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indianajane's review
2.0
I don't know if the other books were this bad and I didn't notice, or if it was just because I disliked the audibook marathon so much, but I almost couldn't wait to be finished with this book.
renwar96's review
4.0
One of many of the books written about Mary DiNunzio, a lawyer in Philadelphia. I enjoyed this book as I do most of Lisa Scottoline's books.
bbwolf59's review
2.0
This one doesn't seem like Scottoline wrote it. There isn't her usual flow or voice; maybe she wrote a first draft with major plot points then handed it over, or maybe she read too much education-see and assumed the prosaic and transition-free style. It's a shame, since she clearly wrote the acknowledgments at the end.
amyma's review
5.0
Damaged by Lisa Scottoline grabbed my attention from the first page and I could barely put it down until I was finished. I deal with kids in foster care quite often, so this story of an attorney trying to do right by an abused little boy was of special interest to me. I'm a fan of Lisa Scottoline, but haven't read any of the books in this series (did not realize there were any) before this one and didn't feel lost or that I was missing anything. The backstory on each character was sufficient for a first-time reader to the series and levels of detail given in regards to the foster care system and dyslexia seemed quite well researched. I loved Mary's family (her parents and the Tony's), they were loving, supportive, and seemed fun to be around. I didn't care much for her fiance, but there was a point toward the end of the book where he redeemed himself (in my eyes) and I found him to be a worthy partner for Mary. Another thing I personally enjoyed about the book is that my daughter goes to school in Philadelphia, so even though I'm on the west coast, I've visited many times and the streets and some landmarks are quite familiar to me, so that was fun. I'd say this is a must read for fans of Lisa Scottoline, those that enjoy mysteries, and/or are looking for an engrossing book that they'll thoroughly enjoy!
** Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review **
** Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review **
canada_matt's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
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 has me completely captivated with her Rosato and DiNunzio series. The collection offers the reader legal thrillers that touch on some fairly intense topics, sure to keep the reader thinking. Scottoline juggles a number of plotlines in this piece, keeping the reader entertained and her protagonist, Mary DiNunziuo, from being able to stay calm. When a young boy with severe dyslexia is allegedly abused at school, Mary takes the case and hopes to send the perpetrator to jail. However, during one of her subsequent visits, Mary learns that the boy may have been inadvertently involved in his grandfather’s insulin death, which raises new questions. As Mary tries to be the boy’s guardian, the court hears and rules on that matter, as well as his pending charge for murder. The abuse case seems to be on the back burner, but Mary cannot shake that counsel for the accused may be pulling some strings to make young Patrick O’Brien look like a menace. Mary will have to jump from many legal hoops to protect Patrick, all without being able to legally shield him from the monsters that are out there. Scottoline does a sensational job and provides the reader with something well worth their time.
Patrick O’Brien is a ten-year-old who is surely a bully’s dream. Highly dyslexic, small, and extremely shy, Patrick finds himself being mocked every day at school. When a school aide apparently lashes out and hits him,. Patrick’s grandfather engages the services of Mary DiNunzio for help. The legal matter is not only the alleged abuse, but also the lack of educational services being provided Patrick, who is at a first grade reading level.
When it is alleged that Patrick was the aggressor in the skirmish with the school aide, lawsuits emerge suing Patrick’s family and the school, which creates more hoopla in the legal community. With only his elderly grandfather to serve as his guardian, Patrick is spiralling out of control. Mary steps in to help and hopes that they can quash the lies, allowing Patrick to get the help he needs. She comes over one day to see Patrick, only to discover the grandfather has died in bed, apparently from insulin shock. Could Patrick be responsible? Mary is not sure, but surmises that if anything, it was an accident. Still, she cleans things up, which only angers the police and makes her look culpable in the death.
With no guardian, Patrick O’Brien is set to be a ward of the state, but Mary does all she can to take the role in a temporary capacity. The pending charge of murder and Patrick’s aggressive behaviour in light of losing his grandfather makes an emergency hearing turn into a circus. Mary realises that she cannot be a superhero all the time and must follow the rules laid out my the court and the law, neither of which wants to work with her. As Patrick is sucked into an abyss in foster care and high doses of medication, Mary scrambles to cobble together a defence team who are willing to represent her, Patrick, and everyone trying to save the boy. Meanwhile, an old nemesis is trying to mess with Mary’s case of abuse with the school aide. All this is sure to make it a highly contested legal time period, with Mary DiNunzio at the centre. Scottoline does a fabulous job providing the reader with a number of legal matters on which to chew and proves that she is a master within the genre.
This is a series that keeps getting better with each novel, and I am not just saying that. Lisa Scottoline not only presents unique legal matters, but also spins them to be impactful for the reader. Series fans have seen a great deal of progress when it comes to the characters, the setting, and the overall strength of the collection. The narrative foundation makes the story flow with ease and the development of Mary DiNunzio is again stellar. Mary’s legal issues mount throughout the book, but it is the struggle she has in her personal life, a mere two months from her wedding, that is sure to leave the reader wondering what is to come. Plot lines develop and emerge with ease, many of which are intertwined with one another, all proving that one novel can keep the reader invested in a number of legal matters. Scottoline does so well in keeping the story balanced and easily defined, though there is a great deal to digest here, which makes it a requirement to be attentive to everything going on. I have the next book ready to go and cannot wait to dive in.
Kudos, Madam Scottoline, for making this one of your best legal thrillers of the series.
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msethna's review
4.0
This is the first book in the Rosato & DiNunzio series that I have read and I think it can definitely be read as a standalone novel. Damaged is a emotional driven storyline and I was engaged right from chapter one. Mary, while a phenomenal lawyer, also has a heart of gold and is willing to do whatever she can to help Patrick, a 10 year old boy who is dyslexic and was abused at school. As a teacher who specializes in reading issues, I connected right away to Mary and her desire to get Patrick into the right school where he can grow and learn. There were times that I questioned Mary's determination and faith in Patrick because of his actions, but that is also what I loved the most about her. I haven't read a really good mystery in a long time and I am so glad I received this ARC from St. Martin's Press.
felinity's review
4.0
As happens more often with this series, the central piece is not the crime but the social issue. Here is a young boy, now completely alone after his last family member died, and about to be thrust into the foster care system. Here also are the people who support children, legally and emotionally, those who decide their fate, and the heartbreaking choices that must sometimes be made.
I did feel that one character was rather overdone but on the whole this novel focused on the true meaning of family.
Spoiler
Although the social worker reacted harshly, and possibly overreacted, I didn't feel it was dissing social workers; rather, it highlighted the world they live in where the worst explanation is usually the correct one. That doesn't mean I liked the character though! I've known social workers on both ends of the spectrum, and thr truth is that the good ones often burn out within the first 5-7 years.I did feel that one character was rather overdone
Spoiler
- Machiavelli's sudden attack on Mary seemed out of character and a little pointless -cj_mo_2222's review
5.0
I have been a fan of Lisa Scottoline’s Rosato and DiNunzio novels for years and was thrilled when the author recently started writing new books in this wonderful series. The newer books have been even better because they show how much the main characters Bennie, Mary, and Judy have grown since some of the first books.
“Damaged” features Mary DiNunzio who is my favorite of all the characters in this series. She is intelligent, soft-hearted, and kind to everyone, but still a fierce opponent in the courtroom. Her wedding is right around the corner and she has many last minute details to see through, but work is getting in the way. Mary has become personally involved in her latest case in which she is helping a special needs boy named Patrick O’Brien get the services he needs to be able to succeed in school. Things become more and more complicated, and Mary has nothing but her client’s best interests at heart, but her good intentions could be putting her relationship with Anthony and even her life in danger.
There is a mystery element at the center of the book, but the story also gives and enlightening look at special education laws and those who fight to make sure special needs children are receiving the best possible education for their individual circumstances. There are many tense moments in the book as things begin to spiral out of control and the situation looks more and more bleak for Patrick. At times, I wasn’t sure what direction the story would take and I couldn’t read fast enough to find out what would happen next! Mary shows what it means to do what’s right and stand by your values, even in the face of doubt and opposition. I love seeing Mary’s friends and family support her in the important decision she makes. Mary’s friendship with Judy is a great part of this series, so it was a little disappointing that there weren’t more scenes with the two of them together. However, it was nice to see Mary form a special connection with John, a new associate at the firm and someone Mary had previously dismissed as self-centered and shallow. The book is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time and I recommend the book for fans of the series and to new readers looking for an intelligent and touching story.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of St. Martin’s Press. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
“Damaged” features Mary DiNunzio who is my favorite of all the characters in this series. She is intelligent, soft-hearted, and kind to everyone, but still a fierce opponent in the courtroom. Her wedding is right around the corner and she has many last minute details to see through, but work is getting in the way. Mary has become personally involved in her latest case in which she is helping a special needs boy named Patrick O’Brien get the services he needs to be able to succeed in school. Things become more and more complicated, and Mary has nothing but her client’s best interests at heart, but her good intentions could be putting her relationship with Anthony and even her life in danger.
There is a mystery element at the center of the book, but the story also gives and enlightening look at special education laws and those who fight to make sure special needs children are receiving the best possible education for their individual circumstances. There are many tense moments in the book as things begin to spiral out of control and the situation looks more and more bleak for Patrick. At times, I wasn’t sure what direction the story would take and I couldn’t read fast enough to find out what would happen next! Mary shows what it means to do what’s right and stand by your values, even in the face of doubt and opposition. I love seeing Mary’s friends and family support her in the important decision she makes. Mary’s friendship with Judy is a great part of this series, so it was a little disappointing that there weren’t more scenes with the two of them together. However, it was nice to see Mary form a special connection with John, a new associate at the firm and someone Mary had previously dismissed as self-centered and shallow. The book is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time and I recommend the book for fans of the series and to new readers looking for an intelligent and touching story.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of St. Martin’s Press. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
knit3314's review
5.0
My first time reading this author's work. I was pleasantly engaged in the plot from start to finish. The characters were well fleshed out and most were endearing, especially the protagonist, Patrick, the 10-year old boy at the heart of the story. Several plot twists that well very well timed/spaced with an ending everyone can live with. I also enjoyed the view into American Italian culture presented both as a core setting/content and backdrop to the story. I learned some things I wasn't at all aware of I this subculture. Great read. Highly recommend for those who like crime, mystery, and thriller genres. I'll definitely read more by this author in the future.
bheadley's review
4.0
I hate books with a premise of violence against children, but... I thought Lisa (our author) did a great job writing a story true to the Rosato and DiNunzio characters. (Side note: now that we know a tiny bit more about Bennie, I was surprised she’d be so heartless about Patrick)
One of the many things I love about this series is there is always a scary moment that makes sense. I love the characters and their personalities, Mary’s compassion that defines her, her loyalty, her friends, her family, all of it!
Mary is a lawyer, which to me doesn’t blend well with compassion, but she is great. She takes a case involving a special needs child, whose needs have been completely ignored. Then the drama just escalates to the boy being sued, the grandpa (sole family for the child) dead, and more!
I do enjoy these stories because their is a happy ending. Not one you would expect/want/prefer, but there is enough negative news that these books have the heart and soul for me!
One of the many things I love about this series is there is always a scary moment that makes sense. I love the characters and their personalities, Mary’s compassion that defines her, her loyalty, her friends, her family, all of it!
Mary is a lawyer, which to me doesn’t blend well with compassion, but she is great. She takes a case involving a special needs child, whose needs have been completely ignored. Then the drama just escalates to the boy being sued, the grandpa (sole family for the child) dead, and more!
I do enjoy these stories because their is a happy ending. Not one you would expect/want/prefer, but there is enough negative news that these books have the heart and soul for me!