The Barnes & Noble Review
The unlikely heroine of this Lisa Scottoline thriller (which follows 2006's Dirty Blonde), mousy University of Pennsylvania assistant law professor Natalie "Nat" Greco, finds herself in way over her head when an unintended visit to a minimum-security prison in nearby Chester County puts her in the middle of a deadly uprising -- and places her at the center of an elaborate plot that involves an incarcerated crime boss and more than a few improbable conspirators.
Greco's classes at Penn Law -- the History of Justice, for example -- aren't nearly as well attended as those taught by charismatic and handsome prof Angus Holt. Greco herself is far from immune to Holt's charm, so when he asks her to accompany him to Chester County Correctional Institution to lecture to inmates involved in an externship program, she quickly agrees. But the professors' visit soon turns deadly; a riot erupts, and amid the chaos Greco finds herself alone with a dying correctional officer who has been stabbed through the heart with a metal shank. His last words are a cryptic message to his wife: "It's under the floor." Soon thereafter, Greco is inexplicably set up for the murder of a state trooper and is forced to become a fugitive from justice while she tries to unravel the mystery of the dying man's words…
While not as sexually supercharged or frenetically paced as Dirty Blonde, Daddy's Girl derives its power from the subtle and compelling coming-of-age of protagonist Greco, a sheltered and socially naïve woman who, when faced with the ultimate adversity, discovers herself. Paul Goat Allen
Daddy's Girl
Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat
Lisa ScottolineUnabridged — 9 hours, 49 minutes
Daddy's Girl
Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat
Lisa ScottolineUnabridged — 9 hours, 49 minutes
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Overview
Natalie Greco loves being a law professor, even though she secretly feels like Faculty Comic Relief. She loves her family, too, but as a bookworm, doesn't quite fit into the cult of Greco football, headed by her father, the team captain. The one person whom she feels most connected to is her colleague Angus Holt, a guy with a brilliant mind, gorgeous façade, and a penchant for helping those less fortunate. When he talks Nat into teaching a class at a local prison, her world turns upside down.
A violent prison riot breaks out during the class, and in the chaos, Nat rushes to help a grievously injured guard. Before he dies, he asks her to deliver a cryptic message: ""Tell my wife it's under the floor.""
Plunged into a nightmare, Nat suddenly finds herself suspected of a brutal murder and encounters threats to her life. Now, not only are the cops after her, but ruthless killers are desperate to keep her from exposing their secret. In the meantime, she gets dangerously close to Angus, shaking her dedication to her safe boyfriend.
With her love life in jeopardy, her career in the balance, and her life on the line, Nat must rely on her resources, her intelligence, and her courage. Forced into hiding to stay alive, she sets out to save herself by deciphering the puzzle behind the dead guard's last words...and learns the secret behind the greatest puzzle of all-herself.
Filled with the ingenious twists, pulse-pounding narrative drive, and dynamic, flesh-and-blood characters, Daddy's Girl is another wild, entertaining ride from the addictively readable Lisa Scottoline.
Editorial Reviews
… [anyone] who needs a good laugh, should scuttle over to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of Scottoline's latest, Daddy's Girl.
— The Washington Post
The undistinguished academic career of Natalie "Nat" Greco, a mousy and naOve law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, takes an unexpected turn at the start of this less than compelling legal thriller from bestseller Scottoline (Dirty Blonde). When an attractive male colleague, Angus Holt, convinces Nat to accompany him on a teaching assignment at a nearby prison, a sudden riot puts them both in peril. Nat finds herself desperately attempting to save the life of a guard, apparently stabbed by an inmate during the fracas. The dying man asks her to pass on his last words to his wife, but possessing knowledge of this cryptic message proves dangerous. Nat finds herself accused of murder and must evade the law while also tracking down the bad guys. Her methods more often resemble that of Nancy Drew than an Ivy League professor, and the plot suffers by comparison with Peter Abrahams's gritty End of Story (2006), which makes better use of a similar theme. 11-city author tour. (Mar.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Edgar Award-winning author Scottoline's new legal thriller features Natalie (Nat) Greco, a University of Pennsylvania law professor with a knack for history and storytelling and a firm belief in justice. It is this commitment that compels Nat to accompany a colleague to a prison-held legal aid clinic. When a riot breaks out, Nat becomes the witness to a dying man's last words, which causes her life to spiral rapidly out of control. In a quick succession of events, Nat stands accused of murder and finds herself living as a fugitive. Unfortunately, Daddy's Girl is not as compelling as previous Scottoline novels, but the writing remains fast paced and full of appropriately placed humor. And, fortunately, reader Barbara Rosenblat again gives an amazing performance of the author's work, conveying a distinct personality and voice for each character. The audio production flows well and is of good quality. Recommended, but not an essential purchase; particularly suited for public libraries with general fiction and/or mystery collections and for those that include previous Scottoline titles.
—Nicole A. Cooke
Still another untested female member of the Philadelphia bar undergoes baptism by fire when a routine prison visit erupts in violent death. Unsure of her skills and status as an assistant professor at Penn Law, Natalie Greco reluctantly accepts her scruffy, charismatic colleague Angus Holt's invitation to join him at the legal clinic he runs at Chester County Correctional Facility. Their visit to the minimum-security prison goes fine until a riot breaks out. Amid the call to lockdown, three inmates are killed. So is correctional officer Ron Saunders, who dies as Nat is struggling to administer CPR. She's too late to save his life, but not too late to hear the last words he's desperate to pass on to his wife Barbara: "It's . . . under the floor." Contemplating her boyfriend Hank Ballisteri's likely reaction to the cuts and bruises she got when she was attacked during the melee, Nat is glum. But the worst is still ahead. First, Barbara Saunders disclaims any knowledge of what might be under the floor; then her house is burgled; finally, minutes after Nat leaves her, she's shot and left for dead, with another murder right around the corner, just waiting to be pinned on Nat. Seasoned fans will eagerly anticipate the obligatory developments that follow. Nat and her lawyer talk the police into letting her go; new evidence makes her look guiltier than ever; and, in the tale's most absorbing pages, she takes it seriously on the lam, showing all the resourcefulness of Scottoline's other Philadelphia lawyers (Dirty Blonde, 2006, etc.) in disguising herself, boosting a new set of wheels and evading pursuit en route to a clever and well-prepared surprise. On the down side, Nat's relation to hermale-dominated construction family, despite the emphasis promised by the title, is less compelling than usual, and the lead criminal is easily spotted by readers less starry-eyed than Nat.
“Breathless thriller…if a good rollercoaster is what you want, step up and have your ticket punched.” — People
“In the tale’s most absorbing pages, [the main character] takes it on the lam, showing all the resourcefulness of Scottoline’s other Philadelphia lawyers in disguising herself, boosting a new set of wheels and evading pursuit en route to a clever and well-prepared surprise.” — Kirkus Reviews
“This one finds the author in good form, combining suspense and character-building effectively.” — Booklist
“A nonstop joyride all the way to the finish.” — Library Journal
“Fast pacing, crisp dialogue, taut storyline, a bit of illicit romance—Daddy’s Girl is Scottoline in top form all the way.” — BookPage
“Chick lit for the Sue Grafton set.” — Entertainment Weekly
“Scottoline’s heroines are well-rounded women who aren’t special just because of their profession....[Scottoline] delivers this particular ordering of chaos with page-turning success.” — Philadelphia Inquirer
“First fashion-savvy law prof Natalie Greco gets locked inside a prison during a riot, then she’s framed for murder. Scottoline’s 14th features so many plot twists the pages seem to turn themselves.” — People
“Anyone...who needs a good laugh should scuttle over to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of Scottoline’s latest, Daddy’s Girl.” — Washington Post
“Lisa Scottoline is a master chef, and suspense and the law are her favorite ingredients. Daddy’s Girl is the perfect mix, with a dash of romance added for flavor.” — Cosmopolitan
Anyone...who needs a good laugh should scuttle over to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of Scottoline’s latest, Daddy’s Girl.
This one finds the author in good form, combining suspense and character-building effectively.
Chick lit for the Sue Grafton set.
Scottoline’s heroines are well-rounded women who aren’t special just because of their profession....[Scottoline] delivers this particular ordering of chaos with page-turning success.
Fast pacing, crisp dialogue, taut storyline, a bit of illicit romance—Daddy’s Girl is Scottoline in top form all the way.
Breathless thriller…if a good rollercoaster is what you want, step up and have your ticket punched.
Lisa Scottoline is a master chef, and suspense and the law are her favorite ingredients. Daddy’s Girl is the perfect mix, with a dash of romance added for flavor.
Anyone...who needs a good laugh should scuttle over to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of Scottoline’s latest, Daddy’s Girl.
Lisa Scottoline is a master chef, and suspense and the law are her favorite ingredients. Daddy’s Girl is the perfect mix, with a dash of romance added for flavor.
This one finds the author in good form, combining suspense and character-building effectively.
Natalie Greco, a law professor, is teaching a class at a local prison when a riot breaks out. Trying to rescue a dying guard, she’s witness to his last words: “Tell my wife it’s under the floor.” Suddenly she’s suspected of murder, chased by cops and killers, not to mention a colleague with romance in mind. Barbara Rosenblat is a perfect match for Scottoline’s dramatic story. Scottoline writes with breakneck speed, and Rosenblat reads breathlessly. Scottoline injects humor, and Rosenblat inserts wry tones to relieve the intensity. Scottoline’s characters are fully dimensional; Rosenblat breathes life into them. The author’s cast is large; Rosenblat invents a huge range of voices to enliven the exciting story. S.W. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940170383139 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Publishers |
| Publication date: | 03/13/2007 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
Read an Excerpt
Chapter One
Nat Greco felt like an A cup in a double-D bra. She couldn't understand why her tiny class was held in such a huge lecture hall, unless it was a cruel joke of the registrar's. The sun burned through the windows like a failure spotlight, illuminating two hundred empty seats. This class filled only nine of them, and last week the flu and job interviews had left Nat with one very uncomfortable male student. The History of Justice wasn't only a bad course. It was a bad date.
"Justice and the law," she pressed on, "are themes that run through William Shakespeare's plays, because they were central to his life. When he was growing up, his father, John, held a number of legal positions, serving as a chamberlain, bailiff, and chief alderman."
As she spoke, the law students typed on their black laptops, but she suspected they were checking their email, instant-messaging their friends, or cruising the Internet. The classrooms at Penn Law were wireless, but not all technology was progress. Teachers didn't stand a chance against sex.com.
"When the playwright turned thirteen, his father fell on hard times. He sold his wife's property and began lending money. He was hauled into court twice for being usurious, or charging too much interest. Shakespeare poured his empathy for moneylenders into Shylock, in The Merchant of Venice. It's one of his most complex characters, and the play gives us a historical perspective on justice."
Nat stepped away from the lectern to draw the students' attention, but no luck. They were all in their third year, and 3Ls had one foot out the door. Still, as much as she loved teaching, she was beginning to think she wasn'tvery good at it. Could she really suck at her passion? Women's magazines never admitted this as a possibility.
"Let's turn to the scene in which Antonio asks Shylock to lend him money," she continued. "They agree that if Antonio can't pay it back, the penalty is a pound of his flesh. By the way, future lawyers, is that a valid contract under modern law?"
Only one student raised her hand, and, as usual, it was Melanie Anderson, whose suburban coif and high-waisted Mom jeans stood out in this clutch of scruffy twentysomethings. Anderson was a forty-year-old who had decided to become a lawyer after a career as a pediatric oncology nurse. She loved this class, but only because it was better than watching babies die.
"Yes, Ms. Anderson? Contract or no?" Nat smiled at her in gratitude. All teachers needed a pet, even lousy teachers. Especially lousy teachers.
"No, it's not a contract."
Good girl . . . er, woman. "Why not? There's offer and acceptance, and the money supports the bargain."
"The contract would be against public policy." Anderson spoke with quiet authority, and her French-manicured fingertips rested on an open copy of the play, its sentences striped like a highlighter rainbow. "Antonio essentially consents to being murdered, but murder is a crime. Contracts that are illegal are not enforceable."
Right. "Anybody agree or disagree with Ms. Anderson?"
Nobody stopped typing emoticons to answer, and Nat began second-guessing herself, wondering if the assignment had been too literary for these students. Their undergraduate majors were finance, accounting, and political science. Evidently, humans had lost interest in the humanities.
"Let's ask some different questions." She switched tacks. "Isn't the hate that drives Shylock the result of the discrimination he's suffered? Do you see the difference between law and justice in the play? Doesn't the law lead to injustice, first in permitting enforcement of the contract, then in bringing Shylock to his knees? Can there be true justice in a world without equality?" She paused for an answer that didn't come. "Okay, everyone, stop typing right now and look at me."
The students lifted their heads, their vision coming slowly into focus as their brains left cyberspace and reentered Earth's atmosphere. Their fingers remained poised over their keyboards like spiders about to pounce.
"Okay, I'll call on ¬people." Nat turned to Wendy Chu in the front row, who'd earned a Harvard degree with honors in Working Too Hard. Chu had a lovely face and glossy hair that covered her shoulders. "Ms. Chu, what do you think? Is Shylock a victim, a victimizer, or both?"
"I'm sorry, Professor Greco. I didn't read the play."
"You didn't?" Nat asked, stung. "But you always do the reading."
"I was working all night on law review." Chu swallowed visibly. "I had to cite-check an article by Professor Monterosso, and it went to press this morning."
Rats. "Well, you know the rules. If you don't do the reading, I have to take you down half a grade." Nat hated being a hardass, but she'd been too easy her first year of teaching, and it hadn't worked. She'd been too strict her second year, and that hadn't worked either. She couldn't get it just right. She was like Goldilocks and all the beds were futons.
"Sorry," Chu whispered. Nat skipped Melanie Anderson for the student sitting next to her, class hottie Josh Carling. Carling was a tall twenty-six-year-old out of UCLA, with unusual green eyes, a killer smile, and a brownish soul patch on his square chin. A Hollywood kid, he'd worked as an A.D. on the set of a TV sitcom and he always wore an Ashton Kutcher knit cap, though it never snowed indoors.
"Mr. Carling, did you do the reading?" Nat knew Josh's answer because he looked down sheepishly.
"I didn't have time. I had a massive finance exam to study for. Sorry, for reals."
Damn. "Then you're a half-grade down, too," she said, though her heart went out to him. Carling was in the joint-degree program, so he'd graduate with diplomas from the law school and the business school, which guaranteed him a lucrative job in entertainment law and a spastic colon.
Nat eyed the second row. "Mr. Bischoff? How about you?"
Daddy's Girl LP. Copyright © by Lisa Scottoline. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.Videos
