From pre-school through high school and even into college one might run into a test that says, “Which of these things does not belong?” The subject matter can refer to different fruits, shapes, simple numbers, geometry, calculus, etc. So, here is one for you. Which of these things does not belong: peanuts, popcorn, potato chips or a Lisa Scottoline mystery novel?
Careful, don’t make a rash decision! I used to hate this type of question in geometry where the answers consisted of A, B, C or D (all of the above belong). This is the case of my question to you. Once you have a taste of the peanuts, popcorn or potato chips, you hunger for more. Such is the case for “Feared,” the latest book by Lisa Scottoline to be released on Aug. 14. It is a real page-turner and you’re ready for more!
Like some of the other Scottoline novels, the action revolves around the small law firm of Rosato (Bennie) and DiNunzio (Mary) and Judy Carrier, a more recent partner of the firm, hereafter called the Firm. Other members of the Firm include attorney John Foxman and other staff members. Challenges start piling up in the first pages of the book when a surprise baby shower was being given for Mary, when they are served with legal papers from the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission for reverse sex discrimination. The case was filed by three men who applied for an attorney position, none of whom was hired for the job. All members of the Firm are 100 percent sure that the origin of the lawsuit was the powerful “guerilla warfare” attorney, Nick Machiavelli, who held a grudge against the Firm because he lost a case to them. The case was filed under the Human Relations Commission because the monetary damages were unlimited and both the Firm and the partners of the Firm could be sued.
The Firm quickly hires attorney Roger Vitez to represent them along with his marketing and psychology public relations man, Isaac Chevi. Roger has a huge ego and wants to “run the show his way” without regard for anyone else, which does pose some problems. During the action, the following takes place: someone is found responsible for involvement with one of the Firm’s clients meant to put them out of business; connections are found between various men up to no good and Nick Machievelli; and another person of interest is discovered who has a disagreement with John Foxman. John is murdered and the protection of John’s brother, William, who has cerebral palsy and whose life may be endangered is of utmost importance.
Similar to some other Scottoline books, to keep the chuckles flowing, Lisa introduces some of her very Italian octogenarian relatives from South Philly, including her mom and dad (Vitta and Matty), Elvira, Mary’s mother-in-law – referred to by Mary as El Virus, and Mary’s three honorary uncles, (Tony-From-Down-The-Block, Pigeon Tony and Two-Feet-Tony). All of the above are a loving, protective, “Old Time Italian” family”. When Mary’s dad, Vitta, and the three Tonys gather around Mary, she describes the experience as “a cloud of cigar smoke and Ben Gay fumes.” The two grandmothers-to-be argue about days of the week each will have their new grandchild and are quite distraught when they find out Mary’s husband, Anthony, is going to be a stay-at-home dad and they won’t be needed. When “Feet” hears the predominately lady firm is being sued for discriminating in not hiring another male attorney, his comment is “I can’t get over this! That’s not gentlemanly! What kinda man sues women? That’s like hitting a woman! Who does such a thing?” (page 62).
Even though I like to watch crime shows on television to figure out “who done it”, I would not volunteer to be on the jury for this book. I thought I had it all figured out in the early part of the book but the last 50 pages abruptly tied the case in a nice bow, with an unsuspected killer and a little old lady who becomes a darling hero.
The development of the characters, the suspense, the common hope of good over evil, and disproving the statement in the beginning of the book, “It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both” makes this book a good read.
Jeff Hall, Honey Brook, contributes columns to Berks-Mont Newspapers.