Rating: 
Summary: Ambiguities Within Enigmas
Review: As a crime fiction author with my debut novel in its initial release, I admire Lisa Scottoline's THE VENDETTA DEFENSE. The vendetta defense pinpoints exactly one of the major ambiguities within enigmas within this legal thriller. Pigeon Tony Lucia, Judy Carrier's client, has killed Angelo Coluzzi, and he freely admits his crime. As he is willing to tell everyone, the murder was payback for decades-old crimes committed against Tony's family. Judy has to devise a legal defense for Tony, a good man who has done wrong, perhaps. The swiftly-paced plot is complicated by a romance for Judy and death threats against Tony, Judy, and others. This novel succeeds on many levels. It is a winner.
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Summary: Si . . . Si . . .
Review: This review is of the unabridged audiocassette version of The Vendetta Defense as performed by Ms. Barbara Rosenblat.Warm, rich, rewarding, and engaging are all adjectives that jump to mind about this masterly story of the clash of cultures, egos, and generations. Ms. Scottoline has a rich imagination, love of her characters, and warm feelings for her readers that make this story come alive with passion, tension, and revealing emotions. The character of Anthony "Pigeon Tony" Lucia is one of the most interesting and appealing that I have come across in many years. He may be the most interesting defendent ever in a fictional case. Mr. Lucia is essentially a simple man of peace, with a great respect for nature, beauty, and honesty. Yet his natural goodness has brought him into conflict with the literal forces of darkness in the form of an ex-fascist black shirt, Angelo Coluzzi. The two men's lives have moved in parallel orbits for over 60 years, and this story recounts how all that occurred and what the implications are for all of us. Pigeon Tony has always sought to turn the other cheek, and has paid a large price for his acceptance of his tormentor's attentions. Did he do the right thing? The Vendetta Defense sets up many interesting conflicts to build on the basic one of good versus evil. These contrasts include the law versus taking action as ways to solve problems, the perspectives of different generations, the views of the native-born Americans versus immigrants, Italian-Americans versus those of other national backgrounds, and seeking pleasure versus seeking goodness. The plot is even more complicated than that, including flashbacks over Pigeon Tony's life, a complex set of legal maneuvers, physical and mental battles, and a developing relationship for Ms. Judy Carrier, Pigeon Tony's attorney, and Pigeon Tony's grandson, Frank. For those who like top-notch legal conflicts in their fiction, you will like the many twists and turns of this case. It also has a comedic flair to offset the many moments of darkest despair. You will be reminded of the gravedigger's scene in Hamlet at several points in the book. Ms. Rosenblat's performance is superb. She easily makes the transition between male and female voices, people of vastly different ages, alternative accents, and a wide range of emotions. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing her read this outstanding book. I strongly urge you to listen to this version of the book. You will undoubtedly enjoy the book even more than if you simply read it. After you finish The Vendetta Defense, ask yourself what you would have done at each step in the life of Pigeon Tony. What did you learn about yourself in the process? Let your actions show who you are!
Rating: 
Summary: Light but Intriguing...
Review: Loved it!
It was quick paced, easy to read, kept me reading chapter after chapter. This book is different from Lisa Scottoline's other books (I've read them all) in that she writes in two ages. One is the present, with the usual fun quick-paced thriller legal story. The other is the past when she goes back to show the background of the accused. She shows his character through these trips back in time, just leaving you with enough insight to be caught up in the next part of the story. I find Lisa Scottoline a great author to read because she manages to be a bit weird and quirky (through her characters) but there is still logic, an interesting story, justice issues to grip your interest and real emotion. Every summer I go on a quest for the perfect "summer-lounge- chair-on-the-balcony-book" - this is definitely one!
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Summary: What can I say...
Review: It was great having Judy, Mary (recovering from her previous shooting) and Bennie Rosato back! Good story! It's always interesting to see what these women will get into! Keep up the good work Lisa!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Again!
Review: Lisa Scottoline is the type of author where you truly are disappointed when you reach the end of her books. I have read each one and one is better than the next. They draw you in and won't let go until you are finished. I highly recommended her books to all the mystery and legal thriller lovers out there.
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Summary: THE VENDETTA DEFENSE - Revenge crime argued in court
Review: The novel series spotlight shines on Philadelphia attorney Judy Carrier who defends a 79-year-old Italian for the murder of one of his neighbors as part of a bad-blood feud that has been boiling for fifty years. The elderly defendant, known as Pigeon Tony, openly kills fellow pigeon racer and bad man Angelo Coluzzi as a vendetta for the murderous acts that Coluzzi has done over the years to Pigeon Tony's family. Like the Hatfields and McCoys, near war breaks out between these hot-headed families as the murder trial moves forward. Lawyer Judy Carrier, with the help of her mentor and tough-minded boss Bennie Rosato, lays out a defense for her client whom she knows has committed this crime. Her argument is going to be a tough sell to the jury. The trial proceeds with the backdrop of the warring families, and Judy ends up being protected by Pigeon Tony's grandson, Frank, whom she romantically enjoys. THE VENDETTA DEFENSE has a wonderful parallel storyline that takes place decades earlier in the 'old country,' as told through the day dreams of defendant Pigeon Tony. These flashbacks are the coming-of-age story of Pigeon Tony in fascist Italy during the War, and his courtship and love affair with his future wife. And these dreams tell of the sad and emotional events that sparked the years of anger and bitterness between the Italian families. Author Lisa Scottoline weaves the old times with the new, and the new romances with the old, as she works a masterful courtroom drama. And even more so than in her prior works, she uses humor, along with broken language, to energize the story and its characters. Even the names of the players are funny: Tony Two Feet, Tony-From-Down-The-Block, Fat Jimmy, and of course the other Anthony, Pigeon Tony. Although this book is part of a series about the all-female Philly law firm of Bennie Rosato and Associates, THE VENDETTA DEFENSE does 'stand alone,' and is a great place to start the series and enjoy a fantastic Lisa Scottoline legal thriller.
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Summary: Rosenblat Does Superb Job At Reading
Review: I've been an audio book listener for over 10 years now and have come to realize that the reader is almost as important as the writer. In this story, Scottoline came up with a fairly predictable plot that was fun and easy to follow. You can easily identify with the main characters and end up putting yourself into their shoes from time-to-time. What really makes this audio book stand out is Rosenblat; she has a wonderful voice and acts out the characters much better then most readers. I especially liked the Pigeon Tony's lawyer's (Judy) closing statement. To avoid giving you the ending, I will say that Judy's words were poetry in a courtroom! Enjoy! 3 stars for the story, 5 stars for the reader.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful and Witty Read
Review: This is my first read by Lisa Scottoline and I think that I am hooked. I have been a long time Grisham and Lescroart fan for a long time and now that I have found Lisa Scottoline, I think that I am going to stick to reading her work. Her characters were witty and funny. I also liked the little bits of Italian verbage, it makes you feel you are an Italian yourself (which I am). The premise of the story is thought provoking, I mean how is a lawyer going to defend a person who says that he killed the victim? I am halfway through the book and I cannot wait until the ending. I recommend this book to fans of legal genre. I also recommed Guilt by John Lescroart and The Disappearance by J F Freedman
Rating: 
Summary: If you are Italian or a lawyer or in Philly, you'll love it
Review: I love Lisa Scottoline's books, I really do. But this one had the feel of an "inside joke" that she wrote for her closest friends and lawyers and the Italian community. Not being in these groups, I did enjoy the book, but not nearly as much as I would have were I in one of those categories. (Now I know why my non-Irish friends do not enjoy Greeley or McCourt quite as much as I do!) It also felt like it needed one more editing run, one more draft, to tighten it up. Positives on this: Very real, compelling characters you wanted to invite home for a hot dinner, especially Pigeon Tony. And like another reviewer here, I loved Scottoline's other books so much that I will buy her books again. I just hope she gets back to her previous form. And don't get me wrong, I also love thr richness ethnic details impart to books (I love reading Faye Kellerman's Orthodox Jewish characters for instance) and I enjoyed Scottoline's asides, jokes, and insights about Italian heritage in previous books. However she simply went a bit too overboard on this one, in my opinion. The book was still enjoyable, still worth reading if you are a big fan. But just not as exciting. And again, talented, funny, Lisa, if you are reading this, please go back to whomever edited you the first books and work with him or her again in future books!
Rating: 
Summary: Can't believe this was written by Scottline
Review: I was anxiously looking forward to L. Scottline's new book as I could not put down her previous stories. This story was so implausible, so boring, so predictable and tedious to read. I wanted to stop reading, but I figured it would get better, which it never did. Please bring back Bennie as the lead character.
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