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An Insignificant Case
A new standalone legal thriller from the international bestselling author of GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.
Charlie Webb is a third-rate lawyer who graduated from a third law school and, because he couldn’t get hired by any of the major law firms, has opened his own law firm, where he gets by handling cases for dubious associates from his youth and some court-appointed cases.
Described as “a leaky boat floating down the stream of life,” Charlie has led an unremarkable life, personally and professionally. Until he’s appointed to be the attorney for a decidedly crackpot artist who calls himself Guido Sabatini (born Lawrence Weiss). Sabatini has been arrested – again – for breaking into a restaurant and stealing back a painting he sold them because he was insulted by where it was displayed. But as Lawrence Weiss, he’s also an accomplished card shark and burglar and while he was there, he stole a thumb drive from the owner’s safe. Not knowing what else Sabatini has stolen, Webb negotiates the return of the painting and 'other items’ for the owner dropping charges against Sabatini. But the contents of the flash drive threatens very powerful figures who are determined to retrieve it, the restaurant owner (Gretchen Hall) and her driver (Yuri Makarov) are being investigated for the sex trafficking of minors, and there are others who have a violent grudge against Sabatini. When a minor theft case becomes a double homicide, and even more, Charlie Webb, an insignificant lawyer assigned to an insignificant case, is faced with the most important, and deadliest, case of his life. Going back to his long-time bestselling roots,
Phillip Margolin returns with a brilliant standalone legal thriller in the tradition of John Grisham.
Charlie Webb is a third-rate lawyer who graduated from a third law school and, because he couldn’t get hired by any of the major law firms, has opened his own law firm, where he gets by handling cases for dubious associates from his youth and some court-appointed cases.
Described as “a leaky boat floating down the stream of life,” Charlie has led an unremarkable life, personally and professionally. Until he’s appointed to be the attorney for a decidedly crackpot artist who calls himself Guido Sabatini (born Lawrence Weiss). Sabatini has been arrested – again – for breaking into a restaurant and stealing back a painting he sold them because he was insulted by where it was displayed. But as Lawrence Weiss, he’s also an accomplished card shark and burglar and while he was there, he stole a thumb drive from the owner’s safe. Not knowing what else Sabatini has stolen, Webb negotiates the return of the painting and 'other items’ for the owner dropping charges against Sabatini. But the contents of the flash drive threatens very powerful figures who are determined to retrieve it, the restaurant owner (Gretchen Hall) and her driver (Yuri Makarov) are being investigated for the sex trafficking of minors, and there are others who have a violent grudge against Sabatini. When a minor theft case becomes a double homicide, and even more, Charlie Webb, an insignificant lawyer assigned to an insignificant case, is faced with the most important, and deadliest, case of his life. Going back to his long-time bestselling roots,
Phillip Margolin returns with a brilliant standalone legal thriller in the tradition of John Grisham.
500 pages, Library Binding
First published November 5, 2024
435 people are currently reading
12625 people want to read
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October 25, 2024
Philip Margolin has written a suspenseful standalone legal thriller:
An Insignificant Case.
Carlie Webb is considered a third-rate lawyer who opened his own law firm when he couldn’t get hired by any major law firms in Portland, Oregon. He gets by handlings court-appointed cases as well as handling cases for friends and those his family refers to him.
When Lawrence Weiss, calling himself Guido Sabatini, is arrested for breaking into a restaurant and stealing back a painting he sold them because he was insulted by where he is displayed, Charlie is assigned to handle his case. However, the painting isn’t the only think Guido stole, and the situation quickly becomes suspenseful and dangerous. But as the charges mount up, can Charlie handle the cases or will his inexperience lead to convictions?
Charlie is humble, empathetic, too trusting, and doesn’t gloat when he wins. Guido is a talented artist who is witty, eccentric, and a card shark. The other main and secondary characters have depth and felt true to their natures.
This was a fascinating premise and storyline. The investigation as well as the courtroom drama were well-done. The pacing was fast and kept me engaged and turning the pages rapidly. With exciting scenes and an antagonist that thinks on his feet, this is a riveting legal thriller. The story quickly hooked me and kept me engaged to the very end. However, the ending felt somewhat rushed.
Overall, this is an entertaining, suspenseful, and fast read with several plot twists and good characterization. I would love to see this turned into a series.
St. Martin’s Press and Phillip Margolin provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for November 05, 2024.
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My 4.2 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
When Lawrence Weiss, calling himself Guido Sabatini, is arrested for breaking into a restaurant and stealing back a painting he sold them because he was insulted by where he is displayed, Charlie is assigned to handle his case. However, the painting isn’t the only think Guido stole, and the situation quickly becomes suspenseful and dangerous. But as the charges mount up, can Charlie handle the cases or will his inexperience lead to convictions?
Charlie is humble, empathetic, too trusting, and doesn’t gloat when he wins. Guido is a talented artist who is witty, eccentric, and a card shark. The other main and secondary characters have depth and felt true to their natures.
This was a fascinating premise and storyline. The investigation as well as the courtroom drama were well-done. The pacing was fast and kept me engaged and turning the pages rapidly. With exciting scenes and an antagonist that thinks on his feet, this is a riveting legal thriller. The story quickly hooked me and kept me engaged to the very end. However, the ending felt somewhat rushed.
Overall, this is an entertaining, suspenseful, and fast read with several plot twists and good characterization. I would love to see this turned into a series.
St. Martin’s Press and Phillip Margolin provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for November 05, 2024.
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My 4.2 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
August 3, 2024
3.5*
The latest stand-alone legal thriller from the talented and established author, Phillip Margolin.
Charlie Webb may not be the first lawyer you’d necessarily turn to when finding yourself in a pickle. He works independently, barely making enough money to put a roof over his head… and his personal life doesn’t fare much better.
But a golden opportunity lands in his lap to defend a man named Guido Sabatini. (At least that’s how he likes to refer to himself.)
He’s an artist who’s accused of stealing back one of his paintings. The motivation? He didn’t like where the purchaser hung it!😂 But in the midst of the art heist, Guido helped himself to a thumb-drive that it seems everyone wants to get their hands on.
Now Charlie is really in over his head… the stakes just ramped-up to murder charges!
I would classify this book as legal thriller-lite. As with most books by this author they are quick, enjoyable reads. I did hope for a bit more character development with Charlie and some of the others. I think it would have added a bit more depth to the storyline.
Overall, another entertaining addition to Phillip Margolin's catalogue of legal thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press
The latest stand-alone legal thriller from the talented and established author, Phillip Margolin.
Charlie Webb may not be the first lawyer you’d necessarily turn to when finding yourself in a pickle. He works independently, barely making enough money to put a roof over his head… and his personal life doesn’t fare much better.
But a golden opportunity lands in his lap to defend a man named Guido Sabatini. (At least that’s how he likes to refer to himself.)
He’s an artist who’s accused of stealing back one of his paintings. The motivation? He didn’t like where the purchaser hung it!😂 But in the midst of the art heist, Guido helped himself to a thumb-drive that it seems everyone wants to get their hands on.
Now Charlie is really in over his head… the stakes just ramped-up to murder charges!
I would classify this book as legal thriller-lite. As with most books by this author they are quick, enjoyable reads. I did hope for a bit more character development with Charlie and some of the others. I think it would have added a bit more depth to the storyline.
Overall, another entertaining addition to Phillip Margolin's catalogue of legal thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press
January 15, 2025
For the most part, this stand-alone novel is an interesting legal thriller with good courtroom drama scenes (when provided), and a compelling cast of characters. But are these characters believable?
When readers think everything is solved, they will soon find out there is more to unravel in this sometimes, engrossing page-turner.
We first meet Charlie Webb who has an average law practice. But when he is assigned Guido as his client, everything changes.
As a quirky artist, Guido has high expectations about where his art that is bought by others, should be hung. When restaurant owner Gretchen Hall doesn’t hang his art where it gets maximum exposure for the public to see, he decides to take his painting back, and while doing so, rob her safe. The thing is, what he took from the safe means something to a lot of “important” people.
What did he steal that has everyone out to collect it and possibly putting Guido in danger? And, when we learn that Gretchen has been arrested for her role in a more serious crime, and then murdered, and Guido accused of her murder, is everything quite as it seems?
I couldn’t help but wonder if this story felt “ripped from the headlines” – i.e., the Epstein/Maxwell case comes to mind. Which made this aspect of the story feel somewhat uncomfortable in its execution.
And yet, aspects of this novel may be interpreted as entertaining, quick-paced, and twisty enough that readers may possibly hope that Charlie Webb can get to the bottom of it all before the last page.
The question is, will we as readers be patient enough to see the story to its end? Or, will it be a skipper read because we just want it to be done?
3.5 stars
When readers think everything is solved, they will soon find out there is more to unravel in this sometimes, engrossing page-turner.
We first meet Charlie Webb who has an average law practice. But when he is assigned Guido as his client, everything changes.
As a quirky artist, Guido has high expectations about where his art that is bought by others, should be hung. When restaurant owner Gretchen Hall doesn’t hang his art where it gets maximum exposure for the public to see, he decides to take his painting back, and while doing so, rob her safe. The thing is, what he took from the safe means something to a lot of “important” people.
What did he steal that has everyone out to collect it and possibly putting Guido in danger? And, when we learn that Gretchen has been arrested for her role in a more serious crime, and then murdered, and Guido accused of her murder, is everything quite as it seems?
I couldn’t help but wonder if this story felt “ripped from the headlines” – i.e., the Epstein/Maxwell case comes to mind. Which made this aspect of the story feel somewhat uncomfortable in its execution.
And yet, aspects of this novel may be interpreted as entertaining, quick-paced, and twisty enough that readers may possibly hope that Charlie Webb can get to the bottom of it all before the last page.
The question is, will we as readers be patient enough to see the story to its end? Or, will it be a skipper read because we just want it to be done?
3.5 stars
November 6, 2024
4.5 Stars raised to 5. This was a riveting, entertaining mystery and court drama. I had never read anything by Phillip Margolin, which was a big mistake. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for introducing me to this writer, who is now on my list as a writer I definitely want to follow. The court scenes were compelling, with increasing suspense. The storyline and the characters were brilliantly developed, with the predominant ones memorable and intriguing.
Charlie Webb lacks self-confidence and self-respect. He has led a mediocre life and considers himself insignificant. He has a few loyal friends who regard Charlie as better than he views himself. He was always a C student and was turned down by first-rate law schools, settling into one that was third-rate. Unable to join a legal team, he opened his own modest law office where he represented old friends from a motorcycle gang and a few court-appointed cases. His bank balance is very low. He has always had difficulty with women, considering them out of his league and fearing rejection.
Charlie has been appointed to an insignificant legal case. He must represent a deluded artist, Guido Sabatini, who has a marvellous talent. Guido, whose real name is Lawrence Weiss, becomes belligerent if referred to his actual name. He firmly believes that he is the reincarnation of a Renaissance painter who worked alongside Michelangelo and de Vinci. Before he started painting incessantly, he was a brilliant mathemetician, a professional card shark, and a skilled burglar. After winning a huge sum of money at cards from fellow gamblers, they tried and failed to get it back and now want revenge.
Because he is nervous, thinking that he does not have the skills and ability to represent Guido, Charlie is given a first-class, experienced lawyer to assist him. Guido is charged with theft. He sold a magnificent painting to Gretchen, a restaurant owner She hung the artwork in her office rather than in the main dining area, where customers could admire it. Angry and feeling disrespected, Guido breaks into her safe to retrieve his painting and also takes a thumb drive. Charlie's arguments for the defence were better than anyone expected, and he did a good job thinking on his feet.
In the meantime, Gretchen, a movie producer, and her bodyguard are taken into custody and charged with the sex trafficking of young girls. The case is now becoming tangled. Bodies start piling up, and the case has accelerated to a significant one. Guido has been set up to look guilty. Charlie wants out, but Guido will not consent to anyone else defending him. Charlie now has his first murder trial.
The thumb drive is now in Guido's possession, and it contains a video of a disturbing rape and murder of a young teenage girl. It also shows the leaders of the sex trafficking ring and some of its powerful and prominent clients. Those wanting the video will go to great extremes to retrieve it to avoid going to prison. Guido is in great danger. He refuses to disclose to Charlie and other legal authorities where he has hidden it. Elin is a naive, pleasant, and pretty young girl who sits in the courtroom taking notes. Charlie was persuaded to allow her to help when she said she was interested in a possible future in law. Mainly, he was attracted to her but wouldn't dare ask for a date. This was all a deception on Elin's part. Her identity, background and motives were entirely different, and her goal is to enact vengeance on somebody.
Charlie uses great resources to keep Guido protected from imminent harm. Guido finally agrees to hand over his evidence to the judge if he can choose the place and the people present. This meeting erupts with violence, chaos, and some shocking surprises. Arrests are made, and we learn about the outcome for those involved, except very little was said about Guido.
I thought this gripping and intense book would make an excellent series. It was thought-provoking, contrasting legal with moral issues. Is vigilante action ever justified? Would some agree that the law may be subverted by principles and morality? What is true justice? Recommended.
Charlie Webb lacks self-confidence and self-respect. He has led a mediocre life and considers himself insignificant. He has a few loyal friends who regard Charlie as better than he views himself. He was always a C student and was turned down by first-rate law schools, settling into one that was third-rate. Unable to join a legal team, he opened his own modest law office where he represented old friends from a motorcycle gang and a few court-appointed cases. His bank balance is very low. He has always had difficulty with women, considering them out of his league and fearing rejection.
Charlie has been appointed to an insignificant legal case. He must represent a deluded artist, Guido Sabatini, who has a marvellous talent. Guido, whose real name is Lawrence Weiss, becomes belligerent if referred to his actual name. He firmly believes that he is the reincarnation of a Renaissance painter who worked alongside Michelangelo and de Vinci. Before he started painting incessantly, he was a brilliant mathemetician, a professional card shark, and a skilled burglar. After winning a huge sum of money at cards from fellow gamblers, they tried and failed to get it back and now want revenge.
Because he is nervous, thinking that he does not have the skills and ability to represent Guido, Charlie is given a first-class, experienced lawyer to assist him. Guido is charged with theft. He sold a magnificent painting to Gretchen, a restaurant owner She hung the artwork in her office rather than in the main dining area, where customers could admire it. Angry and feeling disrespected, Guido breaks into her safe to retrieve his painting and also takes a thumb drive. Charlie's arguments for the defence were better than anyone expected, and he did a good job thinking on his feet.
In the meantime, Gretchen, a movie producer, and her bodyguard are taken into custody and charged with the sex trafficking of young girls. The case is now becoming tangled. Bodies start piling up, and the case has accelerated to a significant one. Guido has been set up to look guilty. Charlie wants out, but Guido will not consent to anyone else defending him. Charlie now has his first murder trial.
The thumb drive is now in Guido's possession, and it contains a video of a disturbing rape and murder of a young teenage girl. It also shows the leaders of the sex trafficking ring and some of its powerful and prominent clients. Those wanting the video will go to great extremes to retrieve it to avoid going to prison. Guido is in great danger. He refuses to disclose to Charlie and other legal authorities where he has hidden it. Elin is a naive, pleasant, and pretty young girl who sits in the courtroom taking notes. Charlie was persuaded to allow her to help when she said she was interested in a possible future in law. Mainly, he was attracted to her but wouldn't dare ask for a date. This was all a deception on Elin's part. Her identity, background and motives were entirely different, and her goal is to enact vengeance on somebody.
Charlie uses great resources to keep Guido protected from imminent harm. Guido finally agrees to hand over his evidence to the judge if he can choose the place and the people present. This meeting erupts with violence, chaos, and some shocking surprises. Arrests are made, and we learn about the outcome for those involved, except very little was said about Guido.
I thought this gripping and intense book would make an excellent series. It was thought-provoking, contrasting legal with moral issues. Is vigilante action ever justified? Would some agree that the law may be subverted by principles and morality? What is true justice? Recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2024
I received this book from NetGalley and so I finished it. Had I borrowed it from the library, I would have dnf’d by the 20% point.
My biggest complaint is the writing. Subject-verb-predicate, subject-verb-predicate. It didn’t even reach eighth grade level; seventh grade at best. And, of course, as with all poor writing, everything was “tell” instead of “show”. I read books to immerse myself in another world; describing characters in terms of their external traits and past exploits does not do this.
Another complaint was the fact that the plot was put together from other sources. This was still another reiteration of the Harvey Weinstein/Jeffrey Epstein cases, and consequently contained nothing new. The “helpful” motorcycle gang (The Barbarians) seemed familiar as well—possibly a steal from Michael Connelly’s first Lincoln Lawyer novel—can’t be certain about where I ran into a similar story arc previously, but I did, many years ago. And of course the rogue security company consisting of former U.S. servicemen has been overused again and again—and nothing new is added; they simply serve as fodder for the storyline.
Before I reached the 20% point, I had identified the master criminal pulling the strings. This was supposed to be the “surprise” that the reader hadn’t anticipated but it was telegraphed so clearly very early in the story that there was no surprise.
Then there were the obviously ridiculous parts:
* a restaurant owner opens her wall safe in front of a stranger, a safe that was supposed to be hidden, and punches in the safe’s combination. Inside are wads of cash, from which she peels off a few hundreds. She does this because she thinks the stranger is harmless. Give me a break.
* the lawyer, Charlie, hires a stranger to work with him, on the biggest case he has ever handled, without asking for references, or even ensuring that she is who she says she is. Charlie is described as “average” but not as “stupid”, and his previous actions have shown that he is not stupid. Another bizarre segment designed to further the narrative.
* I also found the ending preposterous—upbeat in a moral sense but not legally justified.
Finally, although the Guido/Lawrence character was unique, he, too, seemed to have been created by combining parts that didn’t psychologically form a whole—a bit of child abuse, combined with a dash of schizophrenia, possibly with some autism added to the mix. Not believable.
Several readers have thoroughly enjoyed this one, so don’t rely on my critique in making your decision. I would suggest, however, that you not spend your money to read it. Borrow it from a library.
It moves quickly, so it might serve well as an audiobook to listen to while doing monotonous chores.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
My biggest complaint is the writing. Subject-verb-predicate, subject-verb-predicate. It didn’t even reach eighth grade level; seventh grade at best. And, of course, as with all poor writing, everything was “tell” instead of “show”. I read books to immerse myself in another world; describing characters in terms of their external traits and past exploits does not do this.
Another complaint was the fact that the plot was put together from other sources. This was still another reiteration of the Harvey Weinstein/Jeffrey Epstein cases, and consequently contained nothing new. The “helpful” motorcycle gang (The Barbarians) seemed familiar as well—possibly a steal from Michael Connelly’s first Lincoln Lawyer novel—can’t be certain about where I ran into a similar story arc previously, but I did, many years ago. And of course the rogue security company consisting of former U.S. servicemen has been overused again and again—and nothing new is added; they simply serve as fodder for the storyline.
Before I reached the 20% point, I had identified the master criminal pulling the strings. This was supposed to be the “surprise” that the reader hadn’t anticipated but it was telegraphed so clearly very early in the story that there was no surprise.
Then there were the obviously ridiculous parts:
* a restaurant owner opens her wall safe in front of a stranger, a safe that was supposed to be hidden, and punches in the safe’s combination. Inside are wads of cash, from which she peels off a few hundreds. She does this because she thinks the stranger is harmless. Give me a break.
* the lawyer, Charlie, hires a stranger to work with him, on the biggest case he has ever handled, without asking for references, or even ensuring that she is who she says she is. Charlie is described as “average” but not as “stupid”, and his previous actions have shown that he is not stupid. Another bizarre segment designed to further the narrative.
* I also found the ending preposterous—upbeat in a moral sense but not legally justified.
Finally, although the Guido/Lawrence character was unique, he, too, seemed to have been created by combining parts that didn’t psychologically form a whole—a bit of child abuse, combined with a dash of schizophrenia, possibly with some autism added to the mix. Not believable.
Several readers have thoroughly enjoyed this one, so don’t rely on my critique in making your decision. I would suggest, however, that you not spend your money to read it. Borrow it from a library.
It moves quickly, so it might serve well as an audiobook to listen to while doing monotonous chores.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
October 22, 2024
There were some pretty significant issues in "An Insignificant Case".
TW: Child trafficking.
A significant portion of this book was eerily similar to the Harvey Weinstein case.
Underaged girls were not cast in productions without producing sexual favors.
I listened to the audiobook.
Even though the book was well-written and Peter Ganim's narration was superb, I had zero interest in listening to a rehash of Harvey Weinstein-type allegations.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was the wrong reader for this book.
October 5, 2024
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Phillip Margolin, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
I have long enjoyed the work of Phillip Margolin, particularly his legal thrillers. While he has had a great deal of success with his series, Margolin does well with standalone novels as well. This was one such instance, in which a seemingly straightforward case balloons into something out of this world. A simple lawyer thinks that he will be handling a case of break and entry with a mentally disturbed client. What happens soon snowballs out of control and a massive sex exploitation ring emerges, soon followed by a number of murders. How Charlie Webb will juggle all this is something he has yet to understand, though the action is too swift to let him catch his breath. A brilliant thriller by Phillip Margolin that made it hard to put the book down.
Charlie Webb never called himself a stellar lawyer. Scraping by as best he can, Charlie never got the attention of the big firms and so he hung his own shingle in Portland and tried to help those he could through some dubious recommendations. Such is the life he leads when a new client file lands on his desk.
When the case of Lawrence Weiss is assigned to him, Charlie is in for a real surprise. Weiss, who goes by the name Guido Sabatini, is a mentally ill young man whose painting career is astounding, but he also demands that the public take notice. When one of his paintings was not hanging where he felt it should, he removed it from a restaurant back room, as well as taking a flash drive from the owner’s safe. After he is detained, Sabatini agrees to return the painting and ‘other items’ to the restaurant’s owner, for a pledge. Little does Charlie know what this is all about or how intense things will get.
When the restaurant owner is implicated in part of a sex exploitation ring, all bets are that the intel that could help sink things can be found on that flash drive. Sabatini soon becomes a target to get the drive back, but things get even more troubling when he is let out on bail and someone begins hunting him down. As Charlie tries to protect his client, he is thrust into the middle of things, just as bodies begin emerging. Someone is trying to send a message and there is no time to guess what might happen next. Armed with his own third-rate intuition and a sense of justice, Charlie Webb seeks to manoeuvre through the webs of lies and deceit to get to the truth to save himself, his client, and the judicial process. A chilling story that had me hooked until the very last page turn.
I have long enjoyed the writing of Phillip Margolin, as it is not only entertaining, but usually on point with much that is going on. His novels find their legs early and the narrative carries the the reader for the rest of the journey. The story builds and the action takes over, adding depth with many great plot points along the way. Short chapters help add a sense of urgency and the reader soon cannot stop reading or face certain curiosity that must be quenched. Great characters, especially for a standalone, help provide entertainment and intrigue, while the setting never fails to impress as Margolin weaves his web to capture the essence of the experience. I cannot wait to see what’s next and how Phillip Margolin will rise the bar once more.
Kudos, Mr. Margolin, for another strong novel that kept me hooked!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
I have long enjoyed the work of Phillip Margolin, particularly his legal thrillers. While he has had a great deal of success with his series, Margolin does well with standalone novels as well. This was one such instance, in which a seemingly straightforward case balloons into something out of this world. A simple lawyer thinks that he will be handling a case of break and entry with a mentally disturbed client. What happens soon snowballs out of control and a massive sex exploitation ring emerges, soon followed by a number of murders. How Charlie Webb will juggle all this is something he has yet to understand, though the action is too swift to let him catch his breath. A brilliant thriller by Phillip Margolin that made it hard to put the book down.
Charlie Webb never called himself a stellar lawyer. Scraping by as best he can, Charlie never got the attention of the big firms and so he hung his own shingle in Portland and tried to help those he could through some dubious recommendations. Such is the life he leads when a new client file lands on his desk.
When the case of Lawrence Weiss is assigned to him, Charlie is in for a real surprise. Weiss, who goes by the name Guido Sabatini, is a mentally ill young man whose painting career is astounding, but he also demands that the public take notice. When one of his paintings was not hanging where he felt it should, he removed it from a restaurant back room, as well as taking a flash drive from the owner’s safe. After he is detained, Sabatini agrees to return the painting and ‘other items’ to the restaurant’s owner, for a pledge. Little does Charlie know what this is all about or how intense things will get.
When the restaurant owner is implicated in part of a sex exploitation ring, all bets are that the intel that could help sink things can be found on that flash drive. Sabatini soon becomes a target to get the drive back, but things get even more troubling when he is let out on bail and someone begins hunting him down. As Charlie tries to protect his client, he is thrust into the middle of things, just as bodies begin emerging. Someone is trying to send a message and there is no time to guess what might happen next. Armed with his own third-rate intuition and a sense of justice, Charlie Webb seeks to manoeuvre through the webs of lies and deceit to get to the truth to save himself, his client, and the judicial process. A chilling story that had me hooked until the very last page turn.
I have long enjoyed the writing of Phillip Margolin, as it is not only entertaining, but usually on point with much that is going on. His novels find their legs early and the narrative carries the the reader for the rest of the journey. The story builds and the action takes over, adding depth with many great plot points along the way. Short chapters help add a sense of urgency and the reader soon cannot stop reading or face certain curiosity that must be quenched. Great characters, especially for a standalone, help provide entertainment and intrigue, while the setting never fails to impress as Margolin weaves his web to capture the essence of the experience. I cannot wait to see what’s next and how Phillip Margolin will rise the bar once more.
Kudos, Mr. Margolin, for another strong novel that kept me hooked!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 11, 2025
If I hadn’t read the cover blurb I would never have guessed this author has written over 25 novels, some of which were NYT bestsellers. He must have farmed this one out then put his name on the cover. The writing was appalling, amateurish at the very best. The dialogue was juvenile, the characters thinner than one dimensional.
When I read something written by someone trained in the law, at the very least I expect a modicum of plausibility. Taking on a “volunteer” to help with a high profile murder case so that the person can decide if they’d like to go to law school is absolutely ridiculous. To do so without so much as even a background or criminal record check? It is beyond comprehension that an author would think that any reader with any common sense at all would buy that. And all because she was “pretty” and “smart.” Nothing leading up to this would lead you to believe she was smart. Reading this I just wanted to scream.
The courtroom chapters to end this fiasco make it clear the author wanted to get this book finished as quickly as this reader did. Absolute garbage. Definitely a strong candidate for the worst book I’ll read this year.
When I read something written by someone trained in the law, at the very least I expect a modicum of plausibility. Taking on a “volunteer” to help with a high profile murder case so that the person can decide if they’d like to go to law school is absolutely ridiculous. To do so without so much as even a background or criminal record check? It is beyond comprehension that an author would think that any reader with any common sense at all would buy that. And all because she was “pretty” and “smart.” Nothing leading up to this would lead you to believe she was smart. Reading this I just wanted to scream.
The courtroom chapters to end this fiasco make it clear the author wanted to get this book finished as quickly as this reader did. Absolute garbage. Definitely a strong candidate for the worst book I’ll read this year.
November 25, 2024
Incredibly dull somehow? And why must he describe every woman he sees so sexually? It’s fucking weird
October 29, 2024
Phillip Margolin is a go to author for me, so when I saw he had this new book coming out I was happy to grab it. This one is a stand alone rather than one of his series.
Description:
Charlie Webb is a third rate lawyer who graduated from a third rate law-school and, because he couldn’t get hired by any of the major law firms, has opened his own law firm, where he gets by handling cases for dubious associates from his youth and some court appointed cases. Described as “a leaky boat floating down the stream of life,” Charlie has led unremarkable life, personally and professionally. Until he’s appointed to be the attorney for a decidedly crackpot artist who calls himself Guido Sabatini (born Lawrence Weiss). Sabatini has been arrested – again – for breaking into a restaurant and stealing back a painting he sold them because he was insulted by where it was displayed. But as Lawrence Weiss, he’s also an accomplished card shark and burglar and while he was there, he stole a thumb drive from the owner’s safe.
Not knowing what else Sabatani has stolen, Webb negotiates the return of the painting and “other items’ for the owner dropping charges against Sabatini. But the contents of the flash drive threatens very powerful figures who are determined to retrieve it, the restaurant owner (Gretchen Hall) and her driver (Yuri Makarov) are being investigated for the sex trafficking of minors, and there are others who have a violent grudge against Sabatini. When a minor theft case becomes a double homicide, and even more, Charlie Webb, an insignificant lawyer assigned to an insignificant case, is faced with the most important, and deadliest, case of his life. Going back to his long-time bestselling roots, Phillip Margolin returns with a brilliant standalone legal thriller in the tradition of John Grisham.
My Thoughts:
Fast-paced and tense, just the way I like them. Both the investigation and the court case kept my attention. Charlie Webb is the underdog character and it was easy to relate to him and want him to succeed. I felt kind of sorry for him, as this was much more than he bargained for when he started. The pace never stopped and there were a lot of twists and turns. Anyone who likes a good thriller would enjoy this one.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
Charlie Webb is a third rate lawyer who graduated from a third rate law-school and, because he couldn’t get hired by any of the major law firms, has opened his own law firm, where he gets by handling cases for dubious associates from his youth and some court appointed cases. Described as “a leaky boat floating down the stream of life,” Charlie has led unremarkable life, personally and professionally. Until he’s appointed to be the attorney for a decidedly crackpot artist who calls himself Guido Sabatini (born Lawrence Weiss). Sabatini has been arrested – again – for breaking into a restaurant and stealing back a painting he sold them because he was insulted by where it was displayed. But as Lawrence Weiss, he’s also an accomplished card shark and burglar and while he was there, he stole a thumb drive from the owner’s safe.
Not knowing what else Sabatani has stolen, Webb negotiates the return of the painting and “other items’ for the owner dropping charges against Sabatini. But the contents of the flash drive threatens very powerful figures who are determined to retrieve it, the restaurant owner (Gretchen Hall) and her driver (Yuri Makarov) are being investigated for the sex trafficking of minors, and there are others who have a violent grudge against Sabatini. When a minor theft case becomes a double homicide, and even more, Charlie Webb, an insignificant lawyer assigned to an insignificant case, is faced with the most important, and deadliest, case of his life. Going back to his long-time bestselling roots, Phillip Margolin returns with a brilliant standalone legal thriller in the tradition of John Grisham.
My Thoughts:
Fast-paced and tense, just the way I like them. Both the investigation and the court case kept my attention. Charlie Webb is the underdog character and it was easy to relate to him and want him to succeed. I felt kind of sorry for him, as this was much more than he bargained for when he started. The pace never stopped and there were a lot of twists and turns. Anyone who likes a good thriller would enjoy this one.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
January 8, 2025
I can't think of a single reason to recommend this "thriller.". The characters are unforgivably stupid. Ugh.
February 3, 2025
Fabulous story.
August 30, 2024
Charlie Webb, described as a “third rate” lawyer ekes out an existence by defending shady characters such as motorcycle gang members. He is appointed to defend a colorful character who sees himself as the reincarnation of artist Guido Sabatini. For him, painting is all. He breaks into the office of someone who has purchased one of his works to steal it back because she disrespected his talent by not hanging it where the public could view it. He also steals something out of her safe that turns out to be evidence in a sex trafficking case that may involve some important public figures. In the race to get the evidence back, three people are killed and Guido is charged with their murder. He insists that Charlie defend him, even though he has never defended a homicide suspect. The dangerous chase is on by both the good guys and the bad to reclaim the evidence and bring charges against the real killers and sex traffickers.
Through the years, I have read and enjoyed quite a few of Margolin’s books, especially the more recent ones in his attorney Robin Lockwood series. An Insignificant Case is a standalone. Although a bit predictable, there were some twists in this fast, entertaining read. Recommended for those who enjoy mysteries, thrillers, crime novels, legal thrillers, and quirky characters.
Thanks to #NetGalley and @StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks for the DRC.
Through the years, I have read and enjoyed quite a few of Margolin’s books, especially the more recent ones in his attorney Robin Lockwood series. An Insignificant Case is a standalone. Although a bit predictable, there were some twists in this fast, entertaining read. Recommended for those who enjoy mysteries, thrillers, crime novels, legal thrillers, and quirky characters.
Thanks to #NetGalley and @StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks for the DRC.
November 28, 2024
4 Stars
I enjoyed this lawyer story.
Charlie Webb is a struggling lawyer until he comes across a mysterious case.
A man who claims to be reincarnated from someone who trained with famous Italian artists from decades ago unknowingly gets involved in a serious crime ring.
When things go wrong for Guido Charlie decides to represent him knowing he couldn't be involved in a string of murders.
Great story and writing
I enjoyed this lawyer story.
Charlie Webb is a struggling lawyer until he comes across a mysterious case.
A man who claims to be reincarnated from someone who trained with famous Italian artists from decades ago unknowingly gets involved in a serious crime ring.
When things go wrong for Guido Charlie decides to represent him knowing he couldn't be involved in a string of murders.
Great story and writing
November 26, 2024
Love the broadstrokes of the plot, had high hopes through the first 35-40%, but the details were lacking and development took some idiotic routes. It was unfortunately all downhill through the end, with silly character choices and a transparent femme fatale. I can still see it working for a number of readers but, for me, I had one too many eye rolls.
* I received a free audio copy from the publisher
* I received a free audio copy from the publisher
January 16, 2026
An Insignificant Case by Phillip Margolin – Review
An Insignificant Case by Phillip Margolin is a standalone legal thriller that pivots on an unlikely courtroom showdown and spirals into danger and moral complexity. Charlie Webb, a self‑described “third‑rate” lawyer with a modest practice and nothing to lose, takes on the defense of eccentric artist Guido Sabatini after a minor burglary lands him in jail. Sabatini stole a painting and a flash drive that turns out to hold explosive evidence tied to powerful figures and a sex trafficking ring, forcing Charlie to navigate rising stakes, unexpected violence and shadowy power players determined to retrieve what was taken. The novel blends legal strategy, mystery and suspense with a gritty Portland setting and compelling ethical stakes.
From the start I felt pulled into Charlie’s unlikely rise from underdog attorney to someone thrust into real peril, and I liked how Margolin’s legal experience added authenticity to courtroom scenes and procedural detail. Sabatini’s bizarre worldview and creative quirks gave his scenes both levity and poignancy, and the way the plot tightens around him and Charlie made the story feel urgent and personal. I did notice some pacing unevenness as twists piled up, but overall this was a gripping, thought‑provoking read that challenged me to consider how justice gets tangled with power and truth.
Rating: 4 out of 5 because its inventive premise and moral depth made me care about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.
An Insignificant Case by Phillip Margolin is a standalone legal thriller that pivots on an unlikely courtroom showdown and spirals into danger and moral complexity. Charlie Webb, a self‑described “third‑rate” lawyer with a modest practice and nothing to lose, takes on the defense of eccentric artist Guido Sabatini after a minor burglary lands him in jail. Sabatini stole a painting and a flash drive that turns out to hold explosive evidence tied to powerful figures and a sex trafficking ring, forcing Charlie to navigate rising stakes, unexpected violence and shadowy power players determined to retrieve what was taken. The novel blends legal strategy, mystery and suspense with a gritty Portland setting and compelling ethical stakes.
From the start I felt pulled into Charlie’s unlikely rise from underdog attorney to someone thrust into real peril, and I liked how Margolin’s legal experience added authenticity to courtroom scenes and procedural detail. Sabatini’s bizarre worldview and creative quirks gave his scenes both levity and poignancy, and the way the plot tightens around him and Charlie made the story feel urgent and personal. I did notice some pacing unevenness as twists piled up, but overall this was a gripping, thought‑provoking read that challenged me to consider how justice gets tangled with power and truth.
Rating: 4 out of 5 because its inventive premise and moral depth made me care about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.
June 11, 2024
2.5
An Insignifcant Case by Phillip Margolin is a modern day legal thriller based in Oregon. A sex ring scandal makes waves when some big names are arrested. Guido is a mentally disturbed artist who gets wrapped up with the wrong people all because he has big dreams for his artwork. Charlie Webb is an inexperienced lawyer whose usual case is a B&E or theft, but gets pushed into the deep end of his first murder case.
I had high hopes for this book because I love a good legal thriller. However, there was little character development, with no back stories to ease you in to the story. It jumps in right away with a frenetic effort which felt abrupt and didn’t have good flow. The legal story is a good one, but it was too hard to follow in an enjoyable way and I think it really missed the mark with not giving the reader more to these characters.
Thank you to Net Galley and St Martins Press for my ARC.
An Insignifcant Case by Phillip Margolin is a modern day legal thriller based in Oregon. A sex ring scandal makes waves when some big names are arrested. Guido is a mentally disturbed artist who gets wrapped up with the wrong people all because he has big dreams for his artwork. Charlie Webb is an inexperienced lawyer whose usual case is a B&E or theft, but gets pushed into the deep end of his first murder case.
I had high hopes for this book because I love a good legal thriller. However, there was little character development, with no back stories to ease you in to the story. It jumps in right away with a frenetic effort which felt abrupt and didn’t have good flow. The legal story is a good one, but it was too hard to follow in an enjoyable way and I think it really missed the mark with not giving the reader more to these characters.
Thank you to Net Galley and St Martins Press for my ARC.
December 4, 2024
could this book have been better if I wasn’t in the legal field? Perhaps.
Plot was pretty decent, writing was meh (“and the lawyer listened.” ????? What), but there’s no way this was realistic, Charlie would be disbarred.
If you’re gonna do fiction based on real life, get the details right!!
Plot was pretty decent, writing was meh (“and the lawyer listened.” ????? What), but there’s no way this was realistic, Charlie would be disbarred.
If you’re gonna do fiction based on real life, get the details right!!
April 11, 2025
Review coming soon.
June 9, 2024
I always enjoy Margolin's books and this was no exception, Gretchen owns La Bella Roma restaurant when she is gifted a beautiful painting by Guido which she chooses to hang in her office over her safe instead of in a prominent place in the dining room. Guido comes to "retrieve" it and takes a flash drive from her safe; he then is arrested and hires attorney, Charlie Webb. And we're off!! Things get dicey as it appears Guido believes he is someone else, the bad guys will kill to get the flash drive, shots are fired everywhere, and chaos ensues. It's a thrill ride for sure and Margolin never disappoints!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
February 11, 2025
Not up to Margolin’s standards
Inane plot. Uninspired writing. Dumb characters. (I guessed the ‘twist’ immediately, why doesn’t Charlie?) Unrealistic courtroom scenes. Even grammatical errors! I’ve really enjoyed his past books but this one is really not very good.
Inane plot. Uninspired writing. Dumb characters. (I guessed the ‘twist’ immediately, why doesn’t Charlie?) Unrealistic courtroom scenes. Even grammatical errors! I’ve really enjoyed his past books but this one is really not very good.
June 19, 2024
Charlie is a lawyer with little experience handling murder cases. When a man wants him to handle the case, he knows that he will need assistance. This book grabbed my attention from the start.
February 11, 2025
2.5 stars. This was all plot, very little else. I've found Margolin's work excellent in the past, but this just didn't strike me as very well-written?
December 16, 2025
Let me start by saying that I’m a huge fan of all things Philip Margolin, especially the “Rockin’” Robin Lockwood stories. “An Insignificant Case” is a standalone novel, but it could easily be the beginning of a new series featuring Charlie Webb, a lovable but third-rate lawyer. Charlie’s court-appointed case leads him into a murder investigation involving sex traffickers, revenge, and, of course, Charlie falling in love. It’s a great trial and police procedural, and I absolutely loved it!
November 8, 2024
https://wendyreadit.wordpress.com/202...
I really enjoyed this fast-paced stand alone suspense thriller by Phillip Margolin. This legal thriller dives into the very wealthy who think they are above the law and untouchable. In this case that seems to be about a whacko painter named Larry Weiss, who prefers to be called Guido Sabatini, sells a painting to a restaurant owner and then steals it back? Well, it seems Guido is a genius and has quite a few skills and is no stranger to trouble. However, what he does this time opens up a whole different can of worms! There's a lot going on here. The only negative for me was even an insignificant lawyer with this insignificant case would have smelled something fishy. The narration was well done. #Netgalley Nov 2024 Pub date
I really enjoyed this fast-paced stand alone suspense thriller by Phillip Margolin. This legal thriller dives into the very wealthy who think they are above the law and untouchable. In this case that seems to be about a whacko painter named Larry Weiss, who prefers to be called Guido Sabatini, sells a painting to a restaurant owner and then steals it back? Well, it seems Guido is a genius and has quite a few skills and is no stranger to trouble. However, what he does this time opens up a whole different can of worms! There's a lot going on here. The only negative for me was even an insignificant lawyer with this insignificant case would have smelled something fishy. The narration was well done. #Netgalley Nov 2024 Pub date
March 28, 2025
This has to be entry level reading. There isn't a word or thought that a middling 4th grader couldn't read or comprehend. "Thriller" it says. The only thrill may have been the frequent references to the vista of Mt. Hood which lends the only local color to a bland and absurd story line. The mitigating face is that this is a quick downhill slide to the end. The bio tells me the author is a criminal defense lawyer. Unfortunately he uses that status to push tropes and misshape the criminal defense bar and practice. For example, almost all court room testimony is present as objectionable leading questions. I suppose this is a way to help us get to the end faster but it really makes for a fantasy court process when all the witnesses do is answer Yes or No. There is a cute aspect to the story outline however wherein one impossible trial leads to another more absurd one so the reader may find this a rewarding "surprise" in an others trite experience.
January 14, 2025
Oh, the sexism…how are we still getting books like this in 2024? Decent story otherwise.
February 7, 2025
Clearly written by a man, but the plot was good enough to keep me interested. The thoughts and dialog of the characters was juvenile in my opinion.
November 5, 2024
I've read and thoroughly enjoyed a couple of the author's books featuring former MMA fighter and current attorney Robin Lockwood, so when I got the chance to read this standalone book, I jumped at it. The lawyer here is Charlie Webb, an "average" guy who through no fault of his own got accepted into law school and passed the Bar. Living in Oregon, most of Charlie's clients are in the local Barbarian Motorcycle Club, just because he treats them right (and for the most part wins their court cases).
Charlie is also an old friend of sorts of a man who calls himself Guido Sabatini, a painter by profession. He recently sold one of his paintings to a woman named Gretchen Hall, who hung it on the wall in the office at the restaurant she owns. That, alas, really annoyed Guido, who was mightily offended that it wasn't on display where diners could see it. To rectify the situation, he broke into the office and stole the painting - along with at least one item from Gretchen's office safe.
That, of course, is a big no-no from a legal standpoint; Guido definitely will find himself in a court of law (as he's done in the past) - but not before he convinces Charlie to defend him. Unbeknownst to both of them, though, Gretchen is a suspected ringleader in a group of rather nasty folks who traffic young girls. And as luck would have it, the item Guido stole from that safe is a flash drive showing living proof that the police suspicions are right on the money.
That, needless to say, puts Guido - and everyone associated with him - in the crosshairs of those who are desperate to keep that video from ever being seen, even if murder is involved. So Charlie and his friends must be vigilant to the nines if they even hope to make it to Guido's trial, much less get him acquitted. More than that I can't reveal except to say it's quite an adventure. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me a pre-release copy to read and review.
Charlie is also an old friend of sorts of a man who calls himself Guido Sabatini, a painter by profession. He recently sold one of his paintings to a woman named Gretchen Hall, who hung it on the wall in the office at the restaurant she owns. That, alas, really annoyed Guido, who was mightily offended that it wasn't on display where diners could see it. To rectify the situation, he broke into the office and stole the painting - along with at least one item from Gretchen's office safe.
That, of course, is a big no-no from a legal standpoint; Guido definitely will find himself in a court of law (as he's done in the past) - but not before he convinces Charlie to defend him. Unbeknownst to both of them, though, Gretchen is a suspected ringleader in a group of rather nasty folks who traffic young girls. And as luck would have it, the item Guido stole from that safe is a flash drive showing living proof that the police suspicions are right on the money.
That, needless to say, puts Guido - and everyone associated with him - in the crosshairs of those who are desperate to keep that video from ever being seen, even if murder is involved. So Charlie and his friends must be vigilant to the nines if they even hope to make it to Guido's trial, much less get him acquitted. More than that I can't reveal except to say it's quite an adventure. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me a pre-release copy to read and review.
June 15, 2025
A fascinating legal thriller that I flew through in one sitting. It was fast-paced right from the start and did not let up the entire time. I enjoyed both the characters and the plot, and definitely want to read more of this author. The narrator did a great job with this also; it was fantastic on audio.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC to review.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC to review.
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