FEARED

3 stars out of 5

Half-stars aren't possible at most book review websites, so I'll note that my actual rating is 3.5 stars. For the most part, that's because this, the sixth in the series featuring law firm partners Bennie Rosato and Mary DiNunzio, didn't quite reach the level of others I've read. The plot seemed more than a little contrived, the ending borders on silly and I rather quickly tired of the pregnancy "humor" (especially since Mary, the mom-to-be, most of the time is just seven months along; if she's that huge with two months to go, she must be about to deliver a whale).

All that said, overall it's an enjoyable book that reads quickly. And I do, except for the pregnancy blather, like both the Philadelphia-based law firm partners - as well as the other characters who work there. Everyone gets involved at the start, when the firm is sued for reverse sex discrimination; apparently, three men who'd been interviewed recently didn't get the job, and they claim it's because the owners want to keep it an all-female law firm. That did beg my question, though, that if that's the case, why bother to interview male candidates at all? Along the same line, I don't recall reading who else got interviewed, nor who got the job (if anyone). Inquiring minds would like to have known - and I'd think the answers might have had an impact on the lawsuit outcome.

But I digress. Turns out their only male attorney, John Foxman, interviewed one of the three applicants and let it slip that he felt like a fish out of water - a statement that is central to the plaintiff's case. When pressed, John admits not only to making the statement, but that it's how he really feels - and then says he will resign. If he follows through, though, it could do serious damage to the firm's side of the story (which of course is that no reverse discrimination took place and that any male lawyer worth his salt would be welcome and delighted to work there). Adding fuel to the fire is that the lawyer for the plaintiffs is Nick Machiavelli, who grew up in Mary's family's neighborhood but lost a major case to her and is looking to even the score with a vengeance by putting Rosato & DeNunzio out of business.

Believing, perhaps, that a lawyer who represents him- or herself has a fool for a client, the firm turns to a high-powered but "Zen" kind of attorney, Roger Vitez, to take their case. He's reluctant at first, but firm partner Judy Carrier, herself a bit on the Zen side, convinces him to sign on. He does, but only under the condition that he's allowed to do things his way despite objections from the strong, opinionated female partners. They agree, albeit reluctantly - and promptly go against his counsel by running out and holding what turns out to be a disastrous news conference. Stop right there, I said to myself - if I were their attorney and they pulled a stunt like that, I'd have shown myself to their door and closed it behind me on the spot.

But after more cajoling, Roger agrees to hang in there, and almost immediately, things go south as a prominent character is murdered. Relationship issues point to Judy as the killer - unthinkable to her co-workers, who set out to prove her innocence. Meantime, they try to deal the brother of the dead guy, who lives in a group home and has potentially serious issues of his own, as well as the ongoing saga of Mary's pregnancy. 

Taken as a whole, the book reads to me more like a cozy mystery than a nail-biting thriller; the ending, during which the whodunit and motive are revealed, not only came across as rushed but, given the seriousness of the crime, rather unbelievable (although maybe you have to come from an Italian family to "get" it). Overall, it's really not bad at all despite my protestations - some of the one-liners, even about that pesky pregnancy, are pretty funny. I'm pretty sure longtime Rosato and DiNunzio fans will love it - but it's just not my favorite of the series. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review it.

Feared by Lisa Scottoline (St. Martin's Press, August 2018); 400 pp.