Mary and Bennie are so amazing. They are fierce, and smart and fantastic. Even in these incredibly trying and stressful circumstances (your firm getting sued so publicly would be awful), they kept their cool and dealt with the numerous problems as they arose. I think my favorite part was Mary faking labor pains to get out of the conversation with the police. Legal aspect is always on point with Ms. Scottoline, and the thriller aspect always seems realistic.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and Lisa Scottoline.
As usual Lisa Scottoline does not disappoint with her fast paced legal thriller and Italian crazy home life which always makes me laugh.
This is my all time favourite series and I always look forward to the next instalment in the Rosato and Di Nunzio series.
Fast paced story which always end too quickly and looking forward to the story.
You are my favorite author. Thank you

I'm not sure if it's just not my genre, or if it's because this is the 6th in a series I've never read. I wasn't interested in the legal jargon, although the book was nicely paced.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read Lisa Scottoline’s book Feared. I absolutely loved it. It was gripping from the first to the last page. She is one of my favorite authors. Thank you!

Lisa Scottoline's Rosato & DiNunzio series is extremely popular because Scottoline has created a cast of lovable, empathetic characters who live and work within a community (that serves as a character in and of itself) and find themselves facing legal, moral, and frequently deadly consequences, with a good dose of humor thrown in. Feared is no exception. In this sixth installment, Mary DiNunzio is pregnant and, despite her boundless love for her unborn child and husband, Anthony, she has not yet come to terms with the changes that motherhood will bring to her life. At the outset of the story, she has not yet realized that, however.

Mary has beaten her old legal nemesis, Nick Machiavelli, a guy from her Italian-American Philadelphia neighborhood, in the courtroom in the past. Now Mary is convinced that he is seeking revenge, although she is not entirely sure why. But she is determined to find out.

Three men, represented by Machiavelli, announce that they are suing the Rosato & DiNunzio law firm for reverse sex discrimination. They claim they were not hired because they are men. The outrage Mary and her partner, Bennie Rosato, feel pales in comparison to the sense of betrayal they experience when they learn that attorney John Foxman -- their only male employee -- made comments giving credence to the plaintiffs' claims. John had never voiced that he felt he would never be named a partner in the firm -- because of his gender. When his feelings are revealed, he insists upon resigning, leaving the firm in the lurch since John was the lead counsel in a complicated anti-trust case.

Things go from bad to worse when John is murdered, and it is revealed that partner Judy Carrier -- who is also Mary's best friend == was romantically involved with him.

In Scottolilne's capable hands, complex plot threads intersect with complicated personal and professional relationships in a fast-paced, tautly constructed mystery. Pregnant Mary struggles both physically and psychologically as she, along with her partners, mourns the loss of a valued colleague while, with the assistance of the firms investigator, trying to learn the identity of John's killer and save their beloved law firm. Machiavelli attacks on numerous fronts in vile, unethical ways, which Mary finds somewhat mystifying. She is convinced that he is involved in John's murder, but his motive is not immediately apparent and, worse, the police are zeroing in on Judy since she quarreled with John about the discrimination lawsuit just before he was killed.

Mary is forced to face her physical limitations -- for the sake of her own health, as well as that of her baby -- as she considers what matters most to her and how she will juggle her commitments to family and career once the child arrives. Scottoline never lets the pace of the story slacken. As Mary moves closer to discovering the truth, Scottoline prominently features Mary's neighborhood and its eclectic residents in the story, providing humor and warmth even as Mary contemplates whether she wants to be someone who is loved -- including by all of her extended family and friends -- or feared as a fierce advocate in the courtroom. Scottoline inserts her signature plot twists and a shocking resolution that most readers will not see coming.

Feared, like the other titles in this series, is a deeply satisfying and entertaining story, filled with pathos, as well as intrigue, that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the lives of Mary DiNunzio, et al.

One of the best mysteries I’ve read in a long time! This story sucked me in quickly and held my attention till the end. I had a hard time putting it down! I one vet the characters and the way they were portrayed as a community that rallied around each other in times of sadness or happiness! Mary is a spitfire! Nick.... well... I’m still not sure about Nick!

Mary DiNunzio, law firm partner, mom-to-be, and daughter of South Philadelphia, has her hands full in Scottoline’s newest novel. She’s sure her old nemesis is behind the reverse discrimination suit filed by three men against the women she works with, her colleague is brutally murdered and her best friend is a person of interest in the case, and someone is out to slander the firm. Mary’s lucky, though, because her colleagues, her husband, her parents, and what seems like everyone in her old neighborhood have her back. The author manages to combine a suspenseful plot and strong sense of place with characters that seem so realistically drawn, you’d expect to recognize them as you walked through their South Philadelphia neighborhood--Feared is a wonderful addition to this series.

I love this series! Reading a new book in the series is like visiting old friends. This latest book is a definite winner with so many twists and turns it kept my head spinning,. The term 'can't put it down' is overused - - but in this case totally accurate. Excellent writing filled with humor, sadness, suspense, and an ending that I didn't see coming. A thriller that's also a feel-good book! What could be better than that?

Wow! My mom is a Lisa Scottoline fan, so I was super excited to get to review one of her books. I'm glad to see there are more books in the Rosato and DiNunzio series because I am not ready to leave these characters behind. The book had a great combination of humor and suspense. It was a whodunit that kept you thinking until the very end. This was my first, but certainly not my last!

I confess, I’m very late to joining the Donato and DiNunzio fan club, but I’m now a fan. Though many titles preceed this, I wasn’t lost and didn’t feel unable to follow the story without prior history.

This is a well constructed story and legal thriller. I now want to read the entire series. Really well done. Thank you for a great read, so very worth the time!

I am a huge fan of Lisa Scottoline but somehow have never picked up any of her Rosato & DiNunzio novels. This is my first in the series and despite my trepidation at being completely lost I wasn't much at all. I'm sure I would have enjoyed some more of the backstory had I read some of the earlier books but if you are like me and haven't read any you won't be lost.

As far as the book itself I found that like most of her novels it was quick paced and an easy read. Quite hard to put down! I really enjoyed this one in particular because the ending definitely surprised me - I wasn't expecting whodunit at all.

If you're looking for a gripping novel to cozy up to a fireplace with this fall, I highly recommend Feared!

Scottoline never fails to deliver an amazing thriller. Feared is one of my favorites in this series!! Another unusual legal quandary or three - and more insight into some of our beloved characters, too. There is a reason she is one of my favorite authors!! Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #Feared by @LisaScottoline

I read most (if not all) of Lisa Scottoline's Rosato & Associates series and would have thought I'd read most of the spin-off series (Rosato & DiNunzio) but Goodreads tells me I've only read a couple.

It fortunately doesn't matter as previous knowledge of the lawyers' or firm's exploits aren't at all necessary in this sixth in the series.

Even though it'd APPARENTLY been a while since I'd caught up with Bennie, Mary and Judy - the partners of the firm - they all seemed to be pretty much as I'd left them. (As if waiting for me to return! ;-) )

Obviously life's moved on though and Mary's very pregnant, so the lawsuit and threat to their livelihood couldn't come at a worse time. I don't remember Bennie being quite so black / white / difficult in previous novels or the earlier series, but Mary's lack of confidence was familiar.... and this time around we find out Judy's been keeping a secret from her best friend. (Which was a bit left field here, but may have been introduced in previous books in this series.)

I was reminded that the strength of this series (and its predecessor) very much lie with the wonderful characters Scottoline has created and continues to develop.

This is actually less of a legal procedural than others in both series as most of the time is spent trying to prevent a court case. And then of course the unexpected death means things are even more complex. So the book's more about trying to understand hidden agendas and possible vendettas than courtroom dramas, and there are a few twists thrown in so nothing's as obvious as it initially seems.

Interestingly the court-case causes Judy and Mary (in particular) to do some navel-gazing. They realise they've often proudly referred to their 'all-female' firm and are horrified that their single male associate may have felt sidelined.

Earlier in the year I commented on the lack of legal procedurals about and then had a spate of novels featuring lawyers and thrillers / mysteries unfolding in courtrooms, though I really don't seem to read as many as I did back in the 1990s. I can't help but wonder if my reading habits have changed or if they're less popular now.

This book however was like coming home to an old friend. I did kinda miss the whole courtroom drama thing, but it was an enjoyable read that required me to change plans so I could read it in a sitting.

3.5 stars

Excellent book. Couldn't put it down. Have read every title Lisa has written. Finished it in three days! I recommend it to customers and friends and co-workers.

Is it better to be loved or feared? An interesting questions, and the basis for the first novel I have read by Lisa Scottoline.

Feared is a really good drama/thriller based on characters who are managing partners in a small law firm, coincidentally (or not??) employing female almost exclusively. At times it seemed a little over the top to me, but I enjoyed the book and the characters. The story was full of interesting twists and turns, and moved at a pretty good clip throughout. With this being the 6th in the Rosato & DiNunzio series I am excited to go back and read the other books, and I look forward to more work from Scottoline. This was an excellent new author "find" for me.

I received a free e-book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my thoughts and opinions.

3.5 "lawyerly" stars

Murder, mayhem, lawsuits, a vicious lawyer, and Italian families oh my!!! Whatever could possible go wrong? Welcome to the lawyers' tale, the sixth in the Rosato & Dinunzio series.

The law firm of Rosato & DiNunzio is doing well. They have a client who has a suit, an intellectual property suit, against a large tech company which is trying to put them out of business when low and behold the firm gets some really bad news. They, themselves, are being sued with a reverse discrimination suit which alleges they only hire females. There is one male lawyer, John, on the team. However, John has let it be known that he often feels that being the only male is off putting for him. The ladies of the firm are being pursued by their old nemesis, Machiavelli, (now isn't that a great name!) who is ruthless, corrupt, and has a vendetta against the firm being that they beat him at their last case together. He will go to any lengths to get his revenge, perhaps even to see the demise of the firm, and not caring who he steps on in the process. He is a real cad, wealthy, powerful, and pulling all the strings. Then the awful happens. There is a murder and the signs point to one of the team lawyer members as the culprit.

What are the ladies to do? Yep, they will take this on and fight this lawsuit while searching out clues, and balancing the fact that one of them is pregnant. They do have their families behind them and as one is very Italian, and funny to boot, they will ferret out the culprits, make what wrong right again, and save the day. ...or will they???

This was a quick fun read and even though I had not read the previous books in the series, I was able to jump right in and enjoy the tale. Recommended for those who do so like a "lawyerly" tale!

Thank you to Lisa Scottoline, StMartin's Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book.

Ms Scottoline has developed strong female characters in Bennie Rosato and Mary DiNunzio. In this book we see some of the challenges both in the workplace and at home that strong working women face. This time Rosato and Associates are victims, being sued for reverse discrimination by 3 young lawyers who say they weren’t hired because they are men. Their lawyer is none other than Mary’s enemy Nick Machiavelli who is hellbent on destroying the firm after Mary beat him. This comes as Associates John and Anne are involved in a difficult case, and Mary is seven months pregnant.
I had a little trouble getting into this book at first since it seemed to go off in several directions at once, but soon things start coming together and the tension ratchets up.
We see a lot of the recurring characters of Mary’s family and the Tonys. I love the Tonys! The Italian-American way of life and the relationship of Italian mothers and their children is important here. Is it better to be feared than loved, as Niccolo Machiavelli claimed? Ask the DiNunzio family and Scottoline’s Italian Americans of South Philly.
I wish to thank Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book

Rosato and DiNunzio, a law firm started by two women which happens to have all female partners, find themselves being sued for reverse discrimination by three male attorneys who were not hired by the firm. Not only is the firm being sued, but each partner is being sued personally. This could financially ruin not only the firm, but each of the women as well. And it doesn't help when they are blindsided by the information that John, the male associate in the firm and one of the leads in a large anti-trust lawsuit, has told people outside the firm that he feels he won't make partner because he's a man, and is looking for another job.

Nick Machiavelli, Mary DiNunzio's nemesis, is lead counsel on the reverse discrimination lawsuit. He has lost to Mary before, and he is out for revenge. Mary is pregnant and has been told to lighten her workload, but given the circumstances, it's hard to do. Things go from terrible to worse, when John is murdered, and the police question whether someone in the firm committed the crime. While investigating John's murder, Mary finds evidence that the reverse discrimination lawsuit and the anti-trust lawsuit may be connected.

This book focuses a lot on Mary Dinunzio and her Italian South Philly family and friends who couldn't love her more and would do anything for her and her friends. It's a delight.

I love this series with it's strong women characters; who are tough and fearless yet have big hearts. I also like that each book in the series stands well on its own - you don't need to read the books in order to know what's going on. But if you have read any of the books in the series, it's like coming home to friends and family.

This is a very good read, and I recommend it highly.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Feared by Lisa Scottoline is a highly recommended legal thriller and the 6th in the series featuring Bennie Rosato, Mary DiNunzio, and Judy Carrier.

Three men are suing the Rosato & DiNunzio law firm for reverse sex discrimination, claiming that the firm wouldn't hire them because they are men. The men's lawyer is Nick Machiavelli. Machiavelli is out for vengeance after previously losing a case to Mary. The whole purpose of this case is to destroy Rosato & DiNunzio. To complicate matters Rosato & DiNunzio's lone male employee, John Foxman, is quoted in the plaintiff's disclosure that he felt like an outsider. When asked about it, Foxman admits the truth to his statement and that he intends to resign. Then the case turns deadly.

With her firm in danger and now murder is involved, Mary's health could be at risk due to the stress since she is seven month's pregnant. Now Mary must figure out what Machiavelli is up too with filing this false complaint and solve a murder. Machiavelli has made his stance clear with his news conferences and playing up to the media to impinge the Rosato & DiNunzio firm. The firm’s hired defense attorney Roger Vitez, who wants them to go on with their business as usual and play it cool, claims he knows how to handle the case.

Feared is wildly entertaining and the story propels forward with a sunny style, even when things are looking dark. (You know, if you follow the series, that it will turn out okay in the end.) Mary's large, diverse Italian-American family and her South Philly neighborhood is as much a character as all the Tonys. The characters are smart and diverse. There is humor along with the seriousness of the plot. But this is an ongoing series and fans have expectations that are met in Feared. Even if you haven't read any of the previous books in the series, you could jump in with this one as enough backstory is provided.

It must be said it is not a perfect novel. There was simply too much preoccupation with Mary's pregnancy and it becomes a tad bit annoying - Mary constantly mentions how huge she is and her pregnancy is the first thing on everyone's mind. The large-Italian-American-family-in-your-business stuff seems overdone and almost a stereotype. The plot twist and game changer is very convenient and a little unbelievable. However, setting aside those few concerns, Feared is an easy-to-read, very entertaining diversion and is a great choice for a relaxing, light summer read.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of St. Martin's Press via Netgalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2018/08/feared.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2496101795
https://www.librarything.com/work/20847892/book/159460226
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Feared is the 6th book in this series and I was thrilled to reunite with Mary DiNunzio and the the other characters. In this installment, the law firm is being sued for reverse sex discrimination by three males. The lawyer for these men is the one and only Nick Machiavelli, who is intent on destroying Mary and her firm after she beat him in court. Throughout the course of their investigation someone from their firm is murdered and their firm loses their reputation and their clients. Mary and her partners will stop at nothing to uncover the truth and restore their good name. It was wonderful to be reunited with this crew of characters. This story has a lot of build up and had me quickly turning pages, yet the ending left me feeling underwhelmed and was almost eye roll worthy. It won't stop me from reading the next in the series, but this was definitely not my favorite of the bunch. For me, Feared was ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars. Thank you @stmartinspress for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.