|
I usually don't like funny mystery novels. There are exceptions, though: Linwood Barclay's work maintains a permanent position on my bookcase, as does the earlier work of Carl Hiaasen and a couple of others. But, for the most part, I'm a doom and gloom guy. So for those who really know me, my announcement that SOLOMON VS. LORD is one of my favorite novels of 2005 would be considered completely out of character. How can this be? Easily! It is well-written and well-plotted, the characters are wonderful, and it is screamingly, resoundingly funny.
Paul Levine is an immensely talented individual, a true "King of All Media." He wrote the equivalent of a season of scripts for the television series "JAG" to much critical and popular acclaim, co-created and co-produced the program "First Monday," and is the author of the Jake Lassiter novels. He is also an attorney who, in another lifetime, specialized in complex litigation matters. It's Levine's background as a litigator that undoubtedly contributes to his finely honed abilities to write dialogue and render the difficult understandable. All of these talents coalesce to make SOLOMON VS. LORD a fabulous read.
Steve Solomon is, by surface appearance, a sleazy defense attorney who will do anything to win, and his methods have less than endeared him to the district attorney and the bar association. Interestingly enough, though, he is also a kind, considerate caregiver for his nephew, Bobby, a child with special needs whose relationship with his Uncle Steve is symbiotic in some unusual but wonderful ways.
Victoria Lord is a glamorous, by-the-book assistant DA with whom Solomon almost instantly falls in love, even as their courtroom jousts ultimately result in the comely Ms. Lord losing her job. It isn't long before Solomon and Lord find themselves uneasily partnering up to represent a Miami socialite whose husband died during a sexual tryst. The newly wealthy widow says it was an accident; the DA's office says it was murder. Solomon's mindset is split along two tracks: getting his client acquitted, and winning Lord's heart. That the evidence is stacked against his client, and that Lord is engaged to the perfect suitor, just makes things all the more interesting. In addition, Solomon is involved in the battle of his life to retain custody of Bobby.
Levine keeps everything straight, on-track, and entertaining. The repartee between Solomon and Lord is some of the greatest dialogue I have read in years, and is reminiscent of the very best of what we heard from Dave and Maddie in the early episodes of "Moonlighting" while having the benefit of being even better. Oh, and how could I forget?! Interspersed throughout the novel are Solomon's Laws, immutable truths to live by. Or not. But they're fun.
Simply put, SOLOMON VS. LORD is one of my favorite novels of 2005. And the great news is that the second volume in the series, THE DEEP BLUE ALIBI, will be published in February 2006, which is a lot nicer than waiting a whole year for another book.
--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
 Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.com.
Click here to get the audiobook from Audible.com.
© Copyright 1996-2008, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.
Back to top.
|
