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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
This book made me furious 90% of the time. I wasn’t even a fan of the MC but hated how everyone treated him. In addition, his life was very depressing and he continued to make wild choices. It was not a fun read because of all that. I don’t like when all my characters are deplorable
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol
My family was breaking up, and I didn’t know how we would ever be the Devlins again. I wondered what it really meant to be a Devlin in the first place.
from The Truth About the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline
I was a nervous wreck. If my hands weren’t so busy turning pages, I would have chewed my fingernails down to the quick with anxiety. I was so worried about TJ.
He was the loser brother in a family of high achievers. Dad and Mom were lawyers and so were brother John and sister Gabby. John, the golden child, the one who finished university and law school. The one with a wife and child. The one posed to take over the family business–if Dad ever retired. TJ’s alcoholism had destroyed his life when he forgot his girlfriend’s child was in the car and he popped into a bar for a drink that lasted hours. He pled guilty and served his time, was sober since that fatal day, but everyone was waiting for him to relapse.
TJ was the law firm’s investigator and he helped Gabby with her pro bono cases. Now, he was interviewing claimants against major pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies which had used prisoners as Guiney pigs. The men needed money for medical costs as they died of cancer caused by the tests.
It all started with a phone call from John who told TJ he may have killed a client. TJ dropped everything to help, only to have John claim TJ was drinking again as a cover for their clandestine activities. TJ comes to realize that John does not have his best interests at heart, for he is being set up as the fall guy. John’s nefarious activities puts the entire family at risk, but the twist is the threat that was under the radar.
I loved TJ, his humor, his angst, his moral compass. His struggles with sobriety is presented with depth and humanity. Learning about the Holmesburg Prison medical tests on prisoners was infuriating and upsetting.
This is Scottoline at her best, a page turner that also addresses social injustice, with affecting characters and sensitivity to their struggles.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book.
from The Truth About the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline
I was a nervous wreck. If my hands weren’t so busy turning pages, I would have chewed my fingernails down to the quick with anxiety. I was so worried about TJ.
He was the loser brother in a family of high achievers. Dad and Mom were lawyers and so were brother John and sister Gabby. John, the golden child, the one who finished university and law school. The one with a wife and child. The one posed to take over the family business–if Dad ever retired. TJ’s alcoholism had destroyed his life when he forgot his girlfriend’s child was in the car and he popped into a bar for a drink that lasted hours. He pled guilty and served his time, was sober since that fatal day, but everyone was waiting for him to relapse.
TJ was the law firm’s investigator and he helped Gabby with her pro bono cases. Now, he was interviewing claimants against major pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies which had used prisoners as Guiney pigs. The men needed money for medical costs as they died of cancer caused by the tests.
It all started with a phone call from John who told TJ he may have killed a client. TJ dropped everything to help, only to have John claim TJ was drinking again as a cover for their clandestine activities. TJ comes to realize that John does not have his best interests at heart, for he is being set up as the fall guy. John’s nefarious activities puts the entire family at risk, but the twist is the threat that was under the radar.
I loved TJ, his humor, his angst, his moral compass. His struggles with sobriety is presented with depth and humanity. Learning about the Holmesburg Prison medical tests on prisoners was infuriating and upsetting.
This is Scottoline at her best, a page turner that also addresses social injustice, with affecting characters and sensitivity to their struggles.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Scottoline really did her research on AA. As someone in recovery I appreciated her take on TJ's journey even if she didn't represent the typical format of a meeting correctly -- that would not fit the plot, in any case.
Very enjoyable thriller with a funny narrator and cute cat.
Plot points around the father get thin at the end. I was rolling my eyes. It got a little cheesy and very unbelievable. But page turner thrillers often do. Overall I liked it a lot and enjoyed the ending.
Very enjoyable thriller with a funny narrator and cute cat.
Plot points around the father get thin at the end. I was rolling my eyes. It got a little cheesy and very unbelievable. But page turner thrillers often do. Overall I liked it a lot and enjoyed the ending.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Yes
An interesting story of the balance of protecting your (dysfunctional) family and doing what's right. Our lead character is an underdog you can't help but root for, dynamic and quick but with his burdens is the seemingly black sheep in his 'perfect' family.
This book was just ok. I found myself rolling my eyes a lot while reading. So many “give me a break” moments.
I didn’t like the characters and felt they were too contrived and didn’t feel genuine.
Not sure why other people rated it higher.
I didn’t like the characters and felt they were too contrived and didn’t feel genuine.
Not sure why other people rated it higher.