The Deep Blue Alibi

The Deep Blue Alibi is the sequel to Solomon vs. Lord. In the first book readers met Victoria Lord, an uptight by the book kind of lawyer, who through a series of hilarious twists and bizarre turns finds herself partnered with Steve Solomon, another lawyer who plays by his own rules, to defend a murder case. As the team have almost no evidence, they have to be rather creative in their defence. In this book, Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord are preparing for another very difficult murder case. In this case, there seems to be more potential murder suspects and too many leaps of faith for the team's comfort. Worse yet, one of these potential suspects is one of Victoria's old flames. I absolutely loved Solomon vs. Lord. The book was interwoven with various sub-stories and subplots; the characters were clever with amazing chemistry; and the ridiculous events surrounding the actual murder trial were hilarious because they were so realistic. I didn't really expect that the sequel could stand up to my high expectations after the first book yet I actually think I enjoyed The Deep Blue Alibi more that the original book. I think that in already knowing the characters, the depth of their sarcasm, wit, and ability to always get them into strange situations added even greater depth and enjoyment to the story. It's also kind of nice to see that happily ever after never quite looks like what you expected.

Almost, but not quite as good as the first book. But it would be hard to compete with the first one because everything is new and exciting and we are getting to know the characters, etc. But this 2nd story is filled with hilarious lines, and maintains an excellent plot with suspense and emotion.

DEEP BLUE ALIBI by Paul Levine is a winner all around. The mystery investigation and court scenes are intellectually stimulating and correct with a real "got chya" factor. The humor between the characters is sophisticated and down right raunchy at times, but wonderful to come across as the book unfolds. The relationship between Steve Solomon (who is as clever and smart as the Bible's King Solomon, who decides to offer to divide a baby in half in order to find it's real mother) and Victoria Lord (whose brains, beauty, and emotional issues would via for Dr. Phil status with any God) are perfect characters to keep the mystery alive. Then add in [...] Bobbie, live-in nephew of Solomon whose "savant" traits make for more humor and interesting discoveries of facts for the reader. This book is an easy sell. Evanovich for those who like to be classified as "intellectual snobs". Bring on the whole series, and hurry please!!

SOLOMON VS. LORD was one of the best, and funniest, novels published in 2005. The only downside to the introduction of Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord, Miami's hilariously star-crossed, mismatched legal duo, was that we had to wait until September to meet them. Fortunately, Paul Levine's second installment in this sweet apple and bitter orange pairing (and I'll leave it to you to decide who is who) has been published but a few months after its predecessor. Those who expected any sort of sophomore slump in the series from the veteran Levine should know better. THE DEEP BLUE ALIBI, if anything, eclipses the opening volume. It is, in a word, hilarious. Steve Solomon is the consummate wisecracker, but his façade hides a canny street sense that serves him well in the courtroom trenches. Equal parts class clown and National Merit finalist, Solomon is of course attracted to his opposite, Victoria Lord, who is all right angles, a litigator who plays by the rules and follows the book. Naturally, they both learn something from each other, even as they're both dragged kicking and screaming toward it and (at least from Lord's viewpoint) each other. Things come to a proverbial head between the erstwhile law and bed partners when Hal Griffin, a former business partner of Lord's father, retains them to represent him when he is charged with murdering Ben Stubbs, an EPA official who had the yea or nay over Griffin's most ambitious project. Solomon sees the case as a cash cow for a farm in dire need of a herd; Lord sees the case as an opportunity to go solo, professionally and possibly personally. Griffin's son, the extremely studly Junior Griffin, is along to muddy the waters. He and Lord shared a puppy love in their childhood, and they are experiencing a physical attraction so hot that someone is going to get burned. Solomon is well aware of this and is at his envious best. Is Solomon's suspicion that Junior murdered Stubbs colored at all by his jealousy? Of course not. Solomon is further distracted by a side project whereby he hope to get his father's license to practice law reinstated, even as his dad vehemently resists. Solomon's precocious nephew Bobby is along to provide some worthy and funny commentary and, interestingly enough, to assist in solving the mystery of who killed Stubbs. As hilarious as THE DEEP BLUE ALIBI is, it is almost possible between the cleverly molded characters and sharp dialogue to overlook that the novel contains a terrific mystery, one that will keep you guessing throughout most of it. For those who were afraid that Levine would run out of ideas, and jokes, with SOLOMON VS. LORD, THE DEEP BLUE ALIBI should put those fears to rest. Levine is just getting warmed up. And if you want to see what's coming later this year, THE DEEP BLUE ALIBI also contains an excerpt from the forthcoming KILL ALL THE LAWYERS, the next Solomon vs. Lord novel. Both will give your laugh, and your mind, a great workout. --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

Monroe County, Florida police believe business mogul Hal Griffin shot his yacht guest EPA official Steve Stubbs with a spear gun into the chest. Griff calls attorney Victoria Lord, daughter of his former partner, to represent him. Victoria cuts short her vacation with her partner Steve Solomon to rush back to Key West to help her "Uncle" Griff though she wonders why he stopped calling her a few years ago. As Victoria adhering strictly to the law tries to uncover what went down at sea without the interference of Steve, he insists on helping her in his nuke the rules style on the case. The evidence is overwhelming that Griff shot the dying Fed with greed as the motive. The yacht contained 100 grand. Though Solomon is somewhat tied up trying to learn why his father has been suspended from the judicial bench, he still finds time to battle with Lord in and out of court while her inquiries take her back to the partnership between her dad and Uncle Griff. The latest SOLOMON VS. LORD legal thriller is a fun tale mostly because of the amusing battles between the lead couple. Whether they are in a courtroom or at dinner, Steve and Victoria exchange barbs and rips skin off as few partners can. The investigation is cleverly done so that the attorneys believe they have a losing case, but what makes THE DEEP BLUE ALIBI so entertaining is the humorous second war of the lawyers. Harriet Klausner