When three men announce that they are suing the Rosato & DiNunzio law firm for reverse sex discrimination—claiming that they were not hired because they were men—Mary DiNunzio and Bennie Rosato are outraged. To make matters worse, their one male employee, John Foxman, intends to resign, claiming that there is some truth to this case.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer is Nick Machiavelli, who has already lost to Mary once and is now back with a vengeance —determined not to not only win, but destroy the firm. It soon becomes clear that Machiavelli will do anything in his power to achieve his end…even after the case turns deadly. The stakes have never been higher for Mary and her associates as they try to keep Machiavelli at bay, solve a murder, and save the law firm they love…or they could lose everything they’ve worked for. Told with Scottoline's trademark gift for twists, turns, heart, and humanity, this latest thriller asks the question: Is it better to be loved, or feared...
Feared, the sixth entry in the acclaimed Rosato & DiNunzio series, expertly explores what happens when we are tempted to give in to our own inner darkness. -- St. Martin's Press
It's been a long time since I've read a book from Lisa Scottoline's Rosato and DiNunzio series. FEARED is the sixth book in the series, and the two female lawyers are back with a vengeance. Actually, it's Nick Machiavelli, the thorn in Mary DiNunzio's side, that is back with a vengeance... and this time he's going after the all female law firm.
The novel begins with Mary's baby shower; however, it quickly turns to trouble when the lawyers are served notice that they are being sued for reverse sex discrimination. Three male attorneys think they weren't hired by the almost all female Rosato & DiNunzio law firm because they were men. And guess who their lawyer is? None other than Nick Machiavelli. He not only wants to sue these women (especially Mary), but he wants them to lose their entire firm!
When the lone male at Rosato & DiNunzio winds up brutally murdered, the women are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. Things get even more complicated when they learn that the third partner, Judy, was secretly dating him. She quickly becomes a suspect because she was seen and heard arguing at this home just hours before his body was discovered.
In true Bennie and Mary form, these two women work to save their partner and their law firm from total destruction!
I really enjoyed FEARED. It's a quick read and fans of this series will be glad to see Bennie and Mary back and in rare form trying to save their business and reputations. Ms. Scottoline brings Philly and its people to life, and I had to chuckle at her rendition of Mary's very Italian family. In an otherwise dark plot where their employee was brutally murdered and their partner was the major suspect, the Italians in the story kept things light.
Who doesn't love Mary and Bennie? They are certainly two characters! Mary was actually the main character in this novel, and it was interesting to see her as a pregnant, working woman. I could totally relate to her feelings about the pregnancy, and I really enjoyed a chapter near the end of the book where she gains perspective on family and motherhood.
I thought the mystery in FEARED was solid, and I have to admit that I didn't see the ending coming. I liked being surprised, but I do think the twist was a little far-fetched. But heck, I liked this novel a lot, and I'll take the ending if for nothing more then surprise and the final resolution!
FEARED is a great addition to the Rosato & DiNunzio series. Highly recommended for fans of Ms. Scottoline's!
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.
Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.
I don't think I've ever read this series but it sure sounds good!
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