Daddy's Girl

I can only say good things about this story----it's exciting,couldn't put it down and the best part was that I didn't predict the ending. I was shocked by the last twists and turns at the very end. It was awesome. I love to have surprises like that when it catches you and you say to yourself "wow, I didn't see that one coming". This was a fun read. I don't know how anyone could have been bored with the story nor could they predict the outcome. I read a lot and this one was one of the best for me. Enjoy!

Lisa Scottoline has always been an entertaining writer, however, I was beginning to get a little tired of the long term series she has maintained wwith the all women law firm in Philly. Daddy's Girl has a new character, a new outlook but the best Scottoline humor. In fact, I believe it is her best book ever.

As a dedicated Scottoline fan, I enjoyed Daddys Girl immensely. Definitely one of the best in a great series. Don't blame the author for the title. Ultimately the publisher gets the final word. And when deciding whether to buy this novel, with a highly visible author, do we really look at the title? Mostly, I found this novel draws on many of Scottoline's recurring themes. For example: Ordinary woman, extraordinary achievements: As usual, we're introduced to a very down-to-earth, very human heroine who also happens to be an achiever. If anything, Scottoline downplays the sheer magnitude of getting a tenure-track position in an Ivy League law school. She has the all too common worries about keeping up appearance and coping in a male-dominated world. Inside, she's conflicted. Outwardly, she's so accomplished she's scary. Family: Scottoline's families tend to be large, Italian, loving and possessive. She departs from the profile here, introducing a macho family where the heroine feels like an outsider. Dysfunctional? In Scottoline's novels, whatever happens, blood will trump water anytime. Outrageous risks: I love watching Scottoline's heroines cross over the edge as they go running from the law. In an earlier novel, a heroine takes over a conference room of a law firm, claiming to be from a branch office. Talk about "Hide in plain sight." Heroine Natalie goes out on a limb here. Alas, I can't say more without being accused of spoilers. Intricate plot and satisfying ending: Scottoline keeps throwing one curve after another, right up to the end. Experienced mystery readers will get early hunches about the outcome, but it feels right. Law vs. justice: An ongoing quest among Scottoline's novels. Here the case seems less ambiguous than most. But it comes up. Juicy characters: I loved Natalie's family! And I hope to see Natalie herself in future novels. True, some of the prisoners and guards seemed to blend together. The law school dean and assistant dean seem less than 3-dimensional but they remind me of some business school administrators I've known. Edgy dialogue: I like the way Scottoline juxtaposes the heroine's inner comebacks (italicized) with her outward, polite comments. Diversity of the legal profession: So far, we've seen litigators, defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges, law firm associates, independent counsels...everyone! It's nice to meet a law professor this time around. Finally, as a former business school professor, I found the law school scenes compelling and realistic. I remember being assigned to teach a small class in a large room. You really do face unique challenges in creating a productive classroom dynamic. Scottoline used some artistic license in exaggerating the attitudes of Natalie's students. She did take action to motivate them to prepare more for class. But as a female professor, Natalie always walks a finer line than her male counterparts. Female professors are constantly being tested. We're expect

Sometimes life makes you feel like you fell down a rabbit's hole, and that you have met the Mad Hatter. Nat Greco is an untenured assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Life is proceeding along somewhat normally until a colleague takes her along to a state correctional facility where he has a program of teaching and legal assistance. A prison riot breaks out. Nat is attacked. People are killed. Suddenly Nat finds herself drawn into a different world. Something is going down, and Nat finds herself involved. She starts to get nosy, and finds herself falsely accused of murder, set up for unknown reasons. She finds herself on the run. Some people may think that she does stupid things, but her father sums it up when he tells her that she is book smart. She lacks the street smart abilities needed to survive in an urban jungle. Nat, of course, must survive to get to a blazing finish. But wait, you thought the story ended with chapter 47. Chapter 48 goes in a whole new direction. You should know that the author always puts an unexpected twist at the end of her novels. Do NOT peek ahead. You need to read the entire novel to understand the real ending. I would note that the author is an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, used as the setting for much of the story. The novel is well researched and well written. I think it is the best novel yet by the author. I believe the meaning of the title is clear. People are trying to direct how she should do things (father knows best), while she is trying to go in her own direction. She has trouble getting people's attention.

Lisa Scottoline's 14th novel is much more than a murder mystery. It is the story of a woman, Natalie Greco, transforming herself from a timid young woman dominated by her boyfriend and family, into someone strong, self-assured, and confident whose father proudly proclaims her to be "Daddy's Girl." Within the first few pages Nat "Gnat" will be someone you'll want to spend time with; first out a sense of protectiveness (she's short and is easyly overlooked,) but eventually by telling her "you go girl!" Not only is this an exciting, completely credible work of fiction, Scottoline also gives the reader some of the fascinating history of the Underground Railroad. If you've read her other books you are in for a treat. If you are new to Scottoline this is a great place to start.