An Insignificant Case by Phillip Margolin

Published by Minotaur Books on November 5, 2024

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.

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