By: Sara Wolfe

When readers open Tropical Lies, the first book in the Pancho McMartin Legal Thrillers series, they are immediately drawn into a high-stakes courtroom battle set against the deceptively calm backdrop of Hawaii. Written by David Myles Robinson, the novel introduces a criminal defense attorney confronting a case that can define or destroy a legal career. What unfolds is a tightly constructed legal thriller grounded in realism, moral tension, and lived courtroom experience.

A Murder Case with Life-Altering Consequences

At the center of Tropical Lies is the murder of Honolulu’s most sought-after investment counselor, brutally killed in his own backyard. Pancho McMartin, a top criminal defense attorney, is hired to defend a former mercenary accused of the crime. As the trial advances, the pressure escalates, and the evidence against Pancho’s client becomes increasingly difficult to overcome.

Robinson builds the case toward a moment of extreme professional risk. With the trial turning against the defense and time running out, Pancho realizes there may be only one option left, an all-or-nothing move that could change everything. The decision carries devastating consequences: if it fails, Pancho’s career could be ruined and his client could face a life sentence. Robinson sustains tension through careful pacing, sharp dialogue, and the constant uncertainty of courtroom strategy.

Inspired by Real-World Intrigue

The origins of Tropical Lies trace back to a real criminal case that unfolded in Honolulu and left a lasting impression on Robinson.

“My inspiration for the story was a real-life criminal in Honolulu by the name of Ron Rewald, who used some of Hawaii’s famous names for the name of the financial firm he set up. It was a huge Ponzi scheme. Lots of well-known local people were caught up in it,” Robinson explains.

The case became even more extraordinary after Rewald’s arrest. “When he was ultimately caught, he claimed that he had been working for the CIA all along,” Robinson says. While the claim sounded far-fetched, the courtroom proceedings were anything but ordinary. A close friend of Robinson’s served on the defense team and witnessed unusual judicial restrictions. “The Federal Judge required all the attorneys to get classified clearance, and he refused to admit a ton of evidence that the defense tried to admit. Crazy case.”

Rather than recreating those events directly, Robinson used them as a foundation for fiction. “So, I used the fraud and the CIA angle to create the story,” he says. That approach allowed him to explore themes of secrecy, power, and deception while giving Pancho a case worthy of a series opener. “Pancho was more or less just coming into his own as a top criminal defense attorney, so I wanted him to take on a blockbuster case.”

Building a Series-Worthy Protagonist

From the beginning, Robinson designed Pancho McMartin to carry a long-running series. “First off, I wanted him a little bit quirky,” he says. That choice is reflected in Pancho’s unconventional upbringing. He was born and raised in Taos, New Mexico, “home of some of the original hippies,” and was born on a commune.”

Even Pancho’s name speaks to his background. His parents claimed they named him Pancho so he would fit in better at mostly Hispanic schools, an explanation Robinson calls “patently absurd.” Pancho’s own theory is more irreverent: “They dropped acid to celebrate his birth and named him while stoned.”

Once Pancho begins practicing law in Hawaii, his personal style becomes part of his identity. “He adopted his ‘uniform’ of blue jeans and cowboy boots, along with the more traditional dress shirt, tie, and blazer.” The blend mirrors his approach to the law, professional but never conventional.

Hawaii as Contrast and Catalyst

Having practiced law in Honolulu for decades, Robinson saw Hawaii as essential to the story’s emotional texture. “First of all, having been a trial attorney in Honolulu for forty years, it was the obvious place to set the series,” he says.

The setting provides a powerful contrast. “The contrast between the high tension/risk of trial work, particularly criminal defense, and the gentle beauty of Hawaii is compelling,” Robinson explains. Throughout the novel, Pancho steps out of the courtroom into moments of near-unnatural calm. “On more than one occasion, we see Pancho leave court and have an almost surreal feeling of serenity once he reemerges into the paradise in which he lives.” Surfing, Robinson adds, “is his major form of relaxation.”

Truth, Deception, and the Courtroom

Deception is a recurring theme throughout the Pancho McMartin series. “Criminal defense (and prosecution) is really all about lies and deception and ultimately (hopefully) finding the truth,” Robinson says.

Pancho understands that reality and sets firm boundaries with his clients. “Pancho tells his new clients he won’t tolerate their lying to him, yet he knows that virtually all of his clients will, at some point, lie.” Still, Pancho himself never crosses that line. “I never have Pancho lie, and he makes it clear to his clients that if he knows they are lying, he will not allow them to testify.”

Authenticity Without Losing Momentum

Robinson’s legal scenes reflect decades of professional experience. “Some of the best compliments I have received about the Pancho series are from other trial attorneys… who praise me for the realism of the trial scenes,” he says.

He balances accuracy with narrative drive by focusing on the moments that matter most. “So, I take pains to make the courtroom scenes realistic while summarizing some of the most boring aspects of a trial (and there is a lot of boredom in real-life trials).” Suspense comes from uncertainty: “What will a particular witness say? Will a witness lie? Can Pancho break a witness on cross-examination?”

A Foundation for What Comes Next

As the series continues in later installments, the groundwork laid in Tropical Lies shapes Pancho’s future challenges. “The primary foundation is Pancho’s character and his interaction with Drew, his investigator, his secretaries, and with the prosecutor we see most often, Harry Chang,” Robinson says.

With its blend of realism, tension, and character-driven storytelling, Tropical Lies establishes David Myles Robinson as a compelling voice in legal thrillers, offering readers a series in which justice is never simple and every decision carries weight.

Tropical Lies is now available on Amazon.

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