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Close Encounters with Tort$: A Legal Farce
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
10 days and 05:53:36
100 copies available
U.S. only
"Morrison’s writing is sharp, witty, and laugh-out-loud hysterical. He leans heavily into exaggerated personalities, with characters who speak in rapid-fire banter and constantly interrupt one another, heightening the humor. The pacing is brisk, moving from one absurd scenario to the next without lingering, making the novel feel like a comedic stage play unfolding in chapters. ... Morrison is a modern-day Mark Twain with a bit of Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett mixed in." — Readers' Favorite
"Pap" and "Pup" Peters, those intrepid tort lawyers whose hilarious exploits have delighted readers of the four prior books in this series, return with yet another round of legal shenanigans that will make you laugh until you cry.
Their latest exploits find them defending the eccentric Mona Lott, who has been arrested for disclosing classified information regarding the mysterious UFOs that have been sighted over the East Coast. Mona's case eventually leads the brothers to being "persuaded" by the CIA to represent the Government in a lawsuit against Russia, its spy agency and some unsavory oligarchs for using drones to spy on US airbases and naval installations.
All the while the brothers maintain their lucrative class action practice by pursuing a shareholders' class action case against the Walt Disney Company for the fiasco surrounding its remake of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and the inexplicable omission of the hit song "Some Day My Prince Will Come" from the movie. Settle into your favorite chair for the non-stop laughs.
"Pap" and "Pup" Peters, those intrepid tort lawyers whose hilarious exploits have delighted readers of the four prior books in this series, return with yet another round of legal shenanigans that will make you laugh until you cry.
Their latest exploits find them defending the eccentric Mona Lott, who has been arrested for disclosing classified information regarding the mysterious UFOs that have been sighted over the East Coast. Mona's case eventually leads the brothers to being "persuaded" by the CIA to represent the Government in a lawsuit against Russia, its spy agency and some unsavory oligarchs for using drones to spy on US airbases and naval installations.
All the while the brothers maintain their lucrative class action practice by pursuing a shareholders' class action case against the Walt Disney Company for the fiasco surrounding its remake of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and the inexplicable omission of the hit song "Some Day My Prince Will Come" from the movie. Settle into your favorite chair for the non-stop laughs.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 14, 2026
Some books aim for realism. Others aim for satire. Close Encounters with Tort$ gleefully throws realism out the courtroom window and sprints straight into absurdity; and honestly, that’s the entire point.
This is the fifth outing for Pap and Pup Peters, a pair of Manhattan tort lawyers who seem to attract legal chaos the way magnets attract paperclips. Their latest predicament begins with the arrest of their eccentric friend Mona Lott, who has apparently managed to irritate the federal government by revealing classified information about UFO sightings along the East Coast. Naturally, this snowballs into something far bigger than one oddball court case.
Before long, the brothers find themselves tangled up with the CIA, dragged into international intrigue involving Russia and suspicious drone activity, and somehow still juggling their bread-and-butter work—like a shareholder lawsuit against Disney over a baffling decision to leave a beloved song out of a Snow White remake. If that sounds ridiculous, that’s because it absolutely is.
Morrison clearly knows his way around a courtroom. The legal jargon, procedural quirks, and inside-baseball references have the unmistakable ring of someone who’s actually practiced law. But instead of using that knowledge to craft a gritty legal thriller, he leans the other way entirely—turning the legal system into a playground for wordplay, exaggerated personalities, and rapid-fire banter.
The humor here is loud, broad, and relentless. Characters interrupt each other mid-sentence, arguments spiral into absurd digressions, and the story jumps from one outlandish scenario to the next with the pacing of a comedic stage farce. At times it almost feels less like a novel and more like a courtroom comedy sketch that just keeps escalating.
That said, the book’s comedic style is very particular. Much of the humor hinges on clever language, legal puns, and exaggerated courtroom antics. If you enjoy word-driven satire and tongue-in-cheek commentary about the legal world, you’ll likely find plenty to smile at. If you’re looking for character-driven humor or subtle wit, the jokes may land a bit unevenly.
The opening chapters take some time establishing the world and the rotating cast of personalities, but once the story gets moving, it rarely pauses for breath. Cases pile up, stakes balloon in increasingly improbable ways, and Pap and Pup bounce through it all with the kind of chaotic confidence that suggests they’ve long since stopped being surprised by anything.
Ultimately, Close Encounters with Tort$ knows exactly what it wants to be: a gleefully over-the-top legal satire that treats the courtroom less like a temple of justice and more like a stage for comedy. It’s not subtle, and it’s not trying to be.
If you enjoy legal humor, exaggerated courtroom antics, and stories that embrace their own ridiculousness, this installment in the Pap and Pup series will likely deliver a few good laughs. It’s a strange mix of law, aliens, espionage, and corporate lawsuits—and somehow, Morrison manages to argue the case that they all belong in the same book.
This is the fifth outing for Pap and Pup Peters, a pair of Manhattan tort lawyers who seem to attract legal chaos the way magnets attract paperclips. Their latest predicament begins with the arrest of their eccentric friend Mona Lott, who has apparently managed to irritate the federal government by revealing classified information about UFO sightings along the East Coast. Naturally, this snowballs into something far bigger than one oddball court case.
Before long, the brothers find themselves tangled up with the CIA, dragged into international intrigue involving Russia and suspicious drone activity, and somehow still juggling their bread-and-butter work—like a shareholder lawsuit against Disney over a baffling decision to leave a beloved song out of a Snow White remake. If that sounds ridiculous, that’s because it absolutely is.
Morrison clearly knows his way around a courtroom. The legal jargon, procedural quirks, and inside-baseball references have the unmistakable ring of someone who’s actually practiced law. But instead of using that knowledge to craft a gritty legal thriller, he leans the other way entirely—turning the legal system into a playground for wordplay, exaggerated personalities, and rapid-fire banter.
The humor here is loud, broad, and relentless. Characters interrupt each other mid-sentence, arguments spiral into absurd digressions, and the story jumps from one outlandish scenario to the next with the pacing of a comedic stage farce. At times it almost feels less like a novel and more like a courtroom comedy sketch that just keeps escalating.
That said, the book’s comedic style is very particular. Much of the humor hinges on clever language, legal puns, and exaggerated courtroom antics. If you enjoy word-driven satire and tongue-in-cheek commentary about the legal world, you’ll likely find plenty to smile at. If you’re looking for character-driven humor or subtle wit, the jokes may land a bit unevenly.
The opening chapters take some time establishing the world and the rotating cast of personalities, but once the story gets moving, it rarely pauses for breath. Cases pile up, stakes balloon in increasingly improbable ways, and Pap and Pup bounce through it all with the kind of chaotic confidence that suggests they’ve long since stopped being surprised by anything.
Ultimately, Close Encounters with Tort$ knows exactly what it wants to be: a gleefully over-the-top legal satire that treats the courtroom less like a temple of justice and more like a stage for comedy. It’s not subtle, and it’s not trying to be.
If you enjoy legal humor, exaggerated courtroom antics, and stories that embrace their own ridiculousness, this installment in the Pap and Pup series will likely deliver a few good laughs. It’s a strange mix of law, aliens, espionage, and corporate lawsuits—and somehow, Morrison manages to argue the case that they all belong in the same book.
March 18, 2026
T.C. Morrison’s Close Encounters with Tort$ is an absolute masterclass in keeping content engaging, original, and incredibly readable. In this fifth installment, tort lawyers Pap and Pup tackle a hilarious mix of cases. You will Pups celebrating Celebrating Revolutionary Wars. A UFO is spotted over New York, defending the whistleblower to launching a class-action lawsuit against Disney over a Snow White remake.
What makes this farce work so well is its clean structure. Morrison avoids overly long sentences and technical legal jargon, keeping the reading score excellent for every kind of reader. The sheer absurdity of the plot is grounded by an authentic, human tone that prioritizes accuracy in its satire over unnecessary filler. It’s an honest, highly entertaining read from start to finish.
If you are curious about the author's real-life legal background and the inspiration behind his satirical novels, this interview with Tom Morrison on Law, Laughter, and Literature provides excellent insight into the series.
What makes this farce work so well is its clean structure. Morrison avoids overly long sentences and technical legal jargon, keeping the reading score excellent for every kind of reader. The sheer absurdity of the plot is grounded by an authentic, human tone that prioritizes accuracy in its satire over unnecessary filler. It’s an honest, highly entertaining read from start to finish.
If you are curious about the author's real-life legal background and the inspiration behind his satirical novels, this interview with Tom Morrison on Law, Laughter, and Literature provides excellent insight into the series.
March 4, 2026
Close Encounters with Tort$: A Legal Farce is a comedy centred around two lawyers, fondly nicknamed Pap and Pup, who run a legal firm in Manhattan. This fifth book in the Pap and Pup series follows the duo as they tackle a case surrounding their friend Mona, who was prosecuted for disclosing classified UFO evidence.
It's obvious that the writer of this book is an experienced legal practitioner, as it's rife with legal terms and procedures that only those in the system can appreciate. However, as a general reader, I found the book lacking in the comedic aspect. Most of the book's comedic value comes from clever wordplay as opposed to dialogue or humorous moments. That's not to say there weren't moments intended to be humorous. I just personally didn't find them funny. I'd say the book will mostly appeal to older lawyers, who can appreciate the legal aspect while getting a good chuckle from the authors wordplay.
It's obvious that the writer of this book is an experienced legal practitioner, as it's rife with legal terms and procedures that only those in the system can appreciate. However, as a general reader, I found the book lacking in the comedic aspect. Most of the book's comedic value comes from clever wordplay as opposed to dialogue or humorous moments. That's not to say there weren't moments intended to be humorous. I just personally didn't find them funny. I'd say the book will mostly appeal to older lawyers, who can appreciate the legal aspect while getting a good chuckle from the authors wordplay.
March 6, 2026
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix high-stakes law with absolute absurdity, Close Encounters with Tort$ is your answer. T.C. Morrison brings back the inseparable "Pap" and "Pup" Peters for a fifth round of legal chaos that feels like a masterclass in satire, defending an eccentric filmmaker in a UFO whistleblowing scandal while simultaneously suing Russia and taking on Disney over a missing song. Morrison’s background as a real-deal trial lawyer shines through, twisting genuine legal jargon into brilliant wordplay and "homely" charm that keeps the story grounded despite the ridiculous scenarios. While it takes a few chapters to build its world, once the engines start, it’s a non-stop ride filled with "hilariously awkward" moments and witty banter. It’s the perfect, lighthearted escape that reminds you even the most serious courtroom drama is just one eccentric witness away from becoming a total farce.
March 4, 2026
Close Encounters With Tort$: A Legal Farce is a brilliantly humorous legal adventure, featuring a pair of lawyers who’s friend finds herself prosecuted by the FBI when she makes a documentary about classified UFO sightings. It’s full of hilariously awkward moments, and that gives it a homely charm.
The story was paced quite slowly at first, with a section of worldbuilding that lasted about three chapters right at the start, but if one sticks through that, they quickly come to appreciate the story for what it is and the comedic value that Morrison brings to the table.
From the cast of characters (most mild mannered, others less so), to the story that feels cozy due to the casts tight-knit relationships, it’s the perfect lighthearted read for the whole family.
The story was paced quite slowly at first, with a section of worldbuilding that lasted about three chapters right at the start, but if one sticks through that, they quickly come to appreciate the story for what it is and the comedic value that Morrison brings to the table.
From the cast of characters (most mild mannered, others less so), to the story that feels cozy due to the casts tight-knit relationships, it’s the perfect lighthearted read for the whole family.
March 11, 2026
T.C. Morrison’s Close Encounters with Tort$ delivers another entertaining installment in the misadventures of tort lawyers Pap and Pup Peters. When the eccentric Mona Lott is arrested for revealing classified information about mysterious UFO sightings, the brothers find themselves pulled into a bizarre legal battle involving the CIA, international espionage, and even a lawsuit against Russia. Along the way, they continue their class action pursuits, including a humorous case against the Walt Disney Company over its controversial Snow White remake. Morrison blends legal satire, absurd situations, and quick-witted dialogue to create plenty of laughs, though the over-the-top antics can occasionally feel chaotic. Still, it’s a fun and clever legal farce.
March 5, 2026
TC Morrison presents a strikingly funny legal narrative that will leave you laughing from end to end. A Legal Farce is just that: a wild, almost ridiculous story that’s characterized by the humorous shenanigans from its characters. From Mona turning secret documents into a documentary and proceeding to twirl around in the FBI office, to Colonel Putnam getting a little too excited and almost throwing a man off a cliff during a civil war reenactment, it’s hilariously over-the-top, and that’s by design. Morrison takes viewers on a legal ride, and he punctuates it by awkwardness, shenanigans, and enough laughs to fill up a room. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
March 4, 2026
Pap and Pup Peters operate out of their Manhattan law firm, solving class action law cases while navigating humorous shenanigans in this legal comedy. Author TC Morrison begins by building the world, establishing a diverse cast, before getting to the main plot in the fourth chapter. Close Encounters With Tort$: A Legal Farce is actually quite the legal drama, but it’s disguised as a comedy and punctuated with awkward and comedic moments.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews