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David Gold #1
The Terrorist Next Door
Sheldon Siegel has jumped onto best seller lists and into readers' and reviewers' affections with seven extraordinary novels featuring San Francisco defense attorneys Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez. He now returns to write about his hometown of Chicago in his electrifying new thriller, THE TERRORIST NEXT DOOR. He's Homeland Security's biggest nightmare. Someone is setting off fire bombs in Chicago in stolen cars using untraceable cell phones. The international terror channels are silent. A group calling itself the Islamic Freedom Federation demands the release of Hassan Al-Shahid, a graduate student whose plan to set off a bomb at the Art Institute was thwarted by Detective David Gold and his long-time partner, Detective Paul Liszewski. Their heroic efforts had cost Liszewski his life and put Gold in the hospital. The FBI and Homeland Security believe the bomber is a freelancer operating off the grid. Meet Detective David Gold. He's a third generation native of South Chicago, the hardscrabble neighborhood of steel mills, smokestacks, and steeples near the Indiana border. He's one of Chicago's most decorated detectives. Meet Gold's new partner, Detective A.C. Battle. He's a native of Mississippi whose family moved to Chicago to escape the Jim Crow South. He grew up in the Robert Taylor Homes across the Dan Ryan Expressway from Mayor Daley's house and Comiskey Park. Gold is suffering from the aftereffects of Liszewski's death when he receives a Medal of Valor on the steps of the Art Institute. During the ceremony, a car bomb is detonated across the street, killing a passerby. Gold soon receives a cryptic text : "It isn't over." It's just the beginning. Untraceable car bombs detonate at the Wrigley Field El station, Millennium Park, the Museum of Science and Industry, O'Hare Airport, the Hyde Park train station, and the upscale Rush Street area. Chicago PD, the FBI and Homeland Security can't trace the bomber, but evidence points toward members of Chicago's Islamic community. As bombs continue to go off, Gold and Battle are drawn into a desperate cat-and-mouse game against a brilliant mind. From its opening scene to its stunning denouement, Siegel writes a lightning paced thriller capturing the complexity and fears of the post-9/11 world. Along the way, he provides an insider's look at Chicago's neighborhoods-from the Magnificent Mile to century-old churches where mass is still celebrated in Polish to crumbling old synagogues and gritty seafood shacks next to the ghostly expanses where the steel mills once stood.
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 22, 2012
About the author
Sheldon Siegel
138 books527 followersSheldon Siegel is a New York Times Bestselling novelist and author best known for his works of modern legal courtroom drama.
Siegel was born on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. He attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, and later went on to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as an Accounting major. He graduated with a Juris Doctor from Boalt Hall at the University of California, Berkeley in 1983. He has been in private practice in San Francisco, California for over twenty years and specializes in corporate and securities law with the law firm Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP.
Series:
* Mike Daley Mystery
Siegel was born on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. He attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, and later went on to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as an Accounting major. He graduated with a Juris Doctor from Boalt Hall at the University of California, Berkeley in 1983. He has been in private practice in San Francisco, California for over twenty years and specializes in corporate and securities law with the law firm Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP.
Series:
* Mike Daley Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
June 6, 2017
It pains me to give a book that features Chicago only 2 stars.I love stories set in Chicago, because since I have 2 sons that live there, reading about the city makes the story seem real. But this book read more like a tour guide to Chicago, and while I did enjoy that, it completely overpowered the rest of the novel--which frankly, wasn't that good. The plot was potentially terrific, but suffered greatly from some bad writing and bad editing. I had everything figured out by the time I was a quarter of the way through the book, because there was simply no depth to anything. Everything was written "by the book", if you will. Perhaps a second book would be better, but I don't know that I'll be finding out if that's true.
August 23, 2014
After reading the last four of Siegel's seven legal thrillers with San Francisco former husband-and-wife team Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez, I approached this one - set in Siegel's native Chicago - with a bit of apprehension. Now that I've finished it, I won't say the apprehension was justified, but I will say it doesn't quite reach the level of the books in the other series. This one is good, but not that good.
The book features David Gold, a product of the tough neighborhood of South Chicago and a highly decorated Chicago detective. He gets a new partner, Detective A.C. Battle, who was born in Mississippi but grew up in a different part of the Windy City. Gold lost his original long-time partner in the process of capturing a Muslim graduate student who intended to bomb the Chicago Art Institute. Now, Gold and Battle find themselves in the middle of another bombing - this one detonated across the street from the Art Institute where Gold is being awarded a Medal of Valor for his part in the apprehension.
And that's just for openers. In short order, bombs go off in other high-profile places all over town, followed by cell phone messages demanding that the grad student, who is to go on trial soon, be released from jail and the charges dropped. They're "signed" by the Islamic Freedom Federation, but no one - from the Chicago police to the FBI to Homeland Security, has ever heard of the organization, nor can they trace the origin of the calls. The evidence keeps pointing to someone from a local mosque who's hell bent on terror, but Gold suspects something (or someone) else is afoot.
It's a well-thought-out story, but a few things bugged me a bit. In between the action of bombings and the rush to find a killer who seems almost impossible to stop, for instance, is a lot of neighborhood history. While it's interesting, there's so much of it that parts of the book read more like a memoir and detracted from the thrill of the chase.
But wait, there's more. As Gold and his squeeze Laura Silver (who will be the prosecutor in the grad student's trial) are, or so it reads, sitting at opposite ends of a sofa, he "put a finger to her lips." Wow, he must have much longer reach than most folks I know or that's a really short sofa (but then again, maybe that's one of the reasons he was a boxer).
And, at one point after a couple of bombs have gone off, one law enforcement officer is quoted as saying, "Three dead, eight injured. This is a disaster." Well, duh.
The one that really got me, though, was near the end when, in the heat of a climactic battle, every single time Silver is mentioned it is preceded by her job title. These are my words, but you get the point:
"Do we dare hope Assistant State's Attorney Silver is still alive?"
"Don't be too quick to shoot - we don't want to hit Assistant State's Attorney Silver."
"Somebody grab a blanket for Assistant State's Attorney Silver."
Um, I don't think so. The seconds are ticking away toward a grand finale - I seriously doubt anyone would waste them on such formalities.
But as I said at the beginning, on the whole this is a decent book that's worth reading. Main characters Gold and Battle need a bit more fleshing out, but they're interesting enough that I'll be on the lookout for their next go-'round. Bring it on!
The book features David Gold, a product of the tough neighborhood of South Chicago and a highly decorated Chicago detective. He gets a new partner, Detective A.C. Battle, who was born in Mississippi but grew up in a different part of the Windy City. Gold lost his original long-time partner in the process of capturing a Muslim graduate student who intended to bomb the Chicago Art Institute. Now, Gold and Battle find themselves in the middle of another bombing - this one detonated across the street from the Art Institute where Gold is being awarded a Medal of Valor for his part in the apprehension.
And that's just for openers. In short order, bombs go off in other high-profile places all over town, followed by cell phone messages demanding that the grad student, who is to go on trial soon, be released from jail and the charges dropped. They're "signed" by the Islamic Freedom Federation, but no one - from the Chicago police to the FBI to Homeland Security, has ever heard of the organization, nor can they trace the origin of the calls. The evidence keeps pointing to someone from a local mosque who's hell bent on terror, but Gold suspects something (or someone) else is afoot.
It's a well-thought-out story, but a few things bugged me a bit. In between the action of bombings and the rush to find a killer who seems almost impossible to stop, for instance, is a lot of neighborhood history. While it's interesting, there's so much of it that parts of the book read more like a memoir and detracted from the thrill of the chase.
But wait, there's more. As Gold and his squeeze Laura Silver (who will be the prosecutor in the grad student's trial) are, or so it reads, sitting at opposite ends of a sofa, he "put a finger to her lips." Wow, he must have much longer reach than most folks I know or that's a really short sofa (but then again, maybe that's one of the reasons he was a boxer).
And, at one point after a couple of bombs have gone off, one law enforcement officer is quoted as saying, "Three dead, eight injured. This is a disaster." Well, duh.
The one that really got me, though, was near the end when, in the heat of a climactic battle, every single time Silver is mentioned it is preceded by her job title. These are my words, but you get the point:
"Do we dare hope Assistant State's Attorney Silver is still alive?"
"Don't be too quick to shoot - we don't want to hit Assistant State's Attorney Silver."
"Somebody grab a blanket for Assistant State's Attorney Silver."
Um, I don't think so. The seconds are ticking away toward a grand finale - I seriously doubt anyone would waste them on such formalities.
But as I said at the beginning, on the whole this is a decent book that's worth reading. Main characters Gold and Battle need a bit more fleshing out, but they're interesting enough that I'll be on the lookout for their next go-'round. Bring it on!
March 3, 2018
This is an action packed thriller from beginning to end. Someone is placing bombs in cars and then detonating them with untraceable cellphones striking fear in the heart of Chicago. Wrigley Field station, Millennium Park, the Museum of Science and Industry, O’Hare Airport, Hyde Park train station have been targeted. The bomber has shut down a major US city.
Comes detectives Gold and Battle on the hunt across Chicago’s colorful neighbourhood for what they believe is a “long wolf” but this “terrorist” has an agenda up his sleeves and plays a taunting cat and mouse game with Chicago’s finest.
Enjoy this book for what it is: a captivating suspense of improbable moves: a wicked plot that unwraps at a rapid speed and two Detectives always one step behind the killer. Bombs are bursting everywhere, this is so well described you can see and feel this happening and you almost smell the aftermath, tremendously well written action scenes. The author definitely spins a good yarn that held me spellbound and interested from the first page. The suspense is undeniable. Keep guessing, the usual suspects are there but the ending may surprise you……The characterisation is great: well-defined and portrayed cast of players. Gold and Battles are likeable detectives and I hope they return soon to entertain us.
This story is in many ways scary, could this really happen? Could one person cause all this mayhem and shut down a city?
“The Terrorist Next Door” is a great read.
Comes detectives Gold and Battle on the hunt across Chicago’s colorful neighbourhood for what they believe is a “long wolf” but this “terrorist” has an agenda up his sleeves and plays a taunting cat and mouse game with Chicago’s finest.
Enjoy this book for what it is: a captivating suspense of improbable moves: a wicked plot that unwraps at a rapid speed and two Detectives always one step behind the killer. Bombs are bursting everywhere, this is so well described you can see and feel this happening and you almost smell the aftermath, tremendously well written action scenes. The author definitely spins a good yarn that held me spellbound and interested from the first page. The suspense is undeniable. Keep guessing, the usual suspects are there but the ending may surprise you……The characterisation is great: well-defined and portrayed cast of players. Gold and Battles are likeable detectives and I hope they return soon to entertain us.
This story is in many ways scary, could this really happen? Could one person cause all this mayhem and shut down a city?
“The Terrorist Next Door” is a great read.
January 5, 2023
Many people loved this story, and you might too, and it wasn't bad. But I'm picky and had some issues.
A terrorist really terrorizes Chicago with multiple bombings set off remotely. A cop and the FBI chase him down.
What I liked:
-It seems like this really could happen. Honestly, I am surprised it hasn't happened somewhere.
-Written well.
-The author knows Chicago well.
What I didn't like:
-The story quickly becomes procedural as they keep chasing down leads and eliminating suspects.
-Too much Chicago history unless you like it. Interesting, but not necessary for the story, and slowed it down.
-Lots of suspects. As soon as they start chasing one down, you know it won't be them.
-Lots of cars explode, but as soon as it happens, they all rush there, and some people are killed or injured, and they get a text. Then off to the next explosion.
Overall: Not too much of a thriller, but an interesting slow tour of Chicago. Not saying don't read it, you be the judge.
A terrorist really terrorizes Chicago with multiple bombings set off remotely. A cop and the FBI chase him down.
What I liked:
-It seems like this really could happen. Honestly, I am surprised it hasn't happened somewhere.
-Written well.
-The author knows Chicago well.
What I didn't like:
-The story quickly becomes procedural as they keep chasing down leads and eliminating suspects.
-Too much Chicago history unless you like it. Interesting, but not necessary for the story, and slowed it down.
-Lots of suspects. As soon as they start chasing one down, you know it won't be them.
-Lots of cars explode, but as soon as it happens, they all rush there, and some people are killed or injured, and they get a text. Then off to the next explosion.
Overall: Not too much of a thriller, but an interesting slow tour of Chicago. Not saying don't read it, you be the judge.
March 27, 2013
Review: THE TERRORIST NEXT DOOR by Sheldon Siegel
(A David Gold and A.C. Battles Mystery)
This first entry in a new series by accomplished author and attorney Sheldon Siegel is totally riveting. Set in Chicago, Area 2 Detective David Gold (a lifelong resident of South Chicago) and his new partner, Detective A. C. Battles, track an elusive bomber who seems determined to shut down the city. Author Siegel keeps the suspense constantly rising, the characters constantly comprehensible, and the reader constantly involved in the story. He also takes us through South Chicago's geography and history. I eagerly anticipate the return of Gold and Battles, two very likable detectives and characters of integrity.
(A David Gold and A.C. Battles Mystery)
This first entry in a new series by accomplished author and attorney Sheldon Siegel is totally riveting. Set in Chicago, Area 2 Detective David Gold (a lifelong resident of South Chicago) and his new partner, Detective A. C. Battles, track an elusive bomber who seems determined to shut down the city. Author Siegel keeps the suspense constantly rising, the characters constantly comprehensible, and the reader constantly involved in the story. He also takes us through South Chicago's geography and history. I eagerly anticipate the return of Gold and Battles, two very likable detectives and characters of integrity.
April 8, 2015
Excellent book.
This book should be read buy the people and all the 3, 4 letter agencies. This could happen in any city or any country around the world. But in this country, we have to do all we can help our Veterans. Another very good thriller, read all his books.
This book should be read buy the people and all the 3, 4 letter agencies. This could happen in any city or any country around the world. But in this country, we have to do all we can help our Veterans. Another very good thriller, read all his books.
April 12, 2025
Kept Me On the Edge of My Seat!
And it kept me guessing. "The Terrorist Next Door" is a fast-paced thriller, the first of the David Gold / A.C. Battle series, but I haven't seen any subsequent books in this series.
The plot centers around a terrorist (or terrorists) setting off bombs around the city of Chicago in demand for the release of another terrorist that David Gold had captured and arrested. Gold & Battle run around from bomb site to bomb site, collecting clues, and interviewing suspects within a two-to-three-day period. They try to stay focused in light of increased pressure from city politicians and the press.
I love the Mike Dale / Rosie Fernandez series set in San Francisco. I love the way Siegel develops his characters through the series and how he makes the geography a key "character" of the story.
Where the Mike & Rosie series is set in San Fran, "The Terrorist Next Door" takes place in Chicago, and Siegel, again, makes the city a key character. You really get a feel for the city, especially the south side. And where the Mike & Rosie series focuses on the legal aspects, Gold & Battle are Chicago cops. Their attention is on solving the case, bringing the perp to justice.
The only downside (and it's not a big one) is the references to Blackberrys as communication devices, which seems outdated. The book was published in 2012; I certainly had my first iPhone by then. It was just weird to see the Blackberry references.
All in all, though a really good thriller. Hope there are more of the Gold / Battle series.
And it kept me guessing. "The Terrorist Next Door" is a fast-paced thriller, the first of the David Gold / A.C. Battle series, but I haven't seen any subsequent books in this series.
The plot centers around a terrorist (or terrorists) setting off bombs around the city of Chicago in demand for the release of another terrorist that David Gold had captured and arrested. Gold & Battle run around from bomb site to bomb site, collecting clues, and interviewing suspects within a two-to-three-day period. They try to stay focused in light of increased pressure from city politicians and the press.
I love the Mike Dale / Rosie Fernandez series set in San Francisco. I love the way Siegel develops his characters through the series and how he makes the geography a key "character" of the story.
Where the Mike & Rosie series is set in San Fran, "The Terrorist Next Door" takes place in Chicago, and Siegel, again, makes the city a key character. You really get a feel for the city, especially the south side. And where the Mike & Rosie series focuses on the legal aspects, Gold & Battle are Chicago cops. Their attention is on solving the case, bringing the perp to justice.
The only downside (and it's not a big one) is the references to Blackberrys as communication devices, which seems outdated. The book was published in 2012; I certainly had my first iPhone by then. It was just weird to see the Blackberry references.
All in all, though a really good thriller. Hope there are more of the Gold / Battle series.
January 1, 2025
As with most cop thrillers, The Terrorist Next Door walks us through a series of dead-end-suspect-interviews and red herrings, eventually circling back to finding the criminal. This book expertly offered believable and nuanced characters, and some interesting and detailed geographic and cultural history of the Chicago area; the hook & action also continued to intensify to the satisfactory conclusion. Overall, I enjoyed it. I consumed it in two days as an audio book with Narration by Tim Campbell. Campbell's delivery & range felt limited for the first couple chapters, but as more and more characters were introduced, his VO talent shone through. This was an enjoyable book & listen.
November 10, 2022
I literally cannot read any more of this book. The unnecessary history involved in this is just ridiculous. I don’t need to know why this certain street in Chicago was named after some baseball player. It has no relevance. I did not care about any of the characters or what the outcome was. I felt like it could’ve been a novella if the author didn’t put all of that history fluff in it. Not worth picking up in my opinion
May 18, 2017
Too Preposterous
This is a fast-paced book in some ways (i.e.: its plot) -- but the way it is written -- it is very, very, very slow and drawn-out, and there were several times I thought of just ditching it. Instead, I read it to the end -- but can only describe it as unrealistic and unbelievable.
This is a fast-paced book in some ways (i.e.: its plot) -- but the way it is written -- it is very, very, very slow and drawn-out, and there were several times I thought of just ditching it. Instead, I read it to the end -- but can only describe it as unrealistic and unbelievable.
July 20, 2017
Well-paced with some interesting Chicago history and some nice suspense. Some of the investigative scenes seemed superficial, especially in comparison to the details about Chicago history. The story focused so much on the protagonist that it felt too light on the terror being caused by the mystery antagonist. Still, I enjoyed it and might check out others by this author.
November 12, 2019
"Wow! What An Explosive Story"
This is another great story which is totally captivating and fast reading. The novel introduces two new Chicago detectives, David Gold and AC Battle. The two together have great chemistry and are always only one step behind the killer. Great more detective stories sure to follow.
This is another great story which is totally captivating and fast reading. The novel introduces two new Chicago detectives, David Gold and AC Battle. The two together have great chemistry and are always only one step behind the killer. Great more detective stories sure to follow.
February 20, 2020
One of the reasons I liked this book is because it takes place in Chicago, my hometown, and even named a place where I worked one summer, the Museum of Science and Industry, but also where my mother worked, Dominick’s grocery store. Plus, it was a compelling story about a terrorist setting off multiple bombs. I have to read more from this series!
February 16, 2025
Quick read, engaging characters and a story that moves right along. A terrorist is planting bombs all over Chicago and Gold and his partner, Battle are tasked with the job of finding the culprit. They are like a dog with bone and just keep digging until they find who it is. Some unexpected happenings and a nice tidy ending.
February 18, 2019
Great read, lots of suspense and a nice twist with a FBI informant (didn't see that one coming). Not being from Chicago and not having visited there, I found the neighbourhood descriptions a bit long, but probably interesting to someone who knows Chicago.
August 19, 2019
New city new characters are intoxicating
Sheldon Siegel has given Me a lot of pleasure with the legal series Daley and Fernandez based inSan Francisco. Now Gold and Battle continue my reading pleasure in a new city, Chicago.
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Can't wait for the next book!
Sheldon Siegel has given Me a lot of pleasure with the legal series Daley and Fernandez based inSan Francisco. Now Gold and Battle continue my reading pleasure in a new city, Chicago.
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Can't wait for the next book!
February 3, 2020
Fast-paced, heart-pounding action -- another winner from Sheldon Siegel! Best of all, it's the start of a new series. (Faithful readers of the Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez series will recognize a few familiar names that pop up as minor characters here.)
June 2, 2020
Great story
This is the second Sheldon Siegel book I’ve read in two weeks and I’ve loved both. Great characters and a great story that unfortunately is totally plausible. Can’t wait to get further into this series.
This is the second Sheldon Siegel book I’ve read in two weeks and I’ve loved both. Great characters and a great story that unfortunately is totally plausible. Can’t wait to get further into this series.
October 30, 2020
Compelling
Love Siegel's characterization. He managed to give the perpetrator's thoughts as important as his actions. The detectives and FBI interaction was a refreshing take on a theme that many books use. Liked the combination of their working together despite any issues.
Love Siegel's characterization. He managed to give the perpetrator's thoughts as important as his actions. The detectives and FBI interaction was a refreshing take on a theme that many books use. Liked the combination of their working together despite any issues.
November 7, 2020
I've read other Sheldon Siegel books and enjoyed them. This book was the exception. It was more in the line of 'can't wait til I'm finished so I can start something worth reading'. I kept thinking it would improve, but it just never happened.
March 24, 2021
Not magical like Mike and Rosie...
I wanted to love this as much as I love the Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez books, but the magic wasn’t here for me with this book. It was a great history lesson on the Obamas in the Chicago area, though...so at least I enjoyed that part a lot.
I wanted to love this as much as I love the Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez books, but the magic wasn’t here for me with this book. It was a great history lesson on the Obamas in the Chicago area, though...so at least I enjoyed that part a lot.
March 31, 2021
Truly exciting!
It’s amazing how this book catches your attention since the first sentence. I’ve been to Chicago and it was fine to remember the top points at downtown. I truly recommend the reading of this book. Another great book from Sheldon Siegel.
It’s amazing how this book catches your attention since the first sentence. I’ve been to Chicago and it was fine to remember the top points at downtown. I truly recommend the reading of this book. Another great book from Sheldon Siegel.
June 28, 2021
Siegel Doesn't Fail!
I was a bit confused in the beginning, but all matters came to clarity midway through.
It took me a while to complete because of worldly issues, but am very pleased to have finished it! Mr. Siegel does excellent writing.
I was a bit confused in the beginning, but all matters came to clarity midway through.
It took me a while to complete because of worldly issues, but am very pleased to have finished it! Mr. Siegel does excellent writing.
September 24, 2021
Very detailed, captivating
Twists &turns, lots of things to think about as you try to figure it all out. Ill use this series by the author as audio books to keep my awake on long drives.
Twists &turns, lots of things to think about as you try to figure it all out. Ill use this series by the author as audio books to keep my awake on long drives.
November 17, 2021
A story full of suspense an action.
The author has written a very intriguing and action packed story of a criminal’s actions that shut down a city and the police’s attempts to stop him. A story for anyone who likes action and suspense.
The author has written a very intriguing and action packed story of a criminal’s actions that shut down a city and the police’s attempts to stop him. A story for anyone who likes action and suspense.
Read
August 28, 2022A competent but unremarkable novel. The plot was a bit over the top and it was far too easy to work out the villain in the story. It would work well as a tv movie. The strengths of the author is his easy to read style and I liked the anecdotal aspects of the story with Chicago history.
June 26, 2025
Pulsating
I love Siegel. This is a book that I kept putting down and then having to read some more. Great plot about real life.
You can still write great novels without lurid sex and wasted cursing.
I love Siegel. This is a book that I kept putting down and then having to read some more. Great plot about real life.
You can still write great novels without lurid sex and wasted cursing.
September 29, 2026
Chicago fans should definitely read
It gets into a lot of detail about Chicago neighborhoods and history so I would imagine if you’re familiar with Chicago then you’ll enjoy that. Solid book. I just get burned out on “formula” books after awhile.
It gets into a lot of detail about Chicago neighborhoods and history so I would imagine if you’re familiar with Chicago then you’ll enjoy that. Solid book. I just get burned out on “formula” books after awhile.
May 29, 2017
The End
A battle in Chicago fought hard to the very end. I hope not realistic and just a cop adventure. I HOPE
A battle in Chicago fought hard to the very end. I hope not realistic and just a cop adventure. I HOPE
June 4, 2017
Good Read
This was definitely different from the Daly and Hernandez series, I liked it. A fast pace easy read set in a great city.
This was definitely different from the Daly and Hernandez series, I liked it. A fast pace easy read set in a great city.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews