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: 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.
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