Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, light read
Review: Overall an entertaining, light read that goes quickly. Good things: interesting characters, vivid descriptions, good pacing, imaginative situations Bad things: annoying "Mental note" thing, limited character development of some of the more interesting characters, mentions of products, name brands, etc. over and over again. Final: Good, quick read, nothing earth-shattering
Rating:
Summary: Good airplane reading and engaging once you get into it
Review: This is my second book by Scottoline. Although the book is well-plotted and moves right along (after the first 15 pages or so), the literary quality just wasn't there. I was surprised to read that the author is an attorney given some of the more preposterous plot turns. I also felt at times that she was trying to imitate Janet Evanovich rather than concentrate on what she's good at (plotting). The story begins with a trial attorney Anne staging a stunt in the courtroom to win a motion -- a stunt that it's difficult to believe could or would ever happen. She's defending an old friend accused of sexual harrassing an employee. New to Philadelphia, Anne feels isolated in general but particularly from the other women in the all-female law firm she has joined. She decides to go to the Jersey shore for the 4th of July weekend, and as a result, someone misidentified as her is killed. For rather unconvincing reasons, she lets her legal partners know she is still alive and keeps the police in the dark while they track down the killer. There are several twists and turns of the plot, some of which I anticipated. The attempts of the women to solve the murder lead to some wild antics and romance for Anne (a la Janet Evanovich). This book kept me entertained enough to pass the time but it's the kind of book you pass on and have no desire to keep in your own collection. I will continue to read Scottoline but I don't think this is the best example of her work.
Rating:
Summary: Good airplane reading and engaging once you get into it
Review: This is my second book by Scottoline. Although the book is well-plotted and moves right along (after the first 15 pages or so), the literary quality just wasn't there. I was surprised to read that the author is an attorney given some of the more preposterous plot turns. I also felt at times that she was trying to imitate Janet Evanovich rather than concentrate on what she's good at (plotting). The story begins with a trial attorney Anne staging a stunt in the courtroom to win a motion -- a stunt that it's difficult to believe could or would ever happen. She's defending an old friend accused of sexual harrassing an employee. New to Philadelphia, Anne feels isolated in general but particularly from the other women in the all-female law firm she has joined. She decides to go to the Jersey shore for the 4th of July weekend, and as a result, someone misidentified as her is killed. For rather unconvincing reasons, she lets her legal partners know she is still alive and keeps the police in the dark while they track down the killer. There are several twists and turns of the plot, some of which I anticipated. The attempts of the women to solve the murder lead to some wild antics and romance for Anne (a la Janet Evanovich). This book kept me entertained enough to pass the time but it's the kind of book you pass on and have no desire to keep in your own collection. I will continue to read Scottoline but I don't think this is the best example of her work.
Rating: 
Summary: Loads of fun.
Review: What do you do when you see the front-page headlines screaming that you've been murdered? Tell the police it's all a mistake, of course. At first blush, yes. But think this through. Whose body showed up with holes in it, and why do the authorities think that it's you? Besides, who has a motive to see you dead? When you look at all the possibilities, maybe you want to back off of that first impression, dig into the facts around the whole situation before making a hasty, and possibly fatal, decision. That's just where Anne Murphy, a beautiful, young Philadelphia lawyer, finds herself.
The day before the nation's birthday celebration, Anne pulls off a gutsy coup in the courtroom, winning a motion in a highly unconventional way. Heady with victory, she looks around for someone with whom to share her triumph, but since she doesn't have any friends, no one comes to mind. So, despite her aversion to exercise, she forces herself to work out at the gym on her way home. There, she befriends Willa Hansen, a petsitter, and arranges for Willa to take care of Mel, her personable cat, over the Fourth of July weekend. Fortunately, for Anne, she finds an apartment at the shore at the last minute. Now she can escape the bedlam of patriotism on Independence Day in the City of Brotherly Love, and get some work done preparing for the big trial on Tuesday. She spends the evening enduring holiday traffic, arriving late at her quiet retreat.
On her early morning jog the next day, Anne glimpses the horrifying words at the newsstand, "Lawyer Found Murdered." As she reads the subheading, she discovers, to her total bewilderment, that she is the victim. It slowly dawns on her that Willa must have died in her place, and her suspicion is that Kevin, a deranged stalker from her past, must have gotten out of prison early.
Anne realizes early on that she will need help. She turns to three members of the all-women law firm where she works. The rest of the holiday weekend is filled with the capers of these four gorgeous lawyers chasing clues around Philly in a red Mustang convertible. Bennie Rosato, the firm's owner, becomes the voice of reason among her young associates. Curbing their sometimes harebrained schemes, however, proves too much even for her. With Anne falling in love with opposing counsel on her largest case, Bennie has her hands full keeping everyone focused on what's important.
The final plan, however, is Anne's alone. While it works fairly well, all does not go exactly as hoped. Then comes the surprise.
Ms. Scottoline's fans, especially those who have awaited the return of Bennie Rosato & Associates, will find this an easy summer read.
The bottom line is that COURTING TROUBLE, unlikely plot or not, is loads of fun, lots of good girl talk, with a sexy car and a great wrap-up.
--- Reviewed by Kate Ayers
Rating:
Summary: Mediocre and unrealistic
Review: When I read the inside cover synopsis of this book, I was anticipating a good weekend read... until I got past the first three chapters. "Mediocre" seems to be the definitive word among several of the reviewers. Because from then on, what I thought had potential to be a good page-turning thriller, became just that. While out of town on a holiday weekend get-away, Anne Murphy, an associate in an all-female law firm, comes upon her local newspaper where, upon reading the headlines, learns of her own murder. Obviously, the victim is one of mistaken identity. The rest of the story follows Anne, along with her law firm associates, solving the mystery of her murder. I enjoy reading books featuring strong, female characters overcoming adversities. But in this case, I think perhaps Ms. Scottoline was trying too hard to over emphasize Anne's strength of character. For example, at first, Anne reacts with horror and disbelief -- a normal reaction for anyone in her situation. However, as the story unfolds, she seems to take the whole incident in stride, at times even joking about it. Another thing that makes this story rather contrite and unrealistic is the timeline in which the events unfold. A few months ago, the cast of the popular TV series "CSI" was on Larry King's show, talking about the show's popularity and success, emphasizing it's authenticity. One of the technical advisors to the show stated that everything about "CSI" is true to life... except that crimes such as those depicted on the show are not solved in an hour, referring to the show being an hour long. Well, crimes such as the one depicted in "Courting Trouble" are not solved in three days, let alone with such nonchalance. But then again, this is, after all, only fiction.
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