The Vendetta Defense

This was a great book on two levels: First, it had a wonderful grasp of a period of history (something I'm beginning to really count on Scottoline to provide), and second, a really moving story with characters you couldn't help but connect with.

Tony - or Pigeon Tony, after his habit of raising racing pigeons - willingly admits to having killed, but not murdered, a man. Both are in their eighties, and are on either ends of a vendetta spinning back to their youths. Judy Carrier, one of Scottoline's characters from the Rosato and Associates firm, is representing him, and incredibly conflicted: how do you defend someone against murder who admits to the killing? And why does she want to?

I actually got choked up at passages while listening to this, and surprised myself with a few sniffles. The story, which moves back to the days of fascist Italy in Pigeon Tony's recollections, unfolds two plot lines at once, and the result is a clever intersection. I really enjoyed this - I've enjoyed all of Scottoline's books - and definitely suggest it for your listening pleasure.

Rosenblat's naration is first-rate. Giving each character a voice of their own, and lending an appropriate tone to the dialogue. This was truly a joy to listen to.

A book that will make you think about murder and killing in a whole new light. One that will make you ask yourself the questions, does killing someone always equal murder? Does killing by one's own hand mean justice is done?

Scottoline's flipping back from the past to the present will have you on the edge of your seat and eager for the next plot twist... Before long, you'll be hanging on her every word.

I liked this story line a lot. Very creative! The narrator was great, especially with Italian Accents. Problem was a ton of corny humer obviously aimed at female readers. Males may want to consider this but I still gave it 3 stars. Without the corny stuff it would have been a 4+ for me.

Barbara Roosenblat was supurb...her ability to transform her voice to the many differant characters was amazeing...th e story line was very slow

I find her books easy to listen to and interesting to read or hear.

The protagonist, an Italian immigrant who loves pigeons, is one of the most sympathetic characters ever defended. Judy Carrier takes the case pro bono) and has a VERY difficult time trying to defend this small and seemingly simple man for murder who keeps blurting out his crime! What is the law compared to justice? (Never a clear line.) This is a great look into above noted community where the MANY "Tonys" (known by their nicknames) and how they stick together to help a neighbor. Judy Carrier has the same many comic thoughts of any Scottoline character that keep you smiling until you breathlessly await the verdict of the obviously guilty "Pigeon Tony."

This is Lisa Scottoline and Barbara Rosenbalt -- what an unbeatable team! -- at their very best. I've listened to it twice, which is once more than I ever listen to an audiobook. In about six months, I'll listen to it again. Just marvelous!

This is the best audiobook I have listened to!

It's very well read and fun to listen to, with lots of accents and different voices achieved by a single reader. The plot is lightweight and insignificant but it was a good book to listen to when I walk or drive.

The story was tedious at times and the reader had to be chewing gum... really very irritating