What happens when populism invades the community association? Condo lawyer Joshua Fyler soon finds out when several association clients elect new boards and promptly fire him. Condo directors take a weekend retreat for strategic planning and return to find they’ve been ousted in a recall election. An HOA board creates a showcase community garden, but a small rebel cadre plows under the harvest. Ignited by a web forum, homeowner discontent is fueled by unfiltered social media and an aggressive investigative reporter. Which community is next? And why does every recall election coast Joshua a client?
The mounting revolts threaten to destroy Joshua’s practice and ruin his reputation. But is it too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence? Is it part of a national populist movement to “take back our community” or a sinister scam? Joshua overcomes his preoccupations with food and law to fight back with schemes that would make Machiavelli blush. But is it enough for a happy ending?
HOA Gobsmack! takes a fun peek into communities, exploring tough issues and colorful characters in a rollicking, entertaining ride through the landscape of community living.
Marv Nodiff is a pioneer in community association law, a founding member of the College of Community Association Lawyers, a top St. Louis attorney, a university law professor, and he leads a double life as a novelist, capturing all the foibles of community association living in his humorous and engaging mysteries.
Through attorney Joshua Fyler, Marv captures the essence of community association business with humor, insight, and intelligence. Anyone working—or volunteering—in or for a community association will recognize Joshua, his associates and their board-member clients. Groan or laugh, you're guaranteed to find a character you know.
"No one writes about community associations like Nodiff does. What a treat to read a novel that takes place in an association just like mine and laugh out loud at the antics of board members ... and sometimes managers . . . also just like mine." B. Shafer, former board member, Reston, Virginia
“I urge everyone to check out attorney Marv Nodiff’s books. His story is full of real-life community association management challenges. I’ve read the first three and they are REALLY funny and, boy, could I relate!"
Margey Meyer, CMCA, PCAM, President and CEO, Community Association Dispute Resolution Experts LLC
