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Fiona Gavelle Mysteries #1
Judge vs Nuts
Fiona Gavelle expected fame, fortune and glory after law school. Instead she finds herself working in a dusty law office where she does more secretarial work than lawyer work.
One snowy Chicago night, Fiona learns she has been unceremoniously booted from her crummy job and has the final argument with her spouse.
With little else to do, she drives a friend to the funeral of a judge she met once.
To her surprise she finds a better office arrangement and is hired to represent the estate. Before too long she is struggling to prove the life of an attorney, a probate attorney at that, does not include car chases or running down dark alleys at night.
One snowy Chicago night, Fiona learns she has been unceremoniously booted from her crummy job and has the final argument with her spouse.
With little else to do, she drives a friend to the funeral of a judge she met once.
To her surprise she finds a better office arrangement and is hired to represent the estate. Before too long she is struggling to prove the life of an attorney, a probate attorney at that, does not include car chases or running down dark alleys at night.
- GenresMystery
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Una Tiers
6Ìýbooks374ÌýfollowersJudge vs Pearl has been in progress for a while. I am nearly ready to ask for beta readers. Let me know especially if you wrote a review for one of my books. Send me an e-mail
[email protected]
I've also started writing Judge vs Wheels. I'm at 8000 words and happy as a bug.
I grew up in Chicago and have always been an avid reader. By the seventh grade, she had read most of the books in her grade school library. Once a month she was allowed to spend a Friday at the main branch of the Chicago Public Library. In high school, she conducted most of her research there. One of her favorite projects was an essay on Scarborough Fair/Canticle by Simon and Garfunkel.
As a practicing attorney, she wrote hundreds of articles for consumers and other lawyers.
One fateful day a judge threatened to arrest her. The opposing counsel made a deal and they failed to keep up their end of it. It was a lie.
That day she wrote for several hours and the story evolved into Judge vs Nuts.
Her stories are about the law with large motions of humor. om the perspective of an attorney.
Una Tiers is the pen name I created because judges die in most of my mysteries and they don't have a sense of humor.
Yes, it means something cryptic and if you guess it correctly, I will admit it to you alone.
I hope you will meet and love some of my characters. They aren't always well-behaved, but I love them dearly.
You can read about Fiona Gavelle on my webpage.
Note that although the Fiona Gavelle books are a series, they can be read and enjoyed in any order.
Thank you to all the readers.
[email protected]
I've also started writing Judge vs Wheels. I'm at 8000 words and happy as a bug.
I grew up in Chicago and have always been an avid reader. By the seventh grade, she had read most of the books in her grade school library. Once a month she was allowed to spend a Friday at the main branch of the Chicago Public Library. In high school, she conducted most of her research there. One of her favorite projects was an essay on Scarborough Fair/Canticle by Simon and Garfunkel.
As a practicing attorney, she wrote hundreds of articles for consumers and other lawyers.
One fateful day a judge threatened to arrest her. The opposing counsel made a deal and they failed to keep up their end of it. It was a lie.
That day she wrote for several hours and the story evolved into Judge vs Nuts.
Her stories are about the law with large motions of humor. om the perspective of an attorney.
Una Tiers is the pen name I created because judges die in most of my mysteries and they don't have a sense of humor.
Yes, it means something cryptic and if you guess it correctly, I will admit it to you alone.
I hope you will meet and love some of my characters. They aren't always well-behaved, but I love them dearly.
You can read about Fiona Gavelle on my webpage.
Note that although the Fiona Gavelle books are a series, they can be read and enjoyed in any order.
Thank you to all the readers.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 12, 2014
My rating is really 4.5 stars. This is an excellent story and quite educational for the people like me who are completely ignorant of the legal world. Because I was executor on two estates, I could identify from the client's perspective on the probate cases being discussed. It was however very informative on the inner workings of lawyers and also judges and court procedures. Mind you, conditions are quite different in Quebec because we have a notary based system for filling and registering wills which means fewer lawyers involved and court battles raging when someone dies.
That said, Una Tiers' writing style is affable and accessible. So all the legalize is underlined by a light, humorous pen. Frieda's observations and flights of fancy throughout the story are a delight.
The descriptions of Chicago make me want to visit the city more than ever.
So, if you fancy a good legal story or if you have ever been involved in last wills and testaments, you will probably enjoy this book.
My only caveat is that the suspense building up though the first two thirds of the book does not carry through to the end. But this did not take away from my enjoyment.
That said, Una Tiers' writing style is affable and accessible. So all the legalize is underlined by a light, humorous pen. Frieda's observations and flights of fancy throughout the story are a delight.
The descriptions of Chicago make me want to visit the city more than ever.
So, if you fancy a good legal story or if you have ever been involved in last wills and testaments, you will probably enjoy this book.
My only caveat is that the suspense building up though the first two thirds of the book does not carry through to the end. But this did not take away from my enjoyment.
March 17, 2018
An enjoyable and humorous read that's manages to take some rather boring aspects of law and actually make it interesting- no small feat.
Although this is not a terribly dramatic story, it is well written and does keep the reader engaged.
Four stars.
Although this is not a terribly dramatic story, it is well written and does keep the reader engaged.
Four stars.
May 21, 2013
..excellent crime read, enjoyably sprinkled with non-boring court procedure...enjoy...
... this delightful offering from Una Tiers surprises in layers all the way through the narrative... a highly character-driven novel, the newly-pressed female probate lawyer heroine slaloms through areas and events where she often guesses what to do next, leaving the reader as interested as she is to find out what's developing... a dead judge, a clutch of parties with a pecuniary stake in his death, some hinted romantic liaisons, and a typically solid Chicago detective pile into the mix... the blend produces a marvellously entertaining read... not the run-of-the-mill open and shut case... enjoy...
... this delightful offering from Una Tiers surprises in layers all the way through the narrative... a highly character-driven novel, the newly-pressed female probate lawyer heroine slaloms through areas and events where she often guesses what to do next, leaving the reader as interested as she is to find out what's developing... a dead judge, a clutch of parties with a pecuniary stake in his death, some hinted romantic liaisons, and a typically solid Chicago detective pile into the mix... the blend produces a marvellously entertaining read... not the run-of-the-mill open and shut case... enjoy...
April 26, 2015
I was contacted by the author about this book and am really glad I chose to read it. I really enjoyed the humor and the legal information. The characters were well written and the story moved along quickly. Thanks Una, I look forward to more Fiona Gavelle mysteries in my future!
March 4, 2012
Una Tiers tells her story in a strong, unique voice and an unusual style. The Chicago setting is vividly drawn, and she takes us into courtrooms, the library, and areas of the city. Through her heroine's eyes, we even see the Picasso in the Daley Plaza in the Loop. Ms. Tiers's humorous, often irreverent, views of lawyers, nutty clients, and the Chicago scene make the book a fun read.
Fiona Gavelle, the first person voice in Judge vs Nuts, is a young lawyer looking for clients. When a probate case for a prominent judge lands in her lap, she's thrilled--but was it luck or someone's plan? Did that someone count on her lack of experience but fail to recognize Fiona's diligence? Read it and see. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
Fiona Gavelle, the first person voice in Judge vs Nuts, is a young lawyer looking for clients. When a probate case for a prominent judge lands in her lap, she's thrilled--but was it luck or someone's plan? Did that someone count on her lack of experience but fail to recognize Fiona's diligence? Read it and see. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
March 10, 2012
Protagonist Fionna Gavelle dispenses clever, pinpoint observations about law, politics, and personal successes and failings, delivered with humor and candor while trying to help solve a murder and, at the same time, avoid potential danger to herself. An inside look at the back room of Cook County judicial power and privilege.
September 24, 2012
This is a fun debut novel featuring Fiona Gavelle, a lawyer who is struggling in her professional and personal lives but has a sense of self-deprecating humor about it. And of course there's a murder and a good-looking police detective to help Fiona out with her sleuthing.
October 20, 2012
What a fun book! Fiona is a lawyer who is struggling in her personal and professionel life. Through humor Fiona gives us her observations of the court, law, judges and tries to solve a murder. This book had me laughing as I read. I enjoyed this book very much.
April 5, 2013
I'm half way through it in one day and already I'll give it 5-stars. It's interesting, it's funny, the characters are alive (even if most of them are elderly to the point of being stodgy), and I can't wait to get back to it.
September 15, 2012
What a fun book! Working in this profession gave me an insight into the characters and story and had me chuckling throughout.
April 30, 2015
Review to come.
December 18, 2020
I read the fifth book in this series: before reading this one, which is the first book. I see how far this author has developed in her writing. I liked this book, it really picked up during the last half of the book.
I really like the main character Fiona Gavelle, a probate Attorney. I continue to like how Una Tiers describes the court systems, and in this one "Judge training".
I'll say this again, who knew that Wills and Probate could be so interesting.
I really like the main character Fiona Gavelle, a probate Attorney. I continue to like how Una Tiers describes the court systems, and in this one "Judge training".
I'll say this again, who knew that Wills and Probate could be so interesting.
February 8, 2020
This was a nice little mystery. I wasn't quite sure where it was headed at first, but it was interesting to learn about Fiona and her fledgling law career along the way. It was also refreshing how the resolution came about. This also gives a good look into life in Chicago.
September 15, 2015
Where to begin on this book? The author categorizes this book as a humorous mystery. The beginning has many funny moments; however, the humor went AWOL, as the story continued about Judge King. There was way to much back story about this character. Much of it was pointless for the story. I had a hard time getting through this part of the book. The actual mystery didn't really begin until I was 60% through the book. It should of started much earlier. There were typos scattered throughout the book that broke the flow of the story.
On a positive note, the concept of the story was very interesting. I can't say I read a mystery that centered around probate law. The author spiced up an area of the law that normally would be very mundane. Ms. Tiers certainly has a sense of humor I can appreciate, but more editing may help tighten the story.
On a positive note, the concept of the story was very interesting. I can't say I read a mystery that centered around probate law. The author spiced up an area of the law that normally would be very mundane. Ms. Tiers certainly has a sense of humor I can appreciate, but more editing may help tighten the story.
December 3, 2012
This was an enjoyable read - and very informative. Una Tiers shows you the ropes of the Chicago legal system (a lot of surprises there) while giving an amusing account of a young lawyer caught in a web of intrigue. I would have liked a little more sizzle in the romance, but since this is not a romance novel, it can't be faulted for that. All in all, Judge vs Nuts is a well written book, with the bonus of a fascinating peek behind the closed doors of the judge's chambers.
January 30, 2013
This novel tries to combine humor with a murder mystery and falls flat in both instances. The solution of the "mystery" concludes without suspense and the romantic element also falls flat.The novel is, however, written professionally.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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