The Legacy by James Gilbert
One of the great joys of reading is finding a book that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, one that seems light-hearted on the surface yet explores more complex and deep issues underneath.
James Gilbert’s latest novel is such a book. The Legacy (Joshua Tree Publishing) is a riveting story that is part mystery, part romance, part social commentary — and completely addictive.
The Letter of the Law
When junior lawyer Adam Chauncey is assigned to handle the oddly worded last will of an enigmatic Chicago financier, Percy Landsman, he enlists the help of Sally Warren, a paralegal and coworker he can’t help but find himself attracted to.
Together, Adam and Sally try to piece together the pieces of Landsman’s will, a journey that takes them from the pompous mansions of Chicago’s North Side to the dilapidated Latinx communities of the South Side.
The two soon begin suspecting that Landsman left a second will — one naming his secret birth family primary benefactors and cutting out his dysfunctional adopted family. With limited clues to go off of — mostly the incoherent, abbreviated scribbles of a possibly deranged mind — Adam and Sally must discover the identity of Landsman’s biological family. But what happens if the higher-ups at the firm realize what they’re doing?
In the end, Adam must decide who he is and who he wants to be — an ambitious young lawyer looking to make partner no matter what the stakes, or a good person?
A Multifaceted Read
The Legacy quickly draws readers in thanks to Gilbert’s strong prose, flawless dialogue and masterful attention to detail. The portrayal of Chicago life is impeccable and further brings the story to life, from the descriptions of office dynamics to witnessing Sally’s frustration driving in heavy traffic. The light-hearted banter between Adam and Sally is natural and humorous, as though the two have been lifelong friends with the reader.
While the mystery of Landsman’s will remains at the forefront of the story, the subtly budding romance between Adam and Sally is hard to miss. Their flirtatious banter and will-they-won’t-they attitude keeps readers’ eyes glued to the page, with an ending that will have them begging for more.
The Legacy is an engrossing read perfect for fans of mystery and romance, especially those set against a thrilling legal backdrop.
While a light-hearted read in many ways, above all, The Legacy provides astute commentary on the legal profession and issues of class division, particularly concerning immigrants in urban areas. The different levels of the firm’s office building serve as a nice metaphor, a constant reminder of this division.
James Gilbert was born in Chicago and moved with his parents to Flossmoor, Illinois, a small golfing suburb located on the main southern commuter rail into the city. He attended Carleton College and then the University of Wisconsin, earning a doctoral degree in American Intellectual and Cultural History. After graduation, he was hired by the University of Maryland, just outside Washington, DC, where he was appointed Distinguished University Professor in 1999. Over the course of his career, he published eleven history texts, one of them (Perfect Cities) was named a New York Times notable book of the year in 1986. Throughout his career, he has often succumbed to a love of travel made possible by teaching at a variety of universities in Europe and Australia.
While American history was his profession, literature has always been his passion, and since retiring, he has written and published five novels (three of them mysteries featuring the sleuth, Amanda Pennyworth) and a book of short stories. A sixth novel, set in Chicago, will appear shortly.
He is also a (very) amateur cellist and pianist.
