Lisa Scottoline
|
I. Biography Lisa Scottoline graduated (magma cum laude) from The University of Pennsylvania, and got her Bachelor's degree in English. She decided that she would go to law
school, and finished cum laude at University of Pennsylvania Law School, in 1981. Afterwards, she decided to take a job clerking for a state appellate judge in Pennsylvania. Soon after, Scottoline practiced
litigation at the law firm of Dechert, Price, & Rhoads in the downtown area. She quickly left her job, when her daughter was born, and she and her husband divorced.
After her divorce, Scottoline decided that it was time to start writing. She could only write when her child was asleep, and in her spare time. It took her three years, until she finished
and sold her first manuscript to Harper Collins, in 1996. It was nominated for the Edgar Award that year. The award escaped her grasp, that year, but she soon wrote another, Final Appeal
, that won the following year. Her books are all New York Times best sellers, and she continues to write new books every year. Her goal now, is about one book a year.
So far, her books have been translated into 20 languages, and are used to illustrate some topics in law schools around the country. Added to that, she also gives lectures to universities and law firms throughout the world.
Lisa Scottoline thinks that writing about Philadelphia, and those locations surrounding the area, make it more realistic to her readers. She also writes from her experience and is always
thanking her local "help" for the assistance that they provided for her. II. Literary Works Everywhere That Mary Went: Mary DiNunzio has been slaving away for the past eight
years trying to make partner in her Philadelphia law firm. She's too busy to worry about the crank phone calls she's been getting - until they fall into a sinister pattern. The telephone
rings as soon as she gets to work, then as soon as she gets home. Mary can't shake the sensation that someone is watching her, following her every move. The shadowboxing
turns deadly when her worst fears are realized, and she has to fight for something a lot more important than partnership, her Life. Review- As a person, who enjoys reading a fast paced and well-written book, I can say,
that this book, is certainly one of the best law thrillers I have ever read. The characters are real, and seem to be too real as this book goes on. It should be finished in one or two
days. That's how good this book is. No matter how many times you read this, it's to be read again, and again Rough Justice: Criminal lawyer Marta Richter is hours away from winning an acquittal for
her client, millionaire Elliot Steere, on trial for the murder of a homeless man who had tried to carjack him. However, as the jury begins deliberations, Marta discovers the chilling
truth about her client's innocence. Taking justice into her own hands, she furiously sets out to prove the truth, with the help of two young associates. In an excruciating game of
beat-the-clock with both the jury and the worst blizzard to hit Philadelphia in decades, Marta will learn that the search for justice isn't only rough. It can also be deadly.
Review: A lawyer who thinks of their client's guilt? Ha. Who would have thought it? However, this is one of her harder books to read, but is surprising, and well thought through. Legal Tender
: Bendetta "Bennie" Rosato is a maverick lawyer who prosecutes police misconduct and excessive-force cases, and business at her firm of Rosato & and Biscardi
has never been better. Then, without warning, a savage murder tears the firm apart. All evidence points to Bennie, who has motive aplenty and an unconfirmable alibi. Her world
turns upside-down as the lawyer becomes the client and the cops she once prosecuted are now after her with a vengeance. To prove her innocence, Bennie probes deep into the
murder. Then another killing takes place. Running for her life, Bennie is a fugitive armed only with her wits and courage. She will find the real killer or die trying.
Review: The tables are turned in this one. Using her ability to create a character with such depth she pulls the reader into the story and makes them feel like they are on the ride of
their life. "The Fugitive"? Move over. Make room for this classic. This in my opinion is the best book, she has
written. A must read, and a must savor book. One night reading. Since once you start, you won't stop till the end. Running From The Law
: Whether it's poker or trial law, wisecracking Rita Morrone plays to win. Taking on the defense of the Honorable Fiske Hamilton, a prominent federal judge
accused of sexual harassment, she's more determined than ever. After all, the judge just happens to be her lover's father. However, all bets are off when the case turns deadly, and
Rita finds herself at the center of a murder. Never one to bluff, she probes deep into the crime, uncovering a secret life and suspects in shocking places. To end this killer's game,
Rita knows she has to lay it all on the line for the highest stakes ever. Review: Lisa is up for a bluff in this one. It looks simple enough, but when you read it,
simplicity goes flying out the window. Again, her characters are the focal point, and as always, you feel like you are at the law firm. Watch out world. This one will be in the classics section as well. Mistaken Identity: Nothing can prepare criminal attorney Bennie Rosato for her new client, Alice Connolly, accused of murdering her lover, a highly decorated police detective.
Connolly, who bears an uncanny physical resemblance to Bennie, tells the astonished lawyer, "Pleased to meet you. I'm your twin." But Bennie grew up an only child. She
doesn't have a twin, or does she? Bennie takes the case and plunges into the mystery of the murder, as well as the secrets of her own identity. Not until the verdict is in will she finally learn the truth.
Review: Her return with Bennie Rosato, is a bang, with more plot development than any of her other books. Don't ever want to go to North Philadelphia? Well, read this book. It will
take you as close as you might want to go. That might even be too far too fast. This book. in my opinion, would be the best candidate to be made into a movie. Action just jumps out
of the woodwork….a great and lively read. Final Appeal: Do our judges do us justice? To Philadelphia lawyer Grace Rossi, who's
starting over after a divorce, a part time job with a federal appeals court sounds perfect. But Grace doesn't count on being assigned to an explosive death penalty appeal; nor does
she expect ardor in the court, in the form of an affair with her boss, Chief Judge Armen Gregorian. Then the truly unimaginable happens and Grace finds herself investigating a
murder. Unearthing a six-figure bank account kept by a judge with an alias and breaking into another judge's chambers and a secret apartment. Following a trail of bribery and
judicial corruption that's stumped even the FBI. In no time at all, Grace under fire takes on a whole new meaning. Review: As surprising as they come. If you suspect one person, be ready to be swayed at
any moment. Maybe it's too obvious, maybe not. Two things are for sure, This is certainly deserving of the Edgar Award, and this is a book, that is essential to any mystery
collection. Out of all her books, this one touches most where many arguments are about, the death penalty. What a Read! III. Contact Lisa Scottoline
http://www.harpercollins.com
Lisa Scottoline c/o IV. Sources Everywhere That Mary Went (New York, Harper Collins Publishers, 1993) Lisa Scottoline on the Web. Harper Collins Publishers. March 1 1998
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022-5299
Final Appeal (New York, Harper Collins Publishers, 1994)
Legal Tender (New York, Harper Collins Publishers, 1996)
Mistaken Identity (New York, Harper Collins Publishers, 1999)
Rough Justice (New York, Harper Collins Publishers, 1997)
Running From The Law (New York, Harper Collins Publishers, 1996)
HarperCollins.com, Harper Collins Publishers.
http://www.harpercollins.com
This essay was submitted by a student of Cheryl Petersohn, a teacher at Harriton High School in Rosemont, Pennsylvania.