The Author

Mike Papantonio is a senior partner of Levin Papantonio, one of the largest plaintiffs’ law firms in America, that has handled thousands of cases throughout the nation involving pharmaceutical drug litigation, Florida tobacco litigation, litigation for asbestos-related health damage, securities fraud actions, and other mass tort cases. “Pap” has received dozens of multimillion dollar verdicts on behalf of victims of corporate corruption.

Papantonio is one of the youngest attorneys to have been inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. In 2012 Papantonio became President of the National Trial Lawyers Association, one of the largest trial lawyer organizations in America. For his trial work on behalf of consumers, Papantonio has received some of the most prestigious awards reserved by the Public Justice Foundation, The American Association for Justice, and the National Trial Lawyers Association.

Papantonio is an author of four motivational books for lawyers. He is also co-author of Air America: The Playbook, a New York Times Political Best Seller.

Goodreads Description

In the tradition of John Grisham, from radio talk show host and “America’s lawyer” Mike Papantonio, comes Law and Disorder, a highly suspenseful legal thriller in which a Florida attorney finds the system working against him.

Brash, brilliant, handsome Nicholas Deketomis has built a highly successful career as a lawyer protecting the rights of the innocent while winning multibillion dollar lawsuits from the powers that be. “Deke” may have come from the wrong side of the tracks but he’s built a wonderful life for his close-knit family. His wife, Terry, and two children live in a beautiful house in a seaside community along the Florida Panhandle.

But their comfortable life is endangered. In the midst of a highly contentious multimillion dollar lawsuit against a powerful pharmaceutical company, as well as publicly advocating for a liberal Florida State Senate candidate, this time Deke may have riled the wrong powerbrokers. Scheming against him are a local Bible-thumping preacher, an ambitious district attorney, and two malicious brothers running one of the country’s biggest oil corporations. A vile conspiracy is hatched to bring down Deketomis: Setting him up and attempting to convict him on a bogus murder charge would solve many of their problems.

Deke’s in the trial of his life, which quickly becomes a media circus. But this good man will not go down without a bruising fight—especially when he finds his family threatened. And just as it seems that his enemies may have him cornered, he finds help from the unlikeliest source.

MY THOUGHTS…

First impressions

Lawyer Nicholas Deketomis is a big time Florida lawyer who’s hell bent on stopping a mammoth pharmaceutical company from profiting from a dangerous drug on the market. While he’s building his case against this behemoth, there’s another case he feels compelled to take. Of course, his life, career and family are put into danger in the process.

The book is very well written. The book largely reflects on the experience of the author who captures perfectly the greed of big corporations in crime. I never realized how politically motivated things can get behind the scenes.

At the heart of the story…

“Deke” the lawyer is of course at the heart of the story. He was well written, confident, driven, workaholic, and determined for justice. But that was part of the problem for me. He was a little too ‘perfect’ in my opinion. I think he was painted a little bit too heroic for my taste. He didn’t seem that vulnerable or flawed. Maybe that wasn’t even it. Bottom line, I couldn’t relate to him that much. That me feel more distant and less resonant with him.

Other thoughts

This really was a well written story with sprawling plot lines and believable characters. For a legal thriller it did give me a different feel comparatively speaking. The legal cases were focused on bringing down big corporations with deep pockets and resources at their disposal. The subtle political motivations hidden the big companies was an interesting viewpoint to see. Mike Papantonio’s writing is crystal clear and has an excellent use of language throughout the book.

Conclusions

We can have a well written book after it’s been polished a billion times over. Who doesn’t want that? But will our characters be memorable? Or will they resonate deeply with your readers? It depends. Some certainly will while others won’t. It’s a very subjective experience that doesn’t necessarily reflect on the skill of the writer.

Reading this was also a healthy broadening experience. I have to give it to Mike, it’s a pretty unique brand of legal thriller. None of the other legal thrillers I’ve read bear this kind of flavor. You like apples? I like apples. There’s over 300 different kinds of apple trees out there. Eating one kind of apple will eventually get boring. Red delicious is my favorite. Jonathon Golds, Gala, and Granny Smith apples are nice too. Books can be like this. It’s great to have different kinds of thrillers from all kinds of authors. That’s what I love about writing. Everyone is so unique!

I’ll definitely read another book written by Mike Papantonio. Why? Because only he is qualified to write a unique kind of story.

Law and Disorder:  Amazon | Goodreads | Audible

Benjamin Thomas

@thewritingtrain

http://www.mysterythrillerweek.com