Lisa Scottoline: The First Two Novels: Everywhere That Mary Went and Final Appeal

by Lisa Scottoline

Now, for the first time in hardcover, New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline's first two novels, Everywhere That Mary Went and Final Appeal , are available in one volume. A sure treat for Scottoline's legions of fans, Lisa The First Two Novels is the ultimate collectible. Everywhere That Mary Went introduces one of Lisa Scottoline's most beloved characters, fledglinglawyer Mary DiNunzio, who uses her wit -- and her heart -- to catch a killer. Mary's been trying to make partner in her cutthroat Philadelphia law firm, so she's too busy to worry about crank phone calls she's been getting, until they fall into a sinister pattern. Soon she can't shake the sensation that someone is watching her, following her every move. The shadow-boxing turns deadly when her worst fears are realized, and Mary has to fight for something a lot more important than partnership -- her life. Final Appeal , winner of the Edgar Award, features law clerk and single mother Grace Rossi. Starting over after a divorce, Grace takes on a part-time job with a federal appeals court judge, but she doesn't count on being assigned to an explosive death-penalty appeal. Nor does she expect ardor in the court, in the form of an affair with her boss, Chief Judge Armen Gregorian. Then the truly unimaginable happens, and Grace finds herself investigating a murder. She searches for the truth, unearthing a six-figure bank account kept by a judge with an alias and following a trail of bribery and corruption. In no time at all, Grace under fire takes on a whole new meaning.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller

576 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Lisa 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.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. Quick, light reading. Good for those brain-dead times.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

rereading because I was asked about a character from this first book.

[Jim Maass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scottoline is another new writer for me, which I really enjoyed her style. She keeps you glued to what you are reading. The endings for both books was totally unexpected, which I like that in a author. A book that needs to be read to see what I mean.

[Carolyn McDonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scottoline is one of a kind. Her books are a fun read with snark that makes you LOL, but is never mean spirited.
Her characters are authentic and believable.

Her plots have more twists than a pretzel convention and you just can't put her books down.

Magnificent!

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed 'Everywhere That Mary Went' as far as the story went, I did not see the ending coming, though I didn't think the language was necessary. I like 'Final Appeal' even better.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book--quick read. Scottoline is a good storyteller. This was a difficult mystery to solve. The ending took me by surprise. I'll pick up others that she has written.

[Elaine Hague Wallick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This kept me wanting more as I’d fall asleep at night. I highly recommend this book. Especially since I didn’t see it ending like it did.

I’m an audiobook reader and the performance was excellent!

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for the first story only 2 for second. It drag on too much

[Janet Nuss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no interest in reading the second story, as it was a standalone. The first story was okay. I'd read the second one in the series just to see if it's worth continuing.

[Mary Bame · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read these books long ago and I recommend them.

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbelievable twist I must say. Really far-fetched? Maybe.

[Mackenzie RM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everywhere That Mary Went - 4 stars
This is the first book Lisa Scottoline wrote about Mary DiNunzio and Judy Carrier. I wish I would've read this one before most of the others because everything fits together better, makes more sense.

The entire story was really interesting, but you can tell that it's Scottoline's first book by the way she writes. It's still a really good book though, despite the amateur-ish writing.

In this book I began to like Mary DiNunzio more than I had before. She became more real than she's ever been to me and it was also interesting to learn exactly what had happened to her husband, Mike; because in later books they mention Mike but never what happened to him.

I've always really liked Judy Carrier and that remains the truth now. She's got a good sense of humor and a lot of spunk. In my opinion, she's got an almost devil-may-care attitude.. but not quite. Somewhere near it though.

I've always loved Matty DiNunzio, Mary's father, because he's just so humorous and kind-hearted, if not a little over the top at times. I didn't find that he was portrayed as well as he is later on in this book. Then again, he wasn't that big of a character in this novel, neither was Mary's mother, Vita. I don't think she was portrayed as well in this book either.

It was nice to see that Mary's sister, Angela, had a bigger part in this book. Mary and Angela are twins, and they're personalities are like day and night. It was fascinating

I was really surprised by who the killer was. He was definitely not who I had in my mind! All in all, it's an enjoyable read!

**SPOILER ALERT**
Final Appeal -5 stars
At the beginning of Final Appeal I was surprised to find that Mary DiNunzio and Judy Carrier weren't character in this book. All the books I've read by Scottoline have these two women in them. This change was interesting and I think that this book was better than most of the others I've read by Scottoline.

Grace Rossi was an interesting character, I saw bits of Judy Carrier in her.. There were similar character traits that made me see Grace more like Judy. Grace made this book, she was the perfect main character for this story, in my opinion. Grace's daughter, Maddy was really cute. She made the book more light in a way.

After reading this book, I've realized one majorly, specific thing that Scottoline carried into this book. The mothers of the main characters are always pushy in a way. They both find that eating is very important and are pushy on the way things should be done. They express their feelings somewhat through food and beverages. I find that interesting, almost makes them more lovable; I mean who doesn't like a hot meal? :)

I was very much taken aback when I found out who the killer was. I felt that the alleged suicide of Chief Judge Armen Gregorian wasn't a real suicide - that it was staged, and I was right.

This book was a-may-zing! I hope that eventually Scottoline writes another book with Grace Rossi as a character. :)

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a Rosato & Associates book out of order before this (it was recommended to me by my grandma, and we were unaware that it was part of a series), and because of this, I knew and liked the character Mary DiNunzio already. The first book, Everywhere That Mary Went, tells the story of Mary as a young lawyer, trying to make partner in a prestigious Philadelphia firm. The second book, Final Appeal, features Grace, clerk to a Philadelphia chief judge who mysteriously turns up dead as a result of suicide, or at least that's what everyone believes. I really enjoyed Everywhere That Mary Went, but Final Appeal confused me at first with all the legal terminology after just a few pages, and I wasn't a fan of the characters but then I gave it another a shot and finished; it was just okay. I'm looking forward to reading more of Lisa Scottoline's older novels.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

While out front talking to friends at work we started to talk about authors friend asked if I ever read any LS books and I said no she said that I should try her out. I did and I picked up the first book. Wasn't too thrilled about it (sorry Lisa) but my friend said she was a good author so I proceed to the bookstore and bought 2 more of her books and I am so glad I did because now I'm hooked. Never judge a author by their first book b/c as I have learned the author gets better the longer they write especially while they are developing characters. Miss the lawyer series b/c those books to me were the best. Would I recommend LS to my friends heck yeah she's a hometown girl. Her lawyer books are based in Philadelphia where I work and Mary lives in South Philly which is 20 minutes from my home.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure exactly how to rate a book that contains two books. I liked both, but "Everywhere That Mary Went" more than "Final Appeal". Since I've read a couple of the later Mary D'Nunzio novels already, this one made me wonder when she joins the law firm in those later books.

"Final Appeal" almost lost me. The first third is filled with a lot of legal activity which I don't understand and didn't find to be particularly well explained. It seemed like a very poor way to start a novel in which I expected at least some interesting action.

[Courtney Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the combination of legal details and humor in Lisa Scottoline's Rosato books. I found in reading the whole series that her writing craft got better with each novel. The first few were fun stories, but they were eye-rollers with all the adverbs and head-hopping points of view, making them a slog fest. The standards today for getting published are much higher. But every book got better, and I'm glad I stuck with her. They are a delight. Keep going. Her later writing is worth it.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everywhere That Mary Went was my" love at first read" with Lisa Scottoline. I look forward to each one of her book releases. live the Rosario an Associates books but also love the standalone books too! I appreciate her research and historical facts included in the books too! She is one of my top 5 authors!

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard an interview with Lisa Scottoline and decided to read her Rosato and Associates mysteries. "Everywhere That Mary Went" is the first in the series. The characters kept my interest, and I enjoyed the off beat humor. This series are an easy read when I want to be entertained.

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very good

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love her writing and was eager to go back to read her first two. Very pleased.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first book (Everywhere That Mary Went) more than the second, but both books kept me entertained.

[Mary Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved both of these stories. Hard to put down.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

read both books but sepertaly when they first came out , was hooked on Scottoline from the begining

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the second story more than the first.... good read. Starts a new series ( (Rosato & Associates )

[Pam Joslin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read of two novels for the price of one.

[Maryann Zaccagnio · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's one of LS first book just found it I'm enjoying it very much.

[Patience]

Everywhere that Mary went was good but I couldn't get past the first five pages of Final Appeal.