Customer Reviews

Final Verdict

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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 titles

The 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.

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!

Michael Daly, an ex-priest who practices law in San Francisco with his ex-wife Rosie Fernandez, agrees to defend a dying man who he successfully defended years earlier from charges of murder.

The victim in this case, found dead in an alley, is a venture capitalist who, as the reader discovers in a methodical journey through short chapters, knows many people with motives to kill him. However, the police and District Attorney are focused upon convicting Leon Walker, their only suspect, appearing to be motivated by, what they believe to be, an unfair acquittal twelve years earlier. In their eyes, justice will be served if Walker can be found guilty before he dies of terminal cancer.

Sheldon Siegel successfully keeps the pages turning by gradually exposing the private lives and relationships of the rich victim and his business associates, many of whom entertain themselves in the seedier parts of San Francisco.

There is enough mystery and intrigue to recommend THE FINAL VERDICT, although there is nothing that distinguishes it from a host of other well-written legal thrillers. It will hold the most interest for those readers who want to follow the careers and private lives of the main characters, the attorney duo of Daly and Fernandez. For them the final verdict is nearly perfect.

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!

This newest installment in the Mike Daley & Rosie Fernandez series is terrific and has to have one of the best opening chapters ("Assault with a Deadly Chicken") of any legal thriller in recent memory. A first chapter sets the mood of the book to come, giving the reader the impetus to keep reading, and this book will not disappoint. It clips along briskly with Siegel's good natured humor shining through the murder and mayhem, making this a most compelling and enjoyable read.

Former client Leon Walker got Mike & Rosie's legal firm more press than they ever dreamed of when they got him off a felony murder charge on a technicality - but it also broke up their marriage. Ten years later he's been accused of murder and begs Mike to take the case. He's dying and will never make trial, but wants his name cleared. Rosie is none too happy with the situation, and the cops & District Attorney all have long memories about former defendants who they feel have gotten away with murder. All the evidence points towards Walker, bringing those wonderful "Perry Mason moments" to the courtroom. San Franciscans will love the local color and politics too. Don't miss it.

This is my fourth Michael Daley novel and it is just as good and fresh as the ohter three! Siegel's Daley is far more interesting than Lashner's Victor Carl or Rosenfeld's Andy Carpenter. What sets Daley aside are the recurring suporting characters (Rosie, Mike's Brother, Nick the Dick, Roosevelt, etc.) and his own thoughts that usually preface all courtroom dialogue.

In this one Michael and Rosie are asked to defend a dying man who has only a few weeks left to clear his name before he died. The man, Leon, is hated by the police because they felt Daley got him off a sure murder rap on a technicality several years prior.

Though there is very little action, the dialogue is compelling and the reader keeps on guessing as to who the real killer is (note: is this the novel where Daley's client is the actual killer? - I won't tell).

In FINAL VERDICT, author Sheldon Siegel has crafted a solid courtroom mystery that narrowly misses being thrilling.

Siegel is an excellent writer, and his knowledge of the law--and, most specificly, of trial law--shines on every page. He constructs scenes and dialogue that have razor sharp edges to them.

Still, he seems determined to broadcast the resolution of this whodunit early and often in the novel. Even though he patiently and laboriously leads the reader to the final discovery, he makes it too clear how this mystery will be solved.

In mysteries, authors who give no clues can frustrate their readers. Siegel gives too many clues, ruining what should have been an unexpected and clever ending.

Nonetheless, FINAL VERDICT is very, very good reading, certainly more than good enough to warrant reading the other novels by this same author.

Siegel again shows us why he is one of the masters of the genre. His characters are colorful, his wit and humor are tops, and his accuracy is pinpoint. Its hard to pick a favorite, but he seems to get better with each offering! A MUST read!!!

Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez are law partners in San Francisco. They are divorced and have a daughter, Grace, whom they both adore. Although they still care for one another, Mike and Rosie get along better as law partners than they do as husband and wife. In Sheldon Siegel's new novel, "Final Verdict," Rosie and Mike decide to take on a murder case that is all but hopeless.

The accused is Leon Walker, who was once a promising basketball star with a bright future. Leon's life has spiraled downward, and he is now dying of liver disease. Leon calls Mike after being arrested for allegedly murdering a wealthy venture capitalist named Tower Grayson. The prosecutor has a slam-dunk case against Leon, and Mike knows that he has almost no chance of vindicating Walker before he dies. However, Mike and Rosie decide to do what they can to help Leon clear his name.

Mike and Rosie are wonderful characters. They are brilliant, witty, compassionate, and tenacious. While Rosie is the voice of reason and practicality, Mike, who used to be a priest, tends to get personally involved with his clients. Helping Rosie and Mike in their investigation is Pete, Mike's brother, and assorted other colorful types, including Nick Hanson, an amusing octogenarian who commands large fees for his considerable skills. Also noteworthy is Jerry Edwards, a nasty and aggressive reporter with an acid pen.

Although the mystery in "Final Verdict" is run-of-the-mill, the characters and the dialogue in this novel are top notch. Siegel has a crisp, vivid, and fast-paced writing style that is always entertaining. If you are a fan of legal thrillers, you will enjoy "Final Verdict."