Status
Available
Series
Genres
Publication
Harper (2008), Edition: 1, 368 pages
Description
Mary DiNunzio's teenage angst comes flooding back when her high school nemesis, Trish Gambone (dubbed "Trash" by Mary) comes seeking her help. It doesn't matter that Mary is now the rainmaker of Rosato & Associates, Trish's mere presence is enough to make Mary feel like she's at the bottom of the food chain. As it turns out, however, Trish's life has taken a horrifying turn. She is terrified of her live-in boyfriend, an abusive South Philly mobster, who just happens to be one of Mary's ex-boyfriends. When Trish vanishes, Mary makes it her personal mission to find her longtime enemy, and works against the clock to save her life.
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member Rhea1023
I had high hopes for this book, but it was surprisingly boring and rather dull. The main character Mary seem to be oddly weak to face high school bullies but had the courage to face the mob. It took everything I had to finish the book and turned me off to reading others by Scottoline.
LibraryThing member whimsicalkitten
I couldn't get past the first 5 minutes of the audiobook - the juvenile reading was perfect for this stereotypical plodding american female detective trash
LibraryThing member lrobe190
Mary DiNunzio's teenage angst comes flooding back when her high school nemesis, Trish Gambone (dubbed "Trash" by Mary) comes seeking her help. It doesn't matter that Mary is now the rainmaker of Rosato & Associates. Trish's mere presence is enough to make Mary feel like she's at the bottom of the
This is the first book I've read by Scottoline. Her characterization of Italian-Americans in South Philadelphia is spot-on. The novel has humor, romance and a good mystery. I will definitely pick up more of her books.
Show More
food chain. As it turns out, however, Trish's life has taken a horrifying turn. She is terrified of her live-in boyfriend, an abusive South Philly mobster, who just happens to be one of Mary's ex-boyfriends. When Trish vanishes, Mary makes it her personal mission to find her longtime enemy, and works against the clock to save her life.This is the first book I've read by Scottoline. Her characterization of Italian-Americans in South Philadelphia is spot-on. The novel has humor, romance and a good mystery. I will definitely pick up more of her books.
Show Less
LibraryThing member nglofile_reads_2008
Just OK. I don't ever seem to like Scottoline's books as much as I think I will, but I am a fan of Barbara Rosenblat, the audiobook reader.
LibraryThing member lydiag
good mystery. I liked the Italian neighborhood girls. Reminded me of Garfield.
LibraryThing member jmpietro
I love this author. Main character is an attorney living in Philly. Very Italian. Woman from school goes missing--mean girl friends seek help from her to solve the mystery. Fairly light reading. Good for someone who likes mysteries with humor.
LibraryThing member jenspeaks
When Scottoline sticks with the Rosato law firm characters, I enjoy the stories so much better. Also, one should only listen to the audiobook versions of her stories as long as Barbara Rosenblatt is the narrator. Aural awesomeness.
LibraryThing member jepeters333
Mayr Dinunzio has become a big-time business-getter at Rosato & Associates. But the last person she expects to walk into her office one morning - in mile-high stilettos - is super-sexy Trish Gambone, her high-school rival. Back when Mary was becoming the straight-A president of the Latin Club and
Show More
Most Likely to Achieve Sainthood, Trish was the head Mean Girl, who flunked religion and excelled at smoking in the bathroom. These days, however, Trish needs help. She is terrified of her liv-in boyfriend, an abusive, gun-toting drug dealer for the South Philly mob. Mary remembers the guy from high school too. She has a major crush on him. Then Trish vanishes, a dead body turns up in an alley, and Mary is plunged into a nightmare that threatens her job, her family, and even her life. She goes on a one-woman crusade to unmask the killer, and on the way finds new love in a very unexpected place. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookappeal
I love Mary DiNunzio and the other Rosato girls but the secondary characters in this one became a little annoying. Still, a good plot and an enjoyable read.
LibraryThing member PermaSwooned
After a 5 year hiatus, this book returns to the Rosato & Associates law firm cast with this story featuring Mary DiNunzio. I actually like the stories featuring either Mary or her friend Judy Carrier than I do the ones featuring Bennie Rosato, because they are more human and less shark-like. Not
Show More
the best of the series, but a good read and I couldn't figure out who-dunnit at all. Show Less
LibraryThing member JoAnnSmithAinsworth
A humorous murder mystery. Well written. Fast paced plot. Funny to the end.
LibraryThing member lisa.pearlman
I read "Lady Killer" a While ago so I can not give a detailed review but I absolutely loved this book! It was the first book that I ever fell in love with! I loved Scottolines style of writing. She know how to write a page turner. When reading this give yourself a lot of time because once you pick
Show More
it up you don't want to put it down. I recommend this novel to everyone especially women who like mysteries with the other women as the lead character! The only thing I was disappointed in was that I did not know this was a series. I wish I would have started the series from the beginning because this is not the first one. Even though I hadn't read the books prior to this one it was still easy to understand the characters and the plot.. If you don't want to read the whole series you can definitely just pick this one up and still enjoy it. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookczuk
I like Scottoline for her strong female protagonists complete with flaws, humor, and the stories that entertain. This was a great travel ear-read, with some real moments of humor. It's a return to the Benny Rosato law firm characters, with Mary as the lead. I know there will be Stephanie Plumb
Two things I really liked about this edition of the audio book. One is the voice reader, Barbara Rosenblat, who I have enjoyed on other series, most notably the Goldy books of Diane Mott Davidson. She really rocked the voices and accents on this, more than any other reading I've heard her do. I'm a fan.
The second was that this audio book included an interview with the author. From that alone, I'll keep reading the books. I'm so stealing her term "novel gazing" which she made up during the interview when talking how even if a work or portion of a work is introspective, the author has to look beyond him/herself, beyond navel gazing to see the full picture and make the story about the characters, not the author. Novel-gazing. I like it.
Show More
comparisons, but I still like the South Philly gang, even if they do resemble some of the NEw Jersey crowd. It's okay. The world is big.Two things I really liked about this edition of the audio book. One is the voice reader, Barbara Rosenblat, who I have enjoyed on other series, most notably the Goldy books of Diane Mott Davidson. She really rocked the voices and accents on this, more than any other reading I've heard her do. I'm a fan.
The second was that this audio book included an interview with the author. From that alone, I'll keep reading the books. I'm so stealing her term "novel gazing" which she made up during the interview when talking how even if a work or portion of a work is introspective, the author has to look beyond him/herself, beyond navel gazing to see the full picture and make the story about the characters, not the author. Novel-gazing. I like it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member TheReadersCove
Thrown feet first into New York City’s darkest side, the horror and brutality of life flood your imagination. A murderer without conscience, without regret, without a second thought is on the loose. Silently deceptive, cool and calm, the Ladykiller is both cunning and efficient. There are no
The ladykiller is just as determined, systematically eliminating those who deserve to die. Each victim is eradicated in the same brutal way. Lured to a deserted location, no witnesses and by the cover of darkness the killing takes place. Another murder and yet another, public and internal pressure on the Ladykiller taskforce intensifies. Time is running out and the answers are elusive. Over and over Dillon reviews each case looking at the photos and the facts. What do they have in common? What is their final expression trying to say? Where is the link? The experienced officers are determined to unravel the facts. When new tidbits of information shed light upon past discoveries, things come together. The link perhaps, but how? Persistence and resolve will find the answers, or dose it? A confession or a bid for notoriety, half truths or just more lies, where will it all lead? The Ladykiller is ruthless and shrewd, deceiving everyone, but for how long? Will there be another murder or will the taskforce arrive in time?
Show More
obvious clues, no clear patterns and no easy answers for Detective Dave Dillon. A haunting mistake from the past makes this his last chance for redemption. The son of an Irish cop, Dillon is stubborn, intuitive, and dead set on solving the case. The ladykiller is just as determined, systematically eliminating those who deserve to die. Each victim is eradicated in the same brutal way. Lured to a deserted location, no witnesses and by the cover of darkness the killing takes place. Another murder and yet another, public and internal pressure on the Ladykiller taskforce intensifies. Time is running out and the answers are elusive. Over and over Dillon reviews each case looking at the photos and the facts. What do they have in common? What is their final expression trying to say? Where is the link? The experienced officers are determined to unravel the facts. When new tidbits of information shed light upon past discoveries, things come together. The link perhaps, but how? Persistence and resolve will find the answers, or dose it? A confession or a bid for notoriety, half truths or just more lies, where will it all lead? The Ladykiller is ruthless and shrewd, deceiving everyone, but for how long? Will there be another murder or will the taskforce arrive in time?
Show Less
LibraryThing member hklibrarian
I couldn't put it down. She had me from page 1. Great read!!
LibraryThing member thehistorychic
Listened for Fun (Library)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline was my first book by this author and it was a hit for me.
Story Thoughts: I admit that the best part of
Character Thoughts: I loved Mary! Seriously I could totally identify with being good at your job but not wanting to overstep where you are because of fear of being deficient. She is just brilliant but doesn't realize her brilliance. I am glad that those around her (sans her boss but I think even she does) see how talented she is! I loved all the side character too (even the mean girl club). Lisa Scottoline evidently knows how to write good characters.
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated By Barbara Rosenblat / Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins
I am always shocked when an audiobook circa anything before 2010 is done really well. However other than some music ques (which always get on my nerves) this one was done really well. Barbara had a great voice for Mary and Co. The pacing was excellent and the "feel" of the story was real. I enjoyed this one on audio.
Final Thoughts: Clearly you can read these books out of order and find them enjoyable. I will be reading more in this series!
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline was my first book by this author and it was a hit for me.
Story Thoughts: I admit that the best part of
Show More
this story was that the main character(Mary DiNunzio). The fact that she has to help her high school nemesis (Trish Gambone) out of a pickle is just icing on the cake. How many of us have hoped to "be better" than the ones who bullied us in High School only to find out that we didn't really want them suffering (at least not anything drastic)? I have been there so I identified with Mary's journey in this story. The action was great. The case was twisty. I have a new series to add to my TBR (Clearly I read these out of order as this was book 10)Character Thoughts: I loved Mary! Seriously I could totally identify with being good at your job but not wanting to overstep where you are because of fear of being deficient. She is just brilliant but doesn't realize her brilliance. I am glad that those around her (sans her boss but I think even she does) see how talented she is! I loved all the side character too (even the mean girl club). Lisa Scottoline evidently knows how to write good characters.
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated By Barbara Rosenblat / Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins
I am always shocked when an audiobook circa anything before 2010 is done really well. However other than some music ques (which always get on my nerves) this one was done really well. Barbara had a great voice for Mary and Co. The pacing was excellent and the "feel" of the story was real. I enjoyed this one on audio.
Final Thoughts: Clearly you can read these books out of order and find them enjoyable. I will be reading more in this series!
Show Less
LibraryThing member jakesam
very fast read
LibraryThing member carolmt
Fast read. It was an okay book.
LibraryThing member Lisahgolden
My husband was the first in our house to listen to Lisa Scottoline's audio books. He really enjoys them and encouraged me to try one. I finally did and now I am a fan of the Mary DiNunzio series. I love Scottoline's conversational style of writing and her sense of humor. This first (for me, 10th in
Show More
the series, I think) mystery was fun, well-paced and gave me a taste of the characters at the Rosato & Associates. I'll be enjoying more of Scottoline's novels in the near future. Show Less
LibraryThing member reading_crystal
Mary is happily going along with the flow, she helps out people from the neighborhood with various civil suits and helping wherever she can. Her clients pay and she's moving her way up. Then Trish Gambone from Mary's high school days shows up. Trish, was one of the mean girls that made Mary's high
Next thing you know Trish disappears, the neighborhood turns on Mary and Mary is on the run seeking Trish, the truth and herself.
A great novel of suspense, and also one of self-realization, it's fun to watch Mary try and solve the crime and also learn about herself. There is great character development in this and I loved learning about the various people from the neighborhood.
The reader on the unabriged cd set was excellent, with differing voices and accents for the characters, they really came to life for me.
An overall wonderful book that I didn't want to end. This is the latest installment in the Rosato and Associates books, but I haven't read any of the others and this one was easy to follow. I do plan on going back and starting with the beginning now though.
I became a fan of Lisa Scottoline with Dirty Blonde and Daddy's Girl and now it looks like I will get to enjoy all the Rosato and Associates books too.
Show More
school years difficult and not to mention that they have a boyfriend in common (Mary's from the past and Trish's current). However Trish's boyfriend has been threating her and Trish has come in seeking help.Next thing you know Trish disappears, the neighborhood turns on Mary and Mary is on the run seeking Trish, the truth and herself.
A great novel of suspense, and also one of self-realization, it's fun to watch Mary try and solve the crime and also learn about herself. There is great character development in this and I loved learning about the various people from the neighborhood.
The reader on the unabriged cd set was excellent, with differing voices and accents for the characters, they really came to life for me.
An overall wonderful book that I didn't want to end. This is the latest installment in the Rosato and Associates books, but I haven't read any of the others and this one was easy to follow. I do plan on going back and starting with the beginning now though.
I became a fan of Lisa Scottoline with Dirty Blonde and Daddy's Girl and now it looks like I will get to enjoy all the Rosato and Associates books too.
Show Less
LibraryThing member BONS
It's Scottoline. It's the Rosato & Associates series so I'm reading it regardless. This one didn't appeal to me as much but I have love for the author and series always.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2008-02
Physical description
9 inches
ISBN
0060833203 / 9780060833206