Member Reviews
Lisa Scottoline has written another masterpiece of family drama! I couldn't put this book down. I had to find out if TJ, the charming disappointment of a Devlin son, could redeem himself in the eyes of his family. He is the lone exception in a family of lawyers. His job is investigator for the family firm. He gets to put those skills to use on his own family members in this story. In his quest to save his brother, he learns so many family lies and secrets that he is afraid they might break them instead. Thanks to NetGalley for this awesome book! I highly recommend it!
First and foremost, what immediately drew me in was the main character, TJ. i absolutely loved his humor, which actually made me chuckle out loud quite a few times. This novel was a rollercoaster of emotions, constantly trying to figure out who did what and why. I don't think there was a dull page to be honest. After finishing the book, I read the authors note which really sealed the deal for me, making this 100% a five-star read. This note has prompted me to read up on Dr. Albert Kligman and his experiments, something I had no prior knowledge of. Very interesting case, and I'm always happy to read a fictional book that I can learn some real-life facts from. Overall, great storyline and informative on top of that.
The Truth about the Devlins" is a gripping exploration of how far people are willing to go to safeguard their family, even when the truth threatens to tear them apart. Scottoline's storytelling prowess shines through in this intense and thought-provoking thriller. Thank you NetGalley for this arc
Another great book by Lisa Scottoline. This was mainly from the view of the black sheep of the family, TJ. He was in prison; the rest of the family are attorneys at a family owned law firm. Great character development. This author never disappoints. Great twists starting in the last third of the book or so.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DEVLINS by Lisa Scottoline
This was a first for me, wanting to just shake a character for not appreciating himself, not that TJ doesn’t have problems, but he’s so loyal and cares so much about his family that he does deserve more credit. He seems destined to be the scapegoat of the clan, told to GO AWAY by everyone, and yet he has the heart to take on the care of a diabetic cat, Mango, who also acts as if she hates him. Then there are the legal problems, embezzlement, break-ins, murders, attempting to secure justice in a class action suit based on real-life events, all tempered by a bit of Zen wisdom and AA meeting solidarity.
I did NOT want to put this book down, and when I finally had to sleep, it woke me back up to finish . . . only the most captivating books can do that, creating characters I care about too much to leave them hanging. Satisfying ending, and meaningful insights in the Author’s Notes make this book a hard act to follow.
(March release, but she has many other excellent books you’d like while you wait).
This is the first Lisa Scottoline book I've read, though I've shelved dozens and dozens of them at the library where I volunteer. "The Truth About the Devlins" drew me in immediately, as the protagonist, TJ, begs for love and understanding and so many of his family members seem to deserve neither. Two plot lines flow along parallel paths, intersecting at key points throughout the book. Scottoline provides the authentic legal details she is known for, and gives the reader a behind the scenes look at the running of a law firm as well as the inside of a courthouse. There are mysteries and deceptions, family drama, fancy cars, and an endearing pet. But the most compelling theme is the pro bono case taken on by TJ's sister, a case against various drug companies who performed drug trials on African American inmates at Holmesburg Prison for two decades. This, of course, sent me to the Internet for research. Sometimes the truth is more shocking and more interesting than any fiction we can read. I'd like to avoid spoilers and so I'll conclude this review by saying that Scottoline fans will be eagerly awaiting the release of "The Truth About the Devlins" and readers new to her work will find it a book that's hard to put down!
I just reviewed The Truth about the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline. #TheTruthabouttheDevlins #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL] This was an amazing fast pace family crime novel that keeps you guessing. Lisa Scottoline does an amazing job that makes you fall in love with the characters and keeps you guessing. This is a novel you will not want to put down. One of my favorites by far!!
The Truth About the Devlins is told from the POV of the family’s black sheep. His character growth is good, but felt rushed at times. There was too much of TJs inner monologue, which sometimes came across as juvenile at times. The plot was interesting and it was overall an easy read.
The Truth about the Devlins is a compelling read filled with dramatic family dynamics, corporate greed, addiction, and more! While TJ Devlin, the black sheep of his wealthy family, struggles to prove himself following a rough past that included incarceration, he continuously tries to show that he has changed and grown as a man. He was a very likable character to read. For once, it's not TJ though that's gotten himself into trouble. It's his brother who's gotten tangled up with a very dangerous group of men. Will TJ be able to help his brother and finally prove himself to the family? As a fan of Lisa Scottoline's writing, it's no shock that the character development in this book was completely on point. If you're looking for a character-driven thriller that will keep you intrigued throughout, this redemption story is a must read! 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
I really liked this novel by Scottoline. It was the right amount of mystery and suspense. I'm always amazed at Scottoline's ability to write male characters so convincingly. The protagonist, TJ, is flawed and likeable and you can't help but pull for him. I really hope this is the beginning of a new series.
I love Lisa Scottoline. Her writing style pulls you in and does not let go. This book drew out a lot of emotions for me- which is what you want in a great book. This book explores complex family dynamics around betrayals, power struggles and how far some will go to protect family. I found some of the family interactions a little tough to relate too but I was intrigued and kept turning pages to find out what would happen next. The book is told from TJ Devlin's point of view and I found myself feeling angry and frustrated for him throughout the majority of the book. Once this book takes off it is a pretty fast read and I was along for the ride- rooting for several family members and cursing others the entire time. The ending could have gone a few ways and I was very satisfied with the path the author chose. Definitely recommend!
The truth about the Devlin’s is a crime thriller that hooks you from the start. TJ Devlin is our narrator, a recovering alcoholic and an investigator for his family’s law firm. He’s working the steps and just trying to keep his head down to stay sober, until his brother John comes to him confessing to a murder. TJ immediately begins working to protect John but the secrets he has to unbury may tear his family apart forever.
I’m not always huge into crime thrillers, I find I can get bored with all the legal jargon but Lisa Scottoline knows how to do it right. She gives you the fun thriller aspect while also focusing on the law. Overall, I had a feeling I knew where this was going and I was correct but it was a fun ride getting there! TJ is just such a heart warming character that is so easy to root for as the family underdog. An absolute gem of a character that is grossly underestimated by just about everyone. There is plenty of legal talk and if that’s not your jam you may find some parts slow but again.. Lisa Scottoline just writes it so well to keep me engaged and eager to keep reading! Overall a 4⭐️ read that is worth checking out when it releases in March of 2024!
What can I say about FABULOUS? This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. It’s the story about the Devlin family, lawyers with an extremely complicated dynamic. The youngest son, TJ is the narrator. He is a very interesting character, working as an investigator, he retells his personal history as he becomes inveigled in a complicated series of events precipitated by his brother asking for help.
This is totally compelling as the family copes with many problems and TJ is increasingly blamed for the violence and complications. Scottoline spins a story that is fascinating and very well written. I have been a big fan of her writing and this adds to the allure. I can’t help but wonder if TJ might appear in a follow up novel.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. Such a pleasure to read and review.
Lisa Scottoline does it again! This is another great book from this author that just grips you right from the start. The story is fast paced and ensure you want to keep flipping the pages to see what happens next. The characters are likable and I felt like I was rooting for TJ to come out on top.
This book evolves around the Devlin family, but the main character in my opinion is TJ. He is the underdog and gets dealt the worst hands even when he is trying to improve himself. His older brother throws him under the bus more than once and the family is quick to believe the lies since TJ is a recovering alcoholic and has done some terrible things in his past. No matter how much he tried to prove he is overcoming is alcoholism and that he has paid for his past mistakes. This book has lies, deceit, romance and huge amounts of suspense. While the ending was predictable for me, it did not stop me from wanting to keep reading.
If you are a fan of Lisa Scottoline, you DO NOT want to miss this next book in her line of works. I would recommend this to all readers. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Devlin & Devlin is a law firm known by many as Devlin & Devlin & Devlin & Devlin, a family business consisting of Mom, Dad, Oldest Son, and Only Daughter. However, it's worth noting that there is one missing Devlin son, TJ, who is a recovering alcoholic and former convict. Despite his troubled past, TJ has turned his life around, staying sober and working as an investigator at the family firm. Unfortunately, his family does not appreciate his efforts and considers his job to be a meaningless position. TJ, on the other hand, takes pride in his work and is determined to prove his worth, having been sober for two years, despite his family's doubts.
TJ, the amiable narrator and main character, finds himself in an unusual situation when he is tasked with helping his older brother, John (the Most Valuable Devlin), who believes he may have accidentally caused the death of a client. As the case becomes more complex, TJ, who is constantly undermined by his unsupportive family, realizes that the Devlins are in danger due to John's actions. Unfortunately, his father, Top Devlin, is a bitter individual who never gives TJ the benefit of the doubt, let alone any love or trust. To make matters worse, John throws TJ under the bus, despite his brother's attempts to protect him. TJ's mother turns a blind eye to the situation, and his sister, Gabby, seems to be lost in her own world.
The author skillfully creates an empathetic character in TJ, making it impossible not to root for him. He faces the constant struggle of maintaining his sobriety, with his family being the main obstacle in his path. Personally, I found myself yearning for justice for TJ and hoping for some well-deserved comeuppance for the rest of the Devlins. To discover if my wishes were fulfilled, I highly recommend reading this exceptional domestic and legal thriller. It deserves a solid 4-star rating!
Thank you so much to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for this ARC!
I love the way Lisa Scottoline writes. So easy to get swallowed whole by the story and cannot put down the book. Such a great ending too.
3.25 stars out of 5.
This book started off really strong and grabbed my interest right away but it kind of fell flat in the middle and was a bit chaotic. It seemed to drag on until the ending which was pretty good at wrapping everything up. It had a somewhat predictable ending but there were some twists thrown in there as well. I really enjoyed the narrator TJ and thought he was perfectly flawed. He was a great story teller and was lovable. Now, everyone else in the family minus Gabby/ Martin were not likable at all, especially John. His gaslighting made him terrible!
In The Truth about the Devlins, TJ is working at his families law firm as an investigator after a brief stint in prison due to his alcoholism. John, TJ's brother, comes to him one night saying he killed one of his clients which related to embezzlement at the company. TJ, being a good brother, tries to help his brother get out of the mess he is in but somehow finds himself in the crosshairs of some very bad people.
Overall, this was a pretty decent read and I'm looking forward to reading more from Lisa Scottoline.
Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Reminiscent of What Happened to the Bennetts? I really enjoyed this book. TJ is a great character yo really root for.
Thank you kindly to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the eARC to read and review!
As a longtime reader of Scottoline’s work, I must admit this one wasn’t my favorite, but it was still an enjoyable read. TJ is one of those flawed narrators you can’t help but love. As a recovering alcoholic, he’s relatable and easy to root for—I especially enjoyed his whit and sarcasm.
But John and his gaslighting…man, I couldn’t stand that guy. Or anyone else in the family for that matter…🤷🏼♀️ Definitely gave me Bloodline vibes…
My biggest criticism is the dialogue. It felt unnatural throughout and seemed to go on for pages and pages at a time, making the book feel longer than unnecessary.
𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗬 𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦:
“Into each life some rain must fall.”
“Maybe we make ourselves, too. We start out like parts in a box, but it's not you until you build you."
While this book was fast paced and had great dialogue. It was too chaotic and a bit of a mess at the end. It follows this recovering alcoholic that’s working as an investigator (with no credentials) at his family’s law firm. There’s some twists, betrayals, romance, plot holes, and eventually a kinda-sorta happy ending.