A Tale of Two Titles

By Paul

"Trial & Error," the fourth of the Solomon & Lord books, is just out, but I'm having trouble getting used to the title.

It wasn't my first choice.

Let me explain.

I've never before struggled with a title. Nearly 20 years ago, I was researching the work of medical examiners when I stumbled across the credo: "To protect the living, to speak for the dead." The second half of that phrase became the title of my first novel. More recently, "The Deep Blue Alibi" served a dual purpose. A key plot point involved an underwater murder. The title was also my way of paying tribute to John D. MacDonald's "The Deep Blue Good-Bye," the first of the Travis McGee novels. "Kill All the Lawyers" is a portion of the often misused quotation from Shakespeare's "Henry VI." It seemed right for a book about a villainous client's attempt to kill his lawyer.

Which brings us to "Trial & Error."

The book opens with the kidnapping of two highly trained and talkative dolphins at Miami's Cetacean Park. Are animal rights activists behind the heist or is something more sinister going on? The dolphins are at the heart of the mystery and a murder trial.

So I wanted to title the book -- get ready for this -- "Habeas Porpoise."

The powers-that-be determined that the title sounded frivolous. Well, I wasn't exactly hatching "War and Peace." I write dramedies about a lawyer who makes up his own laws and the woman he loves but drives crazy with his courtroom antics.

Example. In the first book of the series, Steve Solomon called a toucan to testify. Victoria Lord objected, and the bird crapped on the sleeve of her Armani suit. So, let me repeat, there are no Bezukhovs or Bolkonskys in my books. Tolstoy, I ain't. Nor would I want to be, if only because he's been dead for nearly 100 years.

The only other thing I'll say about "Trial & Error" is that Victoria ends up prosecuting a murder trial that Steve defends. Hijinks ensue.


IN MEMORIAM

"Trial & Error" is written in tribute to a woman with a piercing wit and sharp sense of humor. My friend, Margo Flanigan, of Fort Lauderdale, fought a brave battle against breast cancer, and died far too young. She leaves behind a terrific husband and father, Paul Flanigan, and three wonderful children, James, Paul B., and Madden. She also leaves a long trail of joyful memories and spirited laughter.

Paul and his family are supporters of the Children's Art Project of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center...and I am, too.

GUEST BLOGGER, MY PAL JOEY

I'm turning the rest of today's blog over to a first grader. (No, not Jim Born). I'm talking about my pal Joey Paterno. Here he is with his favorite football player, former Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson, now with the San Francisco 49'ers.

I recently helped Joey with a class project, and in return, he sent me some photos with captions.


"Here are some pictures from where I live. This is Beaver Stadium. It is very loud. The players who play here actually go to school and graduate."



"This is Old Main. My Mom used to work here."


"Here is downtown State College. I eat there and go to the Arts Festival."


Thanks, Joey. I'll take over from here. Football fans probably picked up on the last name. Joey's grandfather is legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno, seen here emerging from a heavenly cloud.

And Joey's father is Penn State quarterback coach Jay Paterno.


In my book, however, it's Kelley Paterno, Joey's mother, who gets credit for the lad's precociousness.

As long as we're talking college football, I note that it's only 95 days until Penn State plays Notre Dame. Yes, of course I'll be there.

Paul