Dirty Blonde

By: Lisa Scottoline

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Cate Fante is strong and smart, but when she gets appointed a federal judge, even she wonders if she can do the job justice. She's in her 30s, and she feels like she's joining the world's most exclusive retirement village. But Cate keeps her doubts a secret. And, as it happens, much else. For she leads a dark, double life that she hides from everyone.

Then a high-profile case in her courtroom explodes into a shocking murder-suicide, and it blasts her cover wide open. Overnight, her new career hangs in tatters. But Cate's troubles are only beginning. An enemy no one anticipated sends her running for her life, embarking on a journey that begins in the mystery of her own childhood. She'll have to fight her way back to the truth, or die trying.

Dirty Blonde is Lisa Scottoline's most suspenseful and gripping thriller to date. Mixing poignancy with her trademark wit and wonderfully compelling characters, it questions whether law and justice are always the same thing.

©2006 Lisa Scottoline (P)2006 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The fast pace and ever-increasing tension will keep readers turning the pages." (Publishers Weekly)

Great story

This is a great story but there were many skips throughout the actual recording. The audio quality is not what I have come to expect. Very entertaining easy enough to deal with audio quality.

Meh…

I am a fan of Lisa Scottoline and usually enjoy her books. This one was disappointing. Not her usual edge-of-your-seat story. Totally random ending.

Great story. Nice twists!

This is my third book by Lisa Scottiline. Each one stood alone as a great story. This has been my favorite. Great job Lisa. !

A book I can listen to again

Lisa again gives her star character a witty sense of humor, making it a book I can listen to several times.

Fast Paced, ending somewhat of a letdown

If you want an audiobook that's just for fun / entertainment this one will definitely keep you entertained. The main character, Kate, is a Federal Judge who is something of a night-owl/loose woman, something that is obviously totally inappropriate for someone of her position. At times you just want to slap her upside the head and say "you have to be smarter than that!". As you listen more you come to realize what a complete psychological mess she is. But this isn't really a psychological thriller and her bad behavior is more of a subplot in a murder mystery which turns out to be completely unrelated to her bad behavior. It's a whodunnit with a rather ho-hum ending but 95% of the book moves along at a really good pace with plenty of wit that will keep you entertained. Overall a pretty good listen.

Very enjoyable!

This has to be one of my favorite Lisa Scottoline books. It's just simply a fun and enjoyable read . You won't be disappointed.

Suspend disbelief becomes ridiculous

The story was good except the author kept making the main character who would have been one of the smartest people around to become a federal judge stupid at all the right moments to create suspense. A very intelligent federal judge who had a police officer gone rogue who was trying to kill her would not go back to where she grew up and her mother's grave on the anniversary of her mother's death. Stupid criminals on the run which is 95% of them flee to their home territory and family members and friends which is why law enforcement always look there first and find them most of the time. In other words a police office would know to look exactly where she went. Then once the guy tries to run her over, she thinks drunk, etc. rather than killer so she doesn't run or hide and is standing there when he comes back around. She conveniently forgets her cell phone when ever she would need it. I am so tired of this in novels as I am when they say they forgot their charger even though you can buy a charger at any drug store, convenience store, gas station, vending machine at airports, hotels, bus and train terminals, etc. Not say the characters are never smart enough to carry a extra charger in their car, purse, brief case, etc. like most people. Android or Apple you can find a charger almost anywhere in the world. So be a little more creative and don't make your supposedly smart character stupid. We are all stupid occasionally but if you are repeatedly then you are just stupid.

Excellent corkscrew ending!!! I did NOT suspect

the killer @ all!!!! As usual, Barbara Rosenblatt does a super job with the narration!!! I could listen to her voice 4eva!! The story moves right along.... Kate is now a judge!! (which was a surprise to me!) But delightfuled nonetheless. Her personal life EXPOSED, Kate finally learns to grow up & appreciate the position she has been granted! Fabulous story!! I expect as much from Lisa, & she doesn't disappoint!!!! Happy reading!!

i don't like the main character

I've tried to read/listen to this several times. finally completed it. i like strong women characters, but not when they are actually weak with lots of angst and problems.

Glad I read it.

Great but I didnt think the reason the bad guy did it was very good.