The Condor Song by Darryl Nyznyk Review

Before becoming a full-time writer, Darryl Nyznyk (pronounced NIZ-nik) practiced law for two decades. As an attorney, he dealt with developers and environmental groups like the California Coastal Commission and the Sierra Club.

After working on a case involving the Sierra Club, Nyznyk purchased a book called Wild at Law to read more about the group and became enthralled with their work.

He was especially drawn to the story of the Sierra Club’s efforts to stop Walt Disney from building the ultimate ski resort in the Mineral King Valley of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Southern California.

And that’s when the idea for his latest novel, an environmental legal thriller, The Condor Song (June 2013) hit him.

Described as “The Verdict,” starring Paul Newman, meets John Grisham’s The Pelican Brief, the book follows Sean Donovan, a new partner in a major law firm who lost everything when he took a costly ethical stand. Wifeless, jobless, and betrayed by his closest friend, Sean spends 13 years trying to find his way back.

Barely eking out a living on small cases, Sean’s redemption comes with the death of renowned environmentalist, Buck Anderson. When the dead man’s niece requests Sean’s help in resolving Buck’s last case with the Sierra Club, Sean happily accepts, but learns too late the opposition is his former law firm and the partner who betrayed him. He may have just signed his own death warrant.

A battle to save a precious environmental resource turns into a classic struggle of good versus evil where a national treasure – and a man’s soul – is at stake.

Nyznyk lives near Los Angeles.

My Review:

This was a really good mystery. I loved it. I really liked that the main character was also writing a book about this plot. I really like that Sean redeemed himself and was able to move on from being at rock bottom. There was a good twist at he end and I did not expect it. The information on law firms was also interesting for me. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.