Book Review: A Lawyer's Lawyer by James Sheehan

The Lawyer's Lawyer
By James Sheehan 
Center Street, January 8, 2013
 ISBN: 9781455508662

Celebrated Miami trial attorney Jack Tobin was known in courtroom circles as a “lawyer’s lawyer”--the guy the best lawyers say they’d want to represent them in a fight.

When he is asked to represent a suspected serial killer on death row, Tobin, at first, is hesitant. After reviewing the criminal investigation Jack becomes convinced that the man was set up and decides to take the case.

That decision not only pits Jack against the powerful elite of Apache County, its citizens, and the woman he loves, it also takes him down a road of self-searching and despair, and ultimately, into the courtroom where he must fight for his life in a battle that neither he nor any other lawyer has ever waged before.

I am a librarian and a mom so I have read a lot of books. In high school most nights my mom found me reading late into the night and would yell at me to get to sleep. I lean more towards the side of science fiction and the fantasy genre but I also love mystery and young adult books.

I was sent an advanced copy of The Lawyer's Lawyer by James Sheehan to read and review. I will admit upfront I have not read his other two novels and some minor changes may be in the version I read from the final copy so do not hold me to the details.

James Sheehan

My Thoughts:
I absolutely LOVED this book. I enjoyed reading it so much that I was up past 2am both nights to finish it. With two little kids at home that is about the only time I get to read. I originally agreed to review it because I live in Florida which is where the book takes place and my husband is a lawyer. I am so glad I chose to read it as I just could not put it down. I never say that about detective/lawyer books either.
Jack Tobin is a darn good lawyer. After building a successful law practice he decides to retire with millions in the bank and takes up fishing. Occasionally Jack works with an organization that helps death row inmates with a last chance appeal. He reluctantly takes on the case of Tobin who is a suspected serial killer and on death row for two murders.

After reviewing the files Jack is convinced that the evidence does not match up and that Tobin should be set free. Jack tries to work his lawyering magic to get him off but the death warrant has been signed and time is running out. The city of Oakville is furious with his last minute efforts to free Tobin. Jack is challenging an entire city and the criminal system that put Tobin behind bars to begin with.

This case comes with a price. Jack finds himself on the other end of a murder trial...his own. Friendship and love play a powerful role in Jack's support but now this lawyer's lawyer needs a lawyer of his own.

Overall this is by far one of the best mystery/legal thrillers I have ever read. I loved the author's writing style and the story flowed seamlessly. Sheehan wrote in a way that I truly connected with the main characters.

My only gripe with the book is the fact that Oakville is so obviously Gainesville and the University is UF. I am a hardcore Gator and I will always have a lifelong love affair with Gainesville. It was just too weird to hear all the similarities to the city and school without actually using the correct names. I was also not a huge fan of him paraphrasing 2 different serial killers and their murders which took place in Florida. I felt that he could have created murders that were new. I have read in depth on Florida serial killers in the past so I knew what was happening before I finished those chapters. That was only a problem in the first few chapters. After that I never knew what was going to happen next so I kept reading and hanging onto every word.

I have no doubt that I will be reading his other two books in the near future. The Lawyer's Lawyer is a legal thriller not to be missed. A truly great read.

Connect: You can connect with James Sheehan on his website, his facebook page and @James_Sheehan on twitter.

You can connect with Center Street on their website, facebook or @CenterStreet on twitter.

Buy It! You can buy The Lawyer's Lawyer by James Sheehan for the list price of $22.99 and is currently on sale over at Amazon for $14.02.