novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 STARS
"Lawyer Mary DiNunzio's new case is a mystery—the strange suicide of an Italian fisherman interned during a dark, unspoken chapter in American history. Armed only with the puzzle pieces of a lock of hair, an old photograph, and a paper covered with indecipherable doodles, Mary digs deep into the case and suspects betrayal—and murder.
Meantime, Mary's friends worry that her investigation is becoming an obsession, so they set her up on a series of truly disastrous blind dates. She escapes romance only to risk life and limb to hunt down a ruthless killer. But someone in the shadows—powerful, cold-blooded, and very deadly—will stop at nothing to keep Mary from the truth." (From Amazon)
Another enjoyable novel featuring Mary (and her crazy fun family) and her associates.
"Lawyer Mary DiNunzio's new case is a mystery—the strange suicide of an Italian fisherman interned during a dark, unspoken chapter in American history. Armed only with the puzzle pieces of a lock of hair, an old photograph, and a paper covered with indecipherable doodles, Mary digs deep into the case and suspects betrayal—and murder.
Meantime, Mary's friends worry that her investigation is becoming an obsession, so they set her up on a series of truly disastrous blind dates. She escapes romance only to risk life and limb to hunt down a ruthless killer. But someone in the shadows—powerful, cold-blooded, and very deadly—will stop at nothing to keep Mary from the truth." (From Amazon)
Another enjoyable novel featuring Mary (and her crazy fun family) and her associates.
ina_s's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
clt677's review against another edition
3.0
The story and the premise of the story were interesting enough. I had also never heard of the Italian internment camps, so that was an added bonus. However, this book could have been called Killer Cliché. The number of Italian clichés, Catholic clichés, South Philly clichés became mind numbing. There were more than a couple times where had to set the book down and shake my head. I cared about the story and the history, but I can't say that I cared about any of the characters. No one was really fleshed out, beyond the author's tiresome clichés. (I have never used the word cliché so much). And the main character, Mart, is frustratingly annoying. I am still debating between a 3 and a 4 for this book, because the story was that good, but for now it's a 3.
jsh626's review against another edition
2.0
This is the 2nd book by Scottoline I've read, and it just might be the last. Our heroine is once again Mary - surprising, since I figured she'd get run over by a bus between novels. For a lawyer, she ain't all that smrt. Anyhoo, here she is again, tracking down mysteries no one cares about, getting beaten up, kidnapped, (...yawn...) and saving the day at the 11th hour. Shocking, I know. The chapters are really short, and I suppose this could be good for a beach novel (or light bathroom reading), but I'd rather spend my precious few reading minutes on something more... well, on something more.
canada_matt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Lisa Scottoline presents another novel in the Rosato and Associates series, impressing fans yet again. A unique story using one of the central protagonists keeps the reader in the middle of a mystery that mixes legal prowess and historical events close to the author’s heart. Mary DiNunzio has agreed to take on a pro bonocase with a twist. The estate of a man whose Italian father was forcefully removed from his home during the Second World War wants justice. Mary is eager to take the case herself and travels around trying to piece the story together. However, there is more under the surface that could leave Mary in grave danger. With the help of her associates and even Bennie Rosato, Mary will have to get answers and stay ahead of someone trying to neutralise the investigative spirit. Lisa Scottoline does a masterful job getting the reader curious and in the middle of all the action.
While Mary DiNunzio is a hard-working lawyer in Philadelphia, everyone seems to think that she needs more social time. Having been a widow for a number of years, many choose to play matchmaker, sending Mary on more blind dates that she could have thought possible. While a few have some promise, nothing really works for her, making Mary wish she could return to her latest case.
Mary was approached by the Brandolini estate to help work on a legal matter. At the core of the matter is Amadeo Brandolini, who was forcefully removed from his Philadelphia home by the US Government at the height of the Second World War. An Italian-American, Amadeo was sent to an internment camp due to his family roots and deemed an enemy of the stature, though he committed no crimes and paid all his taxes. While there, he heard of his wife’s death and eventually committed suicide. The Brandolini estate wants reparations for the internment and asks Mary to take on the case. She agrees, working pro bono, which will require her to sift through many files to make the pieces fall into place.
Amadeo Brandolini was a fisherman by trade and did little to ‘rock the boat’, yet he was still targeted and sent to Montana. Mary digs deeper and takes a trip out West, where some interesting truths come to the surface, including something that may prove there was no suicide, but murder. When Mary return to confront some others who might have known Amadeo Brandolini, she is assaulted by one man who knew Brandolini before his untimely death. Could this violent reaction prove that there is more to the story?
When more people go missing soon after Mary is attacked, it appears as though there could be more to the story than a US Government trying to keep its enemies contained. Mary will stop at nothing to get answers for the family and try to discover what her own Italian heritage might have to do with the Amadeo Brandolini case. Mary’s stubbornness can be beneficial in the legal world, but it could also cost her everything if she does not play her cards correctly. A brilliant piece by Scottoline, always eager to push the limits to impress the reader, while educating them as well.
I have remained dedicated throughout this Rosato and Associates binge, which has never left me feeling anything but impressed. Lisa Scottoline uses a strong narrative to guide the reader through this tense story, offering strong pathways towards the answers everyone seeks. Building on things with great characters, including her handful of female protagonists, Scottoline offers up great angles and humorous perspectives on both personal and legal matters. The plot lines emerge effectively, touching on both modern and historical events, educating the reader while also keeping them transfixed to what might happen. I could not want more than what Scottoline presented in this piece, a perfect mix of legal drama and historical thrills, all rolled into one impactful book. I cannot wait to see what else Scottoline has to offer in the last few novels of this series!
Kudos, Madam Scottoline, for another stellar novel.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
alexblackreads's review against another edition
1.0
But first- the title. Can anyone who read this book and might happen to see the beginning of this review please tell me what the title means? Like dear lord, I did not enjoy this book, but this is a genuine question. How did "Killer Smile" relate in any way to the story? Did I miss something? Okay sure I can get the killer part because murders did happen, but did I miss something about the significance of smiles? Because as far as I could tell, it was completely unrelated to anything and I'm so confused. The characters smiled on occasion as characters tend to do, but I don't remember it ever being important?
I feel like I almost need to add an asterisk when tagging this book as a thriller because it was not particularly thrilling. Patent law, especially decades old patent law, is not the most exciting basis for a story. That's fine with me when it's a character centric book, but thrillers tend to be more plot driven. A 60 year old case where everyone involved is dead that centers around patent law didn't really do it for me.
It didn't make sense. Like at all. At one point they decide someone might be targeting the main character for her investigation so they suggest she take a bit of a vacation. Her vacation is related to the case, but also over a thousand miles away so everyone is happy. Then an actual murder that is probably related to the case occurs, and they literally suggest she come back. Like if a break in is scary enough to send someone away, why bring her back when it's upped to literal murder? Logic seems to have failed these characters completely. (That wasn't the only example, just the one that pissed me off the most.)
Everyone was flat. None of the characters had real personalities so much as little dramas. The father's dialogue was written in all caps because he was shouting which is such a pet peeve of mine. God forbid we use description. I don't like Scottoline's writing style. I don't like what little personalities the characters do have. It was way too long and could have been easily edited down into something that dragged a little less.
I dunno, I didn't like anything here. This is the second one of Scottoline's books I've rated one star and I thought maybe the first one might just be a fluke, but yikes. I'm apparently not a fan. The best thing about this book was that I finished it last night and it's already fading from my memory.
I feel like I almost need to add an asterisk when tagging this book as a thriller because it was not particularly thrilling. Patent law, especially decades old patent law, is not the most exciting basis for a story. That's fine with me when it's a character centric book, but thrillers tend to be more plot driven. A 60 year old case where everyone involved is dead that centers around patent law didn't really do it for me.
It didn't make sense. Like at all. At one point they decide someone might be targeting the main character for her investigation so they suggest she take a bit of a vacation. Her vacation is related to the case, but also over a thousand miles away so everyone is happy. Then an actual murder that is probably related to the case occurs, and they literally suggest she come back. Like if a break in is scary enough to send someone away, why bring her back when it's upped to literal murder? Logic seems to have failed these characters completely. (That wasn't the only example, just the one that pissed me off the most.)
Everyone was flat. None of the characters had real personalities so much as little dramas. The father's dialogue was written in all caps because he was shouting which is such a pet peeve of mine. God forbid we use description. I don't like Scottoline's writing style. I don't like what little personalities the characters do have. It was way too long and could have been easily edited down into something that dragged a little less.
I dunno, I didn't like anything here. This is the second one of Scottoline's books I've rated one star and I thought maybe the first one might just be a fluke, but yikes. I'm apparently not a fan. The best thing about this book was that I finished it last night and it's already fading from my memory.
niclow_'s review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
baggman's review against another edition
2.0
Okay, here's the deal, I've violated my own rules! I read 41% of this book before I realized that it wasn't going to get any more suspenseful; it wasn't going to become more thrilling; that I didn't care who killed Amadeo BrandoliniI, or why, and for me, finishing this book would be a complete waste of my time. As far as I'm concerned, this book should be reclassified as young adult. Yes, almost half way through I bailed, and I'm a better person for it.
Now, don't get all up in my face. I didn't say the book was bad, or poorly written. I'm saying that for me, it didn't do anything and I should have bailed earlier.
Now, don't get all up in my face. I didn't say the book was bad, or poorly written. I'm saying that for me, it didn't do anything and I should have bailed earlier.
qofdnz's review against another edition
4.0
I always turn to Scottoline when I want something fast paced, addictive and easy to read. Her books make a pleasant contrast from some of the heavier books that I read. I find her very hard to put down and I like that the plot is seldom obvious or predictable. She is a pleasure to read.
tammywallenstrong's review against another edition
3.0
Lisa Scottoline is one of my favorite authors and I have read most of her books...but THIS one?....what the heck happened? In the other books, Mary was an intelligent, capable lawyer..BUT in this one, I wanted to slap her...fire her and shake some sense into her. In reality, she would have been FIRED. This book was a chore to get through, but I did, because I want to move on to the next book in the series...but this book...was from the twilight zone or something...or written by a person POSING as Lisa Scottoline !