The Truth about the Devlins - by Lisa Scottoline

Book 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 might have murdered one of the 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.

Review Quotes

"[A]n absolutely gripping page-turner, equal parts legal thriller and domestic drama as a family of lawyers strives to hold it together in the face of lies and violence . . . The Truth About The Devlins is an excellent look at dysfunctional family dynamics, and what it takes to overcome them in order to heal. . . . Poignant and smart, this novel deals sensitively with both legal and family history, as well as with what it means to take sobriety seriously. Wry, reflective TJ is so easy to root for as he confronts hard truths about both himself and his family. With plenty of humor and a touch of romance to perfectly counterbalance the dramatic tension, this book had me hooked until the very last page." --Criminal Element

"A solid legal thriller and an intense family drama . . . The novel precisely examines family dynamics, showing how hierarchies can shift through the years. Scottoline has a talent for shaping realistic characters that keeps the Devlins' saga intriguing." --Shelf Awareness

"A multi-layered and well plotted story that takes narrative twists and turns . . . An emotionally stirring and powerful story about justice, repercussions, redemption, and the strength of family bonds." --Fresh Fiction

"The Truth About the Devlins is a twist-filled tale that never lets up or lets us down. Just when you think you've figured things out, Scottoline tosses yet another wrench into the works, spinning things in an altogether different direction. Her latest is like a masterclass on how a story should be told and what great storytelling looks like." --BookTrib

"Family dysfunction and life-threatening circumstances are the least of the variety of twists and turns with which Scottoline peppers this labyrinthine plot. . . . The Truth About the Devlins is a romp with exacting amounts of soul and sabotage, surprise and success, that even the most jaded mystery reader will find it to be a jolt to his or her system." --Bookreporter

"[Scottoline] plunges right into a story and piles the twists on along the way . . . [and] gives us a conclusion that is not only surprising but much more satisfying." --St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"[In] The Truth About the Devlins, Lisa Scottoline introduces a dysfunctional family that really puts the "fun" in "dysfunctional . . . Scottoline explores those deliciously screwed-up family dynamics with gusto . . . Part family drama, part legal thriller, Scottoline proves once again why she's a master of the genre. You'll burn through this book in no time flat." --Mystery Scene

"Lisa Scottoline, always a sure bet to keep readers on the edge of their seats, skillfully combines fascinating elements of family drama, suspense, and crime in her latest expertly crafted thriller... Still at the very top of her game, Scottoline delivers another compelling thriller with The Truth About the Devlins, an irresistible story that dares to explore the fragility of familial ties, the quest for redemption, and the consequences of buried secrets." --The Real Book Spy

"The tense mystery plays out as a catalyst for redemption and family healing--Scottoline's heart-warming specialty. . . . A new family thriller by best-selling Scottoline is automatically a must-have." --Booklist

"A ripping blend of legal and family drama." --Publishers Weekly

"What do you get when you combine family dysfunction plus deep, dark secrets plus legal drama? A thoroughly engrossing thriller that will keep you riveted till the very end. Scottoline knocks this one out of the park!" --Lisa Gardner

Praise for Lisa Scottoline

"Scottoline is a powerhouse." --David Baldacci

"Scottoline writes riveting thrillers that keep me up all night, with plots that twist
and turn." --Harlan Coben

"Scottoline is one of the very best writers today." --Michael Connelly

"Scottoline just keeps ratcheting up the pressure in what may be her most emotionally intense nail-biter to date." --People

"An absorbing, cinematic read with heart." --The Washington Post

"Twisty, propulsive, and exhilarating . . . Left me dazzled and breathless." --Megan Abbott

"An emotion-packed thriller that stabs at the core of family, betrayal, and justice. Scottoline drives the plot at breakneck speed and keeps readers turning the pages." --Robert Dugoni

"Scottoline is at the top of her already masterful game. . . . Compulsively readable, seamlessly delivering one blazing twist after another with relentless pacing." --Alafair Burke

"Scottoline knows how to keep readers in her grip." --The New York Times Book Review

"Scottoline is a star." --Time

About the Author