Facts Are Stubborn Things

by Richard A. Danzig

Facts are Stubborn Things is the story of Chance Cormac, a litigator, boxer and lapsed Catholic who confronts some hard facts about the law and himself when he agrees to take a case he wants no part of and agrees to represent a client in a divorce action as a favor to another attorney. It is a story of corporate intrigue, international money laundering and corruption. Chance is forced to face a professional and personal crisis and learns that pride often goes before a fall.

Genres: Legal Thriller, Fiction

310 pages, Hardcover

Published August 25, 2023

About the author

Richard A. Danzig is an attorney, artist, entrepreneur and author. He practiced law in New York for over forty years and has represented many prominent clients. He is the founder in New York of the American Paralegal Institute, We The People, a legal document preparation company, and The Law Stores. Richard is a juried member of the Spanish Village Artist collective in San Diego, California and his artwork has been shown in galleries in the Northeast and California. Richard published his first novel “Facts Are Stubborn Things” in 2023 and his second novel “Punch Line” in 2024. His new book “The Collectors” will be published on October 1, 2025. You can find out more at Richard’s website: richardadanzigauthor.com and see his artwork at richardanzig.com

Reviews

[Chevaughn]

Well written change up

Facts are a Stubborn Thing was hard to put down. If it weren't for work, I probably would have finished it in 1 day.
Chance is a great, well written character and it's easy to fall into his world.
I've read many detective stories, but this was by far one of the best. A good amount of legal work was involved which made the story feel much more real and tangible. Showing that side of the story was a nice chance of pace.
And none of the tropes of misdirection that usually come with a mystery that I thought I'd miss until this book. Same for the ending. I do get a little bored of the happy endings, but this was purely neutral and I kind of liked that. It was a nice change to see a more natural and realistic ending.
Great read for anyone wanting a thriller with a little change.

[Jill LitNavigator]

The ending felt a bit rushed. The book does a great job presenting compelling ideas, but the conclusion could have been stronger by offering a more definitive resolution or tying back to earlier themes in a more impactful way.

[Nora Wolfenbarger]

This story got off to a slow start but I stuck with it and glad I did. The ending was great.

[Manik and Sayee |favbookshelf]

"Facts Are Stubborn Things" centers around Chance Cormac, a former Catholic who works as a lawyer and boxer. Despite his initial reluctance, he agrees to handle a divorce case for the sake of friendship; however, this seemingly simple case gradually becomes entangled in intricate layers of corporate scheming, international money laundering, and corruption. As Chance navigates these dangerous waters, he is forced to confront hard truths.

This book is a gripping legal drama that will have readers hooked until the very end. The story skillfully weaves together courtroom suspense and intense intrigue. It follows Chance Cormac, a complex character whose lawyer life takes an unexpected turn as he ventures back into matrimonial law - something he vowed never to do again. Through his vivid writing style, Danzig draws readers in through richly detailed descriptions of the complicated world of law for a truly immersive experience.

The narrative excels in its pacing, with tension building steadily as the plot unfolds. The addition of an Eastern European fixer and connections to Russian intelligence introduces a thrilling dose of international intrigue that keeps readers guessing at every twist and turn. Danzig's precision in legal detail provides authenticity, which makes litigation accessible yet engaging.

Chance is a well-rounded protagonist with flaws and virtues that make him relatable and engaging. His relationships with his paralegal and his IT expert and investigator are particularly well-drawn, showcasing a deep bond of trust and friendship. These supporting characters are not mere sidekicks; they play crucial roles in the unfolding drama, adding depth to the narrative. The ethical dilemmas faced by Chance, along with the moral gray areas he navigates, add layers of complexity to the narrative, making it more than just a straightforward thriller.

The book excels at keeping readers on edge as Danzig masterfully weaves a plot full of carefully timed surprises. The suspense remains consistently high thanks to the author's skillful pacing and attention to detail.

"Facts Are Stubborn Things" is a must-read for enthusiasts of legal fiction, given its compelling plotline, intricately crafted characters, and gripping tension. Regardless of whether you have experience in the field or an affinity for thrillers, this book will absolutely hold your interest till the very end.

[Tima]

"Facts are Stubborn Things" by Richard A. Danzig is a gripping legal thriller that is really enjoyable. It goes into the complex personal and professional challenges faced by Chance Cormac, a successful litigator whose license to practice law is suspended. The story begins with Cormac reflecting on the events that led to his suspension, acknowledging that he "deserved to be suspended". Cormac is now forced to confront the loss of his profession, his life, and his future, as he tries to understand how he lost control.

Kudos to Danzig for skillfully weaving together Cormac's personal and professional lives, painting a vivid picture of his close-knit office, his loyal investigator and IT expert Damian Pressler, and his trusted paralegal Sally McConnell.

Hid attention to detail and character development draws the reader into Cormac's world, making the stakes of his predicament all the more palpable.
The narrative takes an unexpected turn when Cormac is asked to take on a divorce case as a favor to a friend, despite his previous promise to Sally to never handle another divorce. This decision sets off a chain of events that tests Cormac's principles, his relationships, and ultimately, his very survival.

Danzig's writing is both compelling and interesting, as he explores the ethical dilemmas and emotional turmoil that can arise in the legal profession. You don't often find an intriguing story in subject of litigation. His deep understanding of the law and the challenges faced by lawyers is evident throughout the story.

Overall, "Facts are Stubborn Things" is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers and anyone interested in the complexities of the legal system and the personal lives of those who navigate it. Danzig's skillful storytelling and complex character development make this a thoroughly engaging and satisfying read.

[Octavia]

I was not expecting to enjoy reading Facts Are Stubborn Things by Richard A. Danzig as much as I did, but I did. The way the story begins is an interesting start, which I don't see that much of in this day and age. Chance Cormac is one of my favorite main characters so far. As a trial lawyer, he wants to do more good than harm, especially when dealing with the broken justice system. I enjoyed getting to know more about Chance and those with whom he is close. The way Richard A. Danzig has a way of telling a story that keeps readers engaged is a sight to behold. Even though the ending is now to my liking, I still enjoyed how the ending was neither good nor bad, but realistic and neutral. It was an ending that made you reflect on things and change your perspective. I recommend this novel to those who love contemporary and legal thrillers. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

[Purnima Khanna]

Richard A. Danzig's legal thriller "Facts are Stubborn Things" It centers on the difficulties Chance Cormac, a prosperous litigator, has had in his career.I won't reveal the plot, but I must commend the author for eloquently capturing the pressures, influences, deceptions, and moral dilemmas inherent in the legal field.The storyline is simultaneously strong, captivating, engrossing, and exciting. The experience is exhilarating and compels the reader to turn the pages.The characters are well-developed and powerful, and the story has an equal effect.Fans of legal thrillers and detective fiction should definitely check this out.

[Ed Malaker]

Facts Are Stubborn Things is a great story that hooks you in right off the bat and keeps you reading until the end. I loved all of the detective talk, and the dialogue is really well written. The story is also great, and I found myself thinking about it after putting the book down for the day as I was reading it, which doesn’t happen too often and would cause me to hurry back to it. I was actually bummed when it ended.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a great detective story that takes a few days to read.

[Brenda Breeding]

Riveting book

I couldn't put the book down! The characters reacted differently than I thought they should! I wanted a sweet and happy story but instead got a real story! Will Chance ever get his family back? Will the Russians get to eliminate Roy, he deserves a slow and painful death. Our world is being corrupted and more and more evil and I will still read your novels. Thank you RD

[Alex]

I found this to be a really clever and witty novel. I really enjoyed Danzig’s writing style and tone of voice throughout. If you like legal dramas, fiction, thrillers, and suspense, then this book could be for you! Find my full review here: https://likelystory.blog/2024/02/03/r...

[Shara]

I really wish I remembered how I stumbled upon this book but for the life of me...I cannot. Its a fun, easy read. The characters are well developed and the plot is surprisingly complex. More than 1 story line is a great dimension to the book. I wouldn't call it a thriller but its a great read.
I'm interested in what this author might be up to for a continuation of the characters.

[Steven Stone]

Very good story.

It was very well put together but a bit too much was placed on collateral activities of the parties. If it was condensed down about 50 pages 5star.

[Amy]

Annoying pointless bunch of cliches with tons of typos. Amateur hour. 2 stars because some of the characters weren’t awful.

[Mcorry]

well thought out

I enjoyed this book and was surprised by many of the twists and turns. I’ll read any and all books by Mr. Danzig.

[Katie]

I am two hours into this one. Nothing has happened regarding the mystery, case, etc. I am listening and it is AI reading the book. I’m not going to give it any more time.

[Donna Costello]

I enjoyed this book so much. Usually I can tell where a book is going but this one kept me in suspense. I read it in only a couple of days and I just found it really compelling. The pacing was spot on and I found myself really invested in Chance and his journey. He was such complex and well rounded character with a very distinctive voice.

If you are looking for your next thriller then this is the book for you!

[Millie]

What a great read!

I've been following this series for a while and this is definitely the best yet. One of those I just couldn't put down.

[Paige Turner]

Cormoran Strike by Robert Galbraith rewritten for a US audience?
They’ve even made that series for tv.