Rating: 
Summary: Rosie and Michael are becoming old friends.
Review: This is the fourth book in series from author Sheldon Siegel about whimsical "couple" Rosie Fernandez and Mike Daley. The plot is tight, involves the Siegel signature homicide, and characters from Mike and Rosie's past. The courtroom scenes are well-paced and the plot ticks off like clockwork. Small surprises crop up throughout the book, and Siegel's mechanism of writing in the Mike Daley first person is, as usual, the joy of the novel.Daley and Siegel share the same dry sense of humor and comic timing. The newspaper quote at the front of each chapter probably underline the type of humor that is evident from the first page. At the end of each chapter there's a mini "cliff-hanger" that makes the chapter transitions enjoyable, and probably is the reason why you can't put a Siegel book down.
Some of the quotes come from Siegel's larger than life characters, Nick Hanson and Kaela Joy Gullion...here's one: "A PI must be exceedingly patient and have unlimited capacity for staying awake. It's also helpful if you learn not to use the bathroom for extended periods."...Kaela Joy Gullion, profile in the San Francisco Chronicle. With tongue in cheek, Siegel brings another novel to a smashing conclusion, and succeeds in keeping the reader interested in one of the oddest romances (Mike & Rosie) on the page. You'll enjoy it!
Rating:
Summary: Rosie and Michael are becoming old friends.
Review: This is the fourth book in series from author Sheldon Siegel about whimsical "couple" Rosie Fernandez and Mike Daley. The plot is tight, involves the Siegel signature homicide, and characters from Mike and Rosie's past. The courtroom scenes are well-paced and the plot ticks off like clockwork. Small surprises crop up throughout the book, and Siegel's mechanism of writing in the Mike Daley first person is, as usual, the joy of the novel. Daley and Siegel share the same dry sense of humor and comic timing. The newspaper quote at the front of each chapter probably underline the type of humor that is evident from the first page. At the end of each chapter there's a mini "cliff-hanger" that makes the chapter transitions enjoyable, and probably is the reason why you can't put a Siegel book down.
Some of the quotes come from Siegel's larger than life characters, Nick Hanson and Kaela Joy Gullion...here's one: "A PI must be exceedingly patient and have unlimited capacity for staying awake. It's also helpful if you learn not to use the bathroom for extended periods."...Kaela Joy Gullion, profile in the San Francisco Chronicle. With tongue in cheek, Siegel brings another novel to a smashing conclusion, and succeeds in keeping the reader interested in one of the oddest romances (Mike & Rosie) on the page. You'll enjoy it!
Rating:
Summary: Rosie and Michael are becoming old friends.
Review: This is the fourth book in series from author Sheldon Siegel about whimsical "couple" Rosie Fernandez and Mike Daley. The plot is tight, involves the Siegel signature homicide, and characters from Mike and Rosie's past. The courtroom scenes are well-paced and the plot ticks off like clockwork. Small surprises crop up throughout the book, and Siegel's mechanism of writing in the Mike Daley first person is, as usual, the joy of the novel. Daley and Siegel share the same dry sense of humor and comic timing. The newspaper quote at the front of each chapter probably underline the type of humor that is evident from the first page. At the end of each chapter there's a mini "cliff-hanger" that makes the chapter transitions enjoyable, and probably is the reason why you can't put a Siegel book down.
Some of the quotes come from Siegel's larger than life characters, Nick Hanson and Kaela Joy Gullion...here's one: "A PI must be exceedingly patient and have unlimited capacity for staying awake. It's also helpful if you learn not to use the bathroom for extended periods."...Kaela Joy Gullion, profile in the San Francisco Chronicle. With tongue in cheek, Siegel brings another novel to a smashing conclusion, and succeeds in keeping the reader interested in one of the oddest romances (Mike & Rosie) on the page. You'll enjoy it!
Rating:
Summary: The Final Verdict? Terrific!
Review: This newest installment in the Mike Daley & Rosie Fernandez series is terrific and has to have one of the best opening chapters ("Assault with a Deadly Chicken") of any legal thriller in recent memory. A first chapter sets the mood of the book to come, giving the reader the impetus to keep reading, and this book will not disappoint. It clips along briskly with Siegel's good natured humor shining through the murder and mayhem, making this a most compelling and enjoyable read. Former client Leon Walker got Mike & Rosie's legal firm more press than they ever dreamed of when they got him off a felony murder charge on a technicality - but it also broke up their marriage. Ten years later he's been accused of murder and begs Mike to take the case. He's dying and will never make trial, but wants his name cleared. Rosie is none too happy with the situation, and the cops & District Attorney all have long memories about former defendants who they feel have gotten away with murder. All the evidence points towards Walker, bringing those wonderful "Perry Mason moments" to the courtroom. San Franciscans will love the local color and politics too. Don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: The Final Verdict? Terrific!
Review: This newest installment in the Mike Daley & Rosie Fernandez series is terrific and has to have one of the best opening chapters ("Assault with a Deadly Chicken") of any legal thriller in recent memory. A first chapter sets the mood of the book to come, giving the reader the impetus to keep reading, and this book will not disappoint. It clips along briskly with Siegel's good natured humor shining through the murder and mayhem, making this a most compelling and enjoyable read. Former client Leon Walker got Mike & Rosie's legal firm more press than they ever dreamed of when they got him off a felony murder charge on a technicality - but it also broke up their marriage. Ten years later he's been accused of murder and begs Mike to take the case. He's dying and will never make trial, but wants his name cleared. Rosie is none too happy with the situation, and the cops & District Attorney all have long memories about former defendants who they feel have gotten away with murder. All the evidence points towards Walker, bringing those wonderful "Perry Mason moments" to the courtroom. San Franciscans will love the local color and politics too. Don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: carefully constructed and nuanced
Review: Thumbs up on this book! What I really like are the details of the story. For someone who appreciates (as I do) a carefully constructed and nuanced story, this is it. I got the distinct feeling throughout that this was the way an actual independent defense lawyer would proceed with whatever trade came his way from the tenderloin. There was a reality here that I don't remember finding in other legal investigation-type mysteries. Also, I know the dicey area in San Francisco where the crime takes place and the story deals with it accurately. (I actually know a woman who stopped in a corner store in the area for some snacks and got hassled because she was alone.)
Having read about Sheldon Siegel's Mike and Rosie combo before, I was interested in what they would be up to in this fourth in the series. Here they seem to understand and forgive each other more often and the two come into clear focus as they interface. There's always a surprising new development in the M&R relationship, and the one that comes up in this book is quite a departure and a pleasing surprise. Read it. It all sounds real, makes sense, and delivers a very good read.
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