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TJ Devlon is on parole. He is working for his family firm as an investigator. Hard to find a job after serving time and never finishing college.

His family has a well-known law firm in Philadelphia. Both his parents and siblings are lawyers. Easy to feel like a disappointment with so much success surrounding you.

TJ's oldest brother John is the one who will inherit the big cases when his father retires. His sister Gaby handles pro-bono cases. Without any other choices and still on parole, keeping his job with the family business is a priority.

Everything changes when John tells him that he might have killed someone. TJ won't hesitate to help his brother although this will create chaos in his life which can lead to him losing his sobriety and his freedom.

So many things to love about TJ. His struggles felt all too real making me root for him from the very beginning. His sobriety was well portrayed. Adopting Mango, the diabetic cat only increased my liking of him.

I would love to read a sequel following TJ and another case. I'm crossing my fingers 🤞🏼.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by G.P. Putnam's Sons via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first experience with this author's work, and I found it thoroughly entertaining. I'll definitely be exploring more of her books. Her writing style is immersive and descriptive without being bogged down by excessive details. The fast-paced narrative and short chapters made it easy to follow and hard to put down—I finished the book in just a few days. I became deeply invested in the family, especially the main character, TJ.

I adored TJ as our male protagonist. As the black sheep of the family, he's treated accordingly, bearing the weight of a dark past filled with poor choices. Despite this, he has taken full responsibility for his mistakes and paid his dues, both literally and figuratively. Now an ex-con, TJ works at his family’s law firm as the "unofficial investigator," being the only non-lawyer in the family. He also battles alcoholism, striving to stay sober. I admired how he owned up to his past and acknowledged his struggles. It was heartbreaking at times to see how others, especially some family members, treated him. TJ's wit, charm, and authenticity made him an incredibly likable character.

I appreciated how the story featured a compelling main plot alongside an intriguing subplot. In the primary narrative, TJ's brother frantically pulls him aside, fearing he accidentally killed one of their clients—an accountant he had confronted with proof of embezzlement. This sets off a thrilling journey to unravel the mystery.

Meanwhile, TJ’s sister Gabby seeks his help in bringing justice for her dying plaintiffs—prisoners who were experimented on by a large pharmaceutical company decades ago. These heartbreaking stories are based on real-life events. Don’t miss the author’s note at the end, where she explains her research and findings.

This was my first venture into a legal drama/mystery, and I was initially hesitant due to my dislike for tedious courtroom scenes and excessive legal jargon. However, I found it engaging, compelling, and gripping. I became deeply attached to the family, finding their personal stories as captivating as their cases. The legal cases were interesting too, and thankfully, there weren't any overly detailed courtroom scenes. The legal language was straightforward and easy to follow, thanks to the author's legal background and expertise.

While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I did find that the middle dragged a bit. The beginning pulled me into the story, and the end featured thrilling action sequences that left my heart racing. Despite the slower middle, the book overall was a great read. It had some fantastic twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

The Truth About the Devlins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Lisa Scottoline

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Penguin Group and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: TJ Devlin is the charming disappointment in the prominent Devlin family, all of whom are lawyers at their highly successful firm—except him. After a stint in prison and rehab for alcoholism, TJ can’t get hired anywhere except at the firm, in a make-work job with the title of investigator.

But one night, TJ’s world turns upside down after his older brother John confesses that he murdered one of their clients, an accountant he’d confronted with proof of embezzlement. It seems impossible coming from John, the firstborn son and Most Valuable Devlin.

TJ plunges into the investigation, seizing the chance to prove his worth and save his brother. But in no time, TJ and John find themselves entangled in a lethal web of deception and murder. TJ will fight to save his family, but what he learns might break them first.

My Thoughts: I am a fan of Scottoline’s masterful storytelling ability and this one did not disappoint! TJ is a disappointment to his family, he is the only one that is not a lawyer for his family’s successful and powerful firm. TJ has struggled with alcohol, been to prison for a stint, and to rehab. Due to TJ’s record, he cannot get a job anywhere but the family business, as an investigator. Then one night, John, TJ’s brother, confesses that he murdered a client when he confronted the client about embezzlement suspicion. This seems like TJ’s golden ticket to redeem himself. He immediately starts to investigate, when going down the rabbit’s hole, a lot more deception, betrayal, and secrets is uncovered. Will this break the family, or will it save the family and their business? This follows the tropes of legal thriller, and has short chapters.

The story is primarily narrated by TJ, in his first-person POV. TJ is a recovering alcoholic, independent, and wants to get back into his family good graces. His brother John is the star of the firm with the amount of business he brings in and can do no wrong, well that is until he needed TJ’s help to cover up an “accidental” murder. The characters were well developed, fleshed out, mysterious, secretive, and creatively curated. I really connected with TJ’s character, he felt authentic and real. The author’s writing style was complex, twisty, suspenseful, tense, and just brilliant! TJ gets entrusted into a dangerous cat and mouse game with a complicated web of family secrets while trying to investigate the murder for his brother. The mystery gets complicated by dark secrets, family betrayal, and not knowing who to trust. The author does an amazing job at building up the characters and their backstories. Then we get the plot developed into twisty layers, like an onion being pulled back. Finally the ending is spectacular, and maybe leaves a thread opening for a sequel. TJ deserves a sequel. 🥰

TW: Alcoholism. I fell in love with Scottoline when I read “What Happened to the Bennetts,” still one of my favorite thrillers. This was a compelling, twisty, captivating domestic thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. It is a story about a dysfunctional family, secrets, justice, and what we wouldn’t do for the ones we love. This was another knocked out of the park for Scottoline. I highly recommend picking up today!!

What is true? What is not? The Devlin family (and the family law firm) are full of secrets. This is normally a format that I enjoy, but I felt this one was a “slow burn” that struggled to keep my interest.

I’m a big fan of Lisa Scottoline, and was super excited to read this one. It was a great family drama that was easy to read and had me glued to it from the beginning.

A great legal thriller with family drama, deception, trust and recovery all a part of it.

The Devlins are a powerful family with a reputation to uphold. When there is trouble, who is to blame, who is safe, and who is the target? That is all I can say without giving some away. Through this we continue to see the weaving of the recovery of one of the Devlins, the trouble of another, the power and loyalty of another.

I thought the weaving was done well. It was a quick story so just enough character development to have a favorite character.

I will definitely recommend this one!

The Truth about the Devlins was an enjoyable story! I was pulled in from the get-go and held on through the epilogue loving every minute of it!! Lisa Scottoline knows how to keep her readers interested. This was a great read!!

whether you could stop justice with a bullet (356)

We’re all human and we all make mistakes. (363)

I just had to have faith, and work for justice.
I couldn’t wait to start. (370)

Thank you to Lisa Scottoline, NetGalley, and Penguin Books Putnam for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

@lisascottoline 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
@penguinbooks
@netgalley

The Devlins are a very well known Firm of prominent lawyers. Their son TJ is the only child that’s isn’t a lawyer. He is an alcoholic that spent time in prison and the disappointment of the Devlin family. He can’t find work except for at the Firm. His brother Jon, (first born son) confesses he killed one of their clients. TJ decides to investigate to prove his brother is innocent and his own worth.

TJ was my favorite character. The progression of his character was excellent! I’m so happy he kept Mango. Mango helped him become a better person. I have read other books by Lisa. This one tops the list for sure! I recently purchased What Happened To The Bennetts, and look forward to reading it soon!! She sets the tone for so many unexpected surprises and twists. A few parts of the book were slower but for good reason. It all came together so well! The drama, lies, secrets, family betrayal had me wanting more! Go read this book!

#read #books #booklover #tbr #mystery #thriller #domesticthriller #booknerds #bookaddict #netgalley #lisascottoline #fivestarreads #suspensereaders #readmore #booksarelife #thetruthaboutthedevlins

This was a good family drama that took place within a family law firm. TJ a recovering alcoholic is called on to help his successful older brother , who is an attorney for the family firm one night. It seems his brother has gotten himself into some trouble. TJ is a investigator for the family business and finds himself deeply involved in a mess. The storyline was good but I found that at times it tended to drag and I kept waiting for the climax and surprise. But the surprise wasn't all that surprising and it took me a month to get through this book which is double the amount of time it usually takes me to read one. I saw Lisa Scottoline at an author signing recently, as she is truly a dynamic person and was so interesting to listen to. I am giving this one 3.5 stars just because of that.

Great book. Nice family drama. Easy read, would read another title by this author. Quick read, loved TJ. Rooted for him the whole book.

Scottoline is one of my favorite authors so I knew I would love this.
Boy oh boy I was not disappointed. This book is an addictive family drama and oh so delicious to read. It does get a bit slow during the middle but by the end it was a slam dunk read.
Loved it!

This did not feel like her writing style at all. It's very long and drawn out and took forever to gain any momentum. I couldn't connect with the characters and it took me almost a month to finish. Normally, I devour her books. Hoping the next one is another fave.
2,5 stars

This book started off strong! I loved the T.J's side story as a recovering alcoholic and was hooked by the beginning crime that involved TJ's brother. By the end however, I felt it lost steam. The turn the story took was surprising, but also a little confusing. The ending really dragged for me. If you are a big fan of crime thrillers (heavy on law logistics) I would recommend!

Its hard to know who to trust in the Devlin family. The central character of the story, TJ, is an ex-con and an alcoholic. He is working for his family's law practice as an investigator, but we get the sense that he is just marking time, and hasn't found a purpose in his largely aimless life.

TJ's siblings are hard-working, successful lawyers, like their parents. When his older brother, John, lands TJ in the middle of an apparent crime, then lies about his involvement, it seems to light a fire under TJ, and he begins to work seriously at the job he is paid to do.

Except for TJ, the family members were largely unlikeable for most of the story. As the climax of the story was reached, they became more fleshed out and relatable.

This is a solid page-turner with an entertaining storyline.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

TJ Devlin is the screwup in a family of successful lawyers. He gets the chance to be the hero when his brother John comes to him for help with a case. However, as TJ starts to investigate, he realizes there might be larger things at play.

I thought the first half of this book was a little slow, but it did pick up after the first half. I think part of it was that for a long time, most of TJ’s family just sucked. I do think too the resolution of the initial death was a little underwhelming/felt like a bit of a deus ex machina. Less of a suspense, and more of a family drama with some intrigue thrown in.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lisa Scottoline does it again! Not surprising. She can do no wrong! The Devlins are just like every other family, that is until you know The Truth about the Devlins.

This book was good but not great. The author is coming to our library this fall and I would Recommend anyone coming to the event to read this book. It was worth the read and can't wait to hear what the author has to say about it.

Another page turner by Lisa Scottoline! Ms. Scottoline does such an amazing job of developing some twisted families and taking the reader on a ride through their world. This story kept me guessing and I really enjoyed the main character. This author is always an automatic read for me and this book just proves why my choice is the right one! Definitely a book I will recommend to others! #TheTruthabouttheDevlins #NetGalley

Lisa Scottoline always will draw the reader in with her amazing construction of characters and the realistic approach to a family with dysfunctional tendencies. If you like to read about an "underdog" with in a family persevere, this is the read for you.

“At first I thought I heard him wrong.”

This one came out in March and took me longer to read than I would have liked. Most of the characters are unlikeable but I wanted to know how it would all turn out. If you like family drama this one is for you!