Book Review: Lisa Scottoline's ACCUSED

In the 14th book in this series, Lisa Scottoline returns in ACCUSED to focus on Mary DiNunzio as she not only makes partner in the firm, she also gets engaged. One of the two she's not super happy about, but I'll let you figure out which one when you read the book. 

In this book a thirteen year-old girl, Allegra, hires Mary to help her find her older sister's real killer, despite the fact that a man was convicted based on his confession. Allegra believes that this man is innocent, but doesn't have the evidence to prove it. 

Mary has her hands full since the girls parents don't want the investigation to continue and everyone is worried about Allegra digging into the murder of her elder sister. Allegra was only eight years old when it happened, so how will Mary figure out whether what the girl remembers is true or not. 

While reading the book I had moments of difficulty because the concept of a 13 year old trying to solve her own sister's murder was so rough to think about. Scottoline helps us read through this toughness by comic relief through Mary DiNunzio's family and Mary's commonality with Allegra of having also lost someone she loved to murder. 

The plot is not one that I have read before and the book moves fast. I kept turning the pages and turning the pages. Mary's point of view and internal monologue takes the story to the next level,

"She knew she should be happy, but she wasn't, then she felt guilt for not being happy, making a club sandwich of guilt." 

Mary's family's antics also add a necessary lightness to the book, especially any time the "The Tonys" are involved in the investigation.

I love this series and was glad to get back to it. If you have never read Lisa Scottoline's book, you may want to start with the first book, EVERYWHERE THAT MARY WENT, and read the whole series. Otherwise pick up ACCUSED. You'll be turning the pages in no time.