The Vendetta Defense (2001)

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I received this book as a Christmas gift. I confess that reverse snobbery had kept
me from Ms. Scottoline's books up till now -- I had assumed that anyone
who appeared on the bestseller lists so regularly would not be to my
taste. Well, I was wrong. I enjoyed THE VENDETTA DEFENSE and will seek
out more of the author's work.

It's my impression that many, if not all, the Scottoline books deal with
the all-woman law firm headed by Benny Rosato, highlighting a different
attorney in each book. THE VENDETTA DEFENSE features military brat and
artist Judy Carrier as the attorney who takes her first murder case when
a friend's father enlists her help for a pigeon-racing buddy. "Pigeon
Tony" has broken the neck of Angelo Coluzzi, a man he's known and hated
for sixty years both in fascist Italy and in Philadelphia. He admits the
killing, but says it isn't murder, because Coluzzi was responsible for
the deaths of Tony's wife and, more recently, his son and
daughter-in-law. Judy is pulled deeper into the case by her strong
attraction to Pigeon Tony's handsome grandson.

For the first 50 pages or so I wasn't enthralled with this book, but I
kept going and soon found it hard to put down. Judy must use both her
legal and investigative talents, with help from Pigeon Tony's equally
elderly friends and the ex-wife of a Coluzzi henchman, in doing her best
to win an acquittal for Pigeon Tony. The characters were very believable
and the Philadelphia setting drawn by someone who obviously really loves
her city. Highly recommended!
( )

This book is simply great. Ms. Scottoline wrote a book with depth, humor, suspense, and Ms. Rosenblat did herself proud in the narration. I strongly encourage anyone to listen to this unabridged edition of the book, just to fall in love with Pigeon Tony and his friends. Ms. Rosenblat makes these characters come to life through consistent use of vocal nuances and following the expert pacing set out in the author's lyrical dialogue. If you are new to Ms. Scottoline's writing and/or audiobooks, this is the perfect one to start with. Don't be intimidated that this book is number eight in a series, as it stands so well by itself. ( )

How could I not enjoy a book with many of the characters named ‘...Tony’ and featuring a delightful and heartwarming old man named Pigeon Tony (Tony Lucia), whose life is shaped by a lifelong vendetta? When Pigeon Tony is charged with first degree murder, the lawyer Judy Carrier is pulled into defending him, with great reluctance. When he admits his guilt in killing his lifelong enemy Anthony Coluzzi in Italy, the story become challenging for the attorney and for the reader.

I had never understood the stories behind pigeon racing and now I have a greater appreciation of the sport. Scottoline develops her characters well and I became vested in their lives and the story's outcome. There is hatred, sorrow, loyalty, love, romance and suspense. The courtroom scenes felt fairly realistic and the dialogue was entertaining. The involvement of the Tony’s (Pigeon Tony’s friends) was similar to the feeling an Badacci’s Camel Club characters. The connection to the title “The Vendetta Defense” was clear from the beginning and that was a refreshing change.

I have not read many Lisa Scottoline books but I will definitely read another as this book was enjoyable and easy to follow with enough action to keep me reading. A fun read for a cold winter night by the fire or on the beach on a warm summer day. I give this a 4 not because it was a great book, but because it was a very enjoyable read. ( )

I actually like Judy Carrier and her pal Mary better than I like Bennie Rosato, who is the attorney that heads up the law firm featured in Lisa Scottoline's books. Good story....a good legal thriller-type read. ( )