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Satisfyingly working my way through the Rosato and Associates series by Lisa Scottoline with book number nine, Killer Smile. The law firm, Rosato and Associates, is comprised of all women lawyers and administrative staff. Each book in the series focuses on a specific member of the legal team. In this installment, Mary DiNunzio is hired pro bono to represent the estate of Amadeo Brandolini, an Italian immigrant. Amadeo’s son wants to sue for reparations.

Amadeo lived in Philadelphia with his wife and started a small fishing business. At the beginning of World War II, Amadeo was arrested and placed in an Italian-American internment camp in Montana. He then committed suicide. Mary immerses herself into the life of Amadeo while also continuing to process her grief of her beloved husband. Mary family, friends, and coworkers are constantly setting her up on blind dates.

While Killer Smile is definitely a murder mystery story, it also reads like a historical fiction novel. Lisa does a fantastic job bringing the history of Italian-American internment camps to light as readers continue to enjoy the journey of an investigation filled with intrigue, suspense, and murder.

I borrowed the audiobook of Killer Smile from local library with the Hoopla app. Narration by Barbara Rosenblat brought Mary DiNunzio to life and made for an enjoyable listen.

I have photos and additional information that I'm unable to include here. It can all be found on my blog, in the link below.
A Book And A Dog ( )

I really like the main character Mary DiNunzio. She has spunk and isn't afraid of getting what she wants, even it means breaking the law. As she digs deeper into the case, unraveling clues like the layers of an onion, Mary finds herself immersed in a web of violence, murder, and corruption. All while being set up with blind dates from her friends.

A fast-paced story which at one point takes the reader back to the 1940's during World War II. Mary's enthusiasm and sometimes comical approach to seeking clues and fighting off obstacles that are in a way; are truly entertaining. An enjoyable read that I highly recommend. ( )

Lisa Scottoline seems to have one type of main character (no matter what her name) and it's growing a bit tiresome after 3 books. Her law knowing people seem to think it is okay to break the law and/or intrude on active investigations (and there are seldom consequences--though the person is usually in jeopardy at least once).

I liked Mary's dedication to history and finding out what happened--though she never did find out what happened to Amadeo's three boats which is what she set out looking for. (She ended up finding something bigger.)

I don't think it is realistic that her boss (also a lawyer) would let Mary spend so many pro bono hours on a case without her also generating some billable hours. Mary also seems to ignore the clients she does have. One even seems ready to leave the firm which Bennie gets wind of and tries to forestall--but even though she threatens Mary, she doesn't follow through with consequences. ( )

Mary DeNunnzio is hired to try to get reparation for the family of an Italian fisherman imprisoned in a camp during WWII. ( )