My first of Philip Margolin and I absolutely enjoyed it! Finally got into his work and I was glad I started. Even though this was much like an episode of Law & Order, it was more elevated and so much fun to get into. If you like legal thrillers (ish) with an eccentric character, this should definitely be on your list. I listened to this and it stayed engaging throughout.

Why did I say -ish for a legal thriller? Mainly because it wasn't about legal proceedings from a. crime, this was more about the crimes and the characters. Yes, the main character is a lawyer, but he seemed to be just an anchor to get the stories going with the other eccentric characters. But this was definitely entertaining and a great read or listen. The narration, though, was just ok. There were just a few moments that were high on adrenaline (like with a fight scene or a twist) and the tone stayed the same.

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and Minotaur Books for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This wasn't bad, per se. But I felt bored at points and not really scared. The book was good, but IDK if legal thrillers are for me...yet. However, if you are into that kind of thing, this book is well-written and probably more your cup of tea.

Also, upon rereading via audiobook, this book is very sexist and the main characters are pretty meh.

Peter Ganim has narrated over 200 audiobooks. I have previously listened to his narration. I thought the narration/performance for this book was overall great. I listened at 1.75x.
Author Phillip Margolin has wrote over 20 novels. This is my first book by this author. The novel was a page turner full of suspense and courtroom drama. The story also contained dark content and unlikeable characters. If you enjoy legal thrillers, you might enjoy this one.

It's been far too long since I dove into one of Phillip Margolin's novels! This author knows how to craft a gripping legal thriller! He's an absolute must-read if you're a fan of legal thrillers.

Meet Charlie, a self-proclaimed mediocre lawyer who only gets hired when the budget is tight. After struggling to land a job post-graduation, he opened his own practice, surviving on referrals from sketchy friends and low-paying court-appointed gigs. That's how he crosses paths with the unforgettable Guido Sabatini. Guido is one of those wonderfully eccentric characters that truly makes the story come alive! Sure, he's in hot water for a burglary that spiraled into a murder charge, but his backstory is so heartfelt that you can't help but root for him. And he's so amusing!

Charlie has never tackled a murder case and tries his best to convey his inadequacy. But despite his efforts, he's thrown into the deep end!

The story unfolds at a thrilling pace, packed with action, but the characters steal the show. Guido, who refuses to go by his real name, Lawrence Weiss, believes he's the reincarnation of a Renaissance painter who brushed shoulders with the likes of Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. But wait, there's more! Guido is not just a quirky character; he's also a math genius who attended Berkeley and Stanford, using his skills to make a killing in casinos—until he was banned for counting cards. He left his prestigious position at the University of Oregon to pursue his destiny as a reincarnated artist.

Charlie and a cast of equally captivating characters add depth and humor to the mix! I enjoyed this tale through audiobook and ebook formats—my absolute favorite way to devour a book. The narrator was spot on, bringing Margolin's vivid storytelling to life. With Margolin's background as a criminal defense attorney, the narrative is rich with authentic details that keep you on your toes.

Thank you to the author, Macmillan Audio, and Minotaur Books for providing these ARCs through NetGalley and Edelweiss. As always, all opinions are entirely my own.

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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. I really enjoyed the narrator.

Characters are nicely developed. A relatively simple case soon morphs into a murder case. Let’s just say that a humble lawyer comes to the rescue.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I received it in the audiobook form in exchange for an honest review.

Charlie Webb is a lawyer who considers himself "just good enough." He keeps the few friends he has out of trouble and takes whatever cases are sent to him from the court, Charlie meets Guido Sabatini (aka Lawrence Weiss) when he gets a call requesting a public defender. Guido has a history of stealing paintings he's made and sold because he didn't like where the buyer had displayed it. This time, Guido ends up getting tangled in a web of lies, murder, and danger when he steals more than he should have. As Charlie untangles the web, he uncovers dangerous secrets that put a target on him and his client and forces Charlie to reconsider who he can trust.
I felt this book was well written. It hooked me from the beginning and kept my attention all the way to the end. I would consider this book to be a legal thriller but on the lighter end of thriller. It isn't super graphic, but readers should check the trigger warnings as there is death, rape, and sex trafficking mentioned. There were some predictable plot twists, and some I didn't see coming. The characters were pretty well developed but the ending seemed a little rushed.

As for the narrator, his voice wasn't bad. I've listened to a lot of audiobooks and have had a few that I had to turn off because I couldn't stand the narrator. This was not the case. I enjoyed his voice, and it fit well with the storyline.

Bestselling NYT and international author Phillip Margolin returns with a tantalizing standalone legal thriller, AN INSIGNIFICANT CASE. An attorney gets caught up in a complex, multi-layered case with a web of secrets and lies in this twisty suspense whodunit.

About...

Charlie Webb has not always had it easy. He considers himself a third-rate lawyer, graduating from a third law school. His confidence is low. Both professionally and personally. When he could not get hired by the major law firms, he hung out his own shingle.

His cases are mostly minor, ranging from friends of his youth to court-appointed ones. He has led an unremarkable and insignificant life.

UNTIL... he is appointed the attorney for a crackpot artist known as Guido Sabatini (Lawrence Weiss).

Sabatini was arrested for breaking into a restaurant and stealing back his painting (he did not like where they hung it or its placement).

He is also an accomplished card shark and burglar, and while he is there, he steals a thumb drive from the owner's safe.

Not knowing what Sabatini has stolen, the attorney negotiates the return of the painting to drop the charges. But who knew what dark secrets were contained on the flash drive that would threaten some very powerful figures who would stop at nothing to retrieve it?

The restaurant owner and bodyguard are being investigated for the sex trafficking of minors. The plot thickens when a minor theft becomes a double homicide for Charlie, and a mysterious new woman steps into his life wanting to help. Can he trust her?

Charlie Webb's life soon becomes very intriguing... How are all the characters connected?

My thoughts...

AN INSIGNIFICANT CASE is a gripping legal thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat with unexpected twists and turns!

Readers will root for Charlie as he navigates a new adventure filled with twists and turns. The character development in this book is so strong that I wished for a new series featuring Charlie.

It is fast-paced and intense, a riveting thriller featuring a mysterious, eccentric, and colorful client. He believes he is the reincarnation of a Renaissance painter who worked alongside Michelangelo and de Vinci.

What makes him even more interesting is that he was a brilliant mathemetician, a professional card shark, and a skilled burglar before becoming an artist.

As the bodies start piling up, the case turns into anything but insignificant! Someone is setting up Guido. Charlie is not confident he can handle this case, but Guido wants him, and bingo, he has his first murder trial!

AN INSIGNIFICANT CASE is highly entertaining — blending crime, legal, murder, and vigilante justice. One of my favorites by the author. (I am a huge legal thriller fan).

Audiobook...

The incredibly talented Peter Ganim narrates the audiobook, which brings the story to life with his engaging performance. I highly recommend it for an immersive reading experience.

Recs...

This book is for fans of the author, those who enjoy well-written, compelling legal thrillers with dramatic courtroom scenes, and fans of John Grisham, Robert Dugoni, David Baldacci, and John Lescroart.

Thanks...

Thanks to Minotaur Books, St Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and #MacAudio2024 for gifting an ARC and ALC via NetGalley and Google Play.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Nov 5, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
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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.

In the book An Insignificant Case, author Phillip Margolin writes about Charlie Webb, who is not a very good defense attorney. But he gets appointed by the court to represent an artist who was born Lawrence Weiss but makes everyone call him Guido Sabatini. This artist claims that he was personally trained by the great artists and is insulted if you don’t display his paintings in public for all to enjoy. And that is where things get crazy. Guido sells a painting to a restaurant owner but she hangs it in her office. So Guido steals the painting back and opens the safe behind the painting and steals an item. After getting arrested, everyone is after what Guido stole and Charlie is trying to keep him out of jail and keep everyone alive. What is so valuable that Guido stole? And who is trying to kill him? This seemingly insignificant and easy case becomes a web of murder and mayhem. This was a great fast paced story with lots of twists and turns. I would recommend this book. The audio-book narration was very good. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow!!! Such a good legal/thriller. I was into this at the beginning, and could not stop as I went on. I am suchhh a critic of thrillers and often find it hard to like characters. But in this book, I loved Charlie, the “insignificant lawyer” who finds a way to make a name for himself in an unexpected way as he gets himself into a case far bigger than he could have imagined all because of Guido, a man who stole his own painting because it wasn’t displayed for the world to see.

This is perfectly fast paced and suspenseful. I highly recommend this to any fans of suspense and thriller! This was my first “legal” thriller, and it was so good! Loved it!

I really enjoyed a story coming from a kind of deadbeat lawyer instead of from an up and comer. Turns out he was insanely smart and accidentally stumbles into a much more complicated case than he expected. He even tries to get out of it, insisting he isn't qualified to do a murder trial, but alas, he is already sucked much too far into the crazy web of lies and coverups. Part legal thriller, part regular multiple murders thriller, and an enjoyable read.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for this review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨ (3.75/5)

I enjoyed this audiobook but wasn’t fully invested like I usually am with Margolin books. Don’t get me wrong it was good, I just liked his other stuff better.

I loved the character Guido Sabatini. I also liked Charlie Webb. I just wanted more out of the characters based on the length of the book. I was laughing and shaking my head at Guido’s antics while rooting for Charlie Webb to get a win.

The story read more quirky because of Guido so made me chuckle at times but it also tackled heavy issues like sex trafficking. The collab of a silly character like Guido and the seriousness of the other issues just didn’t meld together for me.

That being said, IF this became a series I’d totally read it because there definitely seems like there is more to be done with these story lines.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

4.5 hearts

I discovered this author earlier this year when I was looking for lawyer series. I LOVED his Robin Lockwood series and hope to continue reading it soon. When I saw this new standalone, I was thrilled to read it.

The main character Charlie Webb is a regular, good guy. He's not too smart or too ambitious but he has integrity which turns out to be the most important thing. He gets assigned a case to defend a "painter" who stole the painting back from the person who bought it. His paintings are truly inspirational. He broke in and apparently took another item as insurance, a flash drive. He agrees to give everything back if the owner will hang the painting where more people can see it.

Meanwhile, the owner of the painting has been arrested for sex trafficking along with her movie producer partner. Now multiple people including their clients are worried about what the painter took and attempts on his life begin. Charlie teams up with Bridget, the prosecutor in the sex trafficking case to try to resolve things. He also has a new legal intern who turns his head.

An Insignificant Case is fast paced and exciting. The hunt for the flash drive leaves a trail of bodies on the side of those trying to conceal it and those trying to expose it. It's fun to see Charlie grow and use his legal skills effectively. He learns more about people as well. I really enjoyed this and would recommend it highly. I wouldn't mind having more stories about Charlie.

Narration:
I don't believe I've heard this narrator previously. I enjoyed his voices for both males and females. They felt appropriate and kept me in the story. The performance added to my experience. I listened comfortably at 1.5x speed.

Book Review | "An Insignificant Case" by Phillip Margolin
Even the Best-Kept Secrets Have a Way of Being Revealed

“An Insignificant Case” by Phillip Margolin is a thriller set in and out of the courtroom, starting with a case of a stolen painting.

Our main character, Charlie Webb, is a lawyer who can only be described as mediocre and second-rate. He is assigned to defend Guido Sabatini, born Lawrence Weiss, a man claiming to be reborn as a Renaissance painter who worked with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Webb and most others assume Guido is severely mentally ill, but Charlie begrudgingly takes on the burglary case.

Sabatini has a history of selling paintings to paying customers, becoming incensed by how they choose to display his art, and then stealing his work back due to their “disrespect” of his craft. It’s safe to say that Weiss—I mean Sabatini—is not taken seriously. That is until it surfaces that his latest crime includes the theft of a thumb drive and a body count piles up, pointing the blame directly at Guido.

With the burglary case as the reader’s entry point, the door bursts wide open and reveals an underworld of sex trafficking, abuse of power, and murder. No one can be trusted and lackluster Charlie Webb is tasked with getting to the truth and defending his unique client.

What seems like a straightforward case explodes into a media frenzy akin to the likes of Diddy and Jeffrey Epstein.

Although complex, Margolin delivers the plot in an organized and comprehensible manner, drawing the reader in with the charismatic story of Guido Sabatini and an on-air sex trafficking arrest at the Oscars. There is a lot of meat on that bone and the readers are hungry!

Margolin successfully meets the reader where they’re at in terms of knowledge of the law and criminal court cases, translating jargon and procedure into digestible pieces so the reader can sit back and enjoy the entertaining ride.

Along the journey, the author introduces interesting characters, all pieces of the larger picture with several mysteries baked in and connected in unexpected ways. Even though Guido is giving unhinged, the reader can’t help but root for this endearing character who was merely advocating for his art. Additionally, the character of Charlie Webb feels accessible in an everyman way, exhibiting the hallmarks of someone trying to do their job but getting distracted by his penis, as the common male stereotype dictates.

You root for him and Sabatini but the male diversions are my only grievance with the book. It was clearly from a male perspective with the male characters losing focus to their primal desire for the female body, reinforcing the idea that men cannot think clearly when an attractive woman is in the room. Yawn. That narrative is a bit dusty and could use some polishing. Even with this tired depiction, it may invoke a swift eye roll from the reader but should not detract from the larger story being told, but be ready for that. Also, as a warning, there are deeply traumatic and potentially triggering topics interspersed related to SA and trafficking.

As the reader reaches the three-quarters mark of the book, the story feels like it is organically drawing to a close but then a new court case emerges with Charlie Webb at the helm once again. At first, I found this to be clunky and I was mildly exasperated by the extended storylines but then was captivated by the additional material. When I thought the book was over, I wanted more—ask and you shall receive I guess! Although the transition felt slightly empty, the finale added more depth and intrigue and is a welcome conclusion.

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced audio copy of the book, narrated by Peter Ganim, who did an outstanding job bringing life to every single one of the characters. Ganim’s performance is inspired, authentic, and engaging.

I typically prefer a female narrator but Ganim is one of my new favorite audiobook narrators, male or female, and I will be seeking out more of his work as well as more of Margolin’s writing.

Overall, “An Insignificant Case” is a tasty thriller calling upon wildly popular real-life crime themes popular in the current zeitgeist but with Margolin’s distinct twist. If you liked “The Firm” by John Grisham, then you will want to grab a copy of “An Insignificant Case.”

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very interesting somewhat long book. I read using the audiobook and the narrator was great. The characters were really thought out and had a lot of depth.
Love Charlie and his biker gang friends and love Guido.

All through the book Guido answers Charlie with “as you wish” which constantly made me chuckle.

The book was a bit longer than I thought it needed to be. The last quarter could have been put into a sequel.

Overall can’t wait till the next one.

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy.

I listened to the audiobook of An Insignificant Case narrated by Peter Ganim. He is a wonderful narrator, giving different tonal voices to the many characters that are in this legal thriller. I would probably listen to anything he narrates.

I enjoyed reading this book. It's not a great piece of writing but the premise is great and there are enough twists and turns to keep the reader entertained to the very end. I don't understand the title but....that makes no difference. The court case revolves around sex trafficking and abuse which is hard to read but the more people write about it, maybe the world will realize what a serious problem it is. There is enough humour to lighten the themes.

I've read a number of books by Phillip Margolin and I'd say this one is up there with his better ones.

Fast paced legal thriller about taking down big shot producer (read Harvey W.). Gobs of characters I thought I wouldn’t be able to keep track of on audio, but they all connected fairly quickly. Overall a wonderful book and narration was great!

Entertaining and fast-paced legal thriller.

This is a standalone, so I was able to jump right in and get my fix as I love fiction involving legal maneuvering and complicated plots. This one however, got me with the characters. So many different personalities on the legal end and a really quirky mathematician turned artist who made for a very interesting criminal.

The basic plot involves an inappropriately displayed painting, a stolen flash drive, sex trafficking, murder, and vigilantism. The story takes off quickly and the excellent writing kept me hooked. As the action ricochets from one scenario to another, the attorneys adapt and try to keep their client alive.

Guido Sabatini (born Lawrence Weiss) is a most unlikely criminal as he's a slightly crazy painter who believes he was trained by the masters in a past life. He gets mad when a painting he sold to a restaurateur is not hung out in the main dining area but hidden away in an office. He decides to break in and liberate it, but also, in spite, takes a flash drive from the office safe thinking he will simply give it back once the owner hangs the painting in a more suitable place. Arrested for theft, he needs an attorney. Enter third rate lawyer Charles Webb. Charlie's a good guy but he's no match for what's coming. Oh, Guido. What a nest of serpents he let loose. There is something on that flash drive that many people will get to keep secret.

I really liked this story and was lucky to be able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publishers. The narrator did an excellent job of voicing the characters with appropriate tone, accents, and dramatic flair. The production was well done and enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

Wonderful read!

Charlie Webb is a lawyer. He’s not the brightest in the bunch, but he gets by.
He has a few clients, but really needs to build up his practice.

So, when he gets called in for a case on an indigent who can’t afford a lawyer, he’s not thrilled, but a case is a case. Even if it’s a little insignificant one…
As he meets his new client, Guido Sabatini (aka Lawrence Weiss), he’s shocked at how the guy looks and acts! He looks like Jesus…reborn…and, well, he acts like he’s crazy!

He swears he’s been taught to paint by Michelangelo, and that he’s lived many lives. 😮😮

So, he’s a fruitcake. But, still, a case is a case!
And…Charlie actually kind of likes the guy…

He’s brought up to pace on the case, and realizes that Guido sold a painting to a restaurant owner, but then went back and stole the painting back, BECAUSE…he didn’t like where she displayed it! 🤣🫣
(And he learns he’s done this exact same thing before…)
BUT, he also took something else…and now, his own LIFE may be in danger…

As the case progresses, more and more people, cops, lawyers, judges…and people of great influence are getting involved…and Charlie is really not understanding why?? This is a little case…. And then well, the whole thing just BLOWS UP… in a way you’d never expect!

Kudos to Margolin for ‘painting’ such a terrific story under the guise of such a shady character!

Great characters. Great building up of the story! And the fact that so many high profile people end up involved in the case…and then people start dying…well, just phenomenal!!

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

#AnInsignificantCase by #PhillipMargolin and narrated beautifully by #PeterGamin.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

**** Book release is slated for November 5, 2024! A few days away!! *****

TRIGGER WARNING: 🛑 There is mention of sexual abuse and a snuff film, so if this is something you cannot handle, you may want to avoid this one. 🛑

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