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Rosato & DiNunzio #2
Betrayed
The women of Rosato & Associates return, after the relaunch of the series that started with Accused. This second entry, Betrayed, stars Judy Carrier, who has had the starring role in only one previous Rosato book. When Betrayed opens, Judy Carrier finds herself at a crossroads in her life. Her best friend, Mary DiNunzio, has just become partner and is about to become a bride, leaving Judy vaguely out of sorts. She's not jealous, but she's not happy either and she's wondering where her own career and love life are going. To make matters worse, she is rocked to her emotional foundations when she learns that her beloved Aunt Barb has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She races to her aunt's side, and so does Judy's mother, only to find that her aunt is dealing with the sudden death of a friend who had been helping her through chemo. The friend, Iris Juarez, was an undocumented worker at a local farm, but her death doesn't look natural at all, to Judy. Judy begins to investigate, following a path that leads her into an underground world far more dangerous than she ever imagined. Judy has to dig to uncover what happened to Iris, and at the same time unearth the secrets in her own family.
10 pages, Audio CD
First published November 25, 2014
1487 people are currently reading
7082 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Scottoline
137 books15.6k followersLisa Scottoline is a #1 bestselling and Edgar award-winning author of 33 novels. Her books are book-club favorites, and Lisa and her daughter Francesca Serritella have hosted an annual Big Book Club Party for over a thousand readers at her Pennsylvania farm, for the past twelve years. Lisa has served as President of Mystery Writers of America, and her reviews of fiction and non-fiction have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer. She also writes a weekly column with her daughter for the Philadelphia Inquirer entitled Chick Wit, a witty take on life from a woman’s perspective, which have been collected in a bestselling series of humorous memoirs. Lisa graduated magna cum laude in three years from the University of Pennsylvania, with a B.A. in English, and cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she taught Justice and Fiction. Lisa has over 30 million copies of her books in print and is published in over 35 countries. She lives in the Philadelphia area with an array of disobedient pets and wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,306 reviews
November 10, 2021
2.5 stars
In this 2nd book in the 'Rosato and DiNunzio' series, attorney Judy Carrier helps her Aunt Barb look for a killer. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Judy Carrier, an attorney with Philadelphia's Rosato & Associates law firm, is having a rough time.
Her beloved Aunt Barb, diagnosed with breast cancer, is preparing for a double mastectomy.
Judy's experiencing friction with her mom, who's in town to help Barb. Judy's boyfriend Frank is behaving like a clueless lout. And Judy's boss, Bennie Rosato, has saddled her with a stack of work on behalf of asbestos firms that she's morally opposed to.
To top it off, Aunt Barb's companion and gardening assistant, Iris - an undocumented worker from Mexico who also works for a mushroom grower - dies in suspicious circumstances.
Aunt Barb wants to find out what really happened to Iris before her surgery, so she and Judy traipse all over town asking questions of Iris's priest, friends, and co-workers, but they can't get satisfactory answers. Then Judy discovers a secret stash of money that Iris apparently hid at Barb's house and things go from bad to worse.
More deaths occur, Judy is attacked, Iris's friends disappear or clam up, and so on. It seems clear that Iris was involved in some nefarious goings on.
My problem with the book is that the investigation concerning Iris seems to take a back seat to what's going on in Judy's personal life. The story is more like Judy's personal drama than a mystery/thriller. Judy is constantly fretting about Aunt Barb, which - though understandable - isn't as compelling as the criminal investigation.
Moreover Judy repeatedly hassles with her boyfriend Frank, who's depicted as an almost cartoonish character. Frank is so dismissive, self-absorbed, and childish that it seems unbelievable that Judy could ever have fallen for him in the first place, much less lived with him for years. It seems like Scottoline - wanting to move forward with Judy's personal story - doesn't want the reader to like Frank.
There are a lot of characters in the book, some better developed than others. Thus it's a little hard to follow who did what. Judy eventually figures out what's going on and the book has an exciting, dramatic climax.
For me, Scottoline's earlier books - which concentrate more on Rosato's law firm - were more enjoyable. Still, fans who want to know more about Judy's personal life will probably like this book.
You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/
January 1, 2015
In theory, I am a big fan of this author and really admired her series about the all-women law firm in Philadelphia. However, this is by far the weakest entry. Judy Carrier, previously a very appealing character, does nothing in this book besides whine and complain about her family situation, her professional situation, and her boyfriend - oh, and put herself in danger (which one could argue is required if one is investigating a murder, although she should use some common sense). In addition, she is not very gracious about her best friend's wedding planning (Judy, we've all been there: behave!). Finally, she lets her emotions prevent her from providing good legal representation to her clients. There was way too much about Judy's sulks and not enough mystery.
August 28, 2022
This is a courtroom/lawyer thriller, and this is 2nd book in the Rosato & DiNunzio series. This book was not what I was thinking it would be, but it was so much better. I loved this Rosato and DiNunzio book one, and I cannot wait to read book 3. I listened to the audiobook of this book, and the audiobook was very good.
November 29, 2014
As much as I have loved Scottoline, I won't be reading any more of the Rosato & DiNunzio series, but will just stick with her stand-alone books. The juvenile, tweenish behavior of these "lawyers" is beyond annoying. At the beginning I became highly irritated....Judy is a lawyer, not a 12 year old....but this is her dialogue in response to her Aunt's cancer....Her aunt tells her she has stage 2 cancer and Judy thinks "Stage II sounded terrifying, though she wasn't about to ask what was the highest stage. She would look it up later online." WHAT?? She just left the office talking about asbestos caused cancer, and her Uncle died of cancer, but she doesn't know the stages of cancer?? Really?? Her Aunt uses the word "encapsulated" and Judy "tried to stay calm. She knew she was about to become familiar with terms like encapsulated, which she would look up later, too." HELLO....didn't she become familiar with those words on her SAT test, which she had to take to get into college....because she is a lawyer and you would think she would know "big words." Then Aunt Barb talked about getting a drain after her surgery. "Judy hid her fear. She didn't know a person could have drains. Showers should have drains, not people." Honestly, that thought would be perfect for a 12 year old, not an adult, let alone a lawyer!!!! This was only page 12 of the book, I should have realized it would not get better. The maturity level of these characters has a lot to be desired and I am tired of them insulting my intelligence. The girly screams and group hugs do nothing to endear these characters to me. The plot of the story is not interesting, nor did I really care. Scottoline tried to add the plight of the undocumented worker, but the story line fell flat. I had hoped that since we were not focused on Mary that the book might be better than Accused. But, I see there is no hope for this series.
September 3, 2014
This was an excellent book! I like Lisa Scottoline as an author and was pleased to win an advanced reader's copy from Goodreads. This book was different from others I have read in the Rosato and Associates series since it focused on Judy rather than Mary. It was interesting to learn more about Judy's family and her boyfriend and to observe how she worked in the firm. There was lots of action and suspense and questions to be answered throughout the story. I recommend it to persons who enjoy legal mysteries and books that keep you guessing. It was a very good read.
June 6, 2023
Lisa Scottoline transitions her Rosato and Associates series into the new Rosato and DiNunzio with ease. It is as though nothing has changed, save the letterhead at the firm. Judy Carrier finds herself in the middle of the action on all sides. Her love life is losing momentum, which has her a little upset. However, it is the news that her aunt has been diagnosed with a serious illness that has her spinning out of control. It’s soon discovered that her aunt’s friend has been found dead, for reasons as yet unknown. Judy wants to help as best she can, but discovers that there is more to the story than simply a dead Hispanic woman. Things soon culminate in a deadly game of cat and mouse, as secrets become reasons for violence and Judy’s family is in the middle of it all. While she has not yet made partner, Judy Carrier has her plate full and then some in this intense novel that shows Lisa Scottoline’s skills.
Judy Carrier has reached a fork in the road of life. With her best friend and fellow lawyer, Mary DiNunzio, about to get married, Judy is left wondering where he life is going. She is still an associate while Mary is a partner, and her boyfriend, Frank, has yet to pop the question, nor does he seem all that interested. If this were not enough, Judy’s Aunt Barb announces that she has breast cancer and will need significant surgery to stem the spread. While Judy and her own mother rush to Barb’s side, they discover that the drama does not stop there. Barb’s close friend and confidante has been found dead. Iris Juarez is an amazing woman and Barb is shattered. That Iris is not a legal resident of the United States makes matters a little more complicated, but Judy is fine setting all that side.
Judy does not feel that Iris died of natural causes, wondering if her time on a mushroom farm and those with whom she interacted might have helped speed things along. While trying to juggle Barb’s illness and her heavy caseload, Judy vows to get some answers from the outside, trying to see what happened to Iris and who she might have been mixed up with for the last number of years. As she crosses paths with some nefarious characters, Judy also comes to terms with some of the things in her personal life, from Frank’s lack of apparent commitment, to the shocking news that Judy’s mother reveals in a moment of weakness. All this, as Judy walks a fine line at the firm, where neither Mary or Bennie Rosato can save her from herself. Full of all the action one can expect from a Lisa Scottoline novel and using some great story arcs pulled from past cases, this is the perfect addition to the second prong of the legal thriller series.
My discovery of Lisa Scottoline’s series a few weeks ago has led to a binge reading that I could not have predicted. I cannot get enough of these books or the characters Scottoline has made me care about, which is likely why the reviews keep flying as soon as I can get fingers to keypad. The narrative delves into some interesting areas, addressing Judy Carrier in a way that series fans have not seen in a long while. Judy, while always the wallflower, has never really been put in the limelight and had her personal foibles examined, which occurs here repeatedly, all while she meanders around Philadelphia and makes a name for herself. The reader can see how she is forced to examine herself against her best friend, Mary DiNunzio, who has both made partner and found the man of her dreams. One can only wonder if the shocking news from her family will help steel Judy’s emotions or leave her melting in a puddle. The plot lines that Scottoline uses throughout provide great action and personal growth for the protagonist, allowing her to come into herself and give the reader something different to explore—particularly for those used to Mary and Bennie being front and centre. Lisa Scottoline is a master and has never looked back.
Kudos, Madam Scottoline, for keeping me highly entertained.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Judy Carrier has reached a fork in the road of life. With her best friend and fellow lawyer, Mary DiNunzio, about to get married, Judy is left wondering where he life is going. She is still an associate while Mary is a partner, and her boyfriend, Frank, has yet to pop the question, nor does he seem all that interested. If this were not enough, Judy’s Aunt Barb announces that she has breast cancer and will need significant surgery to stem the spread. While Judy and her own mother rush to Barb’s side, they discover that the drama does not stop there. Barb’s close friend and confidante has been found dead. Iris Juarez is an amazing woman and Barb is shattered. That Iris is not a legal resident of the United States makes matters a little more complicated, but Judy is fine setting all that side.
Judy does not feel that Iris died of natural causes, wondering if her time on a mushroom farm and those with whom she interacted might have helped speed things along. While trying to juggle Barb’s illness and her heavy caseload, Judy vows to get some answers from the outside, trying to see what happened to Iris and who she might have been mixed up with for the last number of years. As she crosses paths with some nefarious characters, Judy also comes to terms with some of the things in her personal life, from Frank’s lack of apparent commitment, to the shocking news that Judy’s mother reveals in a moment of weakness. All this, as Judy walks a fine line at the firm, where neither Mary or Bennie Rosato can save her from herself. Full of all the action one can expect from a Lisa Scottoline novel and using some great story arcs pulled from past cases, this is the perfect addition to the second prong of the legal thriller series.
My discovery of Lisa Scottoline’s series a few weeks ago has led to a binge reading that I could not have predicted. I cannot get enough of these books or the characters Scottoline has made me care about, which is likely why the reviews keep flying as soon as I can get fingers to keypad. The narrative delves into some interesting areas, addressing Judy Carrier in a way that series fans have not seen in a long while. Judy, while always the wallflower, has never really been put in the limelight and had her personal foibles examined, which occurs here repeatedly, all while she meanders around Philadelphia and makes a name for herself. The reader can see how she is forced to examine herself against her best friend, Mary DiNunzio, who has both made partner and found the man of her dreams. One can only wonder if the shocking news from her family will help steel Judy’s emotions or leave her melting in a puddle. The plot lines that Scottoline uses throughout provide great action and personal growth for the protagonist, allowing her to come into herself and give the reader something different to explore—particularly for those used to Mary and Bennie being front and centre. Lisa Scottoline is a master and has never looked back.
Kudos, Madam Scottoline, for keeping me highly entertained.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 10, 2015
In the Philadelphia law firm of Rosato and DiNunzio, Judy Carrier is an associate, and as such, must often take cases that are unappealing to her.
Such an assignment has just landed in the form of seventy-five asbestos cases referred from a big New York firm...and her job will be to defend the damages portion.
Before she is caught up in the cases, Judy and one of the partners, Mary DiNunzio, who is her best friend, have been shopping for wedding dresses for Mary's upcoming wedding. But then Judy is called to her Aunt Barb's house after learning sad news: her aunt has cancer and is going in for surgery. Plus, her mother Delia is at Aunt Barb's, and their somewhat rocky relationship is about to come front and center in her life.
The cases go on the back burner so Judy can focus on her aunt, but then a friend of Barb's dies under mysterious circumstances...after which a number of very strange happenings find Judy investigating and searching for answers.
How did more than $50,000 in cash end up hidden around Barb's house? What is going on at the mushroom farm where Iris, the deceased friend, worked? And what happened to Iris's friend Daniella?
Later, when there is another mysterious death, Judy finds herself up to her eyeballs in the mystery...and at the same time, she discovers a secret that her mother has been hiding.
Meanwhile, she decides that her boyfriend Frank, who acts more like a boy than a man, and focuses mostly on watching football on TV and playing sports instead of doing chores around the apartment, is really not a good match for her.
In the end, answers came swiftly and brought a satisfying conclusion to "Betrayed: A Rosato & DiNunzio Novel (Rosato & Associates Book 13)," one in a series of mysteries involving the women at the law firm. I have read and enjoyed several of the books in this series, each one featuring a different woman as the MC. I loved the fast pace, and how the author brought the reader right into the personal and work lives of the characters. 5.0 stars.
Such an assignment has just landed in the form of seventy-five asbestos cases referred from a big New York firm...and her job will be to defend the damages portion.
Before she is caught up in the cases, Judy and one of the partners, Mary DiNunzio, who is her best friend, have been shopping for wedding dresses for Mary's upcoming wedding. But then Judy is called to her Aunt Barb's house after learning sad news: her aunt has cancer and is going in for surgery. Plus, her mother Delia is at Aunt Barb's, and their somewhat rocky relationship is about to come front and center in her life.
The cases go on the back burner so Judy can focus on her aunt, but then a friend of Barb's dies under mysterious circumstances...after which a number of very strange happenings find Judy investigating and searching for answers.
How did more than $50,000 in cash end up hidden around Barb's house? What is going on at the mushroom farm where Iris, the deceased friend, worked? And what happened to Iris's friend Daniella?
Later, when there is another mysterious death, Judy finds herself up to her eyeballs in the mystery...and at the same time, she discovers a secret that her mother has been hiding.
Meanwhile, she decides that her boyfriend Frank, who acts more like a boy than a man, and focuses mostly on watching football on TV and playing sports instead of doing chores around the apartment, is really not a good match for her.
In the end, answers came swiftly and brought a satisfying conclusion to "Betrayed: A Rosato & DiNunzio Novel (Rosato & Associates Book 13)," one in a series of mysteries involving the women at the law firm. I have read and enjoyed several of the books in this series, each one featuring a different woman as the MC. I loved the fast pace, and how the author brought the reader right into the personal and work lives of the characters. 5.0 stars.
January 5, 2015
I forgot I wasn't going to read this author again. Remembered really quick when I started reading. Two stars is overly generous but I really can't go so far as to say I didn't like it. Although, now that I think about it I'm wondering why I bothered to finish it.
the writing isn't great - actually I felt like the author has really "dumbed" down her plots, her characters, pretty much everything. Really no one in the books acts with any maturity. Inconsistencies abound. the dialogue feels meant for teenagers.
Seriously, remind me to bypass anything by this author again. There's too many other books out there that are worth my time.
And what has happened to all the good authors? Not everyone wants to have a steady diet of teen angst set in dystopian societies. Nor to be subjected to incessant overuse of offensive language (which is one thing I'll grant Ms. Scottoline - her books are free from that). The books I'm loving are becoming fewer and fewer. Makes me sad.
the writing isn't great - actually I felt like the author has really "dumbed" down her plots, her characters, pretty much everything. Really no one in the books acts with any maturity. Inconsistencies abound. the dialogue feels meant for teenagers.
Seriously, remind me to bypass anything by this author again. There's too many other books out there that are worth my time.
And what has happened to all the good authors? Not everyone wants to have a steady diet of teen angst set in dystopian societies. Nor to be subjected to incessant overuse of offensive language (which is one thing I'll grant Ms. Scottoline - her books are free from that). The books I'm loving are becoming fewer and fewer. Makes me sad.
March 23, 2016
Judy Carrier is mad at her happy-go-lucky, but self-centered boyfriend Frank and her boss, Bennie Rosato for asking her to work settlements for 75 asbestos cases for the corporation. But all of this takes a back seat to her aunt's breast cancer and pending mastectomy. When the aunt's closest friend, an illegal Mexican immigrant, dies shortly after meeting Judy and her mother, the aunt and Judy start asking questions. Judy quickly gets in over her head, and is attacked as others, including the local parish priest are killed. I like Scottoline's characters and there were significant reveals in this book, but Judy's sleuthing skills were a stretch, at least for me. 3.5 stars.
December 23, 2014
Always enjoy Scottoline, there were some interesting plot twists, BUT I hated the main character, Judy, an immature, crybaby!
December 28, 2014
What has happened to Lisa Scottoline? I thought the last book I read was an anomaly--poorly written, feeling like Scottoline phoned it in. It happens. But this one was the same: it felt as if it were written by an adoring assistant, attempting to channel Scottoline's usual sass and plotting skills.
Here's what I kept thinking, as I was reading: Whoever wrote this needs an aggressive editor, because the level of sophistication hovered around the level of a Nancy Drew book. There were also misspelled words, awkward syntax, overdone scenes (turning Frank, Judy Carrier's working-man boyfriend into a dumb caricature) and just plain clunky narrative. And every time someone looks at someone else, their eyes mysteriously **flare.** It was tiresome.
So why did I finish? Because I kept expecting it to get better. It does, slightly, if only to veer into Big Dangerous Crisis mode that most thrillers employ as climax--running, chasing, all kinds of useless description (bins, trucks, overhead pipes, various hallways and locked doors) that readers generally ignore to find out what the hell happened.
I like girly thrillers, and getting to know running characters better. I like twisty plots with lots of layers. But they have to be accompanied by good writing. And Scottoline's writing has taken a nose-dive. One and a half stars.
Here's what I kept thinking, as I was reading: Whoever wrote this needs an aggressive editor, because the level of sophistication hovered around the level of a Nancy Drew book. There were also misspelled words, awkward syntax, overdone scenes (turning Frank, Judy Carrier's working-man boyfriend into a dumb caricature) and just plain clunky narrative. And every time someone looks at someone else, their eyes mysteriously **flare.** It was tiresome.
So why did I finish? Because I kept expecting it to get better. It does, slightly, if only to veer into Big Dangerous Crisis mode that most thrillers employ as climax--running, chasing, all kinds of useless description (bins, trucks, overhead pipes, various hallways and locked doors) that readers generally ignore to find out what the hell happened.
I like girly thrillers, and getting to know running characters better. I like twisty plots with lots of layers. But they have to be accompanied by good writing. And Scottoline's writing has taken a nose-dive. One and a half stars.
November 26, 2014
Read the first 50 pages and jumped ship. The writing is overly simplistic and inconsistent; the main character sounds like a lawyer at times (which she is) but at other times like a precocious middle schooler. The "mystery" was just getting started when I gave up, and I considered sticking around to give the plot a chance, but I hated the writing too much to continue.
Note: I received a free review copy of this book at BookCon.
Note: I received a free review copy of this book at BookCon.
August 27, 2014
So I picked up an advanced reader copy of this at Book Con. Now it's the first time I've ever had an opportunity to acquire advanced copies so I grabbed everything I could without thinking about it to much. I mention this because after getting home and having a moment to go through the books I realized this was a genre I didn't really care for and it wasn't the first book in the series. That being said I felt there was an unwritten agreement that by taking the free advanced copy I agreed to read, so I figured I ought to give a go.
Now some of my problems with this story I feel stem from jumping into the middle of the series, I'm not attached to these characters, I don't really understand their feelings, and if it was a stand alone book I would find that unacceptable, however I forgive it here because there is the chance that that wouldn't be the case if I read all the books.
However, I can't forgive the poor writing. The pacing was terrible which was a serious disservice to the main character. It made her seem impulsive and fickle. She's suppose to be this intelligent talented lawyer but she behaves more like a teenage girl who doesn't understand cause and effect or how the law works. Honestly if it weren't for the occasional vague mention of her job I would never know she was a lawyer and quite frequently forgot that fact.
It almost read like entries in a diary, each event seemed separated from the other events, only tied together because the people were the same.
I also felt that the author's writing lacked something, there were multiple moments when I thought oh that's kind of repetitive, read it again, decided that it wasn't really repetitive but merely worded strangely.
I slugged through it because I felt obligated as I mentioned above, but if it weren't for that feeling I would have put it down quite fast and I definitely won't be picking up any of the other books.
Now some of my problems with this story I feel stem from jumping into the middle of the series, I'm not attached to these characters, I don't really understand their feelings, and if it was a stand alone book I would find that unacceptable, however I forgive it here because there is the chance that that wouldn't be the case if I read all the books.
However, I can't forgive the poor writing. The pacing was terrible which was a serious disservice to the main character. It made her seem impulsive and fickle. She's suppose to be this intelligent talented lawyer but she behaves more like a teenage girl who doesn't understand cause and effect or how the law works. Honestly if it weren't for the occasional vague mention of her job I would never know she was a lawyer and quite frequently forgot that fact.
It almost read like entries in a diary, each event seemed separated from the other events, only tied together because the people were the same.
I also felt that the author's writing lacked something, there were multiple moments when I thought oh that's kind of repetitive, read it again, decided that it wasn't really repetitive but merely worded strangely.
I slugged through it because I felt obligated as I mentioned above, but if it weren't for that feeling I would have put it down quite fast and I definitely won't be picking up any of the other books.
February 9, 2015
This book, alas, realizes a great fear I've had ever since Scottoline announced last year that she planned to release 3 new books a year: One Rosato & Associates; one non-series novel; and one compilation of columns/essays.
Even though I know am a part of the maw of demand that screams for more from our favorite writers, I'm begging the industry to STOP. STOP asking authors who don't have the natural bent to write by the ton (e.g., not Nora Roberts, Barbara Cartland, G.K. Chesterton or P.G. Wodehouse) to put out a minimum of a book a year.
Because, whether such books are written without enough care, edited without enough care, or perhaps both, they suffer. The author's reputation suffers. And we, the readers, suffer.
This could have been a five-star thriller, but there are problems. Some are editorial -- certain phrases are repeated far too often. (If anyone said anything "from the heart' just one more time, I would have vomited from my stomach.
Also, Scottoline needed to look a little more carefully at protagonist Judy Carrier's behavior. She's a petulant, immature jerk through much of the novel, which would be bad enough except that the success of one of the key subplots depends on our feeling some sympathy for her. Judy lies and withholds information throughout the book, and then gets angry that information is withheld from her. She refuses to ask her man for help, and then wonders why he is never there when she needs him. I wanted to reach into the book, shake her, and tell her to grow up and get a grip.
Slow down, Lisa. Take Sue Grafton as an example. If you make every novel worth waiting for, we can tolerate the wait. But if you toss out work half-baked, we'll lose our appetite.
Even though I know am a part of the maw of demand that screams for more from our favorite writers, I'm begging the industry to STOP. STOP asking authors who don't have the natural bent to write by the ton (e.g., not Nora Roberts, Barbara Cartland, G.K. Chesterton or P.G. Wodehouse) to put out a minimum of a book a year.
Because, whether such books are written without enough care, edited without enough care, or perhaps both, they suffer. The author's reputation suffers. And we, the readers, suffer.
This could have been a five-star thriller, but there are problems. Some are editorial -- certain phrases are repeated far too often. (If anyone said anything "from the heart' just one more time, I would have vomited from my stomach.
Also, Scottoline needed to look a little more carefully at protagonist Judy Carrier's behavior. She's a petulant, immature jerk through much of the novel, which would be bad enough except that the success of one of the key subplots depends on our feeling some sympathy for her. Judy lies and withholds information throughout the book, and then gets angry that information is withheld from her. She refuses to ask her man for help, and then wonders why he is never there when she needs him. I wanted to reach into the book, shake her, and tell her to grow up and get a grip.
Slow down, Lisa. Take Sue Grafton as an example. If you make every novel worth waiting for, we can tolerate the wait. But if you toss out work half-baked, we'll lose our appetite.
December 21, 2015
Now, I am ready to start reading Corrupted! :)
January 4, 2018
What a poor excuse for a thriller. Horrible horrible dialogue, repetition and unlikeable characters.
July 24, 2018
Life happens is what I thought while reading this book. We think we know how we will react to happenings in our life but until they are encountered we just do not know for sure. Judy is uncertain about what is occurring in her life and what is occurring around her. Is she where she wants to be and if she is not, what is she going to do about it. Although her reaction as well as response may appear immature and make the reader go, huh, it was not enough to turn this reader off from reading hte next book in the series.
October 24, 2025
Drugs, smuggling, cross-border organized crime and undocumented immigrants – it could hardly be more timely!!
Judy Carrier is a feisty defender of the underdog, a confirmed feminist, and an associate of the all-female law firm Rosato and DiNunzio (with aspirations to partnership, of course). When her aunt’s best friend, Iris Juarez, an impoverished undocumented immigrant hiding in the shadowy world of illegal agricultural employment for under the table cash on a mushroom farm is found dead in her car, Carrier’s legal instincts are screaming questions that the police insist are a waste of time. Judy suspects foul play and Holmes would suggest, of course, that the game was afoot!
Aside from being a fine suspense thriller and police procedural, BETRAYED also manages to be a compelling - nay gripping and heartwarming - family drama that touches on issues of health and cancer, the tragic difficulty of dealing with family racism, and, last but hardly least, the struggles associated with teen motherhood and adoption. Not to put too fine a point on it, but, in this novel’s case, the family drama is so well crafted it’s not an overstatement to suggest that it might edge out the suspense thriller for reader interest.
Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss
Judy Carrier is a feisty defender of the underdog, a confirmed feminist, and an associate of the all-female law firm Rosato and DiNunzio (with aspirations to partnership, of course). When her aunt’s best friend, Iris Juarez, an impoverished undocumented immigrant hiding in the shadowy world of illegal agricultural employment for under the table cash on a mushroom farm is found dead in her car, Carrier’s legal instincts are screaming questions that the police insist are a waste of time. Judy suspects foul play and Holmes would suggest, of course, that the game was afoot!
Aside from being a fine suspense thriller and police procedural, BETRAYED also manages to be a compelling - nay gripping and heartwarming - family drama that touches on issues of health and cancer, the tragic difficulty of dealing with family racism, and, last but hardly least, the struggles associated with teen motherhood and adoption. Not to put too fine a point on it, but, in this novel’s case, the family drama is so well crafted it’s not an overstatement to suggest that it might edge out the suspense thriller for reader interest.
Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss
September 20, 2025
Indie book store finds? Shockingly amazing.
This was a random book I picked up at one of the big clearance days at my local indie book store. Solid pick, honestly. You never know what you are going to get, but I sure won with this one! Now I need book #1 and every other book in the series because I LOVED IT!
Thriller with lots of mystery and following women? It has my heart.
Fast pace. Great writing style. Engaging characters. Lots of heart.
And lawyers! Super cool.
So yes, give me more. Lisa, you have a new fan. Send me all the books, kthanxbai.
Four out of five stars.
This was a random book I picked up at one of the big clearance days at my local indie book store. Solid pick, honestly. You never know what you are going to get, but I sure won with this one! Now I need book #1 and every other book in the series because I LOVED IT!
Thriller with lots of mystery and following women? It has my heart.
Fast pace. Great writing style. Engaging characters. Lots of heart.
And lawyers! Super cool.
So yes, give me more. Lisa, you have a new fan. Send me all the books, kthanxbai.
Four out of five stars.
November 11, 2015
This book was quite the thrill ride especially towards the end. Betrayed follows the story of Judy Carrier and associate with Rosato & Associates. This novel is the second installment in the Rosato and DiNunzio series. I read this novel while in my daily confessional... and it was highly entertaining.
Because I'm familiar with this author and some of the other guest appearances in the book. Judy Carrier is given the news from her aunt Barb that she's battling breast cancer and will need surgery soon. And in the midst of that tragic information, a woman named Iris, Barb's best friend, dies suspiciously on a lonely stretch of road from a supposed heart attack. Aunt Barb enlists Judy's help to investigate the suspicious death since the police don't seem too keen on solving an illegals' mysterious death.
Then of course, things begin to be more and more bizarre. People begin to disappear or are mysteriously killed. And while Judy is carrying the weight of her aunt's health on her shoulders, a seemingly disengaged fiancee, an overbearing mother, and her first real solo case, she finds her own life in danger after delving a little too deep in the mysteries surrounding Iris. Yes... there are a lot of moving parts.
The thing that makes novels like Betrayed easy to read are that there are so many moving parts. What makes it the furthest thing from literary aptitude but it sure is fun... at least for the purposes I used this novel for. Sure the characters are quite thin and the moments of suspense could have been a little further dragged out, overall, it was still a good mystery thriller.
Betrayed is a fast, easy read that fans of Lisa Scottoline will surely find enjoyable. My 3-Star rating is due to the fact that the writing is just "ok" and the tense moments should have been reveled in and not so rushed through. The betray entices readers to see the unseen.
Copy provided by Goodreads via a Goodreads Giveaway
Because I'm familiar with this author and some of the other guest appearances in the book. Judy Carrier is given the news from her aunt Barb that she's battling breast cancer and will need surgery soon. And in the midst of that tragic information, a woman named Iris, Barb's best friend, dies suspiciously on a lonely stretch of road from a supposed heart attack. Aunt Barb enlists Judy's help to investigate the suspicious death since the police don't seem too keen on solving an illegals' mysterious death.
Then of course, things begin to be more and more bizarre. People begin to disappear or are mysteriously killed. And while Judy is carrying the weight of her aunt's health on her shoulders, a seemingly disengaged fiancee, an overbearing mother, and her first real solo case, she finds her own life in danger after delving a little too deep in the mysteries surrounding Iris. Yes... there are a lot of moving parts.
The thing that makes novels like Betrayed easy to read are that there are so many moving parts. What makes it the furthest thing from literary aptitude but it sure is fun... at least for the purposes I used this novel for. Sure the characters are quite thin and the moments of suspense could have been a little further dragged out, overall, it was still a good mystery thriller.
Betrayed is a fast, easy read that fans of Lisa Scottoline will surely find enjoyable. My 3-Star rating is due to the fact that the writing is just "ok" and the tense moments should have been reveled in and not so rushed through. The betray entices readers to see the unseen.
Copy provided by Goodreads via a Goodreads Giveaway
June 8, 2016
Good murder mystery. I always enjoy a Lisa Scottoline book. Lots of twists and turns in this action packed book.
January 12, 2015
This is the latest in the Rosato & DiNunzio series which is the follow-up series to the Rosato & Associates series and both series feature the same characters doing the same things as always. The only difference is that Mary DiNunzio is now a partner and not just an associate anymore.
I enjoyed the book. It was focused on Judy Carrier this time. Personally I think that the author tossed everything but the kitchen sink at Judy and overdid it somewhat. The storyline got a bit too busy with Judy facing:
(1) Being worried now that best friend Mary DiNunzio is a partner in the law firm which sets her in position as Judy's boss and changes their dynamics and also Mary is getting married and planning her wedding.
(2) Having problems with her own live in relationship with Frank and Frank suddenly being written opposite of the way he has been. Judy had met and fallen in love with Frank when she represented his grandfather Pigeon Tony, a friend of her family's who was falsely accused of murder. Frank was a business owner, sweet, good to Judy, sexy, and responsible. Now all of a sudden the author wants to write him out so to bring in a new guy, a lawyer Judy went to law school with, so she demeans Frank's character, turning him into a lazy, irresponsible slob who always is watching sports with friends.
(3)Finding out that her Aunt Barb has been fighting breast cancer and had not told her about it even when they were together or when Barb was having chemo. Now Barb needs a mastectomy so Judy is told and shocked yet has to help her because of the next reason.
(4) Aunt Barb considers Iris, a secretive but sweet illegal alien who has helped her with her gardening (Aunt Barb is a landscape designer) and housework and helped her during her chemo, to be her best friend. Judy and her mom meet Iris once while at her Aunt Barb's helping her prepare for surgery but Iris gets a phone call that panics her so she leaves, dies in what appears to be a heart attack in her car n a street she had no business being on, then Judy finds $50,000 the woman had hidden in her aunt's home.
(5) Battling evil priests and illegal alien drug dealers to find out what happened to Iris while obsessing over Frank, fighting with her mother, worrying about Aunt Barb, being attacked and nearly killed and...
(6) Finding out Aunt Barb is her real birth mother who was an unwed teen mother who gave her to who she thought was her parents (Barb's older married sister) and that her birth father is dead which leads to face-offs and angst
(7) Having a crisis at work when Bennie Rosato forces her to handle 75 settlements for a company found liable for asbestos deaths which she doesn't want to do but Bennie orders her to.
You see what I mean? Judy is being physically attacked while in agony over all of that. It's too many serious issues thrown into the pile. It's a good story but quite intense and this time you might need to take notes to keep up.
I enjoyed the book. It was focused on Judy Carrier this time. Personally I think that the author tossed everything but the kitchen sink at Judy and overdid it somewhat. The storyline got a bit too busy with Judy facing:
(1) Being worried now that best friend Mary DiNunzio is a partner in the law firm which sets her in position as Judy's boss and changes their dynamics and also Mary is getting married and planning her wedding.
(2) Having problems with her own live in relationship with Frank and Frank suddenly being written opposite of the way he has been. Judy had met and fallen in love with Frank when she represented his grandfather Pigeon Tony, a friend of her family's who was falsely accused of murder. Frank was a business owner, sweet, good to Judy, sexy, and responsible. Now all of a sudden the author wants to write him out so to bring in a new guy, a lawyer Judy went to law school with, so she demeans Frank's character, turning him into a lazy, irresponsible slob who always is watching sports with friends.
(3)Finding out that her Aunt Barb has been fighting breast cancer and had not told her about it even when they were together or when Barb was having chemo. Now Barb needs a mastectomy so Judy is told and shocked yet has to help her because of the next reason.
(4) Aunt Barb considers Iris, a secretive but sweet illegal alien who has helped her with her gardening (Aunt Barb is a landscape designer) and housework and helped her during her chemo, to be her best friend. Judy and her mom meet Iris once while at her Aunt Barb's helping her prepare for surgery but Iris gets a phone call that panics her so she leaves, dies in what appears to be a heart attack in her car n a street she had no business being on, then Judy finds $50,000 the woman had hidden in her aunt's home.
(5) Battling evil priests and illegal alien drug dealers to find out what happened to Iris while obsessing over Frank, fighting with her mother, worrying about Aunt Barb, being attacked and nearly killed and...
(6) Finding out Aunt Barb is her real birth mother who was an unwed teen mother who gave her to who she thought was her parents (Barb's older married sister) and that her birth father is dead which leads to face-offs and angst
(7) Having a crisis at work when Bennie Rosato forces her to handle 75 settlements for a company found liable for asbestos deaths which she doesn't want to do but Bennie orders her to.
You see what I mean? Judy is being physically attacked while in agony over all of that. It's too many serious issues thrown into the pile. It's a good story but quite intense and this time you might need to take notes to keep up.
May 2, 2018
Another terrific story from Lisa Scottoline. I had to reduce my rating by one star because I felt that the chase chapters were too long and dragged out.
Judy's aunt has discovered breast cancer and having an operation and her mother is caring for her. Judy's aunt has a good friend, Iris, who was found dead in her car and this starts a chain reaction of events right up to murderers and drug dealers.
Meanwhile her mother drops a bomb on her regarding things that happened when she was born. And to top it all off her relationship with her boyfriend, Frank, is not working at this point.
A great read.
https://finallytimetoread.blogspot.ca/
Judy's aunt has discovered breast cancer and having an operation and her mother is caring for her. Judy's aunt has a good friend, Iris, who was found dead in her car and this starts a chain reaction of events right up to murderers and drug dealers.
Meanwhile her mother drops a bomb on her regarding things that happened when she was born. And to top it all off her relationship with her boyfriend, Frank, is not working at this point.
A great read.
https://finallytimetoread.blogspot.ca/
February 9, 2019
This installment of the Rosato & DiNunzio series features lawyer, Judy Carrier. A unique story of family, friendship, and drugs that keeps you guessing. From illegal immigrants to family decisions made years ago, this is an enjoyable, well written story. 6 out of 10.
November 30, 2014
Lisa Scottoline returns with BETRAYED (Rosato & DiNunzio Series #2), and as usual, there is always much drama surrounding these gals, Judy Carrier and Mary DeNunzio in personal as well as their business lives.
Judy, an attorney with Rosato & Associates, Philadelphia's premier all-female law firm is caught up in the investigation of the mysterious death of a housekeeper, Iris Juarez, an illegal immigrant, of her favorite Aunt Barb (who also has been diagnosed with breast cancer). Barb loved this woman who apparently has been her true friend, helping her with her chemo and has been a loving and supportive employee.
Judy is not thrilled her boss and founding partner, Bennie Rosato, orders her to take on a series of asbestos cases, which will take so much time, and her boyfriend, Frank Lucia, proposes when she decides she wants to break up with him.
When police are called in surrounding Barb’s house, and Iris’s money is discovered the night before she is to have surgery, Judy wants to make sure Barb has no connection whatsoever. So now she is in the middle of trying to solve the case.
Having read many of Lisa’s books and a fan, I enjoyed ACCUSED, the first book in the series; however, unfortunately, BETRAYED did not live up, as not enough here to hold my interest. There is breast cancer, a mastectomy, an illegal immigrant, a dead priest, drugs, juvenile relationship issues, with a lame mystery, and family drama. It is like all over the board; and the pieces do not fit together.
In addition, listened to the audiobook, and narrator, Maria Bello unfortunately did not add any interest or enhancement. It was as she was reading from a script with no emotion. I prefer January LaVoy narrator of (Accused), as a much more engaging voice.
Judy, an attorney with Rosato & Associates, Philadelphia's premier all-female law firm is caught up in the investigation of the mysterious death of a housekeeper, Iris Juarez, an illegal immigrant, of her favorite Aunt Barb (who also has been diagnosed with breast cancer). Barb loved this woman who apparently has been her true friend, helping her with her chemo and has been a loving and supportive employee.
Judy is not thrilled her boss and founding partner, Bennie Rosato, orders her to take on a series of asbestos cases, which will take so much time, and her boyfriend, Frank Lucia, proposes when she decides she wants to break up with him.
When police are called in surrounding Barb’s house, and Iris’s money is discovered the night before she is to have surgery, Judy wants to make sure Barb has no connection whatsoever. So now she is in the middle of trying to solve the case.
Having read many of Lisa’s books and a fan, I enjoyed ACCUSED, the first book in the series; however, unfortunately, BETRAYED did not live up, as not enough here to hold my interest. There is breast cancer, a mastectomy, an illegal immigrant, a dead priest, drugs, juvenile relationship issues, with a lame mystery, and family drama. It is like all over the board; and the pieces do not fit together.
In addition, listened to the audiobook, and narrator, Maria Bello unfortunately did not add any interest or enhancement. It was as she was reading from a script with no emotion. I prefer January LaVoy narrator of (Accused), as a much more engaging voice.
September 29, 2014
Rating 3.5....
Books and music are similar to me in that I love all kinds of genres. One of those is cheesy. I can't take cheesy all the time, but there are times cheese is good with wine. This is the only book I have read from this series. I think it does well as a stand alone but I am willing to take the time to read the others in the series. The series involves a all women legal firm. Judy is a Partner with Rosato & Associates and is facing many issues in her life. Her work, her personal life and a beloved aunt Vicky that is fighting cancer. When her aunt's best friend Emelia is found dead in her car. Emelia is an undocumented worker. Is there a betrayal of friendship? To be honest, in the beginning, as a reader, I wanted to know what happened to Emelia. The other characters, I had a hard time connecting until the very end.
The strengths was the twists and turns not only in the plot but also in the personal life the characters.
The weakness, I was a little annoyed by Judy's mother and the relationship between Judy and her boyfriend.
All in all, I enjoyed getting to know Judy and her law firm. This is all thanks to goodreads and being a winner of said book.
Books and music are similar to me in that I love all kinds of genres. One of those is cheesy. I can't take cheesy all the time, but there are times cheese is good with wine. This is the only book I have read from this series. I think it does well as a stand alone but I am willing to take the time to read the others in the series. The series involves a all women legal firm. Judy is a Partner with Rosato & Associates and is facing many issues in her life. Her work, her personal life and a beloved aunt Vicky that is fighting cancer. When her aunt's best friend Emelia is found dead in her car. Emelia is an undocumented worker. Is there a betrayal of friendship? To be honest, in the beginning, as a reader, I wanted to know what happened to Emelia. The other characters, I had a hard time connecting until the very end.
The strengths was the twists and turns not only in the plot but also in the personal life the characters.
The weakness, I was a little annoyed by Judy's mother and the relationship between Judy and her boyfriend.
All in all, I enjoyed getting to know Judy and her law firm. This is all thanks to goodreads and being a winner of said book.
August 15, 2014
Sometimes being a librarian pays off as I got this as an ARC. This is a Rosato and Associates Novel which reunites readers with Judy Carrier and Mary DeNunzio. This time out, Judy gets center stage as she becomes involved with trying to discover who murdered Iris--a dear friend of her aunt Barb's who also happens to be an undocumented worker. Unfortunately, Scottoline may have tried to crowd too much into this book--a mystery, a story about the difficulties of being an illegal alien in the U.S., breast cancer, relationship problems, and family secrets reveals. Keeps you reading but as a result, the "mystery" was actually fairly weak. On the plus side, it's nice to check in on Judy and Mary and the rest of Rosato and Associates.
August 7, 2021
This book was a good read.
This series #1 ACCUSED was little light touch story that's almost like a comedy with the characters. But this book has totally changed. Very thrilling. Last half of book was non-stop.
Main character of this book, Judy was so full of her mind with her ton of her job, family emergency, her relationship with her boyfriend and suspicious death. And unexpected truth. Full course.
But on the mystery part, it was easy to guess what was coming next. I expected some twist though...
The chapter of the family talking at near the end, made me cry little. I hope the Judy will have a bright future. Keep following this series.
This series #1 ACCUSED was little light touch story that's almost like a comedy with the characters. But this book has totally changed. Very thrilling. Last half of book was non-stop.
Main character of this book, Judy was so full of her mind with her ton of her job, family emergency, her relationship with her boyfriend and suspicious death. And unexpected truth. Full course.
But on the mystery part, it was easy to guess what was coming next. I expected some twist though...
The chapter of the family talking at near the end, made me cry little. I hope the Judy will have a bright future. Keep following this series.
December 28, 2014
Amazing, suspenseful, twists, love and just a great story. Judy, a lawyer, loves her Aunt Barb and when she find out she has cancer, will do anything to make her life better. But in caring about her aunt, the mystery starts when her aunt's housekeeper, Iris, is found dead. Ruled as a heart attack, Judy cant help but think there is more to it than that.....and therefore, she is determined to find out the truth.
In doing so, she also finds out the truth about herself....
In doing so, she also finds out the truth about herself....
September 3, 2018
A boring storyline about a lawyer who learns her true heritage. I found Judy, the main character, written as immature lacking common sense who made bad decisions. Maria Bello adequate storytelling couldn’t save the story.
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