"The Truth About the Devlins" by Lisa Scottoline is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The story follows the Devlin family, who appear to be the perfect suburban family, but as secrets start to unravel, it becomes clear that there is much more to their story than meets the eye.

Scottoline's writing is sharp and engaging, with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing. The characters are well-developed and relatable, adding depth to the story and making it easy to become invested in their fates.

The novel delves into themes of family, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones. It also explores the idea of perception versus reality, and how things are not always as they seem.

Overall, "The Truth About the Devlins" is a fast-paced and thrilling read that will appeal to fans of domestic suspense and family dramas. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling and thought-provoking mystery.

This book was your standard Law and Order story that seemed to focus on the downfalls of the MC. I was really hoping that since it was the Truth about the Devlins (plural), that it would had more secrets about the entire family and not just 2 of the 5 members. It was a decent storyline, but more so boring than anything. I found myself getting mad at characters for the crappy things they did to one another. Not a go-to book for me.

Thank you NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons and author Lisa Scottoline for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

First things first. Fuck John. he was a terrible character and I was rooting for his downfall from the beginning
I do have to say, Lisa Scott line does know how to write a book and although the book was over 400 pages, it didn’t feel that long to me
I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the book

DNF @ 10%. I do have to say that I'm a long-time reader of Scottoline, but 10% in and I'm already done with the "I'm an addict, I'm a fuck-up, the family joke," etc. If I'm already over it 10% in, I cannot IMAGINE how annoying the other 90% will be. Unfortunately this is a big miss for me.

Lisa Scottoline does not disappoint. This family drama gets off to a slow start but picks up speed quickly. The main character is the narrator and he shares his story of alcoholism and his struggle in recovery and how this effects him in his role in the Devlin family. The Devlins are well known as trustworthy and solid lawyers and have become very affluent through their law firm. However, TJ and his brother threaten this dynasty with some secrets. TJ attempts to help his brother John, the golden boy of the family, through a rough time, but his help and his uncovering of the secrets John was keeping destroys the firm, but not the family. There is romance, mystery, and some twists and turns that create a book you can't put down.

This was a great crime fiction book! It moved slowly, but if you love character driven mysteries, you’ll love this one, too!

I really enjoy Lisa Scottoline’s domestic dramas. I recently read “What Happened to the Bennett’s,” and loved it. I was excited to get this read started. TJ, the baby of the family, wants to help his brother get out of a pickle. TJ must battle his ethics and his family in this novel. A family drama if there ever was one!

I wasn’t expecting the way everything unfolded, that was a twist. I did prefer her other novel referenced above. This one was a slow burn and took a while for me to read, I held on and I am glad I did!

Scottoline is an auto-buy, must-read, would-recommend-to-everyone kind of author. Her latest is no exception!

Thank you to GP Putnam’s Sons and PRH Audio for the copies to review!

I am quickly becoming a huge Lisa Scottoline fan after loving her prior book (What Happened to the Bennett’s) and now this one, The Truth About the Devlins. It is about a prominent family that has a typical black sheep, TJ, and after coming out of prison and rehab his brother confesses to him that he just murdered a client, and needs TJ’s help. TJ begins an investigation trying to prove his worth and things just go downhill from here. No spoilers, but I was hooked and could not stop until I knew how this was going to end, and it was wild. The audio was perfect, it was a one sitting read for me and the narrator did a fantastic job with this story.

Lisa Scottoline can do no wrong when it comes to writing fast-paced suspense novels with all the right twists and turns. The Truth about the Devlins follows a family of lawyers through a bit of a scandal with one of the adult sons. TJ is usually the son with all the disappointment, a black sheep of the family. But now his brother John has found himself in quiet a predicament, one that will soon affect his entire family and their successful law practice. TJ decides to investigate and figure out what really happened, in an attempt to save his brother John's reputation and lifestyle. Soon, however, TJ realizes that someone does not want him poking around and it becomes dangerous very quickly. A great story line with twists all the way to the end. Loved it!

This was another thrilling novel from Lisa Scottoline. I’ve read several books by her and she never disappoints.

This book is about the Devlin family and all of the secrets they are hiding.

I would have to say my favorite character was TJ. I felt so bad for him because he was trying to better himself but he kept being dragged down by his brother and father.

I loved the mystery in this book. There were twists and turns it felt like in every chapter and I couldn’t get enough. I found myself flying through this book because I had to find out what was going to happen next.

I definitely recommend this book and any of her other books.

This book was so good. I read it quickly. There were so many twists and turns that I never expected. I always thought I knew but was so wrong. Highly recommend!

I've always loved Lusa Scottoline's books and this one did not disappoint! It took me a bit to get into it but I really enjoyed the characters and I love how she develops them.

I really enjoyed this book. It mentions all the local Philly things you expect from Lisa Scottoline. I just love the twists a turns in her books and this one was no exception. It dealt with complicated family dynamics and addiction. It was exciting and fast paced and I couldn't put it down once I started. I just need to know the next thing that happens, but the next thing usually leaves you with even more questions. Highly recommend.

Thank you to PRH Audio for my review copy. All opinions are my own.

A strong story about family, lies, bonds and how we have to deal with the hard truths that might hurt. We're tossed into a family - the Devlins. A very successfull family, that owns a family law firm. Each of the family members have their own side and job in the family. Except for the black sheep - TJ. One night, his older brother calls him asking for help. He thinks he killed someone. Now TJ, who has already dealt with a stint in jail for being drunk, and leaving a kid in a car, knows his brother would not survive prison. So he sets out to help him out. Except, nothing is as it seems. And the body, that his brother said should be in one place, isn't there.

There was a lot of talk about family, expectations, and privilege that money provides for those in trouble. It was a twisty story, and I just loved the family dynamics, even if they were stereotypical - you messed up once, you're always going to mess up. But in the end, it had a good character arc, and I appreciated how it ended. It wasn't anything scandalous or jaw dropping, but the book is a good family story that others will enjoy. A slow burn, but with TJ having a good sense of humor, and being able to be positive helped this book a lot.

This was a success!

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.