The Last Billable Hour: A Novel

This book is worth reading and re-reading. Set in a slick Silicon Valley law firm, the very likeable protagonist is a young lawyer trying to translate the theory he learned in law school to actual practice in a fast-paced law firm. He quickly realizes he is the smallest of small fish, and he is swimming among sharks. When his boss gets murdered, the plot thickens, for everyone in the firm seems to have a motive for the crime. The crime is well thought out, the language is witty and the characters are vivid. I read this book when it was first published in 1989 and gave it to all of my friends and family who work in the legal field. It was great fun to read it again now.

I came to mysteries at the end of my extended undergrad years. As I was making the transition from a student writer of classroom papers to a citizen worker, I discovered Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler and Chester Himes and Ross MacDonald. In each book—and overall--I could escape into new worlds of meaning and decisive action—bad guys with good behavior, good guys with damaged histories and beautiful women who always seemed to be at the root of the major problems. What always struck me about this multi-strand genre was how good work was based on—and even created—a cultural context, and how the reader moved through that world by information—by learning and discovery.
Susan Wolfe sets her fine novel (The Last Billable Hour) in a high end law firm in Silicon Valley in the 1980s. She develops the context with vivid observations of the culture, the norms, styles, pervasive jokes and interpersonal maneuvering of legal professionals. Into this sharkfest, Howard Rickover, a recent law school grad, has found his way through family connections. A frumpish blend of intelligence, good intentions and fine cooking skills, he realizes that he is probably being used by the sharp, smart and cynical for short purposes and his survival is unlikely. When a senior partner is murdered, he enters into a complicated relationship with the detective in charge, an extremely able woman with a complicated past who may be using him as an inside source beyond his understanding of implied consent.
The story moves through description of situations and circumstances. It is a layered and complex tale of hopes and frustrations, and achievements, betrayals and surprising competence, but the story emerges at the edges as the scenes meet one another. The characters are extensive and unique but this is revealed as much through their behavior and their conversations as any direct unpacking by the author. Only Rickover serves as an occasional lens and unknowing bait, and also shows some promise as a developing forensic lawyer.
(One other thing to mention… The book was written in the 1980s, and reading it from the 2k-teens I was struck by its sense of privilege and lack of diversity. It seemed very much of its time and place without having any anticipation of what would be ahead (or, with one exception in the detective, any anchor in contemporary struggles). Last Billable Hour won the 1990 Edgar for Best First Novel, but in a similar period there were works that touch on the urban and international turmoil that were ahead. I am not sure what this means, except that there is a significant tradition of lighter fare in mysteries that people like me can miss in our noire origins.)

Just in time for summer, this is a fun, captivating whodunit. The setting - a top notch Silicon Valley law firm - is perfect for a full display of human vices and virtues. Greed, power, vanity, seduction are up against two very mortal heroes who are driven by inner strength and their own pasts. The story pulls you in and keeps you guessing to the surprising end. Lots of fun and a great read.

I just reread Wolfe's first novel, the Last Billable Hour. Living in Silicon Valley, it was hilarious and entertaining - even the second time.

I finished this book in one night, could not put it down. This is a great read for anyone looking for a fast paced thriller/mystery. I was completely engrossed and the character portrayals were very relatable. Looking forward to Ms. Wolfe's next book!

This well-crafted mystery provides a sympathetic and hilarious view into the life of a first year lawyer. New lawyers should read it to know they are not alone; the rest of us should read it for pure enjoyment...and to be glad we have chosen careers other than those in the legal field! Intelligently written, gripping and humorous. Two thumbs up!!

More than just a sharp whodunit with two appealing truth seekers sniffing about a world filled with wretches. ( Though never downplay the appeal of a great old-fashioned mystery!) The Last Billable Hour is also a terrific portrait of Silicon Valley in its heady ( if somewhat sinister) adolescence, with the keen eye and sharp wit to eviscerate the self-important money men and lawyers hanging around the Boomtown techies

I thoroughly enjoyed this legal thriller when it was first released and have just finished reading it a second time. The characters are well drawn and the inside story of a high flying Silicon Valley law firm in the 80s is both scathing and highly entertaining. This Edgar award winner is both suspenseful and hilarious. It is a great read for the thriller/mystery reader and a must read for anyone considering a Silicon Valley legal career.

This is a very intriguing story. Full of suspense and always has you guessing, right to the end. Unlike some mystery novels, where the characters are one-dimensional, these characters have depth and are quite human. The plot keeps you wanting to keep reading to see what will happen next. A brilliant novel and a good, fun read. I hope the author writes another one soon!

The main characters in this novel are lawyers, good, bad and ugly. But, readers in other fields will also find much to enjoy in this book by Susan Wolfe. She captures the stresses, the double crossing, the sometimes-questionable ethics of life in a high-pressure, long-hours workplace. But while the book covers some serious workplace issues, it is also humorous and light-hearted at the same time. This is a quick read and a pleasure from the fine opening scene to the last, satisfying paragraph.