Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
An Insignificant Case by Phillip Margolin Narrator: Peter Ganim
Published by MacMillan Audio, Minotaur Books on November 5, 2024
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 304
Length: 7 hours, 41 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Charlie Webb is a third rate lawyer who graduated from a third rate law-school and, because he couldn’t get hired by any of the major law firms, has opened his own law firm, where he gets by handling cases for dubious associates from his youth and some court appointed cases. Described as “a leaky boat floating down the stream of life,” Charlie has led unremarkable life, personally and professionally. Until he’s appointed to be the attorney for a decidedly crackpot artist who calls himself Guido Sabatini (born Lawrence Weiss). Sabatini has been arrested – again – for breaking into a restaurant and stealing back a painting he sold them because he was insulted by where it was displayed. But as Lawrence Weiss, he’s also an accomplished card shark and burglar and while he was there, he stole a thumb drive from the owner’s safe.
Not knowing what else Sabatani has stolen, Webb negotiates the return of the painting and “other items’ for the owner dropping charges against Sabatini. But the contents of the flash drive threatens very powerful figures who are determined to retrieve it, the restaurant owner (Gretchen Hall) and her driver (Yuri Makarov) are being investigated for the sex trafficking of minors, and there are others who have a violent grudge against Sabatini. When a minor theft case becomes a double homicide, and even more, Charlie Webb, an insignificant lawyer assigned to an insignificant case, is faced with the most important, and deadliest, case of his life.
I discovered this author earlier this year when I was looking for lawyer series. I LOVED his Robin Lockwood series and hope to continue reading it soon. When I saw this new standalone, I was thrilled to read it.
The main character Charlie Webb is a regular, good guy. He’s not too smart or too ambitious but he has integrity which turns out to be the most important thing. He gets assigned a case to defend a “painter” who stole the painting back from the person who bought it. His paintings are truly inspirational. He broke in and apparently took another item as insurance, a flash drive. He agrees to give everything back if the owner will hang the painting where more people can see it.
Meanwhile, the owner of the painting has been arrested for sex trafficking along with her movie producer partner. Now multiple people including their clients are worried about what the painter took and attempts on his life begin. Charlie teams up with Bridget, the prosecutor in the sex trafficking case to try to resolve things. He also has a new legal intern who turns his head.
An Insignificant Case is fast paced and exciting. The hunt for the flash drive leaves a trail of bodies on the side of those trying to conceal it and those trying to expose it. It’s fun to see Charlie grow and use his legal skills effectively. He learns more about people as well. I really enjoyed this and would recommend it highly. I wouldn’t mind having more stories about Charlie.
Narration:
I don’t believe I’ve heard this narrator previously. I enjoyed his voices for both males and females. They felt appropriate and kept me in the story. The performance added to my experience. I listened comfortably at 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Phillip Margolin
I grew up in New York City and Levittown, New York. In 1965, I graduated from The American University in Washington, D.C. with a Bachelor’s Degree in Government. From 1965 to 1967, I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia, West Africa. In 1970, I graduated from New York University School of Law. During my last two years in law school I went at night and worked my way through by teaching junior high school in the South Bronx in New York City. My first job after law school was a clerkship with Herbert M. Schwab, the Chief Judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals. From 1972 until 1996, I was in private practice specializing in criminal defense at the trial and appellate levels. As an appellate attorney I have appeared before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the Oregon Supreme Court and the Oregon Court of Appeals. As a trial attorney, I handled all sorts of criminal cases in state and federal court and I have represented approximately 30 people charged with homicide, including several who have faced the death penalty. I was the first Oregon attorney to use the Battered Women’s Syndrome to defend a battered woman accused of murdering her spouse.
Since 1996, I have been writing full-time. All of my novels have been best sellers. Heartstone, my first novel, was nominated for an Edgar for best original paperback mystery of 1978 by the Mystery Writers of America. My second novel, The Last Innocent Man, was made into an HBO movie. Gone, But Not Forgotten has been sold to more than 25 foreign publishers and was made into a mini-series starring Brooke Shields. It was also the Main Selection of the Literary Guild. .
From 1996 to 2009 I was the President and Chairman of the Board of Chess for Success. I am still heavily involved in the program and I returned to the Board after a one year absence in 2010. Chess for Success is a non-profit charity that uses chess to teach elementary and middle school children in Title I schools study skills. From 2007 to 2013, I was on the Board of Literary Arts, which sponsors the Oregon Book Awards, The Writers in the Schools program and Portland Arts and Lectures. Phil was married to Doreen Stamm for 39 wonderful years until she passed away in 2007. In 2013 he met Melanie Nelson, another wonderful woman, and were married in 2018.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
This sounds so good! I have never read Phillip Margolin before but I hear about his books all the time.
I REALLY like this author, all the books I’ve read before. I want to read more of the backlist.
This sounds good and it’s always nice reading more from a fav author.
This author is a new favorite and I hope to read more.
Both the book and the author’s background seem fascinating. Good find, Anne!
I’ve recently been interested in more legal thrillers.
Wow the author has an impressive bio! I’ve never read him, but I’d like to, especially seeing how much you enjoyed the story!
I started with his Robin Lockwood series which I LOVE and want to read more of them.
I HAVE been itching for a decent Thriller soon…..*slowly adds to GR TBR list*
I enjoy the legal thrillers.
This author has been on my TBR for a ridiculously long time but I’ve never read any of his books. I’m glad to see how much you enjoy his books and this one in particular! It’s been awhile since I’ve read a legal thriller though I used to read them all the time. I’ll have to give this one a try.
I really enjoyed this one. It’s a standalone unless he starts a series from it. I also REALLY love the Robin Lockwood series. Those are the only books I’ve read and I’d like to read more of his work.