The Truth About the Devlins

by Lisa Scottoline

Lisa Scottoline, the #1 bestselling author of What Happened to the Bennetts , presents another pulse-pounding domestic thriller about family, justice, and the lies that tear us apart. TJ Devlin is the charming disappointment in the prominent Devlin family, all of whom are lawyers at their highly successful firm--except him. After a stint in prison and rehab for alcoholism, TJ can't get hired anywhere except at the firm, in a make-work job with the title of investigator. But one night, TJ's world turns upside down after his older brother John confesses that he just murdered one of the clients, an accountant he'd confronted with proof of embezzlement. It seems impossible coming from John, the firstborn son and Most Valuable Devlin. TJ plunges into the investigation, seizing the chance to prove his worth and save his brother. But in no time, TJ and John find themselves entangled in a lethal web of deception and murder. TJ will fight to save his family, but what he learns might break them first.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Crime

527 pages, Library Binding

First published March 26, 2024

About the author

Lisa Scottoline is a #1 bestselling and Edgar award-winning author of 33 novels. Her books are book-club favorites, and Lisa and her daughter Francesca Serritella have hosted an annual Big Book Club Party for over a thousand readers at her Pennsylvania farm, for the past twelve years. Lisa has served as President of Mystery Writers of America, and her reviews of fiction and non-fiction have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer. She also writes a weekly column with her daughter for the Philadelphia Inquirer entitled Chick Wit, a witty take on life from a woman’s perspective, which have been collected in a bestselling series of humorous memoirs. Lisa graduated magna cum laude in three years from the University of Pennsylvania, with a B.A. in English, and cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she taught Justice and Fiction. Lisa has over 30 million copies of her books in print and is published in over 35 countries. She lives in the Philadelphia area with an array of disobedient pets and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Reviews

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa Scottoline is back with another highly entertaining, stand-alone thriller that has a “catchy” title, and a snarky, likable lead character who you can’t help but root for!

TJ Devlin is the only child who is not a lawyer at Devlin and Devlin, the highly successful family law firm which employs not only both parents but also both of his siblings.

Instead he holds the title of “Investigator” given to him by his family after time in jail for an alcohol related crime.

His sister Gabby is whip smart, but prefers her pro bono work- making his older brother John the family MVD (most valuable Devlin)

So TJ is pretty shocked when at their father’s birthday party, John confesses that he needs TJ’s help. It appears that he accidentally killed one of their clients, an accountant he’d confronted with proof of embezzlement.

TJ may have to OBSTRUCT justice to save John, but he wants to make amends with his family and prove his worth. At the same time, Gabby needs TJ’s help to GET justice for her dying plaintiffs-prisoners who were experimented on by a large pharmaceutical company,

This would be a lot for anyone but TJ will have to balance both cases while also dealing with his own personal demons-AA meetings-the loss of love-and a newly adopted, diabetic cat named Mango, who tolerates him at best.

Don’t let the 400 pages scare you away! The chapters are short and this is compulsive “just one more chapter” reading! I was engaged from the first page through the last.

And, this story COULD be the prequel for the next chapter in TJ’s life…🤞🏻

DO read the acknowledgements at the end of the story. It turns out that Gabby’s plaintiffs were fictional but what happened to them was NOT. Inmates at some of Philadelphia’s prisons were used as human subjects for medical experimentations from the late fifties to the early seventies and the author provides sources for those of us who would like to learn more.

TW: Alcoholism (handled thoughtfully)

A buddy read with DeAnn. Be sure to check out her thoughts in her terrific review!

AVAILABLE NOW!

Thank you to G. P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review.

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very intriguing family drama that I found hard to put down!

The Devlin's are a powerful family in Philadelphia. Both parents and two of their children work in the family law firm of Devlin and Devlin. Typically, every family has a black sheep and for this family it’s TJ. Presently on parole. He’s maintained his sobriety for two years, doing his best to get his life back on track.
TJ works for the family firm as the unofficial investigator.

But when his older brother pulls him into a case, TJ's sobriety and possibly his life are in jeopardy.

I loved TJ’s character. He felt very authentic to me in his struggles. His desire to be accepted by his family and to be loved by the woman he disappointed.

A gripping storyline, with enough legal drama to keep me engaged. There was no courtroom action, and truly it wasn’t even missed.

I have been reading Lisa Scottoline’s books for years. I absolutely love her series! I’ve been hit or miss with her stand-alone books. But this latest was a big hit! I would love to see these characters be incorporated into a series in the future. I need more TJ!🙏🏼

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Truth about the Devlins" is a fast-paced, addictive crime mystery that grips you from the very first page. With its well-constructed characterization and a realistic approach to a highly dysfunctional family dynamic, power struggles, and legal battles, this book is a thrilling rollercoaster ride.

Thomas Jefferson, aka T.J. Devlin, is the black sheep of his family of successful lawyers. He's a recovering alcoholic with a criminal record, and the only employment he can secure is within his own family's law firm. Instead of leveraging his family's privilege, he took responsibility for his past mistakes. T.J. pleaded guilty and served his time, striving every day to redeem himself. But when his golden-boy older brother, John, a criminal lawyer, needs his help with a murder case, T.J. finds himself entangled in a complex web of family secrets.

T.J. is brought to the alleged crime scene by John, who leaves in the middle of their father's birthday celebration. This sudden departure raises suspicions that T.J. might be in trouble again, a convenient scapegoat for the family. However, there's no dead body, blood, or the rock John insists he used to attack the alleged victim. John immediately relaxes and tries to conceal the incident, even lying to their parents, claiming that T.J. has relapsed into alcoholism, even though he's been sober for a considerable time. T.J. is determined to turn his life around, but he may still be stalking his ex, who is somehow linked to the crime that landed him in prison.

The situation takes a dark turn when the accountant is found shot the next day at a different location. T.J. becomes suspicious after realizing they are being followed by an unknown car. It appears that someone knows about their involvement with the victim. Ignoring his brother's objections, T.J. continues his investigation, unwittingly plunging himself into a perilous situation with nobody by his side due to his tarnished past. Meanwhile, he takes on a pro bono case assigned by his sister, Gabby, related to illegal drug tests conducted on inmates in multiple prisons by several pharmaceutical companies, resulting in terminal diseases.

As T.J. delves deeper into the case and faces his own demons, he begins to understand that his family is entangled in a perilous situation that could jeopardize their entire bond. Can the Devlins protect themselves from the looming threat, even if it proves more daunting than they could have ever imagined?

I admired T.J.'s character, his tenacious battle with addiction, his genuine efforts to learn from his mistakes, and his unwavering loyalty to his family, even when their own mistakes jeopardize his freedom. There were moments when I wished I could reach into the book and give him a well-deserved break.

In conclusion, "Truth about the Devlins" is a heart-pounding, captivating page-turner with a satisfying ending. Though it's not part of a series, I hope to see more of T.J. in future books, perhaps as a kickass lawyer. He's a compelling character who deserves a sequel.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/ G. P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a digital review copy of this exceptional book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

medium.com
instagram
facebook
twitter

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
Genre ~ family drama, domestic thriller, legal thriller
Setting ~ Pennsylvania
Publication date ~ March 26, 2024
Est page Count ~ 400 (65 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 40 minutes
Narrator ~ Edoardo Ballerini
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ short chapters, lawyers, alcoholism, sobriety

TJ is the black sheep of the family, an ex-con, too. When his brother comes to him for help one night he finds himself on a mission that could cost him everything he's worked for.

I felt like I was tagging right along with TJ on his investigations. You can’t help but both feel bad for him and wonder why you are since what he did to land himself in the slammer wasn’t great. His father and brother are down right awful to him and their entitlement was a bit much. Sister, Gabby, on the other hand was great!

Overall, it was pretty fast paced with a good amount of action that kept me engaged. If you're a fan of legal family dramas then you'll probably like this one.

Side note ~ I was pleased to read in the author's note that she did extensive research and actually attended AA meetings in order to make sure she was writing the characters realistically. Obviously she knows her stuff on the law side of things since she went to law school.

Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference.

*Thanks to the author, Penguin Group Putnam, and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

[Kate Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific family-based thriller with a damaged but appealing hero! Newly out of prison and struggling through AA one day at a time, TJ Devlin is already the black sheep of his elite all-lawyer family and their self-made firm, so he jumps to help his successful older brother out of a jam...a decision he'll quickly regret as a nasty mess of blackmail, malpractice, and murder reveals itself. Can't go wrong starting the year off with a Lisa Scottoline!

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 4 out of 5]

TJ Devlin is the charming disappointment in the prominent Devlin family, all of whom are lawyers at their highly successful firm—except him. After a stint in prison and rehab for alcoholism, TJ can’t get hired anywhere except at the firm, in a make-work job with the title of investigator.

But one night, TJ’s world turns upside down after his older brother John confesses that he murdered one of their clients, an accountant he’d confronted with proof of embezzlement. It seems impossible coming from John, the firstborn son and Most Valuable Devlin.

TJ plunges into the investigation, seizing the chance to prove his worth and save his brother. But in no time, TJ and John find themselves entangled in a lethal web of deception and murder. TJ will fight to save his family, but what he learns might break them first.

Holy cow! A newbie reader of Lisa Scottoline’s novels, The Truth About the Devlins hooked me in one. With dynamite characters, a complex yet riveting plot, and a happily ever after conclusion, there simply wasn’t much not to love. A delicious mix of family drama and hard-hitting thriller, the tale unwound naturally with even pacing and a definite sense of foreboding. All in all, a fantastic introduction to both Scottoline and the Devlins.

The characters, however, were where the book really shined. With a cast that ran the gamut from a snarky lead with a problem past to plenty of unlikeable family members, I was instantly spellbound by each and every one. As the plot unfurled, however, I was TJ kept me in suspense as his life came under fire. A now sober alcoholic, the topic was handled delicately but truthfully. A sure sign of a gifted author.

As for that plot, it was a tangled web to be sure, but the manner in which it was revealed made the situation crystal clear. With more twists than I would’ve expected and an addictive dysfunctional family dynamic, I was sucked in from the very first word. From there on out, the fast-pace and unrivaled suspense meant I was on the back foot throughout, happily unable to figure it all out until the final reveal.

By the end, I was utterly enamored with the impressive character arcs and unputdownable premise. With both an adorable cat named Mango and a fictional case that was borrowed from a horrifying real life court battle, this plot covered all angles. Now I’m just praying that Scottoline deems to give us more books focused around TJ. After all, his ongoing story deserves to be told. Rating of 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Lisa Scottoline and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DAY: March 26, 2024

Scroll down for my trigger list that may potentially spoil the plot.





































































































Trigger warning: alcohol addiction, suicide, stalking, struggling with sobriety, car versus pedestrian accident, active shooter in a crowd, mention of: financial crimes, gambling addiction

[Kurryreads (Kerry) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m definitely an outlier here. Didn’t like this book. Only thing I liked was the cat. This review is pretty nonsensical but whatever… I just feel like I read a different book than everyone else? It was predictable (which is fine but I was banking on a twist to spice it up), the MMC was so unlikeable & hard to root for. The plot was just not my vibe which I probably could’ve guessed based on the synopsis (so that’s on me.) Also, this book names more makes of cars than I’ve ever experienced in a book before.

I don’t know.. it just was not for me, but everyone else is seemingly enjoying it so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. I just wasn’t having a fun time reading it. 1.5 stars because of the cat, Mango.

[❋ Booked Out Today ❋ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4⭐️

The Truth About the Devlins

Plot:
TJ Devlin, the black sheep of a prestigious legal family, works at his family's firm after a troubled past with prison and alcoholism. When his brother confesses to murder, TJ dives into a dangerous investigation to clear his brother's name, only to uncover shocking truths that could destroy everything he’s trying to save.

My Thoughts:
TJ Devlin really tugged at my heartstrings. I loved how Lisa skillfully explores the idea that a troubled past doesn’t define who you are today, making TJ's journey all the more compelling.

The theme of family dynamics is so central to the story, and this dysfunctional family felt incredibly real and relatable. The short chapters kept me hooked, and the twists and turns had me eagerly turning pages, not wanting to stop. While the ending left me wanting a bit more, it didn’t take away from the fact that this was still an engaging read.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

TJ Devlin - a recovering alcoholic and ex-convict who dropped out of college - is the ne'er-do-well of the Devlin family. Nevertheless, when TJ gets out of prison he's hired to be the 'investigator' for Devlin & Devlin, the family's Philadelphia law firm.



All the Devlins, except for TJ, are attorneys at the family enterprise.

‣ Paul (the patriarch), is the head of the law firm and represents white collar firms and big businesses.



‣ Marie (the matriarch) practices family law, mostly divorces.



‣ John (TJ's brother) follows in his father's footsteps, and also represents businesses. John is very ambitious, and plans to take over the firm when his dad retires.



‣ Gabby (TJ's sister) is civic minded, and takes pro-nono cases.



As the story opens, the Devlin family is assembling for papa Paul's big birthday dinner when an agitated John shows up and draws TJ away. John quietly confides that he accidentally killed someone and needs TJ's help. The brothers leave the birthday party, much to the surprise (and consternation) of the rest of the family.



John's story goes as follows: He's the attorney for Rustan Electronics, which is being acquired by another company. John's due diligence revealed irregularities in Rustan's accounting, so John arranged a meeting with Neil Lemaire, Rustan's sole accountant.



Lemaire confessed to skimming $100,000, and offered to pay John off. When John refused, Lemaire pulled a gun. In self-defense, John threw a rock that hit Lemaire in the head and killed him.



When TJ and John arrive at the 'crime scene', there's no body, but there's blood on the ground. The brothers entertain two possibilities: Lemaire was just knocked out, and got up and left; or Lemaire had a partner in crime who took the body away. In any case, John ABSOLUTELY WON'T CALL THE POLICE, because a scandal would derail Rustan's acquisition, and John expects the deal to net him tens of millions of dollars.



Later, a very annoyed Paul asks why TJ and John skipped out on his birthday celebration. John - who's determined to keep things quiet until he gets his millions - lies and says he was helping TJ, who's drinking again. TJ, who's been sober for two years, is furious about John maligning him, but keeps his mouth shut.



In any case, as the firm's investigator, TJ decides to look into the Lemaire situation, hoping to find the accountant alive and well. This doesn't happen, and in fact Lemaire is later found in his car, shot to death. This opens an investigation into Rustan Electronics, and to save the acquisition, John (the world's biggest snake in the grass) tries to pin Lemaire's murder on TJ. A huge brouhaha ensues, which exposes wrongdoing in the corporate world, and roils Devlin & Devlin.

Meanwhile, pro-bono lawyer (and do-gooder) Gabby Devlin is representing several African-American men who were used for medical experiments decades ago.



At that time, pharmaceutical researchers were allowed to test medications without informed consent, and drug companies used prisoners as test subjects. Most of the victims were Black men, who suffered terrible and painful long term effects, even death.

Gabby is trying to get a settlement from the drug companies, and threatening to sue if they don't cooperate. Gabby askes TJ to be her investigator, and he splits his time between the Rustan situation and Gabby's case.



Most of the story is related from TJ's POV, and it's clear he's very remorseful for his past mistakes: the drinking; the incident that sent him to jail; not getting a college degree; losing the love of his life; disappointing his parents; and so on. To get back on track, TJ diligently goes to AA; has a side career flipping luxury cars; adopts a diabetic cat in need; and even tries to get back into the dating game.



Unfortunately, TJ's family don't believe he's mended his ways, especially in the face of John's mendacity and duplicity. Everyone keeps insisting TJ needs to go back to rehab, though TJ insists he's sober. TJ is determined to prove he's a good man now, and we root for him to succeed.



As the book approaches a conclusion the story threads come together in a surprising fashion that I didn't find quite credible. Still, this is a well-written, suspenseful thriller that would appeal to fans of the genre.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[Sheyla ✎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a success!

TJ Devlon is on parole. He is working for his family firm as an investigator. Hard to find a job after serving time and never finishing college.

His family has a well-known law firm in Philadelphia. Both his parents and siblings are lawyers. Easy to feel like a disappointment with so much success surrounding you.

TJ's oldest brother John is the one who will inherit the big cases when his father retires. His sister Gaby handles pro-bono cases. Without any other choices and still on parole, keeping his job with the family business is a priority.

Everything changes when John tells him that he might have killed someone. TJ won't hesitate to help his brother although this will create chaos in his life which can lead to him losing his sobriety and his freedom.

So many things to love about TJ. His struggles felt all too real making me root for him from the very beginning. His sobriety was well portrayed. Adopting Mango, the diabetic cat only increased my liking of him.

I would love to read a sequel following TJ and another case. I'm crossing my fingers 🤞🏼.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by G.P. Putnam's Sons via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

[Rachel L · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

The action packed story of the family outcast who finds himself tangled in a web of lies. My first book by Scottoline, I wasn't sure what to expect and ended up enjoying the ride of this plot. TJ was an interesting character and narrator as the black sheep of the family and how that all caused things to unfold. This is one of those books where I had a lot of fun listening along to what was happening, but I can tell in a couple of months I probably won't remember the details. Mango the cat was my favorite part of the book, she's a star!!

[Keila (speedreadstagram) · Rating 5 out of 5]

TJ is a recovering alcoholic and a disappointment to his family, all of whom are lawyers. After getting out of prison and rehab, he works at his parent’s law firm as an investigator.

One night, TJ’s life is turned upside down when his older brother John confesses to murdering a client after he’d confronted him about embezzlement.

TJ starts digging, both to prove his worth and save his brother. But as the investigation continues, TJ uncovers things he never thought possible, and he must fight to save his family.

Let me start this out by saying, I enjoyed this book so much! It was so much fun. I love a good family drama, full of twisted, dark secrets, and dysfunction, and this book delivered. Family drama’s are always so fun for me because I come from a very dysfunctional family, so it’s nice to read about others that are even more messed up. There’s just something about knowing that yours wasn’t the worst that makes it slightly better, maybe just a little but still.

This book hooked me from the beginning and held my interest throughout. I couldn’t wait to figure out what was going to happen next. The writing was very good. This was my first book by Lisa Scottoline even though I meant to read What Happened to the Bennetts last year, I just ran out of time. Thankfully, my library had it available so I’m excited to be able to listen to it soon.

How the family treated TJ was so heartbreaking, but so utterly believable, it was just gut wrenching. My heart went out to him on each page. I felt connected to him because my mom was an alcoholic and even when she was clean people treated her like she was still drunk no matter what she did.

TJ’s sister, Gabby, was the true MVP in my mind. I can’t really say too much without giving spoilers, but she did exactly what I would have done in the situation, and I loved her for it. I also loved how she stood by TJ and believed him despite everything that was going on.

I loved the twists in this book as well, I thought the story was going one direction, but then it ended up going another. Red herrings are my favorite because they are misdirected and I just love being surprised by books.

This book was a lot of fun to read. If you’re looking for a top-notch family drama thriller, then check it out.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Penguin Group, G.P. Putnam Sons, @Putnambooks, and Netgalley @Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A copy of this review will be featured on my blog, speedreadstagram.com

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family of lawyers. The kids all have secrets from their parents. Which one should we believe? That's the main storyline of The Truth About the Devlins, the first book I've read from author Lisa Scottoline. Set in Philadelphia, the plot amps up suspense by drawing in various side stories, including a recovering alcoholic's battle to stay sober, a family torn by a past jail sentence, and relationships that have fallen further apart than we'd realized. Good character development and easy dialog. It felt a little too dramatic in some parts, as in how much can really happen to one family? So much murder, betrayal, and crimes that send people to jail. And the shootings and violence, wow! All good for a thriller, just a lot if you like it to be more realistic too. That said, I will read more from the author.

[Abbie Konnick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ehh..pretty boring. Not my kind of characters, not my kind of book 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Andrew Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Devlins are a family of successful lawyers: mum, dad, son, and daughter. But then there’s another son, TJ, the black sheep of the family. We learn early on that he’s had trouble in his life and we’re to learn more about that as the story plays out. Meanwhile, he’s working as an investigator for the family law firm, thrown a bone by them, not really expected to do much of any value. But then, one night, his brother, John, a man whom TJ has always looked up to, revered, in fact, asks for TJ’s help. John is in trouble, or at least he thinks he is.

The family are an entitled bunch, hard to warm to, and it’s not initially clear what shadow, or shadows, from TJ’s past are haunting him. But perhaps by helping his brother, some kind of redemption may be achieved. Perhaps then he’ll be considered something more than just an unfortunate appendage to this otherwise high achieving family. More importantly, maybe TJ will achieve some semblance of self-worth.

It all had the feel of a routine thriller with a twisty plot but populated by characters who seemed largely shallow and one-dimensional. But slowly, as the story developed, the characters began to evolve a degree of depth and complexity. It turns out that TJ’s sister, Gabby, was not the same driven money making machine as her parents and brother John – in fact, she was working pro bono on a case involving the abuse of prison inmates. TJ was actually closer to Gabby than the others, and in time, he became involved with this case, too, helping her out. John and TJ's parents also had a little more going on than I'd initially glimpsed, though I found it hard to warm to any of them.

The problem is, I'm not sure that the story ever really takes off. In time, TJ comes to recognise John for who he really is, and there’s some excitement as we approach the end, with a pretty good action scene. Loose ends are tied off, and conclusions are reached. But really it’s a pretty low-key tale that retained my interest without ever truly exciting me.

My thanks to Penguin Group Putnam for providing an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Teju A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started with a bang and then it began to lose steam as we approached the middle, then it tried to redeem itself with a weird plot twist that I found myself scratching my head to!
In all a decent book, but I have read better from this author.

We deal with addiction, family dynamics, recovery and accountability in the midst of a murder, disappearance and fraud within a family where the black sheep and golden child via for redemption in the eyes of their parents.

Solid 3.5 stars!!!!

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

​✰ 3 stars ✰

“Privilege was an awful, beautiful thing.”

When his older brother John confesses to murder, TJ knows that as an off-the-books investigator for his family's law firm, he'll do whatever it takes to help his brother out. Call it brotherly love or family obligation or simply to make amends for past transgressions he's put his family through. ​'Not that I have​ anything against money. Money has something against me.' ​😔 As he investigates deeper into the victim's murders, certain truths and secrets start to unravel, as well as his own family's loyalty and apprehensiveness of his own involvement in the investigation. It only worsens when he feels that sharp sting of betrayal that sets a course for his own personal life to fall apart - a positive image he's worked so hard to maintain in front of his family.​ Making the tough choices and the right decisions, TJ realizes that the only way for him to make it out alive from the dangerous scheme he's found himself trapped in is for The Truth about the Devlins to come out - even at the cost of their prestige and family legacy.​ 😟
​
​“I’ve shared my own experiences, and it’s cringeworthy to​ look back and realize that was me. One way to come to terms with our past​ is to live in the present.

Another way is to view our past through a more​ compassionate lens​.”

Ah, poor TJ - you really had the odds stacked against you, but I enjoyed watching you work your way out of all the binds that you found yourself in. The writing was an interesting fit - part humorous, part creative, oftentimes intense, and even morbidly funny.​ 'When we were growing up, she​ used to save wrapping ​ paper and give us blank birthday cards so they could​ be reused. The first time she signed my birthday card, I knew we were rich.​' 😅 But, it set the tone at a fast pace, capturing how pressed for time TJ was - and any minute lost or misstep could land him in more disastrous waters than intended. While it is a mystery, at the heart of it, it is also a​n emotional family drama - a family that has witnessed its fair share of misconduct with TJ, leading them to be distrustful of his actions and demeanor at times, but in no way a fault of his own.​ He was such a victim of his family's harsh criticism and opinion of him, and how his brother threw him under the car - figuratively, of course. 🥺

​While that ​did make him a character with flaws, that didn't mean he was a flawed character; because, he never stopped fighting ​to prove his past ​wrong​.​ 👍🏻 ​A recovering alcoholic - he paid for the mistakes he made - he owned up to it, and it hurt when something he fought so hard to keep true would be challenged. That feeling of frustration over his own family's disbelief of his innocence was portrayed in a really powerful way - one that I felt so intensely sorry for him. ​'I could see you felt terrible.​ You thought it was your worst day, but I thought it was your best.​' And he really does go through the wringer on an emotional and physical level​ - fighting so hard to redeem himself, when he wasn't even guilty of anything! And that's what made him someone to root for! He was determined, he was focused, he was so insistent on proving his innocence that I really felt for him. 😥​ TJ didn't deny or hide from his drunken past, but every day he worked hard to keep his sobriety; he was proud of it, and it hurt to see how often it was challenged. His feelings on that front played a pivotal role in his investigation - a crime and murder mystery that was happening simultaneously while his family's empire was steadily falling apart.
​
​“My family was breaking up, and I didn’t know how we would ever be the Devlins again. I wondered what it really meant to be a Devlin in the first place.​”

The author did a good job in capturing the Devlin family in a way that I got to know just enough about their history and their relationship with each other. TJ's parents and siblings, John and Gabby, made for a very interesting unit. I liked that with each respective person, TJ's personality and demeanor was different - it made him a dynamic character, one that didn't feel flat, despite how I sometimes would raise an eyebrow at a certain wording or phrase that tended to offset the tempo of the story​. 🙍🏻‍♀️ A ​personal reading preference​, where I like to have a certain seriousness to the ​w​riting, to make me feel the tension of the situation. I'm all for breaking the fourth wall and all, but there were a few instances, where if it wasn't used, it would have been much better. 🤷🏻‍♀️ The uniqueness of it was how TJ was involved in different ways with each character, ​and the author converged the storylines into one - that actually made sense. And on a side note, I love that his full name wasn't revealed till the end - a reveal that totally paid off in style. 👌🏻👌🏻

​'We’re all human and we all make mistakes. Some​ of us pay for them, but not all of us.'

At first, I was a bit wary of how everything​ would come together, but it was pulled off nicely, albeit a bit too - uh, not preachy, but too, what's the word - ​not too judgmental​, but like it was trying too hard to ​prove a point​ - thus, making the climax and conclusion the weakest parts for me - too predictably popcorn-y for me to take seriously, despite the seriousness of the situation. 😕 After reading the ​Afterword​, I respect what the author was intending to capture​; it is a heartbreaking and eye-opening truth that is hard to accept, but impossible to deny. 'It’s a check on misconduct, that’s all. There has to be rules. That’s wh​y we have laws.' I will give credit that as my first read by this author, it wasn't as disappointing as it could have been. It was a fast-paced​ legal and domestic thriller with some intriguing twists and turns​. It is a harsh and bitter glimpse of how those with power abuse it to whatever means they deem fit - at the expense of others. Rounded of with a likable protagonist who had his moment to really grow as a character, it was a decent read that kept me entertained and invested, for sure.​ ☺️

[Meghan Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Truth About the Devlin’s is a legal/domestic thriller that centers on TJ, an ex con and recovering alcoholic, and a situation that his brother John, a lawyer at the family firm, got into centering on an embezzlement cover up. TJ starts to unravel the story and sees that things are not as they seemed - and his family is in danger as a result.

I absolutely loved After Anna and What Happened to the Bennetts, so I was really excited to read Lisa Scottoline’s newest thriller. This one fell short for me. I never really got that invested in the plot and I didn’t find it particularly fast paced.

I loved TJ’s character and I loved reading from his perspective. The dysfunctional family dynamic was intriguing. But, I felt as though it took too long to connect the dots with the people that were targeting the characters.

Overall, this one is a 2-2.5/5. I think it’s an average thriller, but not my cup of tea.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced, mystery novel. It has a likable and sympathetic male protagonist, murder, crime, family drama, wit, some humor, a touch of romance, twists and turns and a satisfying conclusion. The legal and accounting aspects are believable and well presented. The author's note is interesting and informative, and is truly appreciated. I listened to the audio book, and the narrator, Mr. Edoardo Ballerini, has a captivating voice and is truly talented.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the audiobook for this one—a crime-fiction family drama and my first venture with this author. The story moves very slowly and ultimately made for my 3-star rating. I’d definitely recommend this book to people who enjoy slow burns and character-driven mysteries. I loved the protagonist TJ!

[Taury · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Truth About the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline is a legal thriller that goes into the dynamics of a prominent legal family. The novel centers around TJ Devlin who is an alcoholic and the family embarrassment. He just got out of prison when his brother, John, an attorney with the family firm confesses to a murder. John frames his brother to cover his secret by stating he relapsed. Despite this TJ allows his brother to lie and manipulate him. In order to prove everyone’s innocence TJ investigates. As he does he uncovers lies, deception and secrets that could ruin the Devlin family.
This book was fun to read. In therapist terms I picked up on treatment modalities such as DBT and AA meetings with the importance of support and sponsors. I identified with TJs struggles with his own demons not to drink. There were many twists in this novel. It kept me engaged and wanting to come back for more.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A rich family full of lawyers and one ex-convict son who happens to be our narrator. This time though, he’s not the one making a mess of things; it’s his older brother. And as he wades through murder, and a slew of other criminal activity, his true heart shines through as he helps his sister fight for justice in a (shockingly based on true facts) case.


I give the author’s note and the research she did five stars!

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[TracyGH · Rating 2 out of 5]

My favourite character in this book was the cat, Mango and I am a dog person.

This started strong but lulled in the middle. A family of lawyers and one is corrupt. This reminded me a little bit of the Murdagh legal family where one of them is a bad apple.

The writing was also worthy of a few eye rolls. I just didn’t connect with this book at all. I think I have read quite a few good thrillers this year that were extremely strong, and this one just didn’t compare.

2.5 stars ⭐️

[Simone · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot believe I didn’t DNF this. It took atleast 200 pages to even get anywhere at all. So I was hopeful the ending would make up for the amount of time I wasted in the first 200 pages. Boy was I wrong. I have never read a book with such descriptive detail about things that had absolutely no relevance. At one point, the main character goes to petco for the first time - “I tried to orient myself in Petco, but the layout bewildered me. There were aisles upon aisles of cans, bags, leashes, and toys for dogs, cats, fish, ferrets, and even turtles…..” this is only an excerpt. There’s more. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. There’s no way any one enjoyed this book. There’s no exciting twist or much of anything that I cared about, at all, after having wasted that much of my time. Another thing that drives me nuts is when an author insists on naming every single background character that you may only hear about once. Why do they all need a first and last name?! Does nothing but add more names to the already long list of characters you have to keep up with. This book did nothing but frustrate me.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devlins and their family firm are legal royalty. Well, all except for TJ, a recovering alcoholic who has served time for negligence and endangerment caused by his disease. Underneath the crown, though, there are problems. Mother and sister are loving, supportive people, with Sister Gabby eschewing greed for pro bono work. When the reader meets Father, he is an egocentric, harsh taskmaster. And something is going on with Brother John, who seems to have some problem that is causing his downward spiral and endangering not only TJ but perhaps the entire family.

Well written by Lisa Scottoline whose thirty six novels demonstrate she knows her way around family drama, legal thrillers, and a good mystery, there is humor, pathos, suspense and a strongly plotted story. The Truth about the Devlins is an engrossing, fast paced, page turning thriller.

I have read many of Scottoline’s books and enjoyed them all. If you are unfamiliar with her writing, this would make a good introduction to it. For her fans, this is will be a worthy contribution to her body of work.

Thanks to #netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Gut-wrenching family drama

SUMMARY
TJ is the black sheep of the highly successful Devlin family. Everyone in the family, his parents and two siblings, are attorneys. TJ never finished college. He works as an investigator for the family law firm. At a family dinner, John, TJ’s older and highly successful brother, confesses secretly to TJ that he might have killed a client earlier that day in a confrontation over suspected embezzlement. TJ is surprised by the confession and wants to help his big brother, but as he begins to investigate the man’s death, his world is turned upside down, and his entire family turns against him.

REVIEW
The Truth About the Devlins is a gut-wrenching family drama about justice and devastating lies. Author Lisa Scottoline’s writing weaves a tale sizzling with suspense and is full of emotion. Scottoline’s background as an attorney certainly served her well in this novel. The writing is fast-paced and captivating.

TJ’s character as a recovering alcoholic who had served time in prison is delightfully authentic and real. His vulnerabilities drive both the character and the story.

An interesting thread of the story involves TJ’s sister, Gabby, also an attorney who asks for TJ's help investigating illegal drug tests conducted on inmates at a variety of prisons by pharmaceutical companies, resulting in terminal illnesses for participating inmates. This part of the story, based on real events, was very intriguing.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Penguin Group Putnam
Published March 12, 2024
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

[shereadswith_coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Law, addiction and family are at the forefront of this action-packed thriller. Author Lisa Scottoline keeps you on the edge of your seat with the suspicion of murder all putting the family law business of Devlin and Devlin at risk.

TJ, John and Gabby, the Devlin siblings all have their own vested interest in the business and the family . Having been raised by a strict father, and one who devotes his life to his business, they were cautiously secretive in their actions and forthcomings.

Can TJ ever live down the truth of his past that resides him? Addiction, prison and a broken relationship harbor at his every memory. His family are the only ones who will employ him as an “investigator” …which will later come to be his savior.

John, the golden child of the family, is distraught and reaches out to TJ , to admit he murdered someone , a client involved in embezzlement.

Gabby is handling pro bono cases for the family business and is trying to help clients who were illegally used to test drugs.

A triage of legality brings the family together once again but first lies, deception and trust question The Devlin’s circle of trust.

Will “The Truth About the Devlin’s” keep a family together or tear them apart?

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this domestic thriller. Crime, law and justice at work. A distinguished families trust questioned. I highly recommend this to anyone who finds a crime suspense novel a thrill. Page-turner!

Thanks to GP Putnam Sons and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to know The Truth About The Devlins from its prolouge. TJ Devlin is the outcast member of a wealthy family of lawyers. TJ is a recovering alcoholic who now works as an investigator for his family's firm. TJ gets a call from his brother, John, that he accidently killed his client. TJ comes to his brother's aide, but ends up being double crossed by John. TJ finds himself at further odds with his family which puts his sobriety to the test. Scottoline as always includes a murder and a high profile case. This case centers on a medical company who's accused of racketeering and unethical product testing. Scottoline manages to successfuly portray the struggles of TJ's sobriety with complexity and honesty. The case itself comes right out of the headlines with final verdict that has an ironic twist. The novel's biggest success is how Scottoline manages once again to write a story that isn't only about the central character solving the case, but how it effects his conscience and endurance. I can't reveal The Truth About the Devlins, but I can tell you that it's a knockout of a thriller from Lisa Scottoline.

Thanks for the free/giftedbook @putnambooks

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the digital ARC of ”The Truth About the Devlins” in exchange for my honest opinion. I really tried to like this book. It starts off right in the middle of the drama and I liked TJ as a character. The dialogue was very cringy, as the kids would say. I had major issues with John lying about TJ’s drinking problem. I can’t imagine anyone doing that to a family member when they have seen the struggles and the importance of sobriety. At that point I could have cared less about what happed to John. Things were fairy predictable throughout and there was too neat of a bow to wrap things up in the end. I know this book has a high overall rating, it just wasn’t what I look for in a thriller/mystery.

[Emma Hoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5 Stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TJ Devlin is the outcast of the Devlin family, being a convicted felon and recovering alcoholic, while everyone else is a successful lawyer working for the family law firm. Since getting out of jail, TJ has been working for the family as an investigator. He is shocked one night when his older brother John, the criminal lawyer in the family that has everything going for him, confesses to killing one of his clients after accusing him of embezzling money. TJ is then thrown into investigating what really went down and tries to understand the motive behind the embezzling. What TJ uncovers during his investigations makes him think something bigger is at play than just embezzling, but he doesn’t like uncovering family secrets along the way.

When I started “The Truth about the Devlins” I could not put it down! For starters, I haven’t read a book with a main character I liked as much as TJ in a LONG time. TJ was hilarious with his witty comebacks and inner thoughts, compassionate as you will see as you read, and his journey with his sobriety made me cheer for him throughout the entire novel. He really owned up to all of his past mistakes and really wanted to get his life back on track, especially after what he went to jail for. Not only did I like TJ, but I really loved the entire family and the dynamics at play. There were a lot of heartfelt moments in this book that made me pause and truly care about the characters, which is hard when you are writing a mystery and thriller novel. In fact, I think that really makes this book stand out compared to other mysteries and thrillers.

The small details in this book make it so realistic and easy to comprehend. Not a single thing is out of place and how the mystery unfolds will shock you! I did not see the ending coming at all, and was left with my jaw open. It will always amaze me how authors tie everything together so nicely. This is a really fast-paced book with a lot of action, so if you start you may not be able to stop until you figure everything out. The ending was very satisfying and ended in a way that made my heart happy.

I encourage everyone to pick up a copy of “The Truth about the Devlins” coming out March 26th, 2024.

Thank you to the PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Lisa Scottoline, and NetGallery for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.