If You Like Lisa Scottoline

Updated 6/2009

You may enjoy these other Legal Thrillers featuring female lead characters.

Temporary Sanity by Rose Connors
Is homicidal insanity ever a moral or legal justification for murder? And what should a jury do when the facts are clear but they don't tell the real story? Cape Cod defense attorney Marty Nickerson must ask herself those questions for her client Buck Hammond. When Buck's seven-year-old son was raped and killed by pedophile Hector Monteros, Buck took justice into his own hands. Unfortunately, the TV cameras were rolling as Buck aimed his hunting rifle at Monteros's head. The only viable defense is insanity, but the father refuses to say he was crazy when he pulled the trigger. How can the jury acquit Buck when the shooting is right there on the screen for all to see? Also try the other Marty Nickerson crime novels including 2005’s False Testimony.

The Bone Vault by Linda Fairstein
Wealthy donors have gathered in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's glorious Temple of Dendur to celebrate a controversial new exhibit. Assistant D.A. Alex Cooper observes the developing tensions with bemused interest until Met director Pierre Thibodaux pulls her aside. A twelfth dynasty mummified princess, enclosed for eternity in a huge stone sarcophagus, is about to take a long voyage to Cairo as part of a routine museum exchange. But Cleopatra is missing, and in her place is the not-so-mummified body of a woman many centuries younger than her royal predecessor. Also try the rest of the Alex Cooper series, starting with Final Jeopardy.

Retribution by Jilliane Hoffman
After Chloe Larson is raped and left for dead by a madman in a clown mask, she changes her name, starts a new life in Miami, and becomes a prosecutor for the state attorney. A dozen years later she's given the task of prosecuting William Bantling, who is suspected of being "Cupid," a serial killer who butchers women. Chloe recognizes him as her rapist and begins to slide towards a possible mental breakdown. As she tampers with the case to make sure Bantling pays for his crimes, she's beset by the question: Even if Bantling is her assailant, does that prove he's also Cupid?

Cold Justice by Jonnie Jacobs
Attorney Kali O’Brien is no stranger to San Francisco’s dark side, but death hits too close to home when her friend Anne’s body is discovered, strangled and naked, in a dank alleyway. And when a yellow rose and a poem are sent to Anne’s husband, Kali’s deepest fears are awakened. Because she’s seen that calling card before. Eight years ago, Kali helped prosecute a serial killer known as the Bayside Strangler. Anne’s murder is soon followed by another – equally brutal and eerily similar – raising the possibility that either an innocent man was sentenced to death – or a twisted copycat is on the loose.... Also try the rest of the Kali O’Brien series starting with Shadow of Doubt.

The Arraignment by Steve Martini
When lawyer Nick Rush and suspected drug dealer Gerald Metz are gunned down while talking outside the federal courthouse in San Diego, Rush's old friend and fellow attorney Paul Madriani, who had turned down Metz as a client, gets involved. Exploring leads from California to Mexico and on to the Guatemalan border, Madriani discovers the surprising truth that has evaded law enforcement personnel and Rush's partners. Martini's background in journalism and experiences as a lawyer enrich his intensely suspenseful narrative with realistic details. Also try the rest of the Paul Madriani series starting with Compelling Evidence.

Show No Fear by Perri O’Shaughnessy
Working as a paralegal and attending law school at night, Nina Reilly has her hands full. She's fighting for custody of her young son Bob and overseeing a medical malpractice lawsuit on behalf of her mother, Virigina Reilly, whose health is rapidly declining after she suffered complications from an acupuncture procedure. But Nina's personal stresses are ramped up when a local tragedy plunges Nina into a hunt for a killer — a killer only she believes exists. Also try Motion to Supress, the first in this series.

Dark Lady by Richard North Patterson
Two prominent men are found dead in Steelton, a small town struggling with an economic turnaround. Enter Assistant County Prosecutor Stella Marz, referred to as Dark Lady by her fellow lawyers. As she makes her way through the maze of corruption, deceit, and greed to get at the truth behind these murders, Stella comes to believe that the history of the small town is involved and may threaten her own life.

Interest of Justice by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg
Lara Sanderstone is enjoying a successful career as a judge in Orange County, California. However, her world falls apart when her sister and brother-in-law are brutally murdered. Not only does Lara find herself with a mystery to solve but also with the responsibility for her 14-year-old nephew, Josh. Bitter and troubled, Josh proves to be quite a handful for Lara as the two try to communicate, get to know each other, and deal with their grief. The tension in the story builds effectively as the investigation unfolds and Lara and Detective Rickerson discover that a judge may be involved in the bizarre homicide. Also try Rosenberg’s new Carolyn Sullivan series starting with Sullivan’s Law.

Reversible Errors by Scott Turow
Ten years ago prosecutor Muriel Wynn and detective Larry Starczek successfully prosecuted Rommy Gandolf, who confessed to the crime, for the brutal murder of three people. Now, Rommy is on death row, just weeks away from his execution. Arthur Raven has been appointed as his lawyer, but he can't imagine that anything new will turn up despite Rommy's claims of innocence. Then Erno Erdai steps forward. Serving a 10-year sentence for assault and dying of cancer, Erno claims that he, not Rommy, committed the murders in the diner. Also try just about any of Turow’s other Legal Thrillers, such as Presumed Innocent.