Norm Goldman reviews Paul Levine's latest novel, The Deep Blue Alibi: A Solomon vs Lord Novel.
Author: Paul Levine
ISBN: 0440242746
The following review of the advanced review copy was contributed by: NORM GOLDMAN: Editor of Bookpleasures. CLICK TO VIEW Norm Goldman's Reviews
Steve Solomon is the kind of a lawyer you would like to have on your side when you believe you are in serious trouble with the law. Solomon believes that if the facts don’t fit the law, bend the facts. On the other hand, his law partner, Victoria Lord, brings a certain amount of ethical respectability to the unorthodox Miami law firm of Solomon & Lord. These two lawyers originally teamed up in Paul Levine’s previous novel, Solomon vs. Lord and are now once again putting their unconventional lawyering skills to the test, as evidenced in the author’s latest novel, The Deep Blue Alibi: A Solomon vs Lord Novel.
The opening chapter of Levine’s recent novel has Steve trying to seduce his lady friend and law partner Victoria into making love in the Ocean. While these shenanigans are going on, the couple watch in horror as a yacht washes up on the shores of Sunset Key in the Florida Keys with a hundred thousand dollars. Two men are found on the boat, one of whom, Ben Stubbs, has been badly injured with a metal spear protruding from his chest. The other, Hal Griffin, turns out to be a close family friend of Victoria, whom she had not seen in years and whom she refers to as her uncle Grif.
Stubb does not survive and uncle Grif is now on the hot seat, accused of murder. Motive or lack of one seems to be a factor here, as Grif was involved in a huge multi-million dollar project called Oceania, wherein a hotel and casino were to be built on coral reefs. Stubbs was an employee of a government environmental agency, and he was supposed to have agreed to write up a favorable report giving the go ahead for the project. Could it be that he changed his mind, double crossing Grif, or could it be that someone wanted to sabotage the entire project due to the environmental harm it would cause?
To add a little more spice to the novel, Levine works in family secrets pertaining to Steve and Victoria. Apparently, many years ago Steve's father had resigned as judge in the Florida courts and had also lost his license to practice law. This occurred when his friend Peter (Pinky) Luber fingered him during a corruption probe. In order to save neck and reduce his own prison sentence, Pinky told the Grand Jury that Solomon Sr. had taken bribes to rezone agricultural property to commercial use. Steve now wants to set the record straight and get his father's license back.
Victoria has her problems when she reveals that her father had committed suicide without even leaving a note to say he loved her. This is something she never could come to terms with and has been a part of her psychological baggage she has been carrying around for several years. However, in both secondary themes, all is not what it appears, as revealed in the headlong rush in the final chapters of the novel, where there are some shocking and interesting denouements.
Levine can clearly write a good easy-to-read mystery narrative with eccentric characters and an intentionally convoluted plot that at times is over the top. However, it does keep you coming back for more of the same, as we follow the careers of Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord through the halls of justice.
Norm Goldman is the Editor of the book reviewing and author interviewing site, www.bookpleasures.com. Bookpleasures comprises over 25 international reviewers that come from all walks of life and that review all genre. Norm also offers his own personal express review service that you can find out more about by clicking here.
