It took me a while to finish this book. I think mainly because I hated the way TJs family treats him at first. The plot took a while to develop and I think that was another reason it took me longer than usual to get through a book this length. The story itself was great once it picked up. It all eventually tied together nicely and left you with a happy ending. I enjoyed the investigative work in the book and going through the motions of it with the main character TJ supported my own thought process in the book. I would recommend this book if you are wanting a good mystery!

Lisa Scottoline doesn't disappoint with this new family thriller. I was hooked from page 1 and couln't wait to see what would happen next. There are twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. Lisa Scottoline has written some of the best books I have ever read, and I love when new ones come out

I honestly never saw myself as someone who would read legal thrillers before encountering her books; however her characterization is among the best, and I can't help but wonder how carefully she must observe the world to be able to come up with those little details that sets her stories apart from others.

Moreover, I actually like the addition of legal information. Since this is something she has first hand experience of, the plots are so very well done.

5 Stars!

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

The Truth About the Devlins blends domestic thriller with crime drama, portraying the Devlins as a powerful legal family entangled in dysfunction. TJ, the family's black sheep, finds himself at an alleged crime scene brought in by his brother John. Despite being the outsider, TJ, with his wit and resourcefulness, becomes a lovable character. As he navigates through trouble and backstabbing while aiding his brother, the twists and turns of the story kept me engaged, but it was TJ's character that truly drew me back for more. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam - GP Putnam's Sons, NetGalley, and the author for the chance to read and review this prior to release. The Truth About the Devlins by: Lisa Scottoline, expected publication: March 26, 2024.

The Devlin's are a successful family of lawyers, except for brother TJ, the black sheep, recovering alcoholic, and ex-con. the Devlin golden child John reveals a startling confession to TJ, they set off to make sure everything is tidied up. What happens from there is a roller coaster ride of family and legal drama to keep you guessing through the last page! This kept me on my toes and I was anxiously waiting for the discovery of who was after John. The twists never stopped and by the end, everything I thought I knew had been disproved. Great read, would recommend!

A new domestic thriller from LIsa Scottoline, is always welcome!

Meet TJ Devlin. Given the family screw up title after a short prison term and some heavy drinking. TJ is sober now, and working at the family firm.

John is the perfect brother. Lawyer and shining star. Until he shows up confessing to killing a man. A client.

As TJ investigates, things get very complicated. The truth about the Devlins is about to be front page news!

This is a twisty, fast-paced thriller of a story. Families, Lies, Secrets. In the end they could destroy everyone.


NetGalley/ Penguin Group/GP Putnam March 26, 2024

TJ Devlin is the disappointment of the Devlin family, successful lawyers with a lucrative family business. Recovering alcoholic and ex-con TJ works for the family firm as an investigator, a make-work job which makes TJ feel worthless especially when compared to his brother John. John is the firstborn brilliant, athletic heir-apparent to the family business. Imagine TJ’s surprise when John calls on him for help with a dangerous situation John finds himself in. The help John needs puts TJ, his sobriety, and the Devlins in jeopardy.
Scottoline’s new drama illustrates things aren’t always what they seem…families, business, crimes, coverups. The inner dynamics of the Devlins personal and business lives are exposed as TJ digs into John’s trouble.
“The Truth About the Devlins” is a good read for those who like family stories where the families aren’t what they seem. There is also a secondary story involving the Devlin daughter Gabby which that was interesting and gave more insight into TJ.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy for review.

The Devlin family is all successful except for TJ. He's a recovering alcoholic who did his time and is trying hard to move on. The problem? No one wants to hire an ex-con, no matter what family he comes from.

Working at the family firm as the unofficial investigator, his brother John comes to him for help. John thinks he's killed a client, and needs TJ's help. This begins the web of lies spread between the two brothers that threaten to tear the family apart.

A little long in some places, overall this was a good, suspenseful read. 4/5 stars!

The Truth About The Delvins by Lisa Scottoline. This book was very good. I truly enjoyed all the characters. The plot had me so invested that I did not want to stop reading. I never saw the end coming. Lisa Scottoline is so good at making you think one thing,but then blows your mind with something else entirely. If you like a good plot with interesting characters you should definitely read this book.

Thank you, Penguin/GP Putnam's Sons and NetGalley, for the advanced copy of The Truth about the Devlins.

What a ride! Scottoline has another legal thriller hit on her hands. The short chapters kept this story moving at a fast pace, and our narrator, the alcoholic parolee Devlin, kept me on my investigative toes! This is definitely a one-sit wonder so block out some time because you definitely won't want to put this one down!

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up! TJ is a recovering alcoholic, whose parents employed him at their family law firm as an investigator after he got out of prison. At their father’s birthday dinner, TJ’s brother confesses to him that he may have murdered a client. TJ is on the case, investigating the incident and all the fall out after the fact.

Definitely an exciting way to start the book off and had me captivated right away. I feel like the middle dragged on a bit… I think because this started so strong, it pushed my expectations up a bit, so when things slowed down, I was more disappointed than I normally would have been. I feel like TJ’s character was very well developed. this was still a very good legal type thriller and very action packed!

thank you to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a longtime fan of Lisa Scottoline and this book didn’t disappoint! First off this is a fast paced read with great characters that were easy to connect with. I read it in 2 days, it was so hard to put down!

We follow TJ Devin, the black sheep of his family as a recovering alcoholic looking to move on with his life. TJ strives to put his family first even when they don’t do the same for him, as the flow of the story unfolds we begin to see flaws in the family dynamic and family bonds begin to break when his older brother flips the storyline with a murder and the family begins to turn on TJ.

TJ is a character you can’t help but love and I found myself really enjoying his perspective in this storyline. I found it really interesting that the author did a lot of research on addiction to make the storyline accurate and believable. After finishing the book I looked a bit into Holmesburg prison and have been fascinated to learn more about it. All around a great suspenseful novel again from Lisa!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC for my honest review.

This is an enjoyable crime thriller with a really endearing main character, TJ Devlin. I found myself getting really angry at his family (especially his brother John) at how they treated him and his sobriety. I was impressed with how this book wove together storylines regarding the central crime/mystery, his sister's pro bono case regarding medical testing, and how difficult it can be for an alcoholic felon to move on with his life. Somehow everything came together in a way that was both entertaining, educational, and neatly wrapped up. I was unaware of the medical testing done in Philadelphia prisons, so it was fascinating to read the acknowledgements and see what the author had to say about it.

All in all, if you enjoy twisty law & crime thrillers, I would check this one out. TJ is a really good character to hinge this book on - you're rooting for him (and Mango) the whole time. Would love to read more stories featuring the Devlins!

A fast paced look behind the “perfect” family, who as it turns out is t perfect at all. A great twist at the end is the icing on the cake!

A satisfying romp of a drama with a family of lawyers and the requisite black sheep. If you're looking to escape your life with a book that will hold your attention to the end, but not require a lot of the reader, this would be a good choice.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. Plenty of action to engage with!

I’m a big fan of Lisa Scottline, so i was thrilled to start this.
Though the beginning was not easy to dive into and i found it a bit of a drag, then twists were good. Though the twists are pretty predictable, it’s still a fun read.
It wasn’t one of my favorites from the author, but I’ll continue to support her work.

TJ is a recovering alcoholic and a disappointment to his family, all of whom are lawyers. After getting out of prison and rehab, he works at his parent’s law firm as an investigator.

One night, TJ’s life is turned upside down when his older brother John confesses to murdering a client after he’d confronted him about embezzlement.

TJ starts digging, both to prove his worth and save his brother. But as the investigation continues, TJ uncovers things he never thought possible, and he must fight to save his family.

Let me start this out by saying, I enjoyed this book so much! It was so much fun. I love a good family drama, full of twisted, dark secrets, and dysfunction, and this book delivered. Family drama’s are always so fun for me because I come from a very dysfunctional family, so it’s nice to read about others that are even more messed up. There’s just something about knowing that yours wasn’t the worst that makes it slightly better, maybe just a little but still.

This book hooked me from the beginning and held my interest throughout. I couldn’t wait to figure out what was going to happen next. The writing was very good. This was my first book by Lisa Scottoline even though I meant to read What Happened to the Bennetts last year, I just ran out of time. Thankfully, my library had it available so I’m excited to be able to listen to it soon.

How the family treated TJ was so heartbreaking, but so utterly believable, it was just gut wrenching. My heart went out to him on each page. I felt connected to him because my mom was an alcoholic and even when she was clean people treated her like she was still drunk no matter what she did.

TJ’s sister, Gabby, was the true MVP in my mind. I can’t really say too much without giving spoilers, but she did exactly what I would have done in the situation, and I loved her for it. I also loved how she stood by TJ and believed him despite everything that was going on.

I loved the twists in this book as well, I thought the story was going one direction, but then it ended up going another. Red herrings are my favorite because they are misdirected and I just love being surprised by books.

This book was a lot of fun to read. If you’re looking for a top-notch family drama thriller, then check it out.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Penguin Group, G.P. Putnam Sons, @Putnambooks, and Netgalley @Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A copy of this review will be featured on my blog, speedreadstagram.com

Thank you to netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly couldn’t get into this book. I typically like Lisa scottoline and have read many of her novels. However, I didn’t like either the characters or the plot. I think I prefer her older work.

Lisa Scottoline is a master of mystery and dysfunctional families. TJ Devlin is the family’s black sheep—having served time in prison and recovering from alcohol addiction. His family is comprised of powerful Philadelphia attorneys. But, TJ, acting a a private investigator, uncovers secrets that can bring the family to ruin.
A page turner with enough twists and turns to keep the reader occupied, though some plot twists seemed predictable.
Recommended for those who like a good mystery.