I couldn't stop reading this book, but I oddly did not enjoy it very much. I think I kept waiting for the big ending, but by the time it came, I didn't care anymore. Also, I could absolutely tell that this was a female author writing in a male's voice, because something about it just didn't ring true to me. I had to keep reminding myself that the main character was male. I don't know that I've ever noticed something like that before, and it was really distracting.

The Truth About The Devlins follows the Devlin family who are a family full of attorneys and own their own law firm in Philadelphia. The exception to the lawyer rule is son, TJ, who feels like the black sheep of the family since he is an alcoholic and has previously spent time in jail. This family drama thriller is full of family secrets, lies, and a few heart wrenching moments. If you love family dramas that include a lovable black sheep, then I recommend checking this book out.

Thank you @putnambooks for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

(This same review was shared on the Barnes & Noble website)

4 1/2 stars

This is my first book by Lisa Scottoline and I can't believe as prolific as her backlist is that I've never read her. I'll definitely be remedying that after reading this gem.

This book was such a fun read. It combined some of my favorite things in a book - - family drama and mystery. The book revolves around the Devlin family. An upper class family made up of all attorneys and TJ. TJ is the one child who not only didn't finish college, but was also a functional alcoholic. He was so good at it that most people didn't realize he was an alcoholic until it was too late and he made a huge mistake and was arrested. That day changed his life and became ground zero for him. He pledged not to drink again after that.

You find yourself pulling for TJ because he's done his time, gone through rehab and he's trying. He's relatable. Meanwhile, everyone else seems to talk down to him or doubt him. It makes it difficult to like them at times.

Tucked in with the family saga is a mystery that eventually has murders and murderers at play. This story will keep you turning the pages to find out what will happen next. I was glued to it.

Thank you to NetGalley for this early copy.

I loved the detail and back story of the characters. So many twists and turns. Excited to share this book through readers advisory and at checkout. I am a new fan of this author.

3 stars.*

I downloaded this ARC because I thought I had read previous books by Lisa Scottoline. However, when I dug into my Goodreads I realized I hadn't. Nonetheless, this is an interesting novel.

It is a family saga-the story of the Philadelphia based Devlins. Attorneys all, except TJ, the black sheep who is a recovering alcoholic recently out of prison for endangering the daughter of his ex-girlfriend while on a bender.

Scottoline does a good job of developing the family dynamic as well as the characters so that the reader is invested. The family law firm is at risk due the death of a client's bookkeeper. TJ finds himself at the center of the drama-suspected of foul play, of relapsing, and due to the family dynamic...he has little hope of clearing his name.

I found some of the twists too much, but I did like the writing.

*with thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.

TJ Devlin is the disappointing child in the prominent Devlin family. After a stint in prison and rehab for alcohol addiction, the only place he can get a job is at his family's law firm as an investigator. But when TJ's oldest brother and family favorite, John, confesses to killing a client, TJ's life is about to be rattled. TJ begins investigating and he learns that not all is as well with the family as it appears.

I've now read several of Lisa Scottoline's books and her currently thrillers have been page-turners...except this one. I thought the premise of this one was good - black-sheep son investigating a crime to save his family - but it felt a little boring and more intricate than it needed to be. I think TJ is a great, complicated character. TJ's sister's plotline seemed...kind-hearted but unnecessary. I found I hated John more every time his name popped up, which I'm sure was the point.

Overall, a decent thriller, but not necessarily my favorite of Lisa Scottoline's and not really one I'd recommend to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam Son's for the digital copy. My review is honest and voluntary.

Family drama, full of lies and crimes that will keep you guessing. There are twists and red herrings that are so much fun and surprising.

Families are complicated. TJ Devlin is a disappointment in his wealthy family. Unable to find a job due to his time in prison and rehab for his alcoholism, he is hired by the family law firm as an investigator. This takes him on a wild ride and exposes cracks in the foundation of his family.

One of my favorite authors! She is local to me so it’s enjoyable to read about places I know, which helps to make it a very visual read. Her characters are always realistic, love them or hate them. I didn’t get the heart pounding like I did from her previous books, but found myself vested in the story nonetheless. More so than in any of her previous books, I found this storyline totally realistic and relatable in today’s world. Really didn’t see the twist coming, even though subtle hints were given. She tied everything together well. Her research is thorough, in this case, handling addiction in a humanistic and understandable way. I flew thru this book that was as much legal thriller as family drama. I look forward to her next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

This was my first Lisa Scottine book and I was a fan! I love me a good family based thriller/drama book and this one was a hit.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I loved this book! It gets you from the first page, and I couldn't put it down! TJ, the MC, works at his family's law firm. He's been treated his whole life as the family screw-up, and it's hard for him to believe that he's not, even when he's done nothing wrong. There's plenty of legal drama, but it's not done in a boring way. I found myself rooting for TJ all the way through, and really enjoyed getting to know his character! I"ve always enjoyed Scottoline's books, and this one was a win for me! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫/5. The Truth About the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. Publication was this week. The Main Line Philly Devlins are all Range Rover driving workaholic lawyers working at their family firm except for the youngest son, TJ. TJ just finished a stint in prison and since rehab, he’s trying very hard to stay sober. At their demanding father’s birthday party, Alpha Brother John pulls TJ aside saying he may have killed a client and could TJ help. TJ plunges in trying to uncover what exactly John has done. TJ works for the family firm as an investigator and he’s eager to get back in their good graces. He soon appears to be in over his head, and it even looks like he might be tossed back in prison. Lisa Scottoline delivers quick and easy to read mysteries, and this one hit the mark. Snappy dialogue and an ending that kept me guessing. Perhaps a good beach read if you’re going away! #books #netgalley #bookstagram #whatiread #whatsinyourbeachbag #bookgram #reading #bookworm #goodreads #libbyapp #lısascottolıne

Classic scottoline about family, justice, and fairness. But her best one yet Tj devlin is my favorite character in awhile! Couldn’t stop reading.

4.5 stars. I enjoyed this book a lot. At times it was hard to put down! A couple parts seemed a bit slow, but overall it really was a great book! After reading the authors note at the end, I am sad that some of the events in this book are based on true things that happened. I live near Philadelphia, so it’s always interesting reading books set in places i am familiar with. I received an advanced copy, but my opinion is unbiased!

Another great book by Lisa Scottoline!
So many twists and turns.
The character development was extraordinary, You really felt what they were feeling.
Will absolutely recommend this book, one of her best

Thank you Prhaudio for the free audiobook and Netgalley and Putnam Books for an eARC of The Truth About the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline, narrated by Edoardo Ballerini.
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In the past year I have rediscovered Lisa Scottoline and remember why I love her books.
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Lisa gives a complex family drama like no other - filled with layer upon layer of secrets and lies. The Devlin family has their roles. Most specifically John is the perfect older brother and TJ is the black sheep always finding trouble. But are these still accurate? You will learn so much as the story unfolds!
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I really loved TJ’s character. He was perfectly imperfect, working so hard to redeem himself in the eyes of his family.
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Edoardo Ballerini did an excellent job with narration. You could feel the emotion, the drama and the tension!

The Devlins are a high achieving family with son TJ trying to stay sober. The family dynamics make for an interesting read. The story begins with the golden son asking his brother TJ for.help.after he thinks he murders someone. The book is fast paved and Lisa Scott online does not disappoint. I'm hoping this is the first in a new series from her. Highly recommend for intrigue, and a good old fashioned murder mystery.

This is a family dram/legal thriller. The main character is so incredibly likable that I felt his emotions right along with him. There were several less than likable characters, but they were needed for the story. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened and how everything was connected.

Lisa Scottoline is a master at storytelling! This novel is a rich mixture of family drama and legal thriller! I loved the blend. My favorite books by Lisa have been her legal thrillers and this one definitely delivered. Full of suspense and twist after twist. And a few shocks too! I also loved the love for animals in this one as well! TJ and Gabby are my favorite characters in the story. Thanks to #Netgalley for this amazing ARC!

It’s not often that a thriller makes me smile but this one posed that of the two brothers, one was a smart dumb person and the other was a dumb smart person. It’s these random witty phrases that make me love the author’s books.

TJ, the main character, is so flawed but so very relatable. I was rooting for him from the start. A former convict and former alcoholic in a family of lawyers. He is a disappointment to his family and himself. At times I just wanted to give him a pep talk. He’s a character I’d like to see more of.

The book is fast paced and has a little action and a little investigation. For a book full of lawyers, there isn’t any courtroom action, but there is a case or two. And much family drama. If only the rest of TJ’s family was as likable as he is.

Make sure and read the author’s note at the end. Not only does she discuss her research in general, but the case in this book is ripped from the headlines and based upon a real life situation.

Edoardo Ballerini narrates this one and is the perfect voice for TJ. He pulled me into the story and I felt both TJs regrets and tenseness as he navigated the investigation.

I haven’t read a five star book in so long and this was just what I needed! The Truth About the Devlins has it all - legal drama, family drama and thriller in one but it wasn’t too much all at once.

I loved the narrator, TJ, from the very beginning. He’s the kind of guy you want to root for. Former alcoholic and black sheep of the family but he was just so lovable. Even despite his recent stints in rehab & prison. What can I say, I love an underdog.

TJ can’t get hired anywhere so he is an “investigator” at his family’s law firm - where pretty much everyone is an attorney but him. The book opens with his older brother, John, confessing to murdering one of their clients.

I absolutely loved the family dynamic in this book - there were some great twists and turns - but not so many where it made it unrealistic. Well done as usual, Lisa Scottoline.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.