Lady Killer

A young lawyer searches for her missing rival from high school and finds more than she bargained for, in the latest high-octane thriller from New York Times bestselling author

She’s bright, witty, and dynamically attractive. So why can’t Mary DiNunzio still get a date? While her love life is frozen, her career is heating up. She’s become quite a rainmaker at her law firm, attracting new clients from her loyal South Philly fan base. But of all the friends-from-down-the-block, second cousins, and ersatz uncles who come for help, that last person she expects to see is Trish Gambini, a super-foxy hair colorist—and Mary’s high school rival.

Back then, while Mary was becoming a straight-A president of the Latin Club and all around Most Likely to Achieve Sainthood, head Mean Girl/Slut Trish flunked religion and was one of the most popular girls in the class. But the once fearless teenager has become a woman terrified of her live-in boyfriend, Bobby Mancuso, an abusive, gun-toting drug dealer for the mob. Mary remembers Bobby very well. He was her first high school crush . . . and more.

Even though she’s is sympathetic to Trish’s plight, there’s really nothing Mary or the law can do. Right now this Italian girl has far too much on her plate to worry about Trish. She’s caught in the middle of a legal rumble between her father’s Dean Martin Fan Club and the Frank Sinatra Social Society. Dino’s fans are tired of the King of Cool being one-upped by Francis Albert, and they’re want to sue for emotional distress.

But that’s just the beginning of trouble for Mary. Trish suddenly vanishes, and then Bobby Mancuso. Until Bobby is found—dead. To prevent a riot and save her reputation among neighbors and family, the South Philly girl must find Trish and solve a murder. And she’ll do it her way, though maybe with a little help from Dean and Frank.

Mary DiNunzio has become a big-time business-getter at Rosato & Associates. But the last person she expects to walk into her office one morning—in mile-high stilettos—is super-sexy Trish Gambone, her high-school rival. Back when Mary was becoming the straight-A president of the Latin Club and Most Likely to Achieve Sainthood, Trish was the head Mean Girl, who flunked religion and excelled at smoking in the bathroom.

These days, however, Trish needs help. She is terrified of her live-in boyfriend, an abusive, gun-toting drug dealer for the South Philly mob. Mary remembers the guy from high school, too. She had a major crush on him.

Then Trish vanishes, a dead body turns up in an alley, and Mary is plunged into a nightmare that threatens her job, her family, and even her life. She goes on a one-woman crusade to unmask the killer, and on the way finds new love in a very unexpected place.

“Scottoline fans will cheer.” - Publishers Weekly

“A perfect blend of suspense and personal drama. . . . Scottoline doesn’t stint on suspense and excitement, but she once again makes us care as much about her people as we do about the solution to the mystery.” - Connecticut Post

“[Scottoline delivers] punchy, wisecracking thrillers.” - Janet Maslin, New York Times

“Scottoline brings her characters to vivid life, the two strands of her plot mesh seamlessly, and her sharp sense of humor makes an appearance on almost every page…Lady Killer ends up being funny and stylish.” - Washington Post Book World

"Scottoline rocks!" - Nora Roberts