Habeas Porpoise

A Solomon vs. Lord Novel, Book 4

By: Paul Levine

Narrated by: Dan John Miller

Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

When an ecoterrorist is charged with murder, it’s Victoria Lord for the state, Steve Solomon for the defense. And when lovers do battle, it’s winner take all.

The love-hate relationship of Solomon and Lord continues. Sure, opposites attract, but they argue, too! This time, it all starts with the kidnapping of a pair of trained dolphins from Miami’s Cetacean Park.

When one of the ecoterrorists behind the raid turns up dead, his partner in ecocrime is charged with homicide, even though he didn’t pull the trigger. It’s called “felony murder”, and Solomon thinks it’s a bum rap. What he doesn’t count on is his lover and law partner, Victoria Lord, being named a special prosecutor.

Conflicts of interest abound, and Steve is up to his old tricks. At least, the mismatched legal duo agree on something: that each one vows to win the case!

©2007 by Nittany Valley Productions, Inc. (P)2022 by Blackstone Publishing

Clever Plotting Meets Wry Banter and Eco Intrigue

Having read every one of Paul Levine's series over the years I confess to be a tad cautious at the outset wondering can he do it again...not to worry. In Habeas Porpoise Levine has deftly layered the multiple story lines and once again summons the screwball comedy banter between Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord (lawyerly stand-ins for Nick & Nora Charles), though for this work, "The Bickersons" from old time radio come to mind. The two find themselves on competing roles in a trial that explores some dicey legal concepts and a deep dive into the realm of eco-terrorism all while testing courtroom decorum with a presiding judge who provides some hyperbolic humor and relief. Steve's adopted nephew Bobby must also deal with the throes of being bullied and the throws of baseballs as he attempts to redeem his worth on the field while off the field pitching in -- via his savant contributions -- to help Steve and Victoria solve the case. The only drawback where I take issue is that Steve's could have reeled in some of the jerky excesses that were formed long ago in his DNA. No need to gin up the adversarial dynamic for the conceit of this he versus she court battle.

Rerun

Story line interesting enough. The nephew with Asperger’s and extraordinary mental abilities rescued from a dog cage from drug addled sister was plucked whole from Levine’s Jake Lassiter series. Very disappointing. Legal scenes becoming progressively less believable.

Excellent legal drama!

I enjoyed this story telling and the excellent reading of it. Mr. Levine mixes great humor in between the drama, suspense and action. Steve Solomon is a memorable hero, and so is his nephew.

Underwhelming

Kinda phoned it in on this one. Seems like this was a book written quickly and with little passion.

Also no trial? WTH

Worth the long wait!

My husband and I love the series! We have been waiting for book for to come in audio for quite some time. This narrator is perfect! We loved the first narrator, but the narrator four books 2 and three was not good at all. However, the books were great! We love the banter between Steve and Victoria. Bobby is so awesome! You just want to hug him! If you have not tried the series, and you love legal mysteries, you need to absolutely start from book one and read the series. I am crossing my fingers that since Mr. Levine has agreed to put book for an audio now that he will actually consider continuing the series. We would absolutely keep buying them as long as he used this narrator! He really hit the mark on all the characters!

Disappointing

I had looked forward to this latest Solomon VS Lord book but was disappointed. I felt there was too much emphasis on Bobby and not enough banter between Steve and Victoria. The use of an FBI helicopter to deliver Bobby to his baseball game was unrealistic to say the least. If you are looking for a book with less emphasis on the courtroom and more on Bobby, you will enjoy this book. Otherwise, you might want to pass on this one.