Rating: 
Summary: "Legal" Thriller?
Review: "Mediocre" is the best definition for Scottoline's work. This novel is not her worst, but does not really represent an exception. Scottoline's grasp of Italian culture and history is ridiculously approximate and stereotyped. Her lady-lawyer characters are both boring and annoyingly "human", "correct" and "funny" in the writer's intention.
Psichology: zero. Law: zero. Plot: why, if you really do not have anything else to read but the yellow pages and this book, I would advise you to go for the "Vendetta Defence".
Rating: 
Summary: Scottoline plays the violin on this one
Review: All of Lisa Scottoline's books will pump your adrenaline, but this one represents a big jump in her ability as a writer. This book is more than just a good legal thriller because it is so multilayered. It is laugh-out-loud funny, sexy, contemporary and tug-the-heartstrings poignant, but the inclusion of some history of the Italian-American community takes this one to a new level. Near the end of the book, while the jury is deliberating, the protagonist's musings on justice and the law are sheer poetry. The plot concerns attorney Judy Carrier's attempts to represent an elderly man who admits to killing a long-time tormenter whom he has known since before they both emigrated from Italy. A reprise of an earlier plot device includes a cadre of elderly men who help the protagonist as she maneuvers among the legal and moral complexities of case. The author's affection for older people is obvious, and she skillfully draws them as characters who exhibit the wisdom and experience of age while also showing the humor that can accompany being old enough not to care about appearing cool. The tale is taught and believable, and Scottoline is at her best. As in her other books, Philadelphiaphiles will appreciate the the strong sense of place the author depicts.
Rating: 
Summary: Schmaltzy, but fun
Review: An 79-year-old Italian immigrant, called Pigeon Tony for his lifelong love of pigeon racing, is arrested for the murder of another old immigrant, Angelo Coluzzi, at their local pigeon racing club. As a favor to the family of her best friend Mary DiNunzio (recovering from injuries sustained in the last Scottoline) Judy Carrier, of Rosato & Associates, takes the case.
Her job is made difficult by her client's insistence on his guilt - though Pigeon Tony calls it justice, not murder. His act, he explains, was the culmination of a vendetta begun 60 years before in Italy when he married Coluzzi's sweetheart and Coluzzi relatiated by killing her, leaving their only son motherless.
Coluzzi, says Tony, taunted him in the moments before his killing with confirmation of Tony's suspicions that Coluzzi was responsible for the car wreck that killed Tony's only son and his wife.
Judy, swayed by the old man's pathos, wracks her brains to establish a defense of gray areas and sympathy, a tactic which goes against her strict legal principles. As Pigeon Tony's neighborhood friends help her investigate Tony's allegations against the Coluzzi clan, Judy finds herself falling for Tony's handsome grandson. Fireworks ensue as threats, mayhem and attempted murder derail her budding romance and play havoc with her case. Her boss, Bennie Rosato, steps in with some good advice about fighting fire with a legal blitz and the battle is more evenly joined.
Scottoline's wit and deft plotting are well in evidence here but the Italian neighborhood schmaltz gets a little thick. Nevertheless Judy is funny, brave and caustic and "The Vendetta Defense" will please fans.
Rating:
Summary: A TAUT, NUANCED READING OF AN ACE LEGAL THRILLER
Review: Broadway actress Barbara Rosenblat offers a taut, nuanced reading of Lisa Scottoline's latest compelling legal thriller, "The Vendetta Defense."Mystery fans have come to respect Ms. Scottoline not only for her suspense driven narratives but for the integrity of her work as she largely bases stories on her experience as a Philadelphia trial lawyer. Legal ethics are often the core of her drama, and she has lectured on this subject at law schools throughout the country. Now, we meet "Pigeon Tony"Lucia, an elderly Italian pigeon racer who admits killing his number one enemy, Angelo Coluzzi, to avenge a fifty year old blood feud. His attorney, Judy Carrier, has more than a guilty client on her hands as Coluzzi's family want vengeance for their father's death and Judy long gone before the case goes to trial. Can she outrun and outsmart these lethal, amoral foes? You're simply going to have to listen to Barbara Rosenblat's accomplished reading to find out.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to Scottoline's standards
Review: I have enjoyed all of Lisa's Scottoline's books, except this one. And I should confess this review is only about the first half--I abandoned the book when I got to the midpoint and it still wasn't holding my interest. (I almost NEVER do that.) If this is your first Scottoline mystery, and you felt the way I did, please don't give up on her. Most of her books are lively, interesting, funny, and have characters worth spending time with.
Rating: 
Summary: An okay read....but
Review: I'm not sure what happened to Scottoline with this book. I wish I knew because she's one of my favorite authors. I guess after reading some of her other works, I'm spoiled. Although I consider this book to be just an average read, it certainly won't deter me from reading more of Scottoline's novels. While reading this novel, I felt like the author was under the gun to meet a publisher's deadline, or something like that. She made statements along the way that didn't ring true and words were misplaced in sentences that threw my train of thought off balance. Sometimes, if the story is good enough, I can overlook things like this. But when a sentence jumps out at me as being incorrectly stated, then it's either I'm reading too slow or the story doesn't have me fully engrossed. I know lawyers do write mystery stories, but I'd love to see Scottoline vary a little more on story plot. Maybe she has and I haven't read the book yet. No matter, Scottoline is a very talented writer and her reading fans are probably all like me, waiting for her next book.
Rating:
Summary: A Family Feud
Review: Judy Carrier has always conducted her legal career according to the book - working long hours, spending time writing and researching antitrust law, checking in with her boss Bennie at regular intervals. Her only rebellion has been a refusal to wear the standard navy suit. Judy's world gets turned upside down, however, when her best friend's father asks her to defend his friend, Anthony Lucia, known throughout their South Philadelphia neighborhood as 'Pigeon Tony,' who is on trial for the murder of Angelo Coluzzi. When Judy first meets Pigeon Tony, she is taken in by his charm -- and his handsome grandson is an extra attraction. Judy isn't prepared to hear the lawyer's least favorite words -- a confession that Tony did, in fact, commit the crime for which he is on trial. Knowing that Tony committed the crime, Judy is facing a tough trial. She discovers a generations-old family feud that has spanned two continents. But can this feud help to defend Pigeon Tony? And what will in mean for Judy's developing relationship with his grandson? This action-packed novel is another success by Philadelphia writer Lisa Scottoline, and it will be enjoyed by all fans of courtroom drama.
Rating:
Summary: a taut legal drama
Review: Lawyer Judy Carrier takes the case of her career when she agrees to defend elderly pigeon racer "Pigeon Tony" for the murder of his life-long enemy Angelo Colluzi, on a vendetta that began more than half a century ago. The Colluzis want revenge & its up to this gutsy lawyer to secure justice for, risking everything, including her life. Lisa Scottoline has written a legal thriller that goes beyond the definition of a courtroom drama. It's a work that defines & distinguishes two almost similar words, "killing" & "murder", & it is in this background the novel is set. This work once again reaffirms Scottoline's position as the "Female Grisham." The Vendetta Defense is a taut legal thriller that keeps the reader glued to the pages. "Pigeon Tony" confesses to rookie lawyer Judy Carrier that he killed Angelo Colluzi, on a vendetta that began almost 50 years ago in Mascoli, Italy. During WWII Colluzi & Tony, both had wooed the same girl, Silvana, & she had chosen the poor, romantic & illiterate pigeon-farmer over the rich, brash fascist. Two years after learning that Silvana & Tony had married & had a son, an enraged Colluzi kills her & Tony, intent on keeping his son alive, leaves Italy for America without taking his vengeance. After the war, Colluzi escapes his fascist past by also emigrating to the large Italian neighborhood of Philadelphia & the hatred between the two men simmers especially after Colluzi causes the death of Tony's grown son. He cannot, however, prove it. With more than half a century of festering deep revenge, Tony finally takes out his vendetta, in a sudden moment when these two old enemies happen upon each other in the club house of the local pigeon racing club. Tony is charged with First Degree murder, even as he insists that he did not "murder" Colluzi, only "killed" him & it is up to Judy to help him prove this distinction. Scottoline keeps the legal arguments thick & fine for both the Prosecution who confidently presents a case of a clear-cut murder, & the Defense that takes the stand of sudden & grave provocation, calling for acquittal. The action in & outside the courtroom is rich & titillates the reader regarding a just decision. All in all a great thriller! The author keeps the "law theme" simple devoid of heavy legalese. As a student of law, while studying the Law of Crimes, we were taught the difference between "culpable homicide amounting to murder" & "culpable homicide not amounting to murder." The area between "murder" & "killing" is a gray one, the lines are blurred & there is no clear-cut differentiation. The Vendetta Defense comes to the rescue here. It clearly distinguishes the two phrases in a simple, gripping page-turner in the truest sense of the term. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: A SUSPENSE DRIVEN NARRATIVE
Review: Mystery fans have come to respect Ms. Scottoline not only for her suspense driven narratives but for the integrity of her work as she largely bases stories on her experience as a Philadelphia trial lawyer. Legal ethics are often the core of her drama, and she has lectured on this subject at law schools throughout the country. Now, we meet "Pigeon Tony"Lucia, an elderly Italian pigeon racer who admits killing his number one enemy, Angelo Coluzzi, to avenge a fifty year old blood feud. His attorney, Judy Carrier, has more than a guilty client on her hands as Coluzzi's family want vengeance for their father's death and Judy long gone before the case goes to trial. Can she outrun and outsmart these lethal, amoral foes? Read it and see.
Rating:
Summary: Lisa Scottoline does it again!
Review: Once again Lisa Scottoline grips the reader with a fast paced novel set in South Philly. The protagonist, Pigeon Tony, is a delightful, funny, and determined man who readily admits he killed his longstanding enemy. His hatred for Angeo Coluzzi goes back to his days in Fascist Italy. Pigeon Tony feels he is justified for the killing of Coluzzi because of the deaths of his wife, son, and daughter-in-law. He, however, does not understand the American law systems classification of this act murder. Secondary to the main plot, is a love story between Pigeon Tony's grandson, Frank, and his lawyer Judy Carrier. Judy Carrier is a member of the all female law firm Scottoline has previously used run by the hard-as-nails boss Bennie Rosato. Any Scottoline fan will recognize her love for the South Philly neighborhood where her novels are set. This story will not disappoint those who enjoy the "lawyer genre".
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