How to Read the Solomon vs. Lord Series
For the best reading experience, you should follow the publication order. Because the personal and professional relationship between the two main characters evolves significantly with each case, reading the books in sequence prevents spoilers regarding their romantic and partnership status. Below is the recommended reading path, starting with the core series and continuing into their major crossovers with Paul Levine's other famous protagonist, Jake Lassiter.
The Core Solomon vs. Lord Books
- Solomon vs. Lord (2005)
- The Deep Blue Alibi (2006)
- Kill All the Lawyers (2006)
- Habeas Porpoise (originally published as Trial & Error) (2007)
- Solomon & Lord: Sink or Swim (Short Story, 2012)
The Lassiter, Solomon & Lord Crossover Era
If you finish the core series and want more of Steve and Victoria, they don't disappear! They join forces with former football player turned trial lawyer Jake Lassiter in some of the later installments of his series. Read them in this order:
- Bum Rap (2015) — Steve Solomon is accused of murdering a Russian mobster, and Victoria Lord hires Jake Lassiter to defend him.
- Bum Luck (2017) — Jake Lassiter is facing legal trouble of his own after a bizarre trial, and Solomon & Lord step in to help.
- Bum Deal (2018) — Lassiter is appointed as a special prosecutor, and Solomon & Lord represent the defense in a high-stakes murder case.
The Main Solomon vs. Lord Books: A Detailed Breakdown
Solomon vs. Lord (2005)
This is where it all begins. Steve Solomon is a rule-bending, barefoot Coconut Grove defense lawyer who prefers cold beers to courtroom rules. Victoria Lord is an Ivy League-educated Coral Gables prosecutor with a strict adherence to the letter of the law. When they are thrown together to defend a wealthy widow accused of murdering her eccentric husband, sparks fly inside and outside the courtroom. The book establishes their famous Tracy-Hepburn screwball comedy style.
The Deep Blue Alibi (2006)
In the second installment, the legal partners find themselves in Key West defending a wealthy man accused of murder. The case is complicated by a nudist resort setting, a cast of eccentric local characters, and the growing romantic tension between the two leads. The case tests their partnership as Victoria tries to stay professional while Steve relies on his usual questionable shortcuts.
Kill All the Lawyers (2006)
Steve Solomon becomes the target of death threats after a former client is released from prison. When a 300-pound marlin is left as a warning, Steve and Victoria must uncover who is out to get him before it is too late. This entry leans heavily into the Florida thriller comedy tropes, combining genuine danger with sharp humor.
Habeas Porpoise (2007)
Originally published under the title Trial & Error, this book pits Steve and Victoria against each other on opposite sides of a courtroom. The case involves a dolphin-kidnapping from a marine park, ecoterrorism, and murder. It is a classic showcase of their differing legal philosophies, butting heads while trying to ignore their undeniable chemistry.
Solomon & Lord: Sink or Swim (2012)
This quick-paced short story acts as a supplemental adventure. Steve invites Victoria on a mysterious boat trip under the guise of a relaxing fishing getaway. Victoria is immediately suspicious, knowing a man connected to one of Steve's former clients is involved. Her suspicions prove correct, and the trip quickly turns into a battle for survival in the open waters of Florida.
The Crossover Connection: Jake Lassiter
Author Paul Levine pulled off a major treat for his fans by merging his two most popular series. In 2015's Bum Rap, the worlds of Jake Lassiter and Solomon & Lord collide. Instead of just a brief cameo, Steve and Victoria serve as co-protagonists alongside Lassiter. The dynamic becomes a complex love-hate triangle of sorts, as Lassiter has to deal with Solomon's wacky behavior and a lingering attraction to Victoria Lord. This crossover continues through Bum Luck and Bum Deal, making these books essential reading for fans who want to complete the Solomon & Lord story arc.
What to Know Before You Start
The Solomon vs. Lord books are celebrated for bringing a classic screwball comedy style to the gritty world of the legal thriller. Here is what makes the series stand out:
- The Chemistry: The core of the series is the banter. The constant bickering between the rule-abiding Victoria and the rule-breaking Steve provides the energy that drives the plots forward.
- The Setting: South Florida is practically its own character. From the glitz and corruption of Miami to the eccentric beaches of Key West, Levine uses his background as a Miami trial lawyer and reporter to paint an authentic, colorful picture of the local legal system.
- Standalone Nature: While the legal cases in each book are completely self-contained and resolved by the final page, the romantic relationship between Steve and Victoria is a continuous thread. For this reason, we highly recommend reading the books in order rather than jumping around.