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. … 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.
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This book definitely took me out of my comfort zone! A 10 year old boy being raised by his diabetic grandfather, who is being bullied, and has special needs that the school district isn’t addressing. In addition to that, the boy has been accused of attacking a teacher’s aide with scissors. Was the attack justified? At first it doesn’t look that way but Mary DiNunzio is on the case and will stop at nothing but the truth. This book has sleazy lawyers, inept social workers, murder, and horrible foster parents. I cried so much while reading this…I don’t think I could possibly read it again. Very moving!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a fast read with interesting characters!
very timely with so many children having emotional and psychological problems today.
Great story of a boy with a disability, but much more than that. A caring lawyer
Had me in tears!
Love this law firm series. This particular one finds Mary trying to help a small boy and his grandfather. Has some suspense and close calls, and tugs your heartstrings too.
As usual, Lisa Scotoline did not let me down…
Another great read from Scottoline
Love this character. Love how you never know how it will turn out until the very end
Mary DiNunzio, South Philly born and bred, has risen to partnership in Bennie Rosato’s legendary Center City law firm. If Bennie is the strong and sure leader of her practice, Mary is all heart–and lots of righteous indignation.
Mary was the Neighborhood Girl Who Made Good, so she got her self-esteem from being universally beloved.
Mary has a big case and a wedding weeks away when an elderly grandfather comes into the office. His orphaned grandson, an engaging ten-year-old with Dyslexia, is accused of attacking a school aide and they are being sued. Patrick reveales that the aide molested him. Mary takes the case. Discovering the school has failed to offer Patrick the help he needs to learn to read and become successful she arranges for his admission into a private school.
That evening Mary stops by their house to find the grandfather has died and Patrick is in denial. Stepping in to help, Mary becomes emotionally attached and can’t let go. She decides to become Patrick’s foster parent to ensure he gets the help he needs.
But is Patrick as innocent as he appears? When a fraught Patrick holds a gun on the Department of Human Services case worker who wants to separate him from Mary he is classified as a threat. The police even suspect Patrick of causing his grandfather’s death by an overdose of insulin.
Damaged is the newest Lisa Scottoline book in the best selling Rosato & DiNunzio series. It is geared to shed light on the complexities of child welfare, the intricacies of the foster system, and the challenges facing special needs children. Most of the novel revolves around Mary’s fight to become Patrick’s foster mom.
The subplot offers suspense and thrills after Mary starts piecing things together. Meanwhile, her fiancée is out of town and unaware of Mary’s decisions. What will Anthony think when he returns to find Mary is committing to parenting a child without his input? Will their relationship end as they realize they are not operating as ‘married’, but as individuals make decisions alone, not jointly?
The issues Scottoline address in the novel are important and readers learn along with Mary. This does slow the book down, but the tension of what will happen–and what did happen–drives the reader’s interest. Mary’s delightful family and neighborhood friends are always fun and add lighthearted comic moments.
I received a free book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Lisa Scottolina writes intriguing legal thrillers. Greatly enjoyed this one.
Very enjoyable
It was a whole bunch of things. I didn’t realize that Lisa Scottoline had a law degree so the book had me sitting on the edge of my seat. I loved it. BTW I was raised by an attorney so realistic is the name of the game for me.
Great read and very informative
I couldn’t put this book down! A twist at the end but it was a good twist!
Liked this book a lot. Especially loved the references to the protagonist’s Italian
family and heritage.
Never let me down
A great. Read.
Loved this book … really inventive plot with twists I didn’t see coming, funny and heartwarming, but still suspenseful. Great book.
Interesting plot—was the child an innocent victim or was Mary taken in by his age and circumstances. Had me wondering for much of the book.