Reviews

I struggled to get into this book, as I did not particularly like the way it has been written. At times it is quite cheesy, and states the obvious. However, I persevered as I didn't hate it and I'm glad I did as on the whole the story line was pretty good! A tad predictable at times, but most crime books are! On the whole a pretty average read.

git_r_read's review against another edition

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5.0

BOT. Good good good!!!

novelesque_life's review against another edition

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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.

ina_s's review

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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