It's 1981 in Dallas and Stan decides to throw a Christmas party at his home as a way of saying thanks to the clients who have sustained him during his first tumultuous year in the practice of law. As Stan's luck would have it, a client is killed and Stan is blamed for his death. While trying to shield himself from the wrath of the grieving widow, he's asked to defend a young college student charged with murdering her newborn child. Knowing he lacks the experience for such an undertaking, he enlists his former criminal law professor to be "Second Chair." What he doesn't know is the professor, who everyone calls "Snake" is a drunk and a womanizer. When Snake fails to show up for the last few days of trial Stan is devastated.

Appealing characters and lively dialogue, especially in the courtroom, make this an easy, entertaining read. Publisher's Weekly

Like "Undaunted" and "Brash Endeavor," "Second Chair" takes the reader for the ride of their life. Manchee's command of the justice system, added to his experiences in court and with clients, makes for a good read. --Barbara Quigley, Norman Transcript

Manchee's story is a page turner. He manages to keep the reader's interest with a serpentine plot and realistic dialogue. . . . Manchee's fictional lawyer always wins the war, but he does lose battles, which makes him a believable character. Betty Bettacchi, Richardson News

Manchee, an attorney, spins a good plot, playing out the scenes slowly so the reader is caught in the what-comes-next trap. Richly textured with wonderful atmosphere, the novel shows Manchee as a smooth, polished master of the mystery form. The Book Reader