As an attorney, I would have liked crisper dialogue with some stunning revelations in the direct and cross-examinations. At times I felt that the courtroom scenes plodded without drama or comic relief. As a novelist, I would have appreciated greater depth to the characters. Mr. Siegel tells us that Mike Daley is an ex-priest, but none of that part of his main protagonist's background seems to be explored or brought to bear in this story. Just seems like some missed opportunities to me. The "Joel Friedman" character was the most substantially developed and elicited the most significant emotional responses from me as a reader. Overall, I enjoyed Mr. Siegel's obvious comfort with the written word. The book flows in a very casual manner and it is an easy read. The surprise ending was a nice touch and deftly managed. I will likely pick up Mr. Siegel's second book, INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE to follow his progress as a novelist. --- Robert John Estko, author of the suspense thriller, EVIL, BE GONE (available on Amazon.com)
Rating: 
Summary: Of Rainmakers, Politics, Tabloid Journalism and Truth
Review: Special Circumstances is the best first novel I have ever read in the legal thriller genre. The book has the balance, sophistication, plotting and character development of a fully mature and talented author. I look forward to reading all of Mr. Siegel's novels. The plot evolves around the quick shifts in the career of one Mike Daley, who became a lawyer after finding the priesthood didn't work for him. Having flourished as a public defender, he was attracted into Simpson & Gates, the most successful and profitable law firm on the West Coast, to head up their criminal defense practice. But, alas, he didn't bring in enough business and finds himself fired at 45. He sets up his shingle with his ex-wife (with whom he still has a physical relationship and lots of professional respect) in a room that smells of Chinese food from the near-by restaurant. But on his last night, the firm is trying to put together its biggest deal lately . . . with a fifteen million dollar contingency fee in the offing. The client is balking . . . because the sale price of his company just got a forty million dollar haircut. Fifty lawyers and assistants are working feverishly to complete the paperwork. All that is needed is to wire the funds the next morning. By then, though, the partner heading up the deal is dead . . . along with a beautiful associate. Who did it? Why? Will justice be served? Mike Daley becomes the center point for the whole matter when one of his former colleagues is arrested at the request of the new district attorney who is one of his former partners. If I stopped right here, you would get the wrong idea about this book. Although most of the novel is a very interesting story about defending a capital case of murder, that's not the book's main appeal. Mr. Siegel has written the best book I've ever read about what the people are like in large, successful law firms. And he's done it in a satirical way that will keep you fascinated. Let me explain a little about what I mean. Senior partners usually don't practice much law. Their job is to sell business. After they do this for awhile, their legal skills usually atrophy. Their incomes are enormous, and they often develop bad personal habits involving immature behavior. They also begin to annoy their clients, and at some point the whole house of cards can fall down. When this happens with major clients, the firm is in trouble too. In addition, it's a real pain to deal with the arrogance that goes on in such a firm. Associates, paralegals, assistants and family members just have to suck it up and bear with it. What they are thinking is a different matter, though. Mr. Siegel is brilliant at interposing dialogue and stream of consciousness thought to capture the surface reality and real opinions. He does this both in the law firm context and in the course of the trial. It's a terrific technique and he is a master at it. Like most satires, the people and actions are exaggerated. But within the exaggerations, I saw dozens of people I have met in the legal practice. The archetypes rang very true for me. One other device should come in for special praise. Each chapter begins with a brief quote from a public source, usually a reporter. That chapter then explores the reality. The contrast between the public view and the reality is enormous, funny and interesting to think about. Mr. Siegel's characters are compelling. You'll love or hate most of them. He will even make you have a reaction to some of the jury members. I find it very unusual to find myself identifying so much with the characters in a legal thriller. Nice job! After you finish this book, think about what's most important in your life. Does your profession or career allow you to be the best person you can be? If not, perhaps you should make a change, soon.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ!!!
Review: Mike Daley is an ex-priest. Ex-public defender. And as of yesterday, ex-partner at Simpson And Gates, a prominent San Francisco law firm. When the firm makes it's announcement for new partner, a wave of shock floods the halls, sparking resentment, and hatred from the lawyers expecting to hear their name. Amid the confusion, and outrage, two lawyers end up dead...supposedly a suicide. As the police begin their investigation, they find this was no suicide, but a homicide, and the prime suspect is Joel Friedman, a lawyer at the firm, and also, a good friend of Mike's. With nowhere else to turn, he asks his buddy Mike to defend him against these ridiculous charges. Mike agrees, only to find his friend is hiding some secrets, and the firm has secrets of their own...secrets worth killing for. As the heated legal battle begins, Mike sees his friend squirm as new evidence is discovered, but before long, the case take an unusual twist, plunging Mike and his partners into war with a powerful law firm, where greed, and grudges are as important as truth, and justice. 'Special Circumstances' is THE best legal thriller to come out in years. The pages turn super fast as each shocking new discovery throws a twist, into the already twisted plot. The characters are well developed, and real. The plot is interesting, and suspenseful. And, when the courtroom battle begins, the reader is sent on a hurtling race to discover the killer's identity. Sheldon Siegel has proven, with his first novel, what an electrifying legal thriller is. Wonderfully written, and briskly paced, 'Special Circumstances' proves to be a MUST read novel, and will undoubtedly have readers anxiously awaiting the next novel from this superb author. Nick Gonnella
Rating:
Summary: Grabbed Me But Didn't Hang On
Review: I was interested in this book from the first chapter, despite the many character descriptions that proved hard to keep straight. The story was well plotted and cleanly written, the people reasonably interesting, and the mystery plenty mysterious enough. But for some reason at about chapter twelve or so I started losing it. I had a good idea how it would all end and didn't feel like spending another three hours with this book getting there, so I flipped to the last chapter to test my theory. I was wrong on some counts, right on others. But I wasn't sad I'd missed the middle. I have a feeling legal thrillers just aren't my thing and I don't want to do the author an injustice by underrating Special Circumstances, since it is certainly well written, so I'm giving it four stars even if I couldn't finish it. But be warned -- if, like me, the legal doesn't grab you, Special Circumstances may not either.
Rating:
Summary: Colorful, humorous and entertaining legal thriller.
Review: Lawyer Sheldon Siegel's first novel, "Special Circumstances," is reminiscent of the best work of William Bernhardt. Both authors leaven their plot lines with ample doses of humor and sarcasm. They poke fun at the arrogant, the pompous and the greedy in the judicial and political communities. The protagonist is Mike Daley, ex-priest and ex-public defender. Mike has just been let go from Simpson and Gates, one of San Francisco's most prestigious and wealthiest law firms. Mike is starting his own practice with his ex-wife, Rosie, with whom he gets along fine as long as they are no longer married. Soon, Mike has a high-profile case on his hands. He is defending Joel Friedman, a lawyer and Mike's best friend, who is charged with double homicide. An unknown assailant murdered two lawyers, Bob Holmes and Diana Kennedy, late at night in the offices of Simpson and Gates. The murders took place while a multi-million dollar deal was being negotiated that could make or break the firm. The deaths were clumsily made to look like a murder/suicide. Unfortunately for Joel, there is a great deal of circumstantial evidence that points to him. Siegel has a large cast of characters, all of whom he depicts vividly and entertainingly. There are the sleazy, lying corporate lawyers, the bitter soon to be ex-wife of the deceased, the politically ambitious and smarmy DA and the savvy no-nonsense judge. Siegel explains the complicated legal maneuverings smoothly and clearly and the courtroom scenes are well done. There are a few weaknesses in this novel. At over five hundred pages, it is a bit too long. In addition, the ending is somewhat melodramatic and far-fetched. However, these flaws do not detract from the novel as a whole. "Special Circumstances" is a fascinating legal thriller with enough wit and smarts to make this a very impressive debut novel.
Rating:
Summary: Sigh!
Review: A wonderful work of art. It kept me reading where I couldn't put it down. The drama kept you on the edge of your seat. Its one of those books where you could honestly sigh at the end and hope there's another book like it.
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommendable for lawyers engaged in litigation !!!!!
Review: Having read many legal thrillers of different authors I can affirm that this one surpassed my expectations and this is a lot for a first debut, making Mr Siegel a promising author This book has many qualities in display: the vigorous story related to the human and financial problems that partners and employees experience in the corporate world, the intense courtroom dialogues and procedures in direct and cross examination by the prosecution and the defense, the wonderful character drawn, all of them finally lead to the unavoidable comparison with Grisham who looks like an apprentice But the best feature of all is the unique subtle ending, totally unpredictable, unexpected and delivered the way only great writers with a lot of experience can do No way to get dissapointed reading this book
Rating:
Summary: Impressive debut
Review: Mike Daley has been recently terminated by his law firm and is now moving towards private practice. On the last day at his job, two co-workers are found dead in their office in what appears to be a murder-suicide. The new district attorney is not convinced and decides to investigate. He arrests Joel Friedman, an associate at the law firm, who was last seen arguing the day before with one of the deceased. Daley decides to help his friend since he believes that there is more to this case than meets the eye and he is right. This is a good debut for a promising new author; the book has its twists and turns but nothing that I would consider to be predictable. The law firm is full of suspects and they have lots of secrets to hide. It is when the reader passes through each level in the case the author appreciates the novel more. There is a lot of character development and it is an intriguing case. The novel is slightly long but it was not a turn-off. This book is for fans of the courtroom drama, it goes to every aspect of the trial from opening statements all the way to the verdict. I found the ending to be good, a bit unexpected but entertaining. I am looking forward to read INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE in the future.
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