Meet Mike Daley. Ex-priest. Ex–public defender. Ex-husband. 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 a brutal double murder, and Daley is instantly catapulted into a high-profile investigation involving the prestigious law firm that just booted him. So begins SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, the first novel in Sheldon Siegel's critically acclaimed legal thriller series featuring Mike Daley and his law partner/ex-wife Rosie Fernandez. This New York Times Bestselling novel is included along with the next three books in the Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez series: INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE, CRIMINAL INTENT and FINAL VERDICT.
Start at the beginning with SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES and read all of the Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez stories in order. You'll see why Sheldon Siegel's novels have sold millions of copies worldwide, and Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez have been called two of the most beloved characters in contemporary crime fiction.
Sheldon Siegel is a New York Times Bestselling novelist and author best known for his works of modern legal courtroom drama.
Siegel was born on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. He attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, and later went on to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as an Accounting major. He graduated with a Juris Doctor from Boalt Hall at the University of California, Berkeley in 1983. He has been in private practice in San Francisco, California for over twenty years and specializes in corporate and securities law with the law firm Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP.
I love this series. I was pretty sure as I read the first 2 books that I'd read them already, at some point in the past - but that didn't stop me from reading again. I already knew I'd read the third book. The problem with reading straight through 4 books is I realize how much the author repeats the same things in each book. That said, I think Nick the Dick is one of the most colorful fictional characters I've seen in a long time, and I'm delighted every time he shows up. If the author ever lets Nick die, I'm going to be devastated.
An enjoyable legal thriller. It's one of those where you just need to enjoy the ride. A whodunnit with a a lot of nice twists. Not really believable and characters that are way OTT but still it keeps your interest and you really do want to find out whodunnit.
You can really see the political correctness coming in to these thrillers where I guess the authors are a little too scared to offend sometimes.
The main character Mike Daley is finding the case tough so it is raining heavily. Things are now looking good so the sun is shining. I know that a lot of movies follow this format but this was pretty blatant. Maybe a touch more subtlety required. Minor quibble.
Incriminating Evidence
So this is basically a re-hash of Special Circumstances with a few change of characters. Once again it is very readable but I could not imagine that the DA that is in court for murder would have hired Mike Daley and with his personality he would have been telling him what to do rather than just asking him questions as he is also a lawyer.
Like Special Circumstances I was even less convinced with the killer in this one.
These are not boring in the slightest and whip along at quite a pace.
Criminal Intent
Like an Agatha Christie novel. A famous movie director is murdered and everyone in the room appears to have a motive for killing. Mike Daley as Poirot attempts to solve the case to get his client, who has been arrested, off the hook.
A story that fairly whips along like the previous two.
Final Verdict
Leon Walker was accused of killing a convenience store clerk 10 years ago in a botched armed robbery. No Leon has been charged with first degree murder again. This time it is a venture capitalist called Tower Grayson. Mike and Rosie to the rescue...
I can't remember enjoying a legal thriller this much. Mike and Rosie are immensely likable and competent as defense attorneys. They win, of course, against all odds. You know they will, but it's not even about how they get there that kept me turning pages. Mike investigates, interviews, talks to judges and other lawyers, and interrogates witnesses on the stand. Through it all you get his almost continuous mental asides regarding the statements or actions of others. Can't say hilarious, that's overused anyway. It's the way the author reveals Mike's insights and attitudes, kind of like the color commentary on a sports broadcast. Its really funny also. It reveals Mike's. Inner sarcasm that must remain inside since every word he says must be measured, especially at trial. I read all four volumes straight through. Now I have to go back to Amazon and find out if this is all or do we get more.
Good book for detectives. Excellent for San Francisco. Not a tour guide, but someone has been here. The Golden Gate Bridge is well-described with the north and south side parking lots. They stopped counting and reporting the suicides by jumping off the bridge when it was getting close to 1000 back in the 1980's.
References to the district sttorney, mayor, and on-air television and radio announcers are fictional. And the senators and representatives are also fictional. Herb Caen is real, retired, and dead. What they do not tell you is that jury service is two weeks unless you get on a longer trial. I have never been in jail, so no comment on that.
I haven't spent 1400 pages with any characters since Jamie and Claire Fraser. I loved the time getting to know Mike and Rosie. Mike is a complex character with an awesome sense of humor. It seems like he's also a pretty decent lawyer. The author drips out the evidence in the stories in a methodical way that sometimes makes you want to scream, but it is incredibly effective. I would have happily given this collection 5 stars if there hadn't been so many grammatical errors, particularly in book 3. Fix those and you have perfection.
i just feel i have read this before ...trying to look back into my Amazon history .... i will keep looking? i have read so many books ... reviews etc. but i started reading this book again ...and it felt so familiar ...do u ever do that??! enjoy the four reads, i appreciate a box set. i am recalling getting one in my newsletter from Sheldon Siegel? it was many months ago... do you dream about books after they are over? i will read more from Sheldon. soon. and very soon.
When I find a new author that I really like, I like to read several of his books in a row. This three story set was just perfect! I liked how the stories flowed,the characters were interesting,the storylines captivating. I was late to work a few times because I stayed awake too late reading and was reading instead of exercising in the a.m. Nice,clean read without excessive swearing and drama. Cudos, Mr. Siegel!
Higher Law Novels 1 -4, This box set knocks it out of the park.(AT&T) Mike Daley is quite a character. As a lawyer he is extremely talented, but his insight and comments makes one laugh. His relationship with Rosie is a nice diversion from the standard divorced couples. Loved the P.I. "Nick the Dick Hanson". He adds so much laughter. Recommend this box set to all. Thank you Sheldon!
These books absolutley rival John Grisham's works. They have such creative writing - succinct word choices, unexpected turns in the direction of a sentence, the protagonist's private thoughts contrasting with the scene around him - in addition to engaging and complex story lines. If you like legal investigations and court room maneuvering without the violence of the initial crime, you'll really enjoy this series.
I love this series, very well done and put together and the books flow within each other and between each other as well. Fully understand that people might pick up a book out of order but the constant explanation of the backstories of recurring characters. Otherwise really well done and the stories are becoming harder to solve.
A very enjoyable legal thriller. A whodunit with a lot of twist and turns.The characters keeps your interest and you really want to find out whodunit.I love this series it is well done the books flow within each other.Hope volumes 2 and 3 be just as intriguing. Looking forward to reading more of your book s.
Enjoyed Mike Daley immensely. First repeat character, since Baldacci's Memory Man. Pleasurable and dIfferent writing approach with the 1st person narrative. A great pandemic and summer read. Only problem I had was looking for a physical description of Mike and Rosie and haven't found one. I had to imagine Rosalyn Sanchez and Paul Newman as the characters.
I love Mike and Rosie. The characters make me want to have them as friends. Very innovative. I my be a softie for the under dog regardless of the circumstances (some exceptions) but I have to admit that the last couple of chapters of Final Verdict had me in tears. Can't wait to buy the next set😊
I have to give it to Sheldon Swivel I usually have the plot figured out by the halfway mark but I just am unable?e to do it with his books. Perhaps it is because there are so many characters. Perhaps He is better than I am at legal book plots. Enjoyed the first four immensely. Will read more.
Lawyer with a heart and a sense of humour. Enjoyable read with lots of twists. A lawyer who seeks true justice and does what is necessary to find out the truth. He is well supported by family members with different skills but the same aim. You will enjoy the storytelling, the hunt for the truth mixed with some light humour.
I like the suspense I feel while reading that the client is going to jail and then at the last minute something occurs to get the client off even if they are guilty .
The actual court scenes are sometime drawn out too much to the point of boredom,but are probably interesting to a lawyer.
I've read the set and enjoyed them. I love legal drama and especially like Mike Daley the main character. The series is built around Mike and his ex wife teaming up as defense attorneys of their own law firm. The thing is, after you've read so many of this genre they began to sound like the same story with different players. I do enjoy this authors books and think that he's a good writer.
I am in love with mike and Rosie and have already ordered the next set, 5-8. Mike and Rosie are a perfect pair both in the court room and life. Mr. Siegel has a way with words (I know he is an author and an attorney but his wit and downright hilarious nature is the best). Working for the underdog is Fresh and appealing and I am looking forward to continue with my new favorite author. Thank you!
I liked the ongoing suspense and surprises during investigations and unexpected circumstances developed throughout the book keeping one wanting to read to the end. The characters are most charismatic. I chose this rating in considering the author a magnificent writer. I recommend his books to all my family and friends.
Very interesting stories and lifelike portrayals of characters
The stories hold your interest throughout. The characters are realistic and seem to be exactly what they symbolize; not all good or all bad. They are just people with all the normal faults and frailties of real people. Looking forward to the next series.
Love all the characters. They jump,out of the book. I have read all the books in this series and am always looking forward to the next book in this series. Love the sense of humor and Mike’s silent thoughts. Love the morals and values expressed. Love the family dynamics. Enjoyed the plot immensely. Love the reality of it all.
The protagonists are likable, and the plots are complex. Add to that the humorous asides the narrator makes and you have great stories. The courtroom sections are terrific. I found myself staying up too late reading them as they are real page turners. I look forward to reading the next books in the series.
All four novels (cast in San Francisco) were very interesting and the writing style was good. After reading the first novel itself, the reader gets to identify with the various characters portrayed, especially Mike, Rosita, Roosevelt and Pete. Looking forward to reading the next set.
These novels remind me of The Lincoln Lawyer books. Lots of twists and probably 95% dialogue. The author creatively intertwines Mike Daley’s dialogue and witty thoughts to entertain his readers. I’m not a lawyer, so I’m not sure that the courtroom drama is realistic, but I did enjoy the books. And being part of Kindle Unlimited helps.
I have read the first 2 books of the Box Set. They have been excellent reading, with great characters, and very descriptive court scenes. If you are a fan of criminal court stories, I can guarantee at this stage,the first to books, you will not be disappointed.
I especially like the banter between Rosie and Mike. They flirt and fight and manage to throw in some lowly verbs GE and legal maneuvers. They make you feel it is possible to get justice in a court room.
I just started the second book and I’m already into it. Great series so far. I love stories where I can think right along with the protagonists, and this series fills the bill. I have to go now — and get back to Special Circumstances.
Enjoyed each and every one of your books. The storylines were interesting and challenging. The characters were fascinating, especially Nick Hanson. The bickering and loving between Mike and Rosie was amusing. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Love these kind of fast paced mysteries. Great characters who bring you into their personal lives so you really empathize with them. Who wouldn't love Rosie & Mike? Sometimes it gets a bit formulaic, but the dialogue is interesting (love Mike's inside voice saying what he'd really like to say).
Mike and Rosie are a pair of dogooders that happen to be lawyers. We don't think to highly of attorney s , but they sure break the mold. I found myself liking them and their clients. I think you will enjoy this series.