Tropical Judgments is a legal thriller written by David Myles Robinson. Pancho McMartin has been asked by Judge Makena, the Administrative Criminal Judge for the Honolulu Circuit Court, to represent a young, homeless African-American man who has been accused of murdering the iconic traditional singer, Auntie Irene. Pancho's attempts to get out of the assignment fall on deaf ears, as there's no one in the Public Defender's Office available who is not considered conflicted, and the circumstances of the case call for special care and diplomacy. Auntie Irene Kamaka was a treasured symbol of old Hawaii, and Jackson Steele, the accused, has an inflamed public crying out for his blood. Pancho reluctantly agrees, even while thinking about the fact that a high profile murder trial may exacerbate the panic attacks he had begun experiencing. When he visits with Jackson, he's immediately taken aback by the sneer on the young man's face and the very visible scar, until Jackson begins to speak.

David Myles Robinson's legal thriller, Tropical Judgments, is an enthralling and exciting story set in Honolulu, and fans of Earl Stanley Gardner's Perry Mason series will probably be as thrilled by this book as I was. Pancho, his secretary, Susan, and private investigator, Drew, are marvelous characters who flawlessly interact as a competent and caring team. Robinson's courtroom drama, as Pancho puts on the defense, is authentic and gripping, and I especially appreciated how the defense team continues their investigations even as the trial grinds toward its conclusion. As if a cracking smart investigation, a compelling trial and well-defined characters were not enough to offer a reader, there are plenty of passages where Pancho enjoys a bit of surf, gorgeous sunsets and just a thousand or so reasons to dream of moving to the land of sun and surf. While this is not the first Pancho McMartin legal thriller, Tropical Judgments stands very well on its own. It's most highly recommended.

In Tropical Judgments by David Myles Robinson, a beloved Hawaiian performer is found murdered and a young black man named Jackson Steele is the prime suspect. Pancho McMartin, a criminal defense attorney, takes on this case as a favor and soon realizes that his client may actually be innocent. The book takes readers through McMartin trying to solve the case while racial tension flows wild on the tropical island.

My first thought upon reading Tropical Judgments is that it reminded me of a Law and Order episode, which I happen to like. Instead of the normal theme song, Hawaiian music is playing instead. Just like Law and Order, there are courtroom scenes in this book and interviews with potential witnesses. Pancho McMartin and his crew are all very likeable characters. I think my favorite was Drew. I even developed a fondness for McMartin’s client Jackson Steele. The only Hawaiian that I know I learned from the movie Lilo and Stich, so I appreciated that Robinson would tell the definitions of the Hawaiian words he used throughout the book. I also liked the ending of this story and I hope this the not the last I have read of Pancho McMartin.

Tropical Judgments is the second book in David Myles Robinson’s Tropical series. The first book in this series is Tropical Lies and also features Pancho McMartin. I enjoyed reading this book, especially the court room scenes. If you like mysteries with a lovable cast and likeable lawyers, then this book is for you.