Final Verdict

First Sentence: Judge Elizabeth McDaniel is glaring at me over the top of her reading glasses. Attorneys Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez defended Leon Walker in the past. Although they won their case, it harmed their reputation and their marriage. Now Leon is accused of murdering a Silicon Valley venture capitalist. Leon wants Mike to defend him to clear his name. Leon is dying and doesn't want his daughter to life with the stigma of a murderer as a father. Reluctantly, Mike takes the case. As Mike investigates on his client's behalf, he finds there may have been others who wanted the victim silenced. Siegel uses his experience as a private practice attorney to write a super series of legal thrillers and this is another great entry into that series. I always learn a lot about process and the legal system but without it ever being preachy or taking me out of the system. There are great, well-developed characters and excellent dialogue, both verbal and internal, and humor. Being that I live in San Francisco (okay, Oakland really), I love following him around the streets and neighborhoods. I enjoyed the way case and story evolved without letting me see where it was going. If you're looking for a fast-paced, page-turning read, I highly recommend it.

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!

Mike and Rosie are back in top form, defending a dying man against seemingly insurmountable odds. We get some back story on Mike and Rosie's relationship as well-this is the same man who's case, 10 years before, ruined their marriage. This case is personal as well as professional, bringing to the story a depth and introspection somewhat lacking in Siegel's previous wonderful titlesThe dialogue is as good as ever, with Rosie's voice of reason and Mike's good-natured cynicism bringing everyone and everything they encounter to life. If you've read their other books, you'll recognize some names-the mediagenic DA Nicole, her grumpy sidekick McNasty, veteran investigators Roosevelt and Banks, and the inimitable Nick "The Dick" Hanson, who well deserves his time in the spotlight. Throw in dirty business dealings, an adult movie theater, power hungry financiers, and some new faces, most notably a female PI that can hold her own against anyone, and you have a can't-put-it-down story. San Francisco, particularly its seamier side, is a character in itself.Don't pass up Siegel's latest offering....indeed, it is amazing.

The most consistently profitable section of the Internet has been porn. The convergence of sex and high finance serves as the background for Mike and Rosie's latest case, defending a former client Leon of the murder of an investment banker in the wrong part of town.The justice system operates swiftly to charge, apparently in the hopes of avoiding an actual trial since Leon is dying. Mike takes on the case and it takes them on too. They are challenged by the press, the police, and circumstance to prove their client's innocence. This is a Herculean task, and one for which they will not be paid.As entertainment, Final Justice delivers. As reality, it has only a few moments where suspension of belief is required. Siegel delivers another excellent read!