Lady Killer

I was hooked! The plot is amazing and I highly recommend.

Did you know that Scottoline's latest book, LADY KILLER, is twelfth Rosato and Associates Novel starring the character Mary DiNunzio? Where have I been? I feel like I woke from a coma, because this is the first I've heard of the author. To make matters worse, I still didn't know it was part of a series until I began researching to post this on the blog. So if you were thinking you'll need to go back and read the first book, please know I didn't miss anything. Of course, I might have just awakened from a coma. For those who might want to go back, here's the order of the series: 1. Everywhere That Mary Went 2. Final Appeal 3. Running from the Law 4. Legal Tender 5. Rough Justice 6. Mistaken Identity 7. Moment of Truth 8. The Vendetta Defense 9. Courting Trouble 10. Dead Ringer 11. Killer Smile The book reminded me so much of Janet Evanovich's Plum series, but Scottoline has more of a mystery to her books where as Evanovich has more humor. But I think if you like one, you'll like the other. Although I plan to read more from this author, I don't plan to go back and read all the books in this series. The reason has nothing to do with the author's ability to entertain. I loved this book and give it a 5 check rating. I'm just not big on series and I have more going on than I'm comfortable with. I'm more partial to stand alone books. Of course when and if the thirteenth book in this series comes in, I'll be in line for my copy. The writer has a remarkable gift of being able to lace words together on paper. Reading her book was like gliding on smooth glass. What an incredible experience!

Mary DiNunzio is back after an absence of five years. She is a star at Rosato and Associates, and brings in a lot of business from The Neighborhood. But her past is catching up with her. The novel is a lot about The Neighborhood, family, friends, bullies, and a secret buried in Mary's past. The Queen of Mean from when Mary was in high school has come to Mary seeking help. The story involves anger and spousal abuse. People are not telling Mary everything, and some people talk without listening (hey, you probably know people like that). Mary is drawn into the case and, because the case involves people from her past, Mary's past life is revealed (including something she never told anyone). The mob gets mixed in, along with some messy relationships. Tracking down the truth has some surprises, and many lives will never be the same. I expect many readers will find things in this novel that they can relate to.

Scottoline is in her best form when she's writing about Mary DiNunzio, a three-dimensional complex character who's just fun to be around. Mary's still ambivalent about being a lawyer (although she's becoming a rainmaker in her firm, thanks to the residents of her old neighborhood). She still goes home to her mom when things get tough. And she's still an associate at Bennie Rosato's firm. So what does Mary do when her old high school classmate (Trish) shows up, married to the mob and an apparent victim of domestic violence? Never mind that Trish led the Mean Girls, the snooty gang that did everything they could to make Mary's high school life miserable. Mary gives Trish some lawyerly advice, worried for her classmate's safety. When Trish disappears, Mary risks everything to find her...including some trips to off the wall places far from Center City Philadelphia. Only Scottoline knows how to combine human interest with edge of the chair suspense. Just about every character has a piece of story, just enough to be memorable. Mary rounds up clues in classic detective story fashion, but shatters tradition with a romantic comedy interlude. It's hard to imagine a better urban mystery - a page turner with soul and attitude. The only bad part is...it's impossible to put down and once you're through, you have to wait at least a year to find out what's next. Will one of these associates finally make partner (they did in the first and -- in my opinion -- best book, when they worked at the white shoe law firm). Will Mary finally fall in love for more than a few pages? Will we learn more about Judy, besides the facts that she's a perfect gal pal who defies fashion conventions? Will Mary buy a house and get a dog, like Bennie's goldens? And whatever happened to Mary's cat (or did I miss something)? It's just a few hours and already I'm in Scottoline withdrawal...and homesick again for that great town of Philadelphia.

Thank God, after the "Dirty Blonde" misstep of a couple of years ago. I've enjoyed all of Scottoline's books right from word one (except "Dirty Blonde"), especially the ones that take place in the world of continuing character Bennie Rosato (Scottoline's "alter ego"?), and this one's simply a feast of goodies. Fast-paced and tightly plotted, the characterizations are vivid, engaging, and in many cases truly hilarious. To begin with, I just love the character of Mary DiNunzio. She cracks me up! If she were a real person, I'd want to date her. She's such a true girly-girl, in the midst of some crisis she'll be worrying about her fashion statement, or whether her stockings have a run, or whatever. It is just hilarious! The Mean Girls, pivotal secondary characters in the plot of this book, are simply a hoot. The plot itself is tightly knit, and moves along without any glitches or hitches, crafted with Scottoline's deft touch for discrete misdirection. Like a magician, while you're watching her right hand, her left hand carries off the illusion. A solid five stars for a really entertaining read.

I gave this book 5 stars, because they wouldn't let me give her 6. Lisa Scottoline is always a plot twisting, page turner of a wild ride in every book she has written, but Lady Killer exceeded every one of my expectations. I could not eat, sleep or pee without putting the book down. The return of Mary DiNuzio, Rosato & Associates and the whole South Philly Neighborhood, was a sweet sweet homecoming in my book. Mary DiNuzio was the same old Mare struggling with self doubt and catholic school guilt and the desire to save the world and make everything all better. She is surrounded by her loving and adorable parents, her faithful BFF Judy Carrier and a surprising new romance. She finds her way despite the opposition, and against everybody else's ideas of who she is and what she should do. She is tough as nails in spite of herself. Carrier said it best, "You know what I love best about you...everything." Lisa Scottoline, as always, sends out clear message of right and wrong, good and evil, brains against brawn, while touching on thought provoking hard topics of true justice. Girls Rule and Justice Prevails. Lisa Scottoline has once again rocked my world with this fabulous new release. Buy this book and you will not be disappointed.