Solomon vs. Lord

The novel opens with opposing sides of counsel locked in jail cells across from each other, bickering back and forth in what sets the pace for how these two lead characters will react to each other throughout the rest of the book. It's a love/hate relationship, fueled by humor and action, even a few tender, heartwarming morsels thrown in for good measure. Solomon's relationship with his nephew is enough to make any woman go, "Awww.." I didn't want to put the book down. I read it straight through and then I groaned when it was over and I didn't have the next one right there at my fingertips. It's a quick, fun read for both male and female readers. I loved it!

I love a good courtroom novel, and Solomon vs. Lord is a great courtroom novel. With suspense, romance, humor, and a huge heart, this first entry in a new series is the story of two attorneys and their tempestuous relationship in the face of Miami's most media-saturated murder trial. It's a lot of fun -- imagine Moonlighting, but with lawyers. When Victoria Lord is fired from her state's attorney's office job, Steve Solomon, the counselor for the defense, takes her on as his partner. Immediately, the sparks fly (Victoria likes to go by the book, but Steve says "when the law doesn't work, work the law") and we just know -- despite the fact that they evidently can't stand each other, and that she is engaged to South Florida's avocado king -- that these two are going to end up together. But that's just the fun part -- the real story involves the death of local millionaire Charles Barksdale and the arrest of his wife Katrina for his murder. As a friend of the accused, Victoria takes on the case, with Steve, against her former employer, state's attorney "Sugar Ray" Pincher. Meanwhile, Steve has his own problems: social services is trying to take his mildly autistic nephew, Bobby, away from him. Steve rescued Bobby from Steve's drug-addicted sister, Janice, but Dr. Doris Krankovich believes Solomon to be an unfit parent. These, along with Steve's father issues and Victoria's indecision about who she truly belongs with, make for a dense, involving novel that still manages to be a quick read. Author Levine (a writer for JAG and the author of the Jake Lassiter series of crime novels) effortlessly combines humor and suspense, with several laugh-out-loud throwaway lines buried among the drama. The cracks come fast and furious, right along with the suspense. Bobby's ability with anagrams will delight word fans, but the real draws are the main characters, especially Solomon and Lord. Levine knows that it is just as much fun to watch people fall in love as it is to watch them win a case, and he gives us plenty of both, resulting in a book that is a true pleasure to read and is a fine addition to the ever-growing canon of novels with wacky South Floridian characters (see Elmore Leonard, Carl Hiaasen, and Dave Barry for more examples). I'm already looking forward to the sequel, The Deep Blue Alibi.

Paul Levine, author of the Jake Lassiter detective series, returns to writing novels after several years in the Hollywood wasteland working on such TV shows as "JAG" and "First Monday." The result is "Solomon vs. Lord," a hilarious, touching and entertaining twist on the legal thriller that makes Levine's return a welcome one. Miami attorneys Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord are as different as night and day. He's impulsive and free-spirited. She's regimented and always by-the-book. When the pair is forced together to help defend a millionaire heiress accused of killing her husband, they make an unstoppable pair. Steve is also locked in a desperate battle to win custody of his autistic nephew, as brilliant and funny a kid as you'll find in any novel. The scenes between the two of them are so moving yet humorous they'll have you laughing through the tears. Despite a predictable setup, Levine's book is remarkably fresh and original, with characters you can't help loving, and sparkling dialogue that echoes the Hepburn-Tracy screwball comedies. "Solomon vs. Lord" is the first in what we hope will be a long and successful series.

I have one gripe with "Solomon vs. Lord" -- at 544 pages, it's too short! I wanted more. Mr. Levine created two wonderful new literary heroes in Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord; they make Spencer and Hepburn look like Ozzie and Harriet. The legal wrangling, quirky courtroom personalities, plot twists, Florida ambience and compelling relationships (note the one between Solomon and his, shall we say, unusually gifted nephew) kept me turning pages late into the night. I got the feeling the author was taking me on a journey through territory that was as familiar to him as it was fascinating to me. I understand Mr. Levine is putting out an S vs. L sequel soon, or number of sequels. All I can say is, hurry up, please. Larry Moskowitz

Sounds like a contradiction in terms doesn't it? But it's not. Paul Levine has crafted a well written legal thriller with charming, witty and sometimes irascible characters. Solomon is a seasoned defense attorney, who lives by his own "rules." Lord is a new prosecutor still believing that justice will prevail and life is fair. When Solomon and Lord find themselves on opposites sides in court, their sparring lands them both in jail for contempt. When the trial continues, so does Solomon's antics. Lord takes the bait which costs her not only the trial but her job. As if heaven sent, she receives word (overheard by Solomon), that a rich friend's husband has just died during their kinky sex. Solomon immediately anticipates that this woman will be charged with murder. Reluctantly Lord join forces with Solomon to defend the wealthy widow. During the defense, we are treated to a cast of delightful secondary players including Solomon's ward, Bobby, his nephew, a savant, that he rescued from his drugged out mother and her sadistic friends. Bobby has a habit of taking names and rearranging their letters to interesting sexual anagrams. Bobby can also recite everything he hears. During the course of the murder trial, Solomon must deal with the return of his sister (Bobby's mother), and a child services agent intent on removing Bobby from Solomon's care. Solomon vs. Lord is fast paced, witty, and yes, charming. I can't wait for the next in the series. If you like mystery, humor, with a dash or romance, then this is the book for you!