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It was 1994 when Italian-American lawyer Lisa Scottoline had her first book, EVERYWHERE THAT MARY WENT, released. DIRTY BLONDE is her 13th opus and, given the quality of the work, it is unlikely to bring the author bad luck. This book is not one of her series but is instead a standalone featuring a young judge, a woman with a shameful secret. The story begins at a party given by judges for the newest of their number. Cate Fante is now a federal judge and, as such, has a certain dignity and set of responsibilities to maintain. On her way home, on an impulse, she stops at a seedy bar and as she gradually unwinds, picks up a bit of rough trade, a tow truck driver who is already more than a little under the weather. She makes no bones about the fact she wants sex but at the same time she feels secretly ashamed of herself and wishes she were anywhere else doing anything else. Six months later, Cate is presiding over a case which moves her emotionally, a case in which a young writer, Richard Marz, is claiming a powerful television producer, Art Simone, has stolen his ideas and characters in order to make a popular show, ATTORNEYS@LAW, a show that has made millions for Simone. Unfortunately, when discussions were undertaken between the two, no definite figure was given so no legal contract was entered into and Cate must find in favour of the defendant. Despite this, she lets it be known in no uncertain terms that Simone's actions were despicable and all her sympathies lie with Marz. Soon thereafter both plaintiff and defendant are dead, the apparent result of a murder suicide. Cate's best friend, Gina, has an autistic child, Warren, a three-year-old whom Cate dearly loves. She babysits him regularly two nights a week. Cate also has a boyfriend. Neither friend nor boyfriend knows of Cate's extracurricular hobby until one night Cate is nearly raped by someone she has picked up and she must call Gina for help. Subsequently, the thug is found dead, having fallen from the motel where Cate had the assignation with him. Now a detective, Russo, involved in the Marz/Simone case is out to get Cate in any way he can and, being a detective, it doesn't take too long for him to uncover Cate's illicit pastime. He also blames her for the death of his friend Richard Marz whom he has vowed to avenge. Soon Cate's secret life is very public, she is suspended and is in fear for her life. There is a half-hearted attempt to explain just why Cate, bright enough to be made a judge, should be silly enough to entertain herself as she does. Regardless, I didn't think it was nearly convincing enough. Despite this, once the reader swallows that very big and indigestible plot hinge, the rest of the tale goes smoothly. The story careers through dangerous situations and places, including a poisoned town (which exists in real life) and makes the reader have grave fears for the injudicious judge on every level. Some of the characters in this are not terribly persuasive -- in keeping, perhaps, with the personality of Cate herself. The chief villain is a surprise but perhaps the shock value is not accompanied by adequate motivation. Regardless of these shortcomings, it is a thrill-packed story with a satisfying number of twists and turns and a shock resolution. In summary: Law with a lightish touch.
Reviewed by Denise Pickles, March 2006
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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