Damaged
A Rosato & DiNunzio Novel
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4.3 • 279 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
“Scottoline writes riveting thrillers that keep me up all night, with plots that twist and turn.” –Harlan Coben
One boy. One lawyer. One chance for justice.
Ten-year-old Patrick O'Brien is a natural target at school. Shy, dyslexic, and small for his age, he tries to hide his first-grade reading level from everyone: from his classmates, from the grandfather who cares for him, and from the teachers who are supposed to help him. But the real trouble begins when Patrick is accused of attacking a school aide. The aide promptly quits and sues the boy, his family, and the school district. Patrick's grandfather turns to the law firm of Rosato & DiNunzio for help and Mary DiNunzio is on the case. Soon Mary becomes Patrick's true champion and his only hope for security and justice. But there is more to the story than meets the eye and Patrick might be more troubled than he seems. With twists at every turn and secrets about the family coming to light, Mary DiNunzio might have found the case that can make her a true protector, or break her heart...
With Lisa Scottoline’s trademark emotional depth and fast-paced action, Damaged will have readers riveted to the last page as they root for the beloved characters and their fight for justice.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In bestseller Scottoline's outstanding 15th Rosato & DiNunzio novel (after 2015's Corrupted), Mary DiNunzio, a partner in the Philadelphia law firm of Rosato & DiNunzio, takes on a heartbreaking case involving a dyslexic fifth grader, Patrick O'Brien, who's bullied at school and is getting no support for his language disability. Patrick, who's being raised by his paternal grandfather, allegedly attacked a school aid with scissors, and now the aid is suing both Patrick and the school board for damages. On the brink of her wedding to college professor Anthony Rotunno, Mary becomes emotionally attached to Patrick, more so than any previous client, and finds herself pitted against a diabolical attorney, Nick Machiavelli (aka the Dark Prince), who's determined to win a settlement, despite the emotional cost to the 10-year-old boy. In her struggle to save Patrick, Mary finds herself fighting her associates, her fianc , and social services. Tensions mount until the story concludes with a satisfying, unexpected twist. 400,000-copy announced first printing, author tour.
Customer Reviews
Damaged
This is a well written mystery about a devoted and honest lawyer Mary, and her loyalty to and compassion for a child with special needs. She is an endearing lawyer any person would be lucky to have on their side. The book highlights the legal, social, emotional, and heart breaking difficulties of getting help and justice for bullied and sexually abused children in special education, who are most vulnerable to abusers and bullying from classmates. I thought some of the wedding preparation parts were boring, so I skipped ahead. The ponzi scheme to steal from and cheat Patrick's elderly grandfather was especially current and highlights serious problems many elderly face, even smart accountants. Patrick's fairy tale ending was almost too good to be true, but I loved it! And I loved Mary's wedding too!! Machiavelli is perfect as the opposing lawyer representing a child rapist, but even he drops his client finally. Glad the thieves got what they deserved too!! Good book! I felt the outrage and emotional trauma just reading about Mary's clients! She's got courage and tenacity I wish every child advocate had. Bravo!
Damaged
A real page turner. Hard to put down. Loved it!
Poorly written! What happened to this writter!
Don’t waste your time.