Gabriel Lock: Bound by Law

by D. & H. Cancio

Gabriel Lock is a young lawyer who chooses a forced resignation and leaves the state attorney’s office. At his father’s civil law firm, he represents industrious, salt of the earth men and women who build honest lives on the other side of Miami Vice. Armed with his smarts, morals, and faith, Gabriel battles for his clientele. As his practice develops, he learns that his duties to his clients, and the search for truth are often at odds. He discovers that justice is more than black or white, and results not only affect his clients’ lives, but his own.

The year is 1981 and his adventure is about to begin.

324 pages, Hardcover

Published August 30, 2024

About the author

D. & H. Cancio are a father-son writing team where they combine writing styles and lived experience to bring Gabriel Lock to life. Humberto has practiced law for over 45 years and David has been his son for most of them. What began as a project to make up for lost time turned into a father-son series for the ages, one they hope that you'll enjoy!

Reviews

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabriel Lock was a prosecutor at the State Attorney's Office in Miami, Florida. When his division chief forced him to choose between politics and principle, Gabriel resigned. The office deemed politics more critical than an individual prosecutor's pursuit of justice for his client—but Gabriel chose his values. His explanation to his division chief was simple: it was time to join his father's civil law practice. Now, Gabriel would represent clients as an attorney pursuing justice through civil litigation. Justice was always the reason he had chosen to become an attorney.

The storyline takes place from December 1980 to December 1981 with a few flashbacks. This is Gabriel's story. The multiple cases in this book are as unique as the clients they serve. I loved Gabriel's relationship with his father, Thomas. The shining star of their relationship is Gabriel's trust in his father's wisdom and the openness that allows Gabriel to ask questions freely. Thomas answers with awareness that Gabriel is transitioning from prosecutor to civil attorney, giving him room to breathe and reach his own conclusions when the decision is his to make.

Through the narrative, it becomes clear why individuals feel confident asking Gabriel to represent them. Father and son are guided by principles, values, integrity, faith, and the law. This is perhaps best captured by the epigraph at the beginning of the book:

"The Sacred Charge of Lawyers is to give themselves to those who need them." —Thomas Lock

Gabriel does not waver from these principles, making for gripping, page-turning reading.

I look forward to reading more of this series.

Reviewer's Note: I first read this compelling legal thriller in autumn 2024, but at that time, I had paused writing book reviews. I reread this novel to acknowledge it as a legal thriller that stands out in a meaningful way. This novel is one of seven planned by a father-son writing team, inspired by true events spanning Humberto Cancio's 45+ years as a civil attorney in Miami.

[Linzie (book.clubbin.besties) Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very beginning, I felt like I was living inside a lawyer’s mind! Bound by Law isn’t just about one case—it brilliantly moves from one legal battle to another, keeping the pace fresh and exciting while showing the wide scope of the legal world.
What makes this book even more special is that it’s written by a father–son duo, and you can feel the heart and perspective they bring to the story. The characters are extremely courageous and Godly, standing firm in their convictions while navigating intense challenges in and out of the courtroom.
This novel blends sharp legal drama with faith and resilience, making it both thought-provoking and deeply inspiring. If you’re looking for a story that’s gripping, authentic, and uplifting, Bound by Law is a must-read!

[Chris Maltezos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the first Gabriel Lock series book-Gabriel Lock- Bound by Law. It's written by the father son team D & H (David-son-Humberto-father) Cancio. The novel centers around a young Miami attorney who decides to leave the politics of the state prosecutors office and join his father's civil law firm. Hoping to cleanse himself and begin to feel he's doing good for people, he takes on cases with regular salt of the earth type clients in need of help. The novel takes place over one year during the early 80s. It not only captures the hispanic flavor of Miami well, but gives us an earnest hero we can root for. I'm ready for the next 6 books in this series. If you like legal dramas, I recommend!

[B T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bound By Law immediately stood out as a unique legal drama. Set in 1980s Miami, the backdrop perfectly complements the story of a father-son lawyer duo fighting for justice. Their mission to help clients and make a difference in a world rife with hardship is both compelling and relatable.
The writing feels authentic, likely due to the authors' real-life legal experience, which adds a depth of realism often missing in similar novels. I'm even more shocked that this is David and Humberto's first novel and eagerly anticipate what they'll create next!

In full transparency, thank you to the authors for an advance signed copy.

[Miriam Calderin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening and uplifting read!

Although, my favorite genre is romance, this book was recommended to me by a friend, since I am Cuban and grew up in Miami. Needless to say, I really enjoyed it. It is about a lawyer and some of his cases. What I liked most about it was that it explored human emotions and kindness, that can exist during some very tough situations. Gabriel is hard on himself, but is a very upstanding young man who loves his family and his faith. I look forward to reading other books by these authors, and hopefully they’ll include a love interest!

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never really read a book that follows a lawyer and honestly wasn't sure if I'd like this one. I'm happy to say I enjoyed it and am glad I indulged in something very different from my usual reads. I felt like I was watching an old school detective/lawyer movie which is fitting because the story takes place in the 80s. The stories surrounding the cases had depth to them and left me eager to know what happens next. This was a good read that kept me interested with the turn of every page.

[Ty Prentice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Law made fun.

[Moriah Ruthford]

Cuban culture mixed with Miami law presents a gripping novel, as a young lawyer follows what’s morally right through complex cases. You’ll love the cases, you’ll love the dialogue, and you’ll be even more amazed when you realize David and Humberto wrote the perspectives separately and seamlessly wove the two separately written pieces together. This is a page turner novel with so much to offer beyond “law.” Incredible start for a debut novel.

*I typically am not drawn to read about fictionalized law cases or law and order type shows, but I would read this again and others published by D&H Cancio

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

D. &. H. Cancio (David & Humberto) are a father-son writing team from Florida.

A novel inspired by true events.