by Paula Gail Benson
 |
| Lisa Scottoline |
Quite a number of years ago, when her publication list was under a dozen (it now is thirty plus), I began reading Lisa Scottoline’s novels and could not put them down. I admired her drive in finishing law school, clerking for judges, and becoming a litigator; her courage for raising her daughter as a single parent and following her dream of writing fiction; and, when she made a trip to visit Columbia and benefit its library, her charm as a delightful human being.
It has been a while since I read one of Scottoline’s books,
so when I saw her novel The Truth about the Devlins had been nominated
by the International Thriller Writers for a Thiller Award for Best Standalone
Thriller Novel, I had to check it out. Almost immediately, I was reminded why I
previously had found her novels so captivating.
Scottoline knows how to start in the middle of the
action. The opening lines set up the dilemma. One brother confesses to
another that he thinks he has killed someone. The twist? It’s the favored son
of the family turning to the black sheep, ex-con for help. The opening chapter
is mostly dialogue with just enough narrative to let readers know who these men
are and a bit about their relationship.
Scottoline knows how to keep the twists coming.
The black sheep always has admired the favored son. He considers it a
privilege to be called upon to help. When they reach the place where the murder
occurred, no body is there. The black sheep keeps digging. But, when the
brothers have to explain their absence from their father’s birthday party, the
favored son throws the black sheep under the bus, making the family believe the
black sheep has returned to his former addiction. The black sheep keeps his
brother’s secret, even though it reflects badly upon him and makes his family question
him. Still, the black sheep continues to investigate and unavoidably has an
encounter with the police. Finally, he thinks the truth will come out. Instead,
he finds the favored son has covered his tracks with lies that make the black
sheep look all the more culpable.
Scottoline knows how to keep heaping difficulties on
the hero’s life. The black sheep brother can’t catch a break. His
family thinks he’s returned to addiction. He misses an arranged date due to
complications from the investigation. His AA sponsor tells him he needs to grow
up. He keeps remembering failures from the past and feels himself slipping.
Scottoline knows how to bring in the back story when
its needed and not before. Readers are not even certain of the details
of the black sheep’s arrest and incarceration until the middle of the book.
Similarly, details about his relationship with his brother and with a former
girlfriend are introduced gradually, usually when they can make the black sheep
feel worse about his current situation.
Scottoline knows how to create compelling characters. The black sheep, who narrates the story, admits he’s not admirable like his family members. He takes readers along to an AA meeting and a time when he has to appeal to his sponsor for support. Readers also learn he has devoted himself to a new course. When, to assist his brother, he faces untrue accusations and cannot protest, he gains readers’ sympathy. When he misses the date because he’s helping his brother, but the date angrily decides he’s just ditched her, his guilt increases. Then, when his brother continues to turn the tables on him, making the entire family doubt him, readers wonder how much more he’ll have to endure. Gradually, readers begin to care about this guy. The way he’s being treated is heart wrenching. Lisa told Woman’s World, “My goal was to write a lovable but flawed character who has to rebuild his life after a life-changing mistake.”
I think my enjoyment of Scottoline’s work is two-fold: (1)
she tells a great story, and (2) her work is a fabulous demonstration of skill
and craft. If you haven’t already discovered her books, here’s a link to a list from her website.
By the way, her new psychological thriller, The Unraveling of Julia, will
be released July 15, 2025.
Do you look to a particular author’s work to analyze the craft?
Great analysis of her book and her craft technique. I look beyond the story if it intrigues me, but sadly not to the depth and with the understanding you demonstrate.
ReplyDeleteGood points. I enjoyed Scottoline's books about Rosato and Associates.
ReplyDeleteI don't try to analyze craft when I first read a book--I like to concentrate on the story first. But sometimes I do go back and take a what I admire about a book that I've really enjoyed. For instance, I'm fascinated by the way the late Margaret Yorke was able to hold my interest and move the story along while with passages that "told" instead of "showed," thus giving a depth without delving into too-long passages.
ReplyDeleteIt’s been awhile since I read a book by Lisa, but you’ve inspired me to read more of them.
ReplyDeleteLisa's books are master classes, but I look closer to home to our own Annette Dashofy’s work for handling multiple points of view. Annette, thank you!
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