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Michael Seeley Mystery #2
A Patent Lie
Book by Paul Goldstein
9 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 2008
4 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Paul Goldstein
75 books18 followersPaul Goldstein is a writer, lawyer, and the Lillick Professor of Law at Stanford Law School. His novel "Havana Requiem" received the 2013 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction.
Series:
* Michael Seeley Mystery
Series:
* Michael Seeley Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 19, 2025
A great fan of legal thrillers, I turned to Paul Goldstein once more. He tells a gripping story that has both legal advancements and detailed backstories, while tossing in some great scientific discussions as well. Michael Seeley has suffered much in his life, but knows the power of self-protection. When his estranged brother calls to ask for assistance on a major patent case, Michael flies from Buffalo out to California, after a brief hesitation. He discovers the original lawyer apparently committed suicide, though nothing is entirely clear. Now, Michael is in court on a patent infringement case and is trying to stay ahead of the sharp-witted legal ensemble. Goldstein delivers another great thriller for the reader to enjoy.
After some less than ideal situations in his law firm, Michael Seeley is away from the fast-pace life as a New York City lawyer. He's decided to hang a shingle in Buffalo and try his hand there. When his estranged brother, Leonard, reaches out, Michael remembers the guilt he has and agrees to help with a patent infringement case. It will force Michael to leave Buffalo for sunnier climes in California, but also serve as counsel for a small biotech firm that is suing the massive Swiss pharmaceutical company, all surrounding an AIDS vaccine. The original lawyer apparently committed suicide by tossing himself in front of a train, something that Michael wants to explore a little more while he preps for the case. Everything is ready to go and so Michael will have to study up on all the materials before choosing a jury and making his opening statement.
Waiting for Michael is a powerful legal team hired by the Swiss company, ready to crush him and the biotech firm with their tactics. Add to that, a judge who has little time for nonsense or delays in her courtroom and the table is set for an intense legal clash. Michael will have to be at the top of his game while learning the nuances of vaccines and patent law. During the trial, Michael stumbles upon a few things that worry him, only to learn that Leonard might be aware of them as well, but chose not to disclose the truth. Putting Michael in an awkward position, he heads to see the judge with some significant insights and allegations, though the level of scandal could be too much for some to stomach. Now, Michael has a major uphill battle and may have inadvertently burnt a bridge he needs. Goldstein turns this story into something gripping as things progress. I cannot wait to see what he has in store next, as I reach for the series' next novel.
I love a legal thriller that gets me feeling as though I am in the middle of it all. Paul Goldstein has done that before and replicates it once more by pushing the limits of the law and keeping the story sharp. The narrative offers up a great piece of the law and some technical aspects of vaccine science, from which the reader can learn a great deal. Numerous questions emerge from both the testimony in court and what Michael Seeley discovers himself. Characters remain important to Goldstein's story, both building Michael's backstory and those who grace the pages during the trial itself. The reader can surely feel connected to all the moving parts and issue their own judgements on what they read. The plot moves well, though can sometimes be bogged down in technical jargon. However, I see the importance of it to understand all aspects of the story. While there were some slower moments, Goldstein shows his ability to handle a novel of this nature with ease.
Kudos, Mr. Goldstein, for more great Michael Seeley antics.
ove/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After some less than ideal situations in his law firm, Michael Seeley is away from the fast-pace life as a New York City lawyer. He's decided to hang a shingle in Buffalo and try his hand there. When his estranged brother, Leonard, reaches out, Michael remembers the guilt he has and agrees to help with a patent infringement case. It will force Michael to leave Buffalo for sunnier climes in California, but also serve as counsel for a small biotech firm that is suing the massive Swiss pharmaceutical company, all surrounding an AIDS vaccine. The original lawyer apparently committed suicide by tossing himself in front of a train, something that Michael wants to explore a little more while he preps for the case. Everything is ready to go and so Michael will have to study up on all the materials before choosing a jury and making his opening statement.
Waiting for Michael is a powerful legal team hired by the Swiss company, ready to crush him and the biotech firm with their tactics. Add to that, a judge who has little time for nonsense or delays in her courtroom and the table is set for an intense legal clash. Michael will have to be at the top of his game while learning the nuances of vaccines and patent law. During the trial, Michael stumbles upon a few things that worry him, only to learn that Leonard might be aware of them as well, but chose not to disclose the truth. Putting Michael in an awkward position, he heads to see the judge with some significant insights and allegations, though the level of scandal could be too much for some to stomach. Now, Michael has a major uphill battle and may have inadvertently burnt a bridge he needs. Goldstein turns this story into something gripping as things progress. I cannot wait to see what he has in store next, as I reach for the series' next novel.
I love a legal thriller that gets me feeling as though I am in the middle of it all. Paul Goldstein has done that before and replicates it once more by pushing the limits of the law and keeping the story sharp. The narrative offers up a great piece of the law and some technical aspects of vaccine science, from which the reader can learn a great deal. Numerous questions emerge from both the testimony in court and what Michael Seeley discovers himself. Characters remain important to Goldstein's story, both building Michael's backstory and those who grace the pages during the trial itself. The reader can surely feel connected to all the moving parts and issue their own judgements on what they read. The plot moves well, though can sometimes be bogged down in technical jargon. However, I see the importance of it to understand all aspects of the story. While there were some slower moments, Goldstein shows his ability to handle a novel of this nature with ease.
Kudos, Mr. Goldstein, for more great Michael Seeley antics.
ove/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
April 28, 2023
RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “THE NAIL THAT STICKS UP IS THE ONE THAT GETS HAMMERED!”
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I would first like to state for the record that I am “not” related to the author. Especially since the last family reunion, about forty years ago, when we got into a discussion, that quickly turned into a heated argument, that necessitated me launching a big roundhouse right hand punch, that connected solidly with his jaw… which enabled him to connect just as solidly with the ground. As all my uncles forcefully restrained me, the shriek that emanated from the floor… stated quite clearly… that I was no longer part of the family… and he would never speak to me again!
In the ensuing years, he graduated from Columbia Law School, while I graduated from The University Of Viet Nam class of ’69. But during the moments following that punch… that still to this day… echoes within my soul… whenever I dare to think of “what-might-have-been”… a hot, dry, summer breeze, barely wafting off the languid ocean… passing over the scorching beach sand… without cooling even a single grain… a gaggle of seagulls flew briskly overhead… toward the top of the endless blue sky… like criminals… who knew they were soon to be caught… and could already hear… the heavy jail cell door… slamming shut on their future…
And that’s why I had to buy my own copy of this book. Now to the review:
Michael Seeley was a lawyer in Buffalo who had clearly, already seen better days. He had been a partner in a prestigious New York City law firm, specializing in intellectual property law, but excessively heavy drinking had led him… or washed him… back to his childhood home in Buffalo. Gone was the beautiful skyscraper office, now Seeley’s biggest problem was getting what could be the “oldest radiator in western New York or in the Western world” in working order. Then his brother Leonard, who lives in San Francisco, whom he hadn’t seen in nine years, walks into his office and immediately tries to convince him to come to San Francisco and defend his company Vaxtek in a patent infringement case.
This unsolicited visit by Michael’s younger brother evokes a tidal wave of unsettling flashbacks to his unhappy youth. The reader is repeatedly made aware of their drunken abusive Father… of the big brother always protecting and looking out for the timid and conniving younger brother… a Mother so despised by Michael that all efforts for any reconciliation at all, are rebuffed out-of-hand. There is even an incident with their Father’s gun, that hints at their parents having a former life as Nazi’s. Michael’s last painful childhood memory, as well as his last act as a member of the family, was as a fifteen year-old-boy, hitting his Father… and aiming the gun at his Father… the final note in the song... was the “safety” on the gun… cancelling the crescendo.
Despite grave misgivings, Michael goes to San Francisco to defend Vaxtek, “who had filed a lawsuit against St. Gall, the giant Swiss drug producer, for infringing the patent on Vaxtek’s entry in the race for an AIDS vaccine.” Michael immediately finds out that the lawyer he is replacing was killed/murdered when he jumped/was pushed in front of a railroad train. From there, pieces just do not seem to fit. Who stole the lab work from whom? Why do people on the same legal team seem to have different motivations?
The suspenseful action in this book is more cerebral than physical, and the reader will be given an interesting layman’s overview of the fight against AIDS in the laboratory as well as in the business marketplace.
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I would first like to state for the record that I am “not” related to the author. Especially since the last family reunion, about forty years ago, when we got into a discussion, that quickly turned into a heated argument, that necessitated me launching a big roundhouse right hand punch, that connected solidly with his jaw… which enabled him to connect just as solidly with the ground. As all my uncles forcefully restrained me, the shriek that emanated from the floor… stated quite clearly… that I was no longer part of the family… and he would never speak to me again!
In the ensuing years, he graduated from Columbia Law School, while I graduated from The University Of Viet Nam class of ’69. But during the moments following that punch… that still to this day… echoes within my soul… whenever I dare to think of “what-might-have-been”… a hot, dry, summer breeze, barely wafting off the languid ocean… passing over the scorching beach sand… without cooling even a single grain… a gaggle of seagulls flew briskly overhead… toward the top of the endless blue sky… like criminals… who knew they were soon to be caught… and could already hear… the heavy jail cell door… slamming shut on their future…
And that’s why I had to buy my own copy of this book. Now to the review:
Michael Seeley was a lawyer in Buffalo who had clearly, already seen better days. He had been a partner in a prestigious New York City law firm, specializing in intellectual property law, but excessively heavy drinking had led him… or washed him… back to his childhood home in Buffalo. Gone was the beautiful skyscraper office, now Seeley’s biggest problem was getting what could be the “oldest radiator in western New York or in the Western world” in working order. Then his brother Leonard, who lives in San Francisco, whom he hadn’t seen in nine years, walks into his office and immediately tries to convince him to come to San Francisco and defend his company Vaxtek in a patent infringement case.
This unsolicited visit by Michael’s younger brother evokes a tidal wave of unsettling flashbacks to his unhappy youth. The reader is repeatedly made aware of their drunken abusive Father… of the big brother always protecting and looking out for the timid and conniving younger brother… a Mother so despised by Michael that all efforts for any reconciliation at all, are rebuffed out-of-hand. There is even an incident with their Father’s gun, that hints at their parents having a former life as Nazi’s. Michael’s last painful childhood memory, as well as his last act as a member of the family, was as a fifteen year-old-boy, hitting his Father… and aiming the gun at his Father… the final note in the song... was the “safety” on the gun… cancelling the crescendo.
Despite grave misgivings, Michael goes to San Francisco to defend Vaxtek, “who had filed a lawsuit against St. Gall, the giant Swiss drug producer, for infringing the patent on Vaxtek’s entry in the race for an AIDS vaccine.” Michael immediately finds out that the lawyer he is replacing was killed/murdered when he jumped/was pushed in front of a railroad train. From there, pieces just do not seem to fit. Who stole the lab work from whom? Why do people on the same legal team seem to have different motivations?
The suspenseful action in this book is more cerebral than physical, and the reader will be given an interesting layman’s overview of the fight against AIDS in the laboratory as well as in the business marketplace.
January 15, 2020
A well-written and exciting legal thriller about a patent lawsuit over an AIDS vaccine. The courtroom scenes were grippingly told and what the main character Michael Seeley discovers throughout the trial was also surprising.
I thought though that the character interactions between Seeley and his brother could have been further developed. The ending of the book makes it feel like this book was really about, or at least should have been about, Seeley and his brother.
As a law graduate myself, I particularly liked this book because of the author’s detailed recounting of the trial and exploration of legal strategy and legal concepts throughout. The examination of the witnesses was thrilling. Also liked how he created the character of the judge.
I have not read ‘Errors or Omissions’, the book that came before this, so perhaps there was something to the story that I missed. Could not say for sure but either way I enjoyed the book.
I thought though that the character interactions between Seeley and his brother could have been further developed. The ending of the book makes it feel like this book was really about, or at least should have been about, Seeley and his brother.
As a law graduate myself, I particularly liked this book because of the author’s detailed recounting of the trial and exploration of legal strategy and legal concepts throughout. The examination of the witnesses was thrilling. Also liked how he created the character of the judge.
I have not read ‘Errors or Omissions’, the book that came before this, so perhaps there was something to the story that I missed. Could not say for sure but either way I enjoyed the book.
October 20, 2025
I really liked this book. The courtroom drama revolved around obtaining an exclusive patent on an AIDS vaccine, a relevant storyline. Corporate greed was one of the underlying themes, but it wasn't so in your face that it dominated the entire story. This story reminded me of the style of The Lincoln Lawyer author, Michael Connelly, so if you enjoy his books, I would recommend giving this one a try.
November 15, 2019
Pretty entertaining, if tropy and archetypy characters.
January 4, 2022
Book #2 of the IP attorney Seeley. The twists in this legal thriller are original and the character development of Seeley is good. I am looking forward to reading book #3. One of the best details of the book is the casually placed legal details which provide depth and context in an edifying and entertaining way.
August 15, 2008
This book was very favorably reviewed on NPR's All Things Considered, and I generally trust, if not entirely agree, with its reviewers. But this book really under-performed against the high expectations I brought to it. The book is certainly a departure from the routine legal thriller, and Goldstein is to be admired for even trying to make something interesting out of a civil patent rights trial. But as much as he accomplishes in making *something* interesting out of the topic, it's just not quite good enough. The story is a bit convoluted. It depends a little too much on Goldstein's good, but not great, shorthand lessons in intellectual property law. And it depends on quite a few too many great leaps of logic or insight on the part of our hero, Michael Seeley. The book's ambitions are also sort of a mish mash. It's part family drama, part courtroom drama, part romance, part murder mystery. It's too much of too many things and not enough of any one of them to really make an impression. If I were advising other readers, I'd suggest you wait for it to play on cable, so to speak.
September 23, 2008
I enjoyed this second novel by Paul Goldstein about his patent-lawyer character Michael Seeley about as much as the first, "Errors and Omissions." Seeley is an intriguing character raised by an abusive father whom he finally confronts as a 15-year-old. I've finally realized that is a subject that fascinates me: The reaction of children to abuse and what happens when the child becames a young adult and adult. That's something I'll need to explore more, and not just from novels. Basically, a good read, a complex character who is great at his job but has personal demons and is trying to work through them. That's a a good mixture for me, but Goldstein keeps his novels thin, so while they're a nice distraction, they aren't as character-rich as they could be. Maybe a 3.5-star book from the way I enjoy reading him, but not close to great, so I gave it a 3.
May 14, 2014
The prose in this book is not great but the story is a solid three star story. I wanted the reversal to be more interesting but it stretches (or exceeds) the limits of credibility, speaking as one who is familiar with the business of litigating patents. That said, I understand what the author was trying to do as a writer and appreciated the effort. He brought in many common elements to make this an interesting story, including family drama, technology as it relates to the human condition, and a murder of the protagonist's predecessor, but I just don't think the pieces fit as well as they could have. Here's hoping the next patent litigation novel is a five star read.
May 3, 2014
I'm not a a regular reader of legal thrillers, but I heard the author speak and because my husband is a patent attorney, I decided to give this book a try. Well, it definitely sucked me in, so much so that less than half way through I couldn't resist peaking at the end to see how it turned out. Spoiler alert: it does have a satisfying ending. Some of the myriad plot twists didn't seem necessary, but I still enjoyed this novel and would recommend it highly. Great descriptions of San Francisco and the various characters are a bonus.
June 1, 2011
The language told too much -- which was perhaps inevitable. He wanted to explain details of patent trial to the reading public. But even character development was too explicitly crafted. The resulting feel of the book was plodding, choppy, creating characters whose motivations were transparently in service of some plot tangent or some character type around which plot development was based. The police officer and the women were particularly not credible.
September 16, 2008
Really good legal mystery that is very unlike police detective mysteries. It involves patent law and a cure for AIDS. There is also a mystery revolving around the personalities of the two brothers, one a doctor and the other a patent lawyer. I thought the trial's twists and turns were fascinating. I would definitely read another by this author.
December 25, 2010
Much as I love that someone tried to write a courtroom drama about patent law, this was kind of a mess. The characters' motivations were muddled, the plot was confusing (and I understand patent law) and managed to be both drawn out in some places and rushed in others. Everyone was a caricature, the final result was unsatisfying, and the prose was pedestrian. Oh well.
May 11, 2011
This book by Paul Goldstein really grabs you and gets you into the plot along with characters that are believable. It was an enjoyable read, one that kept me turning the pages and not wanting to put the book down. It is a legal thriller, and I really enjoyed it.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'
August 18, 2016
I really enjoyed this legal thriller very much. Paul Goldstein is an excellent writer and I found the twists and turns of the legal trial fascinating. His characters are well defined and interesting as is the setting. I see that this book has a 3.10 rating, but I think it definitely deserves higher. I am going to look for more of his books.
January 10, 2009
I enjoyed this, although found the characters all unlikeable. Maybe if I go back and read the first book I will care more about the hero's angst, instead of getting tired of his whining. Also, there was nothing about him to explain why women flung themselves at him!
July 31, 2008
This is an early John Grisham-esque book (John Grisham not being worth reading these days). I heard about it on NPR radio and thought it might be worth a read. It did keep my attention; finished it in a day or two. Courtroom dramas are always interesting.
September 19, 2008
I could not finish this book, it was interesting for awhile, and then half way thru I just gave up, the story line was interesting on the civil suit of a small pharmeceutical company going up against one of the big guys for stealing their AIDS vaccine formula. It was just too draggy for me.
September 30, 2008
Nicely done mystery about a patent lawyer, AIDS research, and brothers who just seem to hate each other. Twists in the plot kept it moving for me, and reading this made me want to go back and read the prequel, same protagonist. It's on my request list now...
January 18, 2009
A good, fast-paced courtroom drama in the same vein as Grisham or Connelly (but not quite AS GOOD). Explores intellectual property and patent law and ethics realted to pharmaceutical companies. I would have preferred a little more mystery and suspense--the book didn't quite pull it all off.
May 6, 2009
Just because Goldstein teaches law doesn't mean he can write a believable story about a BigLaw trial. He gets all the details wrong, which I usually forgive, but his prose was so generic that I was compulsively rolling my eyes. I think I got about a third of the way through the book.
Want to read
July 17, 2008Heard a glowing review of this on NPR, the reviewer said it was a lot better than John Grisham's books. We'll see...
February 5, 2009
Given my job how could I resist?? It is supposed to be fiction so I will let you know if "normal" people would be interested :)
February 2, 2009
Don't bother!
June 28, 2010
Very good book. Side of the courtroom I had not read about.
November 28, 2010
Great setting in the San Francisco Bay Area!
July 30, 2011
Fun, light novel featuring the bay area, patent law, some interesting characters, trial lawyers, and a reasonably smart premise for some surprise twists.
April 26, 2013
Interesting story line, but it kind of plodded along.
June 24, 2013
Quick read. Interesting plot. I found a few typos, but nothing major.
September 13, 2013
Above average legal thriller that dealt with the intricacies of patent law. Decent enough back story too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews