Customer Reviews

The Confession

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Sheldon Siegel does it again, in his fifth and newest outing for San Francisco attorney and ex-priest Mike Daley. The book opens with Daley's confession to one of his best friends, priest Ramon Aguirre. Before it closes, Daley, Aguirre, and the normal cast of characters in a Siegel novel (Mike's ex-wife and law partner Rosie, their various relatives, "McNasty", the lead prosecutor in the DA's office, Banks and Johnson, a crack SFPD homicide team and the Catholic diocese of San Francisco) will come and go, but the bond between Mike and Ramon will grow due to Daley's defense of Father Aguirre in a murder trial.

In his investigation of what really happened to the victim, Siegel shares with us a slice of her life, in flashbacks - she's a close friend and former teenage fling of Aguirre's, and another fixture in the neighborhood, crusading attorney Maria Concepcion. In a pace too fast for many readers, Siegel introduces us to everyone of relevance in Maria's life, and one by one, eliminates them from the crime. The book, as in many of Siegel's former novels, climaxes in the courtroom, this time in a preliminary hearing. Of little help is the fact that Father Aguirre feeds the defense team information little by little, confirming the damning information about his relationship with the victim only after they have learned about it from the police. Although this fact is grating on the reader, Siegel's fans will be more than satisfied with a couple of characteristics of his writing, which have become his signature.

The first is Daley's mental corrections of nearly everything he says that is politically correct. When queried by the higher ups in the church's in-house legal counsel, "I trust you will provide full disclosure of all relevant information?"...Daley's response of "Of course." Is prefaced by his real answer, which is never enunciated..."We'll see". Throughout the book, the dichotomy of Daley's out-loud answers and his mental gymnastics is an entertaining Siegel tradition. One of the other Siegel signatures is his prefacing of each chapter with a brief blurb or quote from a publication (such as the San Francisco Chronicle) about the case he's working on. This technique pulls the reader into the context of the story within the boundaries of SF, and makes it come alive. Some examples?

When Daley's offices are destroyed by a fire that is apparently arson, and when the church withdraws its support as co-counsel, chapter 43 begins with "Mr. Daley and Ms. Fernandez should ask for a continuance...Legal Commentator Mort Goldberg, Channel 4 News, Monday, December 15, 8:30 a.m." After having this priest charged with the murder of an attorney that was suing another priest for sexual misconduct, after learning that Father Aguirre donated sperm to help the victim become pregnant, and after the dirty tricks played by the SF Diocese's legal team against the victim come out in court, Chapter 51 begins with a quote from its chief in-house counsel, Francis X. Quinn, "We have to avoid any appearance of impropriety."....an understatement if there ever was one.

I hope the broader reading community that enjoys thrillers, both legal and mystery, doesn't ever discover Siegel's books in a big way, because that will put more pressure on him to produce the commercially acceptable; in the meantime, he can just continue with his penchant for a great yarn, with a cast of memorable characters, and a sweeping humor that doesn't undermine the thriller aspects of his writing. One of my very favorite authors....read Siegel's 5 Daley books in order, so you don't miss a single drop!

A terrific mystery novel that will keep you turning the pages long after you should have tucked yourself in for the night. Smart, funny and completely enjoyable.

An ironic thing about this author's first book, "Special Circumstances." I didn't know the author, enjoyed that book, found out he was from my area, and there were community ties within our families. I suppose, then, that as a reviewer, anyone can now claim my pro-Sheldon Siegel bias. I confess to that. But it is BECAUSE of the stories he writes, and because of the way he writes them, that attracted me as a reader. Further, Sheldon is one of those writers who has enjoyed rare success in the industry, based, of course, on his hard work. But there is more. Sheldon is a supporter of other authors. He is a family man and, as anyone who has attended his readings would know, a heck of a nice, funny, entertaining person. The Confession carries all these traits onto the written page. Great story line, original characters, unique way of laying out the story, tension with humor and drama. Congratulations once again to Sheldon Siegel, his family, and all readers who have the fortune of reading The Confession, or anyone of his other books.

Sheldon Siegel's latest Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez novel, "The Confession," focuses on a Catholic priest named Father Ramon Aguirre. Before he became a priest, Ramon dated a beautiful woman named Maria Concepcion. Twenty years later, Father Ramon presides over his congregation at St. Peter's in San Francisco and Maria is a lawyer. Although they are no longer romantically involved, the two remain close friends.

Maria is a tightly wound woman who is at war with the San Francisco Archdiocese. She has brought numerous suits against a number of Catholic priests for both sexual and financial improprieties, and although she has never won a case in court, she has been able to garner substantial settlements for her clients. She is currently involved in another high profile lawsuit, and this time she refuses to accept the archdiocese's generous offer. For a variety of personal and professional reasons, Maria is on edge and suffers from recurring bouts of depression. One night, after Father Aguirre visits a distraught Maria in her apartment, she is found dead with her wrists slashed. The medical examiner rules her death a homicide, and the police arrest Father Ramon. Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez are old friends of Father Ramon and they take his case pro bono.

"The Confession" is written in the first person from Mike's point of view. He constantly inserts sarcastic comments to give the reader his own take on whatever is going on. Sometimes these asides are amusing; often, they are irritating. Mike and Rosie face many obstacles, including nasty church politics and a client who has been less than forthcoming with his attorneys. Mike and Rosie go to court with little confidence that they will be able to get Ramon off the hook.

"The Confession" is a serviceable novel. Mike and Rosie are well-meaning and likeable, and the courtroom scenes are entertaining. However, I didn't for an instant believe that a priest as naive as Father Ramon could possibly exist, nor did I find the outcome of the story credible. Siegel's characters are mostly unsavory types, including Eduardo, Maria's ex-lover, John Shanahan, a pompous and overbearing lawyer representing the church's interests, and assorted criminals who know more about Maria's death than they are willing to let on. "The Confession" is an average legal thriller with some lively moments, but because of several gaping plot holes, I give it a marginal recommendation.

It's definitely a book that's hard to put down, although the writing style is such that despite the length, it's a quick read.

The plot involves a priest who is accused of murdering a woman he was counseling -- the woman in fact was his girlfriend before seminary. His friend, a former priest now an attorney, and his friend's partner and ex-wife take on his defense, against the wishes of the archdiocese. The archdiocese has its own agenda, being hit by so many lawsuits about clergy misbehavior, so it looks like their main goal is to keep the case as low profile as possible rather than prove that the priest is innocent. Things just keep getting worse and worse as the evidence against the priest piles up.

This book would be great to read on an airplane, since it will totally absorb your attention.

This legal thriller grabs you from the start and builds to a nice finish. Michael Daley is an ex-priest turned lawyer. He is asked by his good friend (also a priest) to defend him in a murder trial. His friend is accused of murdering a female lawyer who was in the midst of a huge lawsuit against the archdiocese. To further complicate matters, her opposition is the lawsuit was headed by her ex-husband.

Siegal does a marvelous job of giving us a whodunit with many possible suspects. You are guessing as to whether the woman actually committed suicide, was killed by the priest, by her ex-husband, by the archdiocese, by her ex-boyfriend or by the ex-boyfriend's jealous wife.

The story unfolds through the eyes of Michael Daley in first person with an interesting style. Daley interjects his own commentary and thoughts before and after every spoken word. Some of it is quite humorous.

Ex-priest turned lawyer Mike Daley doesn't go to confession much, but he does keep in touch with his good friend, Father Ramon Aguirre. Father Aguirre tells Mike of the sexual harassment suit that has been building against the San Francisco Archdiocese, but, just as the case heats up, the plaintiff's lawyer turns up dead and Father Aguirre is the lead suspect.

Mike knows that Father Aguirre didn't commit this crime, but the evidence is overwhelming...and when the medical examiner discovers the victim was pregnant, Mike fears that secrets from Father Aguirre's past might seal his fate.

With nothing to go on but their instincts, Mike and his partner/ex-wife Rosie dive head first into a case of sex, corruption, religion and murder to free their client.

`The Confession' is the BEST entry in the Mike Daley legal series. Razor sharp dialogue and twists galore will readers turning the pages frantically to discover who did it and why. I finished `The Confession' in one sitting...it's that good. This tale of murder moves at breakneck speed and the mixing of the church with hookers, crooks and killers keeps it fresh and exciting.

Sheldon Siegel is a master of the legal thriller. He has an undeniable gift of spinning a great yarn and his newest is his best. With so many legal series appearing and disappearing, the Mike Daley series remains strong by being exciting and original, a series that I look forward to reading for years to come. Sheldon Siegel does not stray from what he does best...writing a GREAT story. Forget all the other lawyers turned authors before him, Sheldon Siegel is the real deal...an author that deserves the top spot on all the bestseller lists!

A MUST read!

Nick Gonnella

Author Sheldon Siegel has created quite a franchise with his courtroom novels written about the careers of attorneys Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez. Daley is an ex-priest and Rosie is his ex-wife. Though they couldn't stay married they could stay partners in their law firm. They may fight with each other in private but in pubic they are a forceful team.

In their latest adventure titled THE CONFESSION, Mike and Rosie represent a priest accused of murder. Father Ramon Aguirre is accused of murdering Maria Concepcion, an attorney who was working on a sexual harassment case filed against the Catholic Church. At first Maria's death is thought to be a suicide but later charges are filed against Aguirre for murder.

The Catholic Church wishes to have its own staff of attorneys represent Father Aguirre but he has asked for Daley. This means Daley starts off fighting the Church and the prosecutors. Still he is tenacious and with Rosie's help, and a few more family members, he mounts a credible defense. But then cracks in the case starts appearing at a rapid rate.

Siegel, who is also an attorney, knows his courtrooms and he knows his law. He also knows how to write interesting novels. One of his tactics is to use the mental aside when Daley is speaking with people. He gives the conversation Daley is speaking but then he also adds in what Daley really has on his mind. This is an amusing and informative approach to writing that gives the book a twist and some comic relief.

This is the fifth novel Siegel has written using the characters of Daley and Fernandez, and he should definitely keep their stories going. He has their personalities down pat and their personal relationship in an uproar. The readers of his books not only want to know "whodunit," they also want to know what is going to happen to Mike and Rosie.

The title of Siegel's latest book is a play on words as the term "confession" has legal and religious meanings. But for Siegel's fans it just means more intriguing reading from a man who knows how to create stories that are informative, educational, and most of all entertaining.

I "confess" I loved this book, but then I am such a fan I could read a Mike and Rosie story every month if Siegel would be kind enough to write that frequently. But for now we can only rejoice in the fact that a new story has arrived and it is a "grabber." Grab hold of a copy and settle down for a fast-paced, suspense filled read that will have you gasping, laughing and even tearing up before the tale is over.

Mike and Rosie are back in this latest volume of Siegel's saga detailing the exploits of lawyer and ex-priest Mike Daley and his ex-wife Rosie Fernandez. Mike's longtime friend Father Ramon Aquirre is charged with murdering lawyer Maria Concecion who, after abandoning a high-priced law firm and a lousy husband,has taken on the downtrodden in cases against the Archdiocese of San Francisco.Her latest case invoved a priest accused of molesting young women who came to him for confession and counselling.

At first the chief legal officer for the Archdiodese and the elite legal firm they retain for much of their business fight with Mike for the right to represent Father Aquirre and they act as co-counsel. When the church's lawers learn that Maria was pregnant and that Father Aquirre is the father, they quickly jump ship, leaving Mike and Rosie to carry the can.

After numerous twists and turns, Mike and Rosie uncover the murderer and the Archdiose is in deep doodoo.

This is a very well-written novel and a very good read.

They are law partners and lovers who were once married but realized they couldn't live together so they divorced. Lawyers Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez agree not to take any high profile cases until their son sleeps through the night. When their friend Father Ramon Aguirre is arrested for killing a female parishioner he asks Mike and Rosie to handle the case and they agree because they won't turn their back on someone they care about.

There is plenty of evidence that points to the priest as the criminal. His fingerprints are on the murder weapon, on her shoulder and on the bathtub faucets. The victim was made to look as if she committed suicide in the bathtub but the coroner rules it a homicide to make matters worse, the victim was pregnant and Father Ramon admits he donated sperm for an artificial insemination. It will take nothing less than a miracle for the lawyers to find the real killer to get the priest acquitted.

Sheldon Siegel is to legal thrillers like Robin Cook is to medical thrillers. This enthralling novel keeps reader attention with one surprise after another bombarding the audience especially during the trial scenes in THE CONFESSION. The relationship between Mike and Rosie add an exotic dimension to this exciting courtroom drama in which the defense and prosecutor interrogation of witnesses makes for an authentic terrific tale.

Harriet Klausner