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.

Thank you to Net Galley for letting me read this early. I felt like this was a solid book but I couldn't quite give it four stars. One thing I loved was knowing a lot of the towns and locations in this book since it took place in Philly and surrounding areas. Lisa's writing style is as good as ever with this one but where it fell a little flat to me is that I felt like I saw it coming of who the truth was about, so to speak. But I still enjoyed the path she took to get there. Look for this book to be released on March 26th.

This book hooked me from the beginning. I was lucky enough to have a Saturday free so I didn’t have to put this book down.
An interesting mystery with a dysfunctional family of lawyer's thrown in. Who killed the accountant? Why are we being followed? Did my sibling throw me under the bus again? Who’s following us? Why can’t they believe that TJ is sober. I found the family treatment of each other pretty appalling but TJ’s mom and sister want to believe him while his dad and brother, wow! Not nice people. At least his sister is trying to do good by exposing the testing that happened at the prison years ago and has caused deaths. The twist at the end and how it unfolds was sooo satisfying.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC and to Ms. Scottoline for another great book.

Thanks to Netgalley & PENGUIN GROUP- Putnam for the E-ARC! I unfortunately did not enjoy this book. The characters were very unlikable and the plot was very boring.

Last year I had the pleasure of reading "What Happened to the Bennetts," and loved it, so when I saw that Lisa Scottoline had a new book available I was so excited when @NetGalley sent me the ARC in exchange for a fair review. So thank you @NetGalley, @LisaScottoline and GPPutnamSons for this book!

The Truth about the Devlins really had me hooked from the start of the book. TJ, the books main character is one player in the family that is The Devlins. A group of powerful lawyers, and one misfit son. As the book unfolds I fell in love with TJ's character, I don't know if it was because he was the black sheep of the family, I don't know if it was because we have similar "pasts," but the author really put me into the feels for him and despite all that happens you are rooting for him non-stop. His brother, John Devlin on the other hand I wanted to punch in the face. John calls TJ to come and help him because he thinks he just murdered a man, when TJ arrives there is no body to be found. This starts the book on a rabbit trail to find out where the man is, who the man is, why would John have murdered him. TJ is also an investigator, doing what he does best - he starts to uncover to so many things that you as the reader won't see coming. A tangly mess within the family and all roads seem to point to TJ, but no one believes an ex-con, alcoholic over his successful lawyer brother who blames him for everything. Murder, scandal, mystery, redemption and justice all come into play in this book. I recommend it to my friends and family and remember - you are not defined by your past, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

#TheTruthabouttheDevlins #NetGalley #LisaScottoline #arc

Meet Philadelphia family Marie, Paul, John, Gabby, and Thomas, known as TJ, in The Truth About the Devlins, the latest domestic thriller from Lisa Scottoline coming out at the end of March. The Devlins are a lawyer family except for TJ, who has served a short sentence in prison and rehabilitation for alcoholism. However, he works for the family law practice as an investigator.

TJ finds himself on a downward spiral when his brother John admits to killing Neil Lemaire, an embezzling accountant who worked for Devlins’ client Runstan Electronics on the verge of being acquired by another company in a lucrative deal John has brokered. TJ and John head to the deserted spot by Knickerbocker Quarry where John said he left the body…but there is no body, no maroon Volvo, and no bloody rock that John said he threw when Lemaire pulled a gun. TJ goes into search mode that night and the next day to find Lemaire, but the police found him first, shot in the head in a white Mercedes parked at Dutton Run Park.

In a flash, John turns on TJ by trying to get the family to believe that TJ is drinking again and he, not John, must have had something to do with the death of the accountant. TJ has already lost so much: time in prison and rehab, the love of his life and her daughter, and credibility with his family.

When TJ comes clean with his family—minus John—about what has been going on starting with John bashing the accountant with a rock, they do not believe him. His drinking history colors his present status especially with his father who believes TJ has relapsed as John has said. Things are spinning out of control as another death occurs, people are following TJ, and his home and car have been bugged. Soon the police turn up at his door because, after all, TJ has a criminal past.

While TJ begins to lose hope in this tangled web of intrigue, his sister Gabby asks for his help in a pro bono case seeking justice for former prisoners of the Holmesburg Prison in Philadelphia who were used as guinea pigs for the drug testing by real-life Dr. Albert Kligman, a dermatology professor at Penn’s medical school. With the author’s recent interest in writing historical fiction, Scottoline incorporates the experimenting with Tretinoin, an acne medication that Kligman was developing, which works by exfoliating the skin. The tests resulted in devastating health problems for the men who were involved in the drug trials.

The pro bono case is a distraction for TJ who is desperate to open his family’s eyes to the truth about John and the Runstan acquisition. What can he do to redirect the police to the actual guilty parties? Could he possibly be headed back to jail for something he did not do? Is the truth about the Devlins going to shatter their world?

Lisa Scottoline, a former lawyer, has written more than two dozen novels as well as co-authored nine humorous books with her daughter Francesca Serritella. A long-time writer of a lawyer series and thrillers, she has started writing historical fiction as well with the books Eternal and Loyalty. She lives in Philadelphia with her horses, numerous dogs and cats, and a life-size cutout of Bradley Cooper.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting January 20, 2024.

I would like to thank PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

First time reading this author, so didn't know what to expect. It was a fairly solid tale of family drama - LOTS of drama. I think everyone had a little something to uncover here. The protagonist, TJ a recovering and struggling ex-alcoholic, was a likable character so I wanted him to win his battles. Older brother, John a big jerk and high roller lawyer, was very unlikable so I wanted him to lose. Read to see how things finished. I might try another by this author, but this was just an ok for me.

The Truth About The Devlins showcases Scottoline in her most familiar genre: fast-paced crime thrillers. This book is no exception, grabbing the reader from literally the first page. The story is told by TJ Devlin, recovering alcoholic, trying to get back in his family's good graces while trying to solve - what turns out to be - more than one crime at once. The book is written in short chapters, often ending in cliffhangers, which makes the book hard to put down. The book also highlights a real-life case about prison inmates, which was both interesting and disturbing. All in all, The Truth About the Devlins is definitely worth the read if you like crime thrillers!

Thank you to Lisa Scottoline, Penguin Group Putnam, and Netgalley for allowing me to read the advance copy of the book.

My fave Lisa Scottoline book so far! I could not put it down and I loved it! I was rooting for TJ the whole story and was happy with the ending. Be sure to read the Acknowledgements and Author’s Note at the end of the book. She did a lot of research into addiction and it was very accurate with my brother. He sadly could not fight it any longer and was dead at age 57. Fought it for many years. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release. I highly recommend it!

Huge fan of Lisa Scottoline, so I jumped right in to read this book. In the author true style it didn’t disappoint. Being from Pennsylvania and born in Philadelphia her book always get me. The dysfunction in the family reminds of times my own crazy seems normal.

The Devlins are a prominent family of lawyers. They own their own successful law firm that includes siblings, mom, and dad. Out of all of the kids, TJ is the black sheep. He had addiction issues and did a bit of prison time. They all love each other but can only be as close as they can be given his issues.

When TJ was released from prison he couldn’t find a job so his family hired him as an investigator for the firm. His dad in particular was very disappointed in him and never wanted to see his son like that again.

Tj’s brother John confessed to him that he accidentally killed a man. This man was an accountant who was embezzling. TJ steps up the plate and wants to help John. It would help their strained relationship if he could do right by him and help.

Although it’s work of fiction, Scottoline hits the target with respect to legal terms, courtroom testimony, and the deep emotions that people would feel in these real-life situations.

This is a fast-paced thriller with all of the goodies: family tragedy, family bonding, bad guys, and courtroom drama. We see how hard work, determination, and family love can bring people back together again. This is a family affair and they all must work together to get through this.

Another great thrill ride for Scottoline fans and fans of suspense, thrillers, and legal dramas. Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the ARC of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy of Lisa Scottoline's soon to be published book, The Truth About the Devlins, for my honest review.

I've read all of Lisa Scottoline's books and they never disappoint! Being from the Philly area myself, I liked the references to different parts of the City.

This book hooked me from the first chapter! All the characters and the dysfunctional family dynamic were very well developed. I found myself really rooting for TJ and would like to see him the subject of Ms. Scottoline's next book.

TJ Devlin cannot seem to catch a break. Always the black sheep of the family of lawyers and trying to fit in. His older brother John the poster child, one night makes a bad decision that will rock the family and their law firm. As TJ gets involved in John’s issues, things become messy and include murder and white collar crime! Can TJ help his brother and his family or will he sink before that happens. Great book. Little twist at the end helps make this one worth the read.

I was excited to read The Truth About the Devlins as I’d enjoyed other titles by Lisa Scottine. The Truth About the Devlins started very well, I was drawn right in. The brothers and the dynamic was interesting. Through the middle, I found my attention waned a bit but I’m glad I kept reading as the final 1/3 was good with mild twists and a heartwarming ending.

Interesting read! The mystery, intrigue and family secrets are only part of what keeps you reading and wanting to find out the ending! Lisa Scottoline’s writing is engaging ! Thank you to the author, Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

I was very taken in by the family drama of the Devlin family, the court case for the former prison inmates who had been used as medical guinea pigs, the legal maneuvering, the recovering alcoholic, the broken relationships, the brother vs brother…every chapter made each situation harder to unravel. Scottoline kept it all pieced together masterfully. This made for a well plotted read. It will be easy to recommend.