May It Please the Court

Daniel Mendoza Thrillers, Book 1

By: Daniel Maldonado

Narrated by: Paul David

After a Sweet 16 ceremony, Reyna Clifton - the mother of the birthday girl - is found severely injured at the bottom of the grand staircase of the Regal Phoenix Resort and Spa.

The Clifton family blames the resort for Reyna’s fall and sues for negligence. Daniel Mendoza and his firm are called in to defend the lawsuit, but when Mrs. Clifton is found dead in her hospital room, Daniel's suspicions arise.

With the help of his legal team and a private investigator, Daniel is determined to find out what really happened to Mrs. Clifton. But who would have wanted to murder her, and is there some other foul play involved?

©2020 Daniel Maldonado (P)2021 Daniel Maldonado

It pleased me! Fantastic Legal Thriller!

What really happened the night of the Clifton Sweet Sixteen? A woman’s severely injured, a swanky hotel’s being sued, and those in the know are hiding something, perhaps a lot of something’s. May it Please the Court is a fantastic legal thriller, well narrated, well researched, and written by one in the know. This story was so unpredictable, so deep, with characters whose lives were so interwoven, with history and secrets between them going back to their high school and college days. To say more would be playing spoiler, but clearly, that old adage about hell’s fury and scorn isn’t that far off! From the very beginning I was in, and in deep! My interest was held throughout and Daniel Maldonado really kept me guessing until the final reveal! I will be looking for more from this author. Five well earned stars!

A lot of extemporaneous info that was hard to tie together

I think the author was paid by the word. I didn’t care if the defense attorney who was brought on late in the book had women trouble or his wife had fertility problems. The book ended with him but it would have been nice to know about the main characters- what happened to them, what brought on Dana’s confession, all about the tapes. It was as if most of the book dragged on to get to the climax and suddenly shifted gears and abruptly ended, and glossed over probably the most important parts. Another annoying thing was the constant mention of Puerto Rican foods, which distracted from the story and interrupted the flow of the performance. Was this really necessary? Thirdly, the conversation was awkward in places and didn’t seem to be realistic. It was too formal - not how a person would really sound.

The narrator spoke too slowly and haltingly. It was especially noticed whenever the before mentioned cultures food was mentioned. He would stop for a second as if he was gearing up to pronounce it. Overall, I had to increase the speed to listen to it comfortably.

This story could have been told without all the inconsequential details and more focus on the important ones, and a little more effort to summarize at the end.

love is quite twisted and can hurt

I became angry and frustrated with many of the characters in this story the more I listened to this. The adultery/cheating was done so cavalierly. I was even more incensed that Anthony could do this while his wife was lying in a hospital bed so ill!!! Dana was a soulless wanton. I could almost understand the sister's rage, but surely talking or a good old fashioned cat fight was in order after the surprise knowledge came to light. And, no repercussions for the other person in the triangle??? smh. What a complex hot mess!! I enjoyed the journey. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job bringing it to life.

Good First Thriller Effort by Author

John Grisham...move over and towards retirement. New legal author emerges.

(This is book 2 in a series, but works easily as a stand alone. A few characters carry over, but no "thru" plot line.)

I liked the book and will read more from this author. Here's why:

Author, Daniel Maldonado, shares with us his debut novel in the thriller/mystery genre. Rich in diverse characters, the "crime" does not happen until over 1 hour into audiobook. I feel we are watching a great offer learn and perfect his craft as the story unfolds. Things I loved: 1. the personal glimpse into the practical daily work of the law 2. ,lthe authentic portrayal of middle class Hispanic/Latino culture, a story with "real" law, i.e. a slip and fall turned wrongful death, shared liability case. Things I would have changed: 1. the narrator, while he is good and slips painlessly between ethnic accents uses a pacing and pause pattern that becomes sing-songy and detracts from textual meaning, 2. "Columbo" the plot structure...in other words move the crime or central issue to the first one or two chapters. in other words have a stronger "hook" or a "better lead sentenc." 3. Minimize secondary characters. If a character is not going to play a key scene in the plot minimize them to a nameless description. 4. Consider a chronological plot line with clear date markers if you need to move back in time. For example in this book, much of the couples backgrounds in the first 1/3 could have been done in flashbacks or cast into a character reviewing the past in a conversation.

Good luck Daniel Maldonado...got to run...A Fleeing Felon awaits me!

What a wild ride!

What a Ride this story took me on! I loved all the characters and how deep the author went into their lives. It made me love and dislike them at the same time. On a personal note I always wanted closer friends from HS or college but after listening to this I think I might pass. That’s too much for me.

I enjoyed watching the legal team work. How they played the witness’s to say their story then pulled the truth out them later after they had committed. Ha Ha Ha the evil me loves that! I liked Daniel and his crew. That PI?!? Man I would not want to get on her wrong side.

I listened to this on audio. The narration is good and easy to listen to. This is the first story I have listened to by this author. The story is fast paced and easily kept my interest! There is a lot going on with the wonderfully built characters.

Excellent.

This thriller mystery book is well written, Write what you know and it will be an excellent book. The lawyer background adds a lot to this story. One of the best books I have listened to in a long time. We can't wait to start book 2.

Narration was very good too.

I will listen to more books by Daniel Maldonado!

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Slow pace

I like a fast paced book and this isn't that at all. Not a bad story just not suspenseful enough.

Engaging legal thriller!

This book had my full attention from the very beginning. After the mother’s accident and lawsuit against the hotel, Attorney Daniel Mendoza and his associates must find out the truth and defend the hotel. The story had lots of twists and turns and I listened to the book in one sitting. I’m tired, but it was worth it. The writing was wonderful and I enjoyed the legal proceedings, the characters and their relationships were very realistic. The narrator was a little choppy or stilted, but I got used to the style and it didn’t impede my enjoyment. Well done, I look forward to the next book.

Good Book

I liked the legal premise of this book but would have liked it to be longer.

I really feel the characters could have been expanded and the mystery stronger.

I enjoyed the story but unfortunately Paul David READ the book he didn’t narrate it.

Something different for me

A well written story from a genre that I dont normally listen to. I stepped out of my normal and was rewarded.