Damaged

I am going to try to tap dance around spoilers. As a realistic Scottoline fan, I'm not going to be steady stars across this series. I've read them from the Rosato series and seen the storyline pull me in, the characters develop as they have matured into the series Rosato DiNunzio. I married into a large Italian family and this stuff is "if you know you know" and it's comical. This book also covers some real heartbreak. Grandparents raise small children for much less reasons than found here. Our schools are under budget. Disadvantage youth are taken advantage of and Mary is giving a voice to many social injustices. This book got tense, it has lighter humor, I just went with it. It made me think about the foster care system and many real show more life topics herein. A deeper courtroom battle I'll probably get in the next book. Scottoline often has a way to make me research topics after I've closed her book. I have respect for that. She keeps me from being a fairweathered fan. show less

Just days before her wedding, lawyer Mary DiNunzio gets involved in a case revolving around a ten-year-old boy, Patrick. Mary has a reputation for being an advocate for special education children, and is retained by the grandfather of a 5th grade boy who cannot read. She soon discovers that the child is not receiving the services he is entitled to under law, so she takes on the case. The next day, she finds the grandfather dead. She has become extremely attached to Patrick and decides to become his legal guardian. Events get in her way (including the accusation that Patrick might have killed his grandfather).
Lisa Scottoline has written an interesting, thoughtful mystery. I did enjoy it, but did not find it captivating. I felt some of show more the action wasn’t realistic – for example, Mary deciding she had to become Patrick’s guardian when knowing him only 2 days. As a teacher and the mother of a child who was considered special ed, I was especially interested in reading this novel. I won a copy through the Goodreads FirstReader program. The copy I have is an Early Reader’s uncorrected edition – and is full of grammatical errors. I certainly hope they got those corrected before going to final publication, as they really detract from the story! show less

This is the fourth book in the Rosato & DiNunzio series and it was one of the best. If you enjoy Legal Thrillers, then this is the book for you. Be warned that this book is also very emotional and a bit of a tear-jerker at some points, but a tough book to put down once you start reading it.

Mary DiNunzio has been hired by a grandfather to advocate as well as defend his grandsonPatrick, a 10 year old boy, who is has dyslexia and anxiety issues. They are being sued by a teacher's aide saying that Patrick attacked him with scissors. He has quit his job and is claiming that it was fear. The other part of the case is that Patrick has not received an adequate education and he is in grade five, but can not read. He is being teased and bullied show more by classmates. When Mary gets involved it is determined that Patrick was not only punched in the face by this teacher's aid, but has been sexually abused by him as well. When Edward ends up dead, the case takes an unexpected turn.

While all of this is going on, Mary is getting ready for her upcoming wedding. Anthony is out of town and Mary has trouble getting a hold of him to discuss the situation. Is there trouble in paradise.

Once again there is an outstanding supporting cast of characters. Mary's parents are loving, caring parents who support her no matter what and the three Tony's add humour to the story. Her colleagues have roles in this story with a storyline for John, the newest member of the firm and the only male. A great read and a definite recommendation to those who love legal thrillers as well as family drama and mysteries.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

Mary DiNunzio is getting married in two weeks, but she still has time to get involved in a sad case affecting a young boy with learning disabilities. Edward O’Brien hires Mary to defend his grandson, Patrick, after the child is accused of attacking his teacher’s aide, Steve Robertson. Robertson is being represented by an awful lawyer named Nick Machiavelli, who drives Mary crazy while trying to live up to his ancient namesake's reputation.

Before long, the situation worsens and Mary becomes even more attached to Patrick. Patrick is one of the most endearing characters I've read about all year. He's very vulnerable but is also intelligent despite his learning disabilities. Some of her decisions seemed a bit naive, but if you've read show more other stories featuring this character you already know that is typical. I always enjoy meeting up with Mary's large Italian family, especially the “three Tony's”. They have a great part in this book dealing with the Columbus Day parade.

This is a fast-paced and compelling mystery with plenty of provocative twists and turns. I usually enjoy this author's standalone books more than her legal series, but I thought this was a nice combination of both. The story line was interesting and had some unexpected plot twists that I never saw coming. It can easily be read as a standalone book. show less

Damaged by Lisa Scottoline is a 2016 St. Martin’s Press publication.

This fourth installment in the Rosato and DiNunzio series is a solid legal thriller blended with a powerful and emotional family drama.

Mary DiNunzio is in the midst of pulling together the last minute details of her wedding, when she is approached to handle the case of a middle grade boy named Patrick, who is being sued for assault, when in fact he is a victim.
Patrick’s only family is his aging grandfather, who is bewildered by the entire episode, and worried sick about Patrick, who suffers from anxiety and dyslexia.
Mary is determined to see this case through for Patrick’s sake, but soon finds out her opposing counsel is none other than the notorious Nick show more Machiavelli, which only sweetens the challenge for Mary, until the unexpected happens and Mary’s professional life clashes with her personal life, while Patrick’s fate hangs in the balance.
I love Mary and Anthony’s big Italian family, and how they infuse humor into this emotional story that had me dabbing my eyes a little. Anytime family court is center stage, the frustration leaps off the page, because it is so hard to see children ground up by the convoluted system, where bureaucracy trumps common sense.

My heart ached for Patrick, but Mary refuses to back down and fights for him tooth and nail. In the process, she uncovers more than one motive and could find herself in serious danger.

While this story is rooted in legal hearings, and drama, both personal and professional, there are also a few spine tingling moments of suspense and even a little action.
While the answers in these cases are never easy, I loved how everything worked out in the end and closed the book with a big smile on my face.

Overall, this is a wonderful addition to the series.

4 stars show less

Mary DiNunzio is getting married in two weeks, but she still has time to get involved in a sad case affecting a young boy with learning disabilities. Edward O’Brien hires Mary to defend his grandson, Patrick, after the child is accused of attacking his teacher’s aide, Steve Robertson. Robertson is being represented by an awful lawyer named Nick Machiavelli, who drives Mary crazy while trying to live up to his ancient namesake's reputation.

Before long, the situation worsens and Mary becomes even more attached to Patrick. Patrick is one of the most endearing characters I've read about all year. He's very vulnerable but is also intelligent despite his learning disabilities. Some of her decisions seemed a bit naive, but if you've read show more other stories featuring this character you already know that is typical. I always enjoy meeting up with Mary's large Italian family, especially the “three Tony's”. They have a great part in this book dealing with the Columbus Day parade.

This is a fast-paced and compelling mystery with plenty of provocative twists and turns. I usually enjoy this author's standalone books more than her legal series, but I thought this was a nice combination of both. The story line was interesting and had some unexpected plot twists that I never saw coming. It can easily be read as a standalone book. show less

Mary is kind. That is kind of the problem. I wanted Mary to have some more backbone and be a bulldog, where people were fearful of her but also respected her. It was like that is why people don't recognize your name as a partner in the firm. Yet, Mary was great with Patrick. She advocated for him. He was such a sweet boy that it was hard to imagine that there would be any malice but there was that time with the gun that did have you wonder, if Patrick was guilty; maybe not intentionally.

Additionally, this story felt like it could have been shorted up about a hundred pages. There was this added suspense part to the story that kind of felt like a bit of a throw away like the story could not sustain just the case so this extra layer had show more to be added to the story. I would not be complaining if the intensity had been stronger. It barely registered a three on my radar. Overall, not impressed. Yet, I know this author can write, so hoping the next book is better. show less