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Courting Trouble
by Lisa Scottoline
Appealing characters in a somewhat predictable plot.
In “Courting Trouble,” best selling author Lisa Scottoline gives us another tale centered on the all woman law firm of Rosato and Associates, headed by the tough, but caring Benedetta (Bennie) Rosato. Bennie's latest associate, beautiful, red-headed attorney Anne Murphy, has moved to Philadelphia to start her life over, after having been stalked and almost killed by a man she dated once. As the story opens, Anne is in the middle of defending a college acquaintance on a sexual harassment charge. When a new friend is murdered while cat-sitting in Anne's apartment, everyone thinks it is Anne was the victim. Anne, sure the stalker has escaped from prison and is after her, tries to sort things out. Until the attempt on her life, Anne's associates at the law firm had been cool to her, but now they rally around to protect her. She needs their help as most of the action takes place on a Fourth of July weekend when most of the Philadelphia police are occupied providing security for a city sponsored party and fireworks.
Anne's life is further complicated by a lecherous client; the reappearance of Anne's estranged mother; and the mutual attraction between Anne and Mark – the lawyer for the woman who has brought the harassment charge. The author has populated this novel with colorful cast of auxiliary characters – stolid police detectives; a warm Italian-American family that takes Anne in; and an ethnically varied set of neighbors. We also get a tour of the Philadelphia area that takes us from police headquarters, through various neighborhoods, to gay bars, to a sleazy New Jersey motel, and to the Ben Franklin Parkway for a fireworks display. Comic relief comes in the form of Anne's mania for shoes and her frequent allusions to episodes of the “I Love Lucy” show, the numbers, titles and plots of which Anne has committed to memory. Anne fantasized that Lucy and Desi were her real parents.
“Courting Trouble" is stronger on setting and witty dialog than it is on plot. Readers of mysteries know that things aren't always what they seem, and many will see the final twist coming. There are a couple scenes of gruesome violence—seemingly a requirement these days. Readers should find this novel diverting if predictable.
Title: Courting Trouble
Author: Lisa Scottoline
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060185147
Review written by: William Keogan
Reviewer's Rating:7.5
Reader's Rating: 7.50
Reader's Votes: 2
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