Review of An Insignificant Case by Philip Margolin:

An Insignificant Case by Philip Margolin is a compelling legal thriller that dives deep into the complexities of justice, morality, and the unexpected twists of the legal system. The novel follows a seasoned lawyer, who is pulled into a seemingly small and inconsequential case that, over time, spirals into something much larger and more dangerous. What begins as an unremarkable case slowly becomes a web of intrigue, secrets, and unexpected connections.

Margolin has an undeniable talent for building suspense. From the outset, the plot grabs your attention, offering just enough detail to keep you invested in the case. The slow unfolding of the story, with its gradual introduction of hidden motivations and dark secrets, creates a satisfying tension throughout. You’re constantly on edge, wondering how the seemingly insignificant details will lead to a larger revelation.

The characters are well-developed, especially the protagonist. The lawyer at the center of the story is not your typical hero. He’s a bit jaded, maybe even cynical, but his expertise and passion for justice shine through, particularly as he begins to realize that his involvement in the case could cost him much more than he anticipated. The mix of personal stakes and professional challenges makes for an engaging and realistic character arc.

One of the standout elements of the book is Margolin’s ability to weave together the legal aspects of the story with moments of human drama. He provides a solid exploration of how the justice system can sometimes fail, and how people involved in it—whether they’re lawyers, victims, or witnesses—are often tangled in a much larger narrative than they realize. The pacing of the book is tight, and though it’s not a breakneck thriller, there’s enough tension and mystery to keep you hooked.

As for the ending, Margolin delivers a satisfying payoff. The way the plot unravels and the final twists come into play shows the depth of the story and how even the smallest case can have far-reaching consequences.

In conclusion, An Insignificant Case is an excellent legal thriller that fans of Margolin’s previous works, or anyone who enjoys a good courtroom drama with plenty of suspense, will appreciate. It’s a gripping exploration of justice, human frailty, and the tangled webs we weave, with a compelling, multifaceted protagonist at its center.

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it now in your local and online bookstores and libraries.

Charlie Webb is just your average Joe, a third-rate lawyer who graduated from a third rate law school when he is appointed counsel for crackpot artist who calls himself Guido Sabatini (born Lawrence Weiss). Guido is charged with stealing his own painting when it wasn’t properly displayed (in his humble opinion). The first problem … he also stole something from the safe. Something that a lot of people are looking for. Something that’s worth killing for. Guido is later charged with murder and only wants Charlie to defend him. The next problem … Charlie isn’t qualified. Guido insists and Charlie is soon investigating, but when people start turning up dead, Charlie is worried for his client as well as himself. What does Guido have that so many want Andrew will Charlie be able to save him before it’s too late? Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Part courtroom drama, part thriller, fully entertaining. I enjoyed this one and the characters! While I often wanted to throat punch Guido, he was a quirky character that was hard not to love. I found the attorney and his actions questionable- for a such a smart and perceptive guy, there is no way the beautiful blonde could ruffle his feathers that much. Overall, the case was interesting and was a fast paced immersive read.

This was the first book I have read from this author. I found it to be a fast paced mystery with a good storyline. Additionally, a few twists and turns kept the interest level high. I will read other books written by this author. This is a book which I would recommend to all those who like a good mystery.

The audiobook saved this story for me. The beginning really interested me but it started to go downhill once the plot really picked up. I wish it would’ve been a bit more fleshed out. But overall a good thriller.

The background of An Insignificant Case features a sex trafficking ring that benefits powerful men. Think Epstein. No, think Epstein combined with Harvey Weinstein, because the man behind the sex trafficking is a movie producer. And then add a snuff film so the reader will know that the bad guys are really, really bad. Sex trafficking of the sort described in the novel is rare in the US and snuff films are urban myths, but they show up regularly in thrillers.

Fortunately, An Insignificant Case is not another pedestrian story about a heroic character saving imprisoned women before they can be raped and killed. Sensitive readers need not shirk away from the subject matter. The sex trafficking has ended and nothing that happened is described in graphic imagery. This is, in fact, a remarkably light novel, given its dark background.

Leon Golden is the producer. He promises naïve young women a part in a movie. Then his goons show the women a snuff film, promise them that they’ll be the next victim if they don’t cooperate, and force them to service the usual array of powerful men. The victim who died in the snuff film was one of the women to whom Golden promised an audition.

The novel’s action begins when Guido Sabatini breaks into a safe in the office of a restaurant and steals a flash drive. The circumstances that persuade Guido to steal the drive are silly and fun. So is Guido. His real name is Lawrence Weiss, but he believes himself to be a reincarnated Italian Renaissance painter who studied under Michaelangelo.

Guido gave a painting to a restaurant owner, Grethen Hall, but became miffed when she hung it in her office rather than a place where patrons could view it. He stole the painting and took the flash drive for insurance, thinking he could exchange it for a promise to display the painting properly. When he’s caught, Charlie Webb is assigned to represent him.

Unlike most fictional lawyers, Charlie Webb isn’t wealthy and wildly successful. He muddled his way through college with middling grades, was accepted at a bottom-tier law school where he earned middling grades, and hung out his shingle in a low-rent office in Portland. Like a lot of younger lawyers, Charlie accepts public defender overflow cases even though they don’t pay well because he needs the money. He lacks self-esteem, but he has the kind of insights into people that trial lawyers need.

When Hall’s dead body is found covered by Guido’s painting, Guido is arrested for murder. He wants Charlie to represent him, but Charlie isn’t equipped to handle a murder. To his surprise, the judge appoints the best criminal defense attorney in Oregon to second chair the case. Charlie promptly promotes the guy to first chair, but only Charlie has a rapport with Guido.

The story that springs forth from these background facts is clever and entertaining. Several people are shot to death. Guido is a suspect, but the identity of the shooter or shooters is meant to be a surprise. Seasoned thriller readers will probably piece it together before the reveal, but this isn’t a whodunit. Just as it seems that the plot has come to an end, it gives birth to a new storyline, giving Charlie another opportunity to hone his trial skills.

I want legal thrillers to captivate me with cross-examinations. The courtroom scenes in An Insignicant Case are enjoyable, if not quite captivating. The novel asks familiar questions about the difference between vengeance and justice but the plot doesn’t bog down in heavy discussions. The tone is light and, in occasional moments, reads like an intelligent romcom.

While the plot moves crisply, the story is more character driven than most thrillers. Charlie is an easy character to like. He’s a bit hapless with women when the novel begins, flirts (or considers flirting) with two or three as he gains confidence in himself, and is batting above his average by the novel’s end. The shooter is also reasonably likable (a view the shooting victims might not have shared). A couple of motorcycle gang members add extra comic spice to the story. The ending offers a satisfying balance between vengeance and justice. All of that makes An Insignificant Case a fun choice for readers in search of a smart winter beach read.

RECOMMENDED

Another fantastic, well-written legal thriller by Phillip Margolin, His books are fast paced and hard to put down. This one was no exception. Thank you to NetGalley and the publsiher for the advanced copy.

An Insignificant Case introduces Charlie Webb as an unremarkable lawyer who ends up doing something remarkable after he takes on the defense of crackpot artist Lawrence Weiss (who calls himself Guido Sabatini).

Charlie's work is cut out for him keeping his client - and himself - alive. He works with the case prosecutor to do so. As the heat and body count rises, Charlie gradually realizes he's not a third rate lawyer at all.

A well-written and well-narrated legal thriller by Phillip Margolin. This is not one of those dime-a-dozen, breakneck speed, twisty domestic thrillers, but much more of a thoughtful traditional mystery. With quirky and unusual characters (how refreshing to have a good courtroom attorney who isn't a graduate at the top of his class for a change, and a client who is..... quite a trip!) the mystery slowly unravels with some great, funny, and realistic courtroom scenes. High legal drama, skillfully plotted and always intellectually stimulating, Phillip Margolin's books are always reliably entertaining with good mystery plots and great endings. This stand-alone novel is a great introduction to Margolin, especially if you're a fan of Micheal Connelly and other hardboiled mystery/legal thriller masters. Great voice acting by the audiobook narrator as well.

Phillip Margolin's latest standalone legal novel follows Charlie Webb, a struggling lawyer thrust into a high-stakes case that begins with a quirky artist's painting theft and quickly escalates into a complex investigation involving sex trafficking and murder. Webb, a third-rate attorney, finds himself defending Guido Sabatini after a seemingly minor legal matter turns deadly.

Some characters feel predictably devious, and it stretches credibility that Sabatini would choose such an inexperienced lawyer for a murder defense. However, Margolin successfully builds tension, turning an insignificant case into a compelling thriller.

The novel's strength lies in Margolin's intimate knowledge of law and Portland's landscape. While the protagonist's naivety and gullibility can be frustrating, the quick pacing and escalating tension keep readers engaged. Webb's transformation from an unremarkable lawyer to an unexpected hero provides an intriguing narrative arc.

I recommend this book to fans of legal thrillers who enjoy underdog narratives and detailed procedural stories, particularly those familiar with Portland's setting. The book offers an entertaining exploration of how a seemingly minor case can dramatically alter one's life.

A big thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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 ridiculous segment designed to further the narrative.

* I also found the ending ridiculous—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 mental illness, 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.

Phillip Margolin created a murder mystery around the Portland, Oregon area. There is good courtroom drama and enough suspense to keep the pages turning! The characters are well developed and unexpected twists as the story unfolds.

Based in and around Portland, Oregon, this legal thriller is peppered with several plot twists, a central and darkly terrible crime, a bevy of suspicious characters, and a long and circuitous road that may or may not lead to justice.

Charlie Webb is an average guy, and an equally average lawyer. Never having hit the big times, academically or in his professional life, Charlie is a nice man, also nice-looking, who is somewhat insecure and has been perhaps (a reader will come to wonder) seriously underestimated his whole life.

When Charlie is unexpectedly involved in the biggest legal case of his career, a painting theft that morphs into a multiple murder case, tied to a horrifying kidnapping and underage sex-ring — a case which comes to bear a huge PR profile, and the suspected involvement of participants of the highest order — Charlie’s world becomes riddled with danger, and confusion, coupled with what can only be seen as an unmistakably gigantic professional opportunity.

Charlie’s client throughout this journey is Guido Sabatini (aka Lawrence Weiss) — a six-foot-four-inch artist with flowing blond locks and a penchant for floor-length white caftans — a colorful and comically unique character, with a super-genius IQ, a serene constitution, and an unshakeable conviction that he is protected by God himself.

As Charlie and Guido’s lives tumble out of control, the author’s pacing of the developing story is brisk, intermingled with several court scenes (a natural fit for this real-life author lawyer) that, for this reader, provide perhaps the most interesting aspects of the story.

An entertaining read, perfect for those who enjoy legal thrillers, a hint of outlandishness in one’s characters, plenty of action sequences, and a rapidly complicating story.

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.


** three and a half shiny stars

An Insignificant Case is a captivating novel about a bumbling, insecure lawyer, who is used to defending small time criminal cases; so when he is appointed to Guido's (preferred name) theft case, what could possibly go wrong? Little does Charlie know the 'Webb' surrounding this case, including murder, sex trafficking, and more. There is nothing insignificant about this case. Charlie, being the insecure lawer he is, requests a more experienced lawyer to take the lead. With a thumb drive, divine protection, and a growing list of potential suspects, Charlie takes on more than he bargained for. I do enjoy a legal thriller, and this one held up quite well. Sometimes it seemed as though things were over-explained, particularly court terms. This can be appreciated to an extent, but it can get in the way with the flow of the story. Overall though, the book delivered on what it set out to do- tell a convoluted legal drama with depth and twists. Thank you to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the ARC!

I have had Phillip Margolin's novels on my TBR list for years. So when given the opportunity to receive an eARC to read and review, I jumped at the chance! This mystery/legal thriller follows Charlie Webb as he defends a man Lawrence who believes he is an Italian artist Guido from Michelangelo's time.

This novel was a mixed bag for me. I loved the premise: a client who is unreliable and the attorney who needs a big break, several incidents that may or may not be related. However, the execution didn't work all the way for me. Part of the reason is because Charlie did not come across as the sharpest tool in the shed (I'm not sure if that was the author's intent) and I guessed some of the plot points very early on (as soon as they were introduced). So, it wasn't jawdropping for me and I would have never believed that the ending would turn out the way it did.

I would recommend this to those who have read and enjoyed Margolin's in the past. I would still read a book by him, especially to try one out of the series he has written. I feel that perhaps in those books, he has fleshed out the main characters more, which would have increased my enjoyment.

More of a lighthearted story than were maybe used to from PM but it was good. Not a lot of depth but an enjoyable read. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

Solid legal drama

I have read books by this author for many years, they normally center on legal procedural as this one did. I enjoyed it, but will say that I didn’t feel like this book had the same intellectual level as previous books. When one of the characters was introduced who later became an important character, I was immediately suspicious and was surprised that the other MC’s weren’t.

I’m hoping this was just a one-off, I will read future books to find out.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Charlie Webb is the court appointed lawyer to defend Lawrence Weiss aka Guido Sabatini, an artist accused of stealing his painting back from the buyer. During the theft, Guido also unknowingly steals a flash drive that contains information relating to a sex trafficking ring. In exchange for dropping the charges, Guido agrees to return the drive, Then the buyer and her body guard are murdered and Guido becomes the prime suspect. What started as a simple burglary charge is now murder and Charlie is completely out of his depth. This is a quick enjoyable read.

There are some definite flawed characters presented here. An underachieving lawyer who seems to judge women by their looks only. An artist who is crazy. Some horrible people doing horrible things. People who decide the law is for them to decide. But they all work. I was surprised that the book told the entire story instead of making me wait for another sequel. It was satisfying to know, but felt a it abrupt. Even with this one wrapped up, I’d read these characters again. They are imperfect. I like that.