Here's one of the pleasanter surprises of the newly arrived millennium: a courtroom drama by first-time novelist Sheldon Siegel that is written with the style, savvy, and narrative ingenuity of a seasoned professional. The novel is called Special Circumstances, and it's one of the numerous progeny of Scott Turow's landmark legal thriller, Presumed Innocent. While it isn't as impressive as its primary model, it does bear comparison to some of the more memorable products of the post-Turow boom in legal fiction, novels such as John Lescroart's The 13th Juror and J F Freedman's Against the Wind. That, in itself, is no small compliment.Special Circumstances is an account of murder, corruption, and corporate malfeasance in the San Francisco law firm of Simpson and Gates. (Think about that name for a minute.) The narrator -- and hero -- is Michael Daley, a former priest turned criminal defense attorney who has spent the last five years working for Simpson and Gates and has just been fired for failing to meet the firm's stringent standards of productivity. Daley's wry, caustic observations form the bedrock of this immensely entertaining novel, which effectively illuminates the inner workings of a high-stakes, high-pressure corporate law firm with "a license to print money."As Special Circumstances opens, the Simpson and Gates fiscal year is winding down, and ominous signs are beginning to appear. A number of scheduled promotions are suddenly canceled. Bonuses for all employees below the rank of partner are summarily withheld. Rumors of financial instability begin to proliferate. Against a backdrop of innuendo and corporate unrest, an unexpected tragedy occurs. Two of S & G's attorneys -- one an attractive young woman, the other a senior partner with a reputation for philandering -- are found shot to death, apparent victims of a classic murder/suicide.Subsequent investigation indicates that both attorneys were, in fact, murdered. For a number of reasons, suspicion ultimately falls on S & G associate attorney Joel Friedman, who had argued violently with both victims just hours before their deaths and who -- according to various sources -- had been sexually involved with one of them, the beautiful -- and pregnant -- Diana Kennedy. When Prentice "Skipper" Gates, former head of S & G and newly elected district attorney of San Francisco, charges Friedman with the killings, Mike Daley comes to Friedman's defense, inaugurating his career in private practice with a controversial, high-profile murder case.The bulk of Special Circumstances -- a phrase, by the way, that is legal shorthand for crimes punishable by death -- describes the convoluted progress of the ensuing trial, which evolves, inevitably, into a first class media event. Deliberately, with great authority and an instinctive sense of drama, Siegel shows us the step-by-step process by which a highly circumstantial murder case is slowly, incrementally developed. Forensic evidence; eyewitness testimony; personal, sexual, and financial histories; corporate politics; hidden agendas; windows of opportunity; a variety of motives both theoretical and real -- all of these elements, and many others, are presented, dissected, interpreted, and disputed in one of the most persuasive, rigorously created fictional trials of recent years, a trial whose outcome remains uncertain until the closing pages.Special Circumstances is simultaneously a courtroom drama, a murder mystery, an examination of the legal profession at its best and worst, and a complex presentation of characters caught at critical moments in their personal and professional lives. At the heart of it all stands Michael Daley: a decent man, a gifted advocate, and a chronic underachiever who has drifted aimlessly through the central passages of his life. After unsuccessfully adopting a series of identities -- as priest, husband, public defender, corporate attorney -- he finds, in the Friedman trial, an occasion he can finally rise to. The movement of the trial toward its dramatic, hard-earned resolution parallels Daley's own progress toward a coherent, if provisional, accommodation with the circumstances of his own life.Special Circumstances marks the debut of a notably gifted new writer. Siegel writes with passion, intelligence, and an easy good humor that move his complex narrative forward at breakneck speed. He is, on the evidence available so far, a natural storyteller and a welcome addition to the constantly expanding ranks of Lawyers Who Also Write. Readers who admire Scott Turow and John Grisham should take this novel to their hearts. Special Circumstances is the real thing, and comes highly recommended to anyone with an interest in legal thrillers, novels of suspense, and involving, expertly constructed fiction of any sort.--Bill Sheehan Views: 27
Lemonade or port? That this delicious dilemma is of such importance in Angela Thirkell's NEVER TOO LATE - it is the subject of a spirited exchange among the guests when Lord Stoke convenes a luncheon at Rising Castle - is just one indication of how right things are with the world in this installment of the author's beloved Barsetshire chronicles.The foment of the 1940's - the terrors of the war and the immediate political and economical stresses of its aftermath - have passed, a new Queen has settled down upon her throne, and the inhabitants of Thirkell's fictional stretch of the countryside are content to concentrate on the conversation of their community.A whirl of teas and tete-a-tetes, social calls and dinner parties, cricket games and chance meetings provide the narrative energy for the progress of friendship and gossip that Thirkell always charts, and devoted readers of her earlier books will be delighted to discover that the more things change, the more they stay the same.** Views: 27
When Lucy's parents are killed in a train crash, her kindly uncle steps in to look after the little girl – to the initial apprehension of his wife and her son. However, Lucy's sweet, spirited charm slowly wins over her new family, and as she overcomes the trauma of her childhood, she grows up inspired to become a doctor, just like her father.But studying medicine in London takes Lucy far from her home in Hull and the people she loves, and she has to battle to be accepted in a man's world.With the dark clouds of the First World War gathering on the horizon, an even greater challenge approaches. Can a woman find her place on the front line of battle? Will Lucy be able to follow her dreams – and find love – in a world shattered by war? Views: 27
In the 23rd century, there is a radiant world of endless summer where peace is maintained through emotional surveillance performed by a peculiar device called the Intercept. When Violet Crowley, the sixteen-year-old daughter of New Earth's Founding Father, is smuggled an artifact covered mysterious markings, it's up to her and her friends to decipher the message. "The Tablet of Scaptur" is a standalone story set before the events of The Dark Intercept (available now from Tor Teen).At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied. Views: 27
[version history and scanner's info] Version 1.0-scanned, OCR'd and spell-checked from first edition (ISBN 0-399-15106-0). Version 2.0 -September 21, 2003-proofread and corrected by The_Ghiti from first printing (release date: August 15, 2003). A number of obvious errors in the original were corrected, as I regard bookz as new editions, not mere "reproductions." If you find errors, please fix, increment version number by 0.1 and re-post, but please refrain from changing the series numbering. Version 2.1-September 23, 2003 converted to html and reproofed by Highroller. Views: 27
Ellie is on her way to visit her comatose mother when her sister sends her to repair physics. Each universe has skunkworks that generate the universe within it, making this multiverse a set of matryoshka dolls. The skunkworks that generate this universe have become faulty, and the physical constants suddenly...aren't. In order to fix the skunkworks, to make physics self-consistent again, and to make the world work as it's supposed to, Ellie will have to remember everything her mother has taught her. Views: 27
Synopsis:"Edie Claire is a bright new mystery writer who appears already to be a master of characterization...The fast-paced story line retains a serious tone with humorous interludes to ease the tension and turn the sleuthing relatives into real people. NEVER PREACH PAST NOON is a winning amateur sleuth tale that showcases a new talent."--Midwest Book Review"This is a tough one to put down."--Pittsburgh MagazineSaints, sinners, and snoops!Leigh Koslow's thrice-married Aunt Bess always was the black sheep of the family. That's why when Bess breaks her ankle falling down a flight of stairs in the middle of the night, Leigh isn't too surprised to discover that the stairs were someone else's. But when she discovers that the stairs belonged to Bess's happily wedded pastor, and that his house was burning down at the time, she can't help but be concerned.The First Church of the New Millennium has problems--and Bess, with Leigh as her reluctant aide, is intent on solving them. Is the charismatic reverend Reginald Humphrey a saint among men, or a soulless con artist? With arson, burglary, and a possible abduction on the bulletin, Leigh enlists the aid of her favorite detective, Maura Polanski, to keep her aunt from becoming the next offering. But Bess isn't one to give up on a good cause, even when the postlude is murder. "A very well told story with a great deal going on...if you enjoy light mysteries with lots of puzzles, you will enjoy this book."--I Love a Mystery"The slightly cynical Leigh and her persistent Aunt Bess are engaging characters that add to the charm of the book."--Romantic TimesOriginally published in mass market paperback by NAL/Penguin, Putnam, Inc. in 2000. Large-Print Edition published by Thorndike, 2001.If you find any inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble. Biography:Novelist and playwright Edie Claire is a veterinarian, a childbirth educator, and a mother of three who delights in writing cozy mysteries, classic romantic suspense novels, and comedic stage plays. Pick up an Edie Claire work and you can be assured of intrigue, humor, a touch of romance (or a hefty dose of it, depending on the book--but never anything too explicit!) and an ending that will leave you with a smile. Views: 27
**2012 Whitney Award Nominee** Seventeen-year-old Tayla Jonas longs for a simple life, but an ancient curse forces a werewolf to hunt her, to claim what is his. Will Tayla be strong enough to survive the Curse of the Beast? Or will it consume her like so many before? Find out in the first installment of this unique retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Views: 27
Jared Arden tells the story of his extraordinary journey. He is a magnet for trouble in this adventure and even his friends begin to doubt him. New allegiances and ancient loyalties are tested in this time travel journey into many worlds. Janey, his sister takes a leap of faith that strands them both in a future possible version of our world that strangely has no sea shore. Can they escape? Views: 27
After receiving a call from the newly appointed chief of the New Mexico State Police, ex-Santa Fe chief of detectives Kevin Kerney is thrown into an investigation of a small-town cop-killing no one has been able to solve. His only lead: a homeless schizophrenic's ramblings about rape and an uncharted place called Serpent Gate.Meanwhile, back in Santa Fe, priceless art is stolen from the governor's offices and a beautiful young blonde is murdered in a millionaire's mansion. Kerney follows a trail of clues to Mexico, where he faces off against an old nemesis with powerful government connections. Unwilling to back down, Kerney must use all of his tenacity, raw courage, and knowledge of the criminal mind in a bloody showdown that may cost him his life. Views: 27
