novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
3 STARS
"Mary DiNunzio is a trademark Lisa Scottoline heroine—she's strong, she's smart, and she's got plenty of attitude. In recent years, she's become a big-time business-getter at Rosato & Associates, but the last person she expects to walk into her office one morning—in mile-high stilettos—is super sexy Trish Gambone, her high school rival. Back then, while Mary was becoming the straight-A president of the Latin Club and Most Likely to Achieve Sainthood, Trish was the head Mean Girl, who flunked religion and excelled at smoking in the bathroom.
As it turns out, however, Trish's life has taken a horrifying turn. She's terrified of her live-in boyfriend, who's an abusive, gun-toting drug dealer for the South Philly mob. There's only one problem—Mary remembers the guy from high school too. Unbeknownst to Trish, Mary had a major crush on him.
Then Trish vanishes, a dead body turns up in an alley, and Mary is plunged into a nightmare, one that threatens her job, her family, and even her life. She goes on a one-woman crusade to unmask the killer, and on the way, finds new love in a very unexpected place.
But before the novel's shocking surprise ending, Mary is forced to confront some very uncomfortable truths about her own past, and the profound effects of lifelong love—and hate." (From Amazon)
A fair legal thriller - as much as I like Mary I was hoping for another book featuring Judy.
"Mary DiNunzio is a trademark Lisa Scottoline heroine—she's strong, she's smart, and she's got plenty of attitude. In recent years, she's become a big-time business-getter at Rosato & Associates, but the last person she expects to walk into her office one morning—in mile-high stilettos—is super sexy Trish Gambone, her high school rival. Back then, while Mary was becoming the straight-A president of the Latin Club and Most Likely to Achieve Sainthood, Trish was the head Mean Girl, who flunked religion and excelled at smoking in the bathroom.
As it turns out, however, Trish's life has taken a horrifying turn. She's terrified of her live-in boyfriend, who's an abusive, gun-toting drug dealer for the South Philly mob. There's only one problem—Mary remembers the guy from high school too. Unbeknownst to Trish, Mary had a major crush on him.
Then Trish vanishes, a dead body turns up in an alley, and Mary is plunged into a nightmare, one that threatens her job, her family, and even her life. She goes on a one-woman crusade to unmask the killer, and on the way, finds new love in a very unexpected place.
But before the novel's shocking surprise ending, Mary is forced to confront some very uncomfortable truths about her own past, and the profound effects of lifelong love—and hate." (From Amazon)
A fair legal thriller - as much as I like Mary I was hoping for another book featuring Judy.
nglofile's review against another edition
2.0
Just OK. I don't ever seem to like Scottoline's books as much as I think I will, but I am a fan of Barbara Rosenblat, the audiobook reader.
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Listened for Fun (Library)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline was my first book by this author and it was a hit for me.
Story Thoughts: I admit that the best part of this story was that the main character(Mary DiNunzio). The fact that she has to help her high school nemesis (Trish Gambone) out of a pickle is just icing on the cake. How many of us have hoped to "be better" than the ones who bullied us in High School only to find out that we didn't really want them suffering (at least not anything drastic)? I have been there so I identified with Mary's journey in this story. The action was great. The case was twisty. I have a new series to add to my TBR (Clearly I read these out of order as this was book 10)
Character Thoughts: I loved Mary! Seriously I could totally identify with being good at your job but not wanting to overstep where you are because of fear of being deficient. She is just brilliant but doesn't realize her brilliance. I am glad that those around her (sans her boss but I think even she does) see how talented she is! I loved all the side character too (even the mean girl club). Lisa Scottoline evidently knows how to write good characters.
Audio Thoughts:
I am always shocked when an audiobook circa anything before 2010 is done really well. However other than some music ques (which always get on my nerves) this one was done really well. Barbara had a great voice for Mary and Co. The pacing was excellent and the "feel" of the story was real. I enjoyed this one on audio.
Final Thoughts: Clearly you can read these books out of order and find them enjoyable. I will be reading more in this series!
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline was my first book by this author and it was a hit for me.
Story Thoughts: I admit that the best part of this story was that the main character(Mary DiNunzio). The fact that she has to help her high school nemesis (Trish Gambone) out of a pickle is just icing on the cake. How many of us have hoped to "be better" than the ones who bullied us in High School only to find out that we didn't really want them suffering (at least not anything drastic)? I have been there so I identified with Mary's journey in this story. The action was great. The case was twisty. I have a new series to add to my TBR (Clearly I read these out of order as this was book 10)
Character Thoughts: I loved Mary! Seriously I could totally identify with being good at your job but not wanting to overstep where you are because of fear of being deficient. She is just brilliant but doesn't realize her brilliance. I am glad that those around her (sans her boss but I think even she does) see how talented she is! I loved all the side character too (even the mean girl club). Lisa Scottoline evidently knows how to write good characters.
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated By Barbara Rosenblat / Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins
I am always shocked when an audiobook circa anything before 2010 is done really well. However other than some music ques (which always get on my nerves) this one was done really well. Barbara had a great voice for Mary and Co. The pacing was excellent and the "feel" of the story was real. I enjoyed this one on audio.
Final Thoughts: Clearly you can read these books out of order and find them enjoyable. I will be reading more in this series!
wombat_88's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bxermom's review against another edition
4.0
I love that Mare stood up for herself. It's been great watching all the characters mature throughout the series.
antidietleah's review against another edition
2.0
This book was fine. Nothing special, entertaining enough but I don't really enjoy mobster crime stories. Didn't love the main character but didn't dislike her either. It was just whatever.
sueann's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoy Scottoline's writing. I didn't realize this was a series until I read the acknowledgements. Will definitely read them all!
canada_matt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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 adds another novel in her Rosato and Associates series, dazzling once more. A story thrusting Mary DiNunzio back in the spotlight, forcing her to address issues of professional and personal struggle, while trying to keep level-headed. When Mary learns that she has been bringing in a large amount of the work at Rosato and Associates, she hopes to make a play for a more senior role, even partner. However, Bennie Rosato is not yet ready to admit the needs to expand. Mary tries to keep her calm and is soon derailed when a old high school enemy tries to hire her to help with a domestic matter. This sends Mary spiralling into old memories, while trying to use the law to her advantage. Things quickly get out of hand and Mary must try to solve a mystery placed before her, while being pushed out of the firm for disobeying. Scottoline impresses once more with this stellar penultimate novel in this initial series.
Mary DiNunzio has the makings of an amazing lawyer, having shown her worth within Rosato and Associates. Her smarts and sharp wit cannot be discounted by anyone, and her billings have shown that she is a cornerstone to keeping the firm running. When Mary tries to make the case that she deserves a larger role within the firm and they should hire another associate, Bennie Rosato dismisses it as a temporary high that has no long-term impact, so Mary will stay where she is at present. Her plan stymied, Mary tries to focus on her work, which soon takes quite the turn.
When Trish Gambone arrives to hire Mary, old rivalries resurface. Trish was the mean girl in high school and wanted nothing but to bring misery to Mary’s life, a self-professed good-two-shoes. However, Trish seeks the lawyer’s assistance, as her boyfriend has been abusive, threatening, and showing ongoing criminal tendencies. While Mary wishes she could do something, without firm proof and evidence, there is little the law can do for Trish. Undeterred, Trish vows that she will get the evidence she needs to have Mary act and send him to prison.
While no one is fully aware, Mary knows the man well, having had a crush on him when they were in high school. She also discovers that he is part of the mob and will stop at nothing to get his way. When Trish goes missing, everyone panics and Mary second-guesses herself for not acting sooner. Could all this have been prevented by pushing for a restraining order? Mary goes searching for Trish, come what may, in hopes of getting answers, even after Bennie tells her to leave the crime fighting to the police.
When a body turns up, Mary can only wonder if she will be thrust into a full-blown legal matter. Could this have been a mob hit, sent as a message to those who would cross them? Might Trish Gambone’s illicit past be coming back to haunt her once more? Mary will have to delve deeper, though her actions have cost her a position at Rosato and Associates, as Bennie tries to consolidate her firm and stay out of the fray of criminal acts. Mary has an uphill battle before her, especially as events from her past make a painful reemergence into the present, but her stubbornness will keep her from letting others get the upper hand. Lisa Scottoline’s series keeps getting better and this novel goes to show that Mary DiNunzio has a lot to prove going forward.
The binge I have undertaken with this series has proven to be well worth my time and efforts. Each novel in the series builds on the previous ones, adding a strong narrative base and keeps loose story arcs to build for the dedicated reader. Lisa Scottoline’s writing allows the reader fo feel a connection to the events in the book, both legal and personal, as well as great description of Philadelphia and its Italian community. The many characters who return from one novel to the next are given time to mature and develop, as the series reader will see growth and depth, as well as the ebbing and flowing of protagonist centrality. Mary has been a core character, whose past keeps being hashed out of the reader, as well as some impactful personal issues in the present. The plots that emerge in the story are both a means of building on Mary’s professional and personal struggles, as well as showing how flexible the law can be, revealing much for the attentive reader. I can see how Mary and Bennie’s clashes will come to a head in the final novel of this series, which is sure to help define how the second, yet related, series will come to fruition. Before we get there, let us dive into the final book in this collection, which is surely full of rich legal and personal matters. Scottoline has much to do and I am ready to see how things progress.
Kudos, Madam Scottoline, for impressing me to no end.
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dhilderbrand's review against another edition
3.0
Very fun beach read. Don't read too many Scotolines in a row, though
sonshinelibrarian's review against another edition
1.5
Honestly, there wasn't much I liked about this. The discovery and identity of the killer was quite unexpected, but other than that... I can't see myself picking up another Scottoline book. The women hating on women is so strong and pervasive that I almost put this down after the first chapter or so. It's extremely painful and toxic. The name-calling and put-downs of both others and self literally made me sick to my stomach at times. And while Mary grows a bit in both of these areas, it's not really addressed in any meaningful way. It's more like, well now we know more about these specific people so we won't call them names any more, but the name-calling wasn't bad in and of itself. Just. No.