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Rosato and Associates #9
Killer Smile
A stunning new tale filled with witty dialogue, vibrant characters, and breakneck pacing, in which true-life history reinforces Scottoline's hallmark themes of justice and family.
Everybody around lawyer Mary DiNunzio has decided she isn't allowed to be a Young Widow anymore, even though she didn't know there was an official cutoff. They're all trying to fix her up -- her South Philly Italian parents, her best friend Judy Carrier, even the office security guard.
All Mary wants to do is immerse herself in a case everybody else calls "The History Channel", a pro bono representation of the Brandolini estate. The roots of the matter sink deep into the past, when Amadeo Brandolini emigrated to Philadelphia, started a family, and built up a small fishing business. At the outbreak of World War II, Brandolini was arrested by the FBI as part of a mass internment of Italian-Americans and was sent to a camp in Montana, where he eventually committed suicide. Now, more than sixty years later, his son's estate hires Mary to sue for reparations.
Mary vows to vindicate Amadeo even though it won't be easy. With only a lock of hair, an old wallet, and a sheet of paper filled with odd doodles to go on, the tenacious lawyer begins to research the case but finds instead puzzling new questions. Someone doesn't want Mary to find the truth, and before long, her life is threatened. Suddenly, the quiet, squeaky-clean good girl who never left Mercer Street is risking life and limb to finger a killer and lay a beloved ghost to rest.
New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline delivers a stunning new tale filled with witty dialogue, vibrant characters, and breakneck pacing, in which true-life history reinforces her hallmark themes of justice and family. As entertaining as it is poignant, Killer Smile is a surefire bestseller from a writer at the peak of her talents.
Everybody around lawyer Mary DiNunzio has decided she isn't allowed to be a Young Widow anymore, even though she didn't know there was an official cutoff. They're all trying to fix her up -- her South Philly Italian parents, her best friend Judy Carrier, even the office security guard.
All Mary wants to do is immerse herself in a case everybody else calls "The History Channel", a pro bono representation of the Brandolini estate. The roots of the matter sink deep into the past, when Amadeo Brandolini emigrated to Philadelphia, started a family, and built up a small fishing business. At the outbreak of World War II, Brandolini was arrested by the FBI as part of a mass internment of Italian-Americans and was sent to a camp in Montana, where he eventually committed suicide. Now, more than sixty years later, his son's estate hires Mary to sue for reparations.
Mary vows to vindicate Amadeo even though it won't be easy. With only a lock of hair, an old wallet, and a sheet of paper filled with odd doodles to go on, the tenacious lawyer begins to research the case but finds instead puzzling new questions. Someone doesn't want Mary to find the truth, and before long, her life is threatened. Suddenly, the quiet, squeaky-clean good girl who never left Mercer Street is risking life and limb to finger a killer and lay a beloved ghost to rest.
New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline delivers a stunning new tale filled with witty dialogue, vibrant characters, and breakneck pacing, in which true-life history reinforces her hallmark themes of justice and family. As entertaining as it is poignant, Killer Smile is a surefire bestseller from a writer at the peak of her talents.
417 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2004
766 people are currently reading
3542 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 548 reviews
July 18, 2025
This is my second Lisa Scottoline book. I have several of her books on my TBR.
Killer Smile was not for me. The main protagonist, Mary DiNunzio, is a young widow and an attorney who is investigating a case from decades earlier to see if there can be reparations.
Early on, there was a lot of dialogue about her mother's cooking, conversations about setting her up with potential dates, and a lot of information that didn't move the storyline along.
After a while, the slow pace and nonessential information made me put it in the DNF pile.
Killer Smile was not for me. The main protagonist, Mary DiNunzio, is a young widow and an attorney who is investigating a case from decades earlier to see if there can be reparations.
Early on, there was a lot of dialogue about her mother's cooking, conversations about setting her up with potential dates, and a lot of information that didn't move the storyline along.
After a while, the slow pace and nonessential information made me put it in the DNF pile.
June 2, 2023
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 bono case 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.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
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.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 28, 2014
I usually enjoy Lisa Scottoline's books, but the character of Mary, supposedly a lawyer, must have taken a drug that made her stupid and annoying because she just got deeper and deeper into idiot town as the book dragged on. Mary became so strident and annoying that I wanted to crawl inside my MP3 and shoot her to put her out of her misery. Mary develops an obsession (putting it lightly) with a man whose estate is their client. An Italian immigrant, his name was Amadeo Brandolini and he died in 1942. Ah – Mah – Day - Oh (day..a..a..O!) is Mary’s clarion call throughout the book. She becomes worse than any stalker in tracking the long deceased man. People around her, including the reader, do not understand her fixation. I would have stopped listening, but I was driving and doing other stuff; it was easier to keep listening. As I listened I marveled that Mary was not fired or thrown in jail. She breaks multiple laws in her pursuit. Mary also breaches every common courtesy, including giving the wife of a dying man the bum’s rush at the door and tears up the stairs to talk to the dying man. Mary later sneaks into the house by posing as a “funeral planner.” In all my years of reading detective/mysteries, I don’t think I have ever known a character to pull as many moronic stunts as did Mary in this book. What does Mary learn at the end? Who cares? I don’t want to encounter this Mary in a book again for a long time.
January 5, 2009
sometimes you read what you have. and what you have is not great
August 21, 2020
I'm not sure how I missed this book when it was originally published, but I recently found it and I am glad I read it. I would give the book 5 stars for style and fun, but only 2-3 stars for realism. It was fun to read, but a lawyer like Mary would probably last about 3 minutes in a real court room. Forgive the book for not being believable, but enjoy it for the kick butt attitude.
January 10, 2015
I love this series but somehow the books featuring Mary DiNunzio aggravate me in many ways. I like the Judy Carrier and Bennie Rosato stories better. Mary is an Italian Catholic and is always so stereotyped as feeling guilt (Catholic guilt) over everything, being timid, and doing stupid things. In this book, supposedly she never liked being a lawyer which is in direct conflict with earlier books in the series where she loves her job. I am also annoyed at her calling herself a "girl lawyer." Let's have a show of hands- how many of you have EVER heard a male lawyer of age 30 or so call himself a "boy lawyer" or even a thirtysomething female lawyer call herself a "girl lawyer." This is a series about an all woman law firm. The lawyers should take themselves seriously as adult lawyers.
This entry into the series features Mary trying to help the Brandolini estate recover damages from the US government for his losses when put into a concentration/internment camp for Italians (even American citizens)during World War II (something done to German-Americans and Japanese-Americans too). She soon discovers that Brandolini, a man who couldn't read or write, who was a fisherman had invented a sort of latch applicable not only to boats but to other applications and worth millions and that his best friend from South Philly who was also in the camps (a food truck driver) murdered him for it, made it look like a suicide, then made tens of millions on it. The old man is dying now but his trophy wife and his adult son and their goon are willing to kill to keep the money flowing (a big sale is coming up).
There is a side story about Mary who was the widow of a murdered man being forced by her co-workers and family to go on blind dates. She doesn't want to-she still grieves Mike and is absorbed in work- but allows herself to be pushed around. This was really annoying.
There also was a trip to Montana where she supposedly has never gone out of state or ridden a plane yet in past books she had done both. Also, Bennie put up a $100,000 bond for her on a case yet in the last book the firm almost went bankrupt. What? That was goofy. There was another side story about a nutcase calling and threatening Bennie and then Mary that is prominent at times then forgotten then comes back. Oh and another side story is her mom has cancer.
Mary does some really good research work despite being plagued by a reporter, getting no help from police or her co-workers, being nearly killed, doing stupid things, having bad blind dates, and having to help a nurse who is attacked for what she saw happen to Mary at the hands of the bad guy's family.
I still liked the story but wish I was her editor!
This entry into the series features Mary trying to help the Brandolini estate recover damages from the US government for his losses when put into a concentration/internment camp for Italians (even American citizens)during World War II (something done to German-Americans and Japanese-Americans too). She soon discovers that Brandolini, a man who couldn't read or write, who was a fisherman had invented a sort of latch applicable not only to boats but to other applications and worth millions and that his best friend from South Philly who was also in the camps (a food truck driver) murdered him for it, made it look like a suicide, then made tens of millions on it. The old man is dying now but his trophy wife and his adult son and their goon are willing to kill to keep the money flowing (a big sale is coming up).
There is a side story about Mary who was the widow of a murdered man being forced by her co-workers and family to go on blind dates. She doesn't want to-she still grieves Mike and is absorbed in work- but allows herself to be pushed around. This was really annoying.
There also was a trip to Montana where she supposedly has never gone out of state or ridden a plane yet in past books she had done both. Also, Bennie put up a $100,000 bond for her on a case yet in the last book the firm almost went bankrupt. What? That was goofy. There was another side story about a nutcase calling and threatening Bennie and then Mary that is prominent at times then forgotten then comes back. Oh and another side story is her mom has cancer.
Mary does some really good research work despite being plagued by a reporter, getting no help from police or her co-workers, being nearly killed, doing stupid things, having bad blind dates, and having to help a nurse who is attacked for what she saw happen to Mary at the hands of the bad guy's family.
I still liked the story but wish I was her editor!
November 24, 2018
I actually finished this book a few days ago but am just now having a chance for closure. This was one of Scottoline’s earlier DiNunzio stories & I loved it. The story was full of wonderful things I didn’t already know about the character, & there was a nice little story included in the bigger story. I didn’t want this one to end.
December 19, 2024
This is the first book I have read by Lisa Scottoline. It is actually the ninth book in the Rosato & Associates series about a Philadelphia law firm comprised of women. In this one, Mary DiNunzio, one of the associates, is working pro bono on a case where she is suing for reparations for the family of an Italian immigrant who was interned in a camp in Montana for "enemy aliens" during WWII. The man, Amadeo Brandolini, supposedly committed suicide while at the camp. But is that what really happened? Mary has some artifacts left by his family that include a lock of hair, some strange circular doodles, and an old photograph. As she digs into the case, including a trip to Montana, she suspects that Amadeo may have been murdered. But if so, why? And back in Philadelphia, the lawyer for the Brandolini family gets murdered. So what is being covered up?
This was an okay thriller with some humor thrown in related to Mary's disastrous blind dates. Some of her actions were definitely questionable but the story was interesting and compelling. I was unaware that Italian Americans were interned in camps during WWII; I had thought that this only happened to the Japanese. Scottoline's grandparents had to register as "enemy aliens" and she used this piece of her family history as the basis for this novel. Not sure if I will be reading more in this series but if I happen upon one, I'll probably pick it up.
This was an okay thriller with some humor thrown in related to Mary's disastrous blind dates. Some of her actions were definitely questionable but the story was interesting and compelling. I was unaware that Italian Americans were interned in camps during WWII; I had thought that this only happened to the Japanese. Scottoline's grandparents had to register as "enemy aliens" and she used this piece of her family history as the basis for this novel. Not sure if I will be reading more in this series but if I happen upon one, I'll probably pick it up.
October 26, 2021
But first- the title. Can anyone who read this book and might happen to see the beginning of this review please tell me what the title means? Like dear lord, I did not enjoy this book, but this is a genuine question. How did "Killer Smile" relate in any way to the story? Did I miss something? Okay sure I can get the killer part because murders did happen, but did I miss something about the significance of smiles? Because as far as I could tell, it was completely unrelated to anything and I'm so confused. The characters smiled on occasion as characters tend to do, but I don't remember it ever being important?
I feel like I almost need to add an asterisk when tagging this book as a thriller because it was not particularly thrilling. Patent law, especially decades old patent law, is not the most exciting basis for a story. That's fine with me when it's a character centric book, but thrillers tend to be more plot driven. A 60 year old case where everyone involved is dead that centers around patent law didn't really do it for me.
It didn't make sense. Like at all. At one point they decide someone might be targeting the main character for her investigation so they suggest she take a bit of a vacation. Her vacation is related to the case, but also over a thousand miles away so everyone is happy. Then an actual murder that is probably related to the case occurs, and they literally suggest she come back. Like if a break in is scary enough to send someone away, why bring her back when it's upped to literal murder? Logic seems to have failed these characters completely. (That wasn't the only example, just the one that pissed me off the most.)
Everyone was flat. None of the characters had real personalities so much as little dramas. The father's dialogue was written in all caps because he was shouting which is such a pet peeve of mine. God forbid we use description. I don't like Scottoline's writing style. I don't like what little personalities the characters do have. It was way too long and could have been easily edited down into something that dragged a little less.
I dunno, I didn't like anything here. This is the second one of Scottoline's books I've rated one star and I thought maybe the first one might just be a fluke, but yikes. I'm apparently not a fan. The best thing about this book was that I finished it last night and it's already fading from my memory.
I feel like I almost need to add an asterisk when tagging this book as a thriller because it was not particularly thrilling. Patent law, especially decades old patent law, is not the most exciting basis for a story. That's fine with me when it's a character centric book, but thrillers tend to be more plot driven. A 60 year old case where everyone involved is dead that centers around patent law didn't really do it for me.
It didn't make sense. Like at all. At one point they decide someone might be targeting the main character for her investigation so they suggest she take a bit of a vacation. Her vacation is related to the case, but also over a thousand miles away so everyone is happy. Then an actual murder that is probably related to the case occurs, and they literally suggest she come back. Like if a break in is scary enough to send someone away, why bring her back when it's upped to literal murder? Logic seems to have failed these characters completely. (That wasn't the only example, just the one that pissed me off the most.)
Everyone was flat. None of the characters had real personalities so much as little dramas. The father's dialogue was written in all caps because he was shouting which is such a pet peeve of mine. God forbid we use description. I don't like Scottoline's writing style. I don't like what little personalities the characters do have. It was way too long and could have been easily edited down into something that dragged a little less.
I dunno, I didn't like anything here. This is the second one of Scottoline's books I've rated one star and I thought maybe the first one might just be a fluke, but yikes. I'm apparently not a fan. The best thing about this book was that I finished it last night and it's already fading from my memory.
August 24, 2020
Lisa’s critically acclaimed eleventh novel, Killer Smile, not only received rave reviews from industry insiders, but was chosen as a BookSense “Summer Pick.” Killer Smile became an instant New York Times hardcover bestseller and stars the young associate Mary DiNunzio whose terror over a late-night threatening phone call is only escalated by a suspicious car that seems to be tracking her every move. And, when a lawyer close to Mary turns up dead, she begins to suspect that the case she’s been working on — involving the suicide of an Italian-American in an internment camp during World War II — may not be history after all. Add to that the fact that everybody around Mary has decided that she’s not allowed to be a Young Widow anymore, and is fixing her up with blind dates from hell. Then a killer comes after her, and it’s more than any girl can handle — but not any woman. Reads of Killer Smile, Lisa’s eleventh novel, are earning Lisa enthusiastic, two thumbs-up reactions across the board.
I've been a big Lisa Scottoline fan for a long time, just haven't read one for quite a long time. She has a huge talent for finding what the key points that the readers should read and what would be the most interesting and suspenseful of all the main points of the story.
I just finished reading "Killer Smile" by Lisa Scottoline. I have read many of her novels, but this one I really ENJOYED! The story is about Lawyer Mary DiNunzio and the case of an Italian fisherman who committed suicide while interned during WW II as an enemy alien. There are many clues that are presented to her (a lock of hair, an old photograph, and a paper with circular doodles) to try to unravel a mystery. Most of the book takes place in South Philadelphia, and you will come to love Mary and her family. There are times when you might shed a tear, and then there are times when you will laugh out loud. Think Robert B. Parker and Janet Evanovich in that aspect. However, the best part for me was after the book ended, and I read the Author's Note. It dealt with her grandparents' history and their being classified as enemy aliens in WW II. That genealogy tie in, with my own interest in my family's genealogy, was enlightening. Imagine! A murder mystery that relates to your grandparents lives. This book will make for an interesting Book Club discussion.
It's a great read. Highly recommend!!!!
I've been a big Lisa Scottoline fan for a long time, just haven't read one for quite a long time. She has a huge talent for finding what the key points that the readers should read and what would be the most interesting and suspenseful of all the main points of the story.
I just finished reading "Killer Smile" by Lisa Scottoline. I have read many of her novels, but this one I really ENJOYED! The story is about Lawyer Mary DiNunzio and the case of an Italian fisherman who committed suicide while interned during WW II as an enemy alien. There are many clues that are presented to her (a lock of hair, an old photograph, and a paper with circular doodles) to try to unravel a mystery. Most of the book takes place in South Philadelphia, and you will come to love Mary and her family. There are times when you might shed a tear, and then there are times when you will laugh out loud. Think Robert B. Parker and Janet Evanovich in that aspect. However, the best part for me was after the book ended, and I read the Author's Note. It dealt with her grandparents' history and their being classified as enemy aliens in WW II. That genealogy tie in, with my own interest in my family's genealogy, was enlightening. Imagine! A murder mystery that relates to your grandparents lives. This book will make for an interesting Book Club discussion.
It's a great read. Highly recommend!!!!
December 6, 2017
Onvan : Killer Smile (Rosato & Associates, #9) - Nevisande : Lisa Scottoline - ISBN : 60514965 - ISBN13 : 9780060514969 - Dar 448 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2004
March 21, 2018
I liked the story of the Italian side of the WW2 internment camps in MT which i had no idea existed.
August 11, 2020
I learned that Italian Americans were also interned in the US during WW2. Action was a bit far fetched for my imagination of what a lawyer would do by herself.
August 6, 2009
I listened to this on audio book. Mary is a lawyer who takes on the estate of Amadeo Brandalini. The entire case is based on Amadeo killing himself. Mary doesn't believe that it was an actual suicide. She investigates and in the process puts herself in danger. Once the bad guy punches her in the face and then lets her go. I found this to be a lot like Janet Evanovich and Jonathan Kellerman, but not as much of a "page" turner. I thought Mary was annoying and she kept saying "fort" instead of "forte" which I just did not get at all. I thought the twist at the end was unnecessary and far-fetched, and the last line really made no sense to me. I thought it was just okay.
February 12, 2023
Jumped into the middle of the series but this was grounded enough I wasn't lost. Voice for days. Loved it and a bonus I always like to find in pleasure reads, insights in a historical event, the tracking and interment of Italian Americans during WWII.
September 2, 2024
Loved this book! It had a good plot and some funny moments. Less thriller and more drama.
Read
February 6, 2017I just finished reading "Killer Smile" by Lisa Scottoline. I have read many of her novels, but this one I really ENJOYED! The story is about Lawyer Mary DiNunzio and the case of an Italian fisherman who committed suicide while interned during WW II as an enemy alien. There are many clues that are presented to her (a lock of hair, an old photograph, and a paper with circular doodles) to try to unravel a mystery. Most of the book takes place in South Philadelphia, and you will come to love Mary and her family. There are times when you might shed a tear, and then there are times when you will laugh out loud. Think Robert B. Parker and Janet Evanovich in that aspect. However, the best part for me was after the book ended, and I read the Author's Note. It dealt with her grandparents' history and their being classified as enemy aliens in WW II. That genealogy tie in, with my own interest in my family's genealogy, was enlightening. Imagine! A murder mystery that relates to your grandparents lives. This book will make for an interesting Book Club discussion. -Bob K.
October 24, 2011
I really liked the characters in this book and the humour. The plot was also good until Lisa Scottoline had her main character do something outrageously stupid. This was the start of a sequence of stupid things which the character did which just left me reeling. I nearly stopped reading the book, but her main character was reunited with her common sense in the nick of time, so I finished it. Overall, the parts that I enjoyed were good enough to rate three stars even with the stupid bit in the middle. I'll try another book by Lisa Scottoline but if that has the main character go off the rails in as unbelievable way as in this book, I don't think Lisa Scottoline's books are my cup of tea.
June 2, 2019
Okay, here's the deal, I've violated my own rules! I read 41% of this book before I realized that it wasn't going to get any more suspenseful; it wasn't going to become more thrilling; that I didn't care who killed Amadeo BrandoliniI, or why, and for me, finishing this book would be a complete waste of my time. As far as I'm concerned, this book should be reclassified as young adult. Yes, almost half way through I bailed, and I'm a better person for it.
Now, don't get all up in my face. I didn't say the book was bad, or poorly written. I'm saying that for me, it didn't do anything and I should have bailed earlier.
Now, don't get all up in my face. I didn't say the book was bad, or poorly written. I'm saying that for me, it didn't do anything and I should have bailed earlier.
July 14, 2016
This was a good story. I enjoyed listening to it. This series has a great group of ladies. I also enjoyed the author's story about her grandparents experience during the war.
This book provided interesting historical information that during WWII Italian Americans were required to register as enemy aliens and many were sent to internment camps. I have Italian ancestors but was unaware of this until now. My ancestors immigrated here before WWII but their country of residence was Austria so this did not effect them even though they are Italian.
This book provided interesting historical information that during WWII Italian Americans were required to register as enemy aliens and many were sent to internment camps. I have Italian ancestors but was unaware of this until now. My ancestors immigrated here before WWII but their country of residence was Austria so this did not effect them even though they are Italian.
July 10, 2017
This was a interesting book based on historical fact that about 10,000 Italian immigrants who could have lived in the US for over 30 years were rounded up and sent to internment camps during world war 11. the story is developed by a young female lawyer has a pro bono case for his estate that because,her client lost his wife,home and business. What develops in further investigation is that her client 60 years ago died in this camp from suicide or was it murder? it's a little slow in parts but I am glad I read it
March 4, 2014
Being a fan, I have read all the previous novels and found this to be one of the best. Mary is a reluctant heroine and acquits herself admirably. Each novel in the series focuses on a different attorney and each is well characterized along with stories that are well plotted.
January 14, 2018
I really like the main character Mary DiNunzio. She has spunk and isn't afraid of getting what she wants, even it means breaking the law. As she digs deeper into the case, unraveling clues like the layers of an onion, Mary finds herself immersed in a web of violence, murder, and corruption. All while being set up with blind dates from her friends.
A fast-paced story which at one point takes the reader back to the 1940's during World War II. Mary's enthusiasm and sometimes comical approach to seeking clues and fighting off obstacles that are in a way; are truly entertaining. An enjoyable read that I highly recommend.
A fast-paced story which at one point takes the reader back to the 1940's during World War II. Mary's enthusiasm and sometimes comical approach to seeking clues and fighting off obstacles that are in a way; are truly entertaining. An enjoyable read that I highly recommend.
February 3, 2022
If you like your legal thrillers with a snarky heroine who notices every brand -name piece of clothing, jewelry and accessory she sees this is for you. It’s an odd characteristic that she has, or maybe the author just likes to throw them in for texture. But the bones of the story are very good and the plot zips along with twists that keep it fun. Loads of Philadelphia environment make it a well-rooted tale, and the bad guys in it are really bad. I recommend this.
May 25, 2025
Another great story in this series. You know the great thing about reading a lengthy series? You get to know the characters really well. You can begin to predict how they'll act in different situations. You get to understand them, perhaps as much as real people you've known all your life. Such is certainly the case with Mary DiNunzio, a young attorney working in the all-female law firm of Rosato & Associates. Oh yeah, you also get to watch the growth in people over the course of the series. Enough said. This book is interesting, exciting and definitely worth your time.
October 20, 2021
The character of Mary is not believable due to her continued leaps into obviously dangerous circumstances. Although the story was a bit much at times, I’m glad I stuck with it.
Listened via audiobooks. Many facts included about the incarceration of Italian living in the United States during WW2. The author talks about her family’s experience at the end.
October 20, 2021
I am enjoying this series. Some of the happenings are a bit far fetch but I continue to be entertained; which in my opinion is a good thing. Mary DiNunzio really showed some spunk as she went all out to secure justice. Onward!
January 24, 2020
O carte bunicică. Subiectul e interesant, iar finalul este cu răsucire de situație.
Tehnoredactarea lasă mult de dorit, a avut multe greșeli gramaticale.
Tehnoredactarea lasă mult de dorit, a avut multe greșeli gramaticale.
July 21, 2022
Ninth in the series, which rotates among the associates in the law firm as main characters. Glad to read that Mary is finally "putting on her big-girl pants".
June 21, 2025
DNF - couldn’t do it. The audio was awful and I couldn’t get into it.
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