Rating: 
Summary: Better than the first
Review: A much better attempt than her first book, but still no "female John Grisham." Amusing at times, but a rather thin plot.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the first
Review: A much better attempt than her first book, but still no "female John Grisham." Amusing at times, but a rather thin plot.
Rating: 
Summary: My First Scottoline Book
Review: Despite some of the criticism of this novel, I found "Final Appeal" an altogether enjoyable read. It's told in the first person by Grace Rossi, a single mother working in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a newly-appointed assistant to the hot chief judge, Armen Gregorian. Just hours after their one-night stand, Armen allegedly commits suicide, but Grace is reluctant to accept this, despite their relationship being just a superficial roll in the hay--or office, in this case. Instead, she spends the duration of the book tracking down his killer, with some help from Shake and Bake (one of my favorite characters), an FBI agent leading a double life as an eccentric raincoat/bonnet-wearing derelict (thus his nickname). As a mystery, "Final Appeal" wasn't very suspenseful (no major life-and-death scares until around the climax), but it was a fast, easy read, which reminded me of some of James Patterson's work. The dialogue was realistic, though the profanity made the characters sound like they were in a high school locker room rather than a courtroom. Still, this was a nice, fluffy legal thriller full of dry wit and humor. I look forward to reading more by Scottoline.
Rating:
Summary: My First Scottoline Book
Review: Despite some of the criticism of this novel, I found "Final Appeal" an altogether enjoyable read. It's told in the first person by Grace Rossi, a single mother working in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a newly-appointed assistant to the hot chief judge, Armen Gregorian. Just hours after their one-night stand, Armen allegedly commits suicide, but Grace is reluctant to accept this, despite their relationship being just a superficial roll in the hay--or office, in this case. Instead, she spends the duration of the book tracking down his killer, with some help from Shake and Bake (one of my favorite characters), an FBI agent leading a double life as an eccentric raincoat/bonnet-wearing derelict (thus his nickname). As a mystery, "Final Appeal" wasn't very suspenseful (no major life-and-death scares until around the climax), but it was a fast, easy read, which reminded me of some of James Patterson's work. The dialogue was realistic, though the profanity made the characters sound like they were in a high school locker room rather than a courtroom. Still, this was a nice, fluffy legal thriller full of dry wit and humor. I look forward to reading more by Scottoline.
Rating:
Summary: a new find
Review: final appeal was my first scottoline book and i must say i was very pleased with the story...it was a light read with an interesting plot and some believable characters...it wasn't the best mystery story...but the day i read it had been hectic and stressful and this was the perfect solution...i was able to fall into the story without investing a lot of myself to the tale... i will purchase other books by this author...and if you're looking for a new author, check her out...she's kinda like diane mott davison and magaret maron....
Rating: 
Summary: Fortunately, I didn't give up on Lisa Scottoline...
Review: Final Appeal was the first Lisa Scottoline book that I read. I have to agree with some of the other reviewers here. At least half of this book was senseless chatter, and the novel did not seem to flow smoothly. But because the other half of the time, the novel did seem to flow smoothly, I plugged away and finished the book. I didn't like the first-person, present-tense type of writing found in this book, but this has not been encountered in any of Lisa's other books that I've read so far. Since I had bought five other Scottoline paperbacks recently, I decided to keep reading. And I'm glad I did! I have really enjoyed reading her other books so far. They are 'unputdownable-type' of books, and I'll continue to buy her books. The stories flow smoothly in Legal Tender, Moment Of Truth, Mistaken Identity, and Running From The Law, without the needless chatter found in Final Appeal. I'll be starting The Vendatta Defense today and expect that I'll not want to put it down until I finish it later today. I still need to buy Everywhere That Mary Went, Rough Justice, and Courting Trouble. I've read all of John Grisham's books and have to say that Lisa Scottoline is now one of my favorite top-five authors, along with John Grisham.
Rating:
Summary: Fortunately, I didn't give up on Lisa Scottoline...
Review: Final Appeal was the first Lisa Scottoline book that I read. I have to agree with some of the other reviewers here. At least half of this book was senseless chatter, and the novel did not seem to flow smoothly. But because the other half of the time, the novel did seem to flow smoothly, I plugged away and finished the book. I didn't like the first-person, present-tense type of writing found in this book, but this has not been encountered in any of Lisa's other books that I've read so far. Since I had bought five other Scottoline paperbacks recently, I decided to keep reading. And I'm glad I did! I have really enjoyed reading her other books so far. They are 'unputdownable-type' of books, and I'll continue to buy her books. The stories flow smoothly in Legal Tender, Moment Of Truth, Mistaken Identity, and Running From The Law, without the needless chatter found in Final Appeal. I'll be starting The Vendatta Defense today and expect that I'll not want to put it down until I finish it later today. I still need to buy Everywhere That Mary Went, Rough Justice, and Courting Trouble. I've read all of John Grisham's books and have to say that Lisa Scottoline is now one of my favorite top-five authors, along with John Grisham.
Rating: 
Summary: Is this the Female John Grisham?
Review: Having been recommended "Mistaken Identity" which turned out to be a great book. I thought I give her other book a chance so I came accross "Final Appeal". This really disappointed me and left me wondering if this was the same author who wrote "Mistaken Identity". Final Appeal was a major letdown and not up to Scottoline's standard.
Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected!
Review: I have struggled with Final Appeal from the first page! I'm usually a fast reader, but it is almost immosible for me to get into this book. The storyline is predictable, and there is too much plodding dialoge. I think reading Michael Connley has spoiled me!
Rating:
Summary: Why didn't I read the Amazon reader reviews first?
Review: I learned long ago to skim through the Amazon reader reviews before I invest a weekend ( or a long rainy afternoon ) in an unknown ( to me ) author. But since my wife brought a paperback copy of "Final Appeal" home, and it WAS cold and raining outside, I took a chance. I now know that I should have walked over to the local library instead and started with one of Scottoline's later ( and presumed much, much better ) offerings. I suggest you do the same; pass this one by and get one of her later mysteries.
|
