Matthew Lefkavick makes a frantic telephone call to Bennie
Rosato that catches her attention. Bennie is founder of
the premier Philadelphia law firm, Rosato & DiNunzio. He
sobs as he tells her, "they took my 12-year-old son, Jason,
to jail after a fight with another student in the Middle
School Cafeteria. " Bennie unsuccessfully tries to explain
the differences between the juvenile and adult criminal
system as well as her lack of experience with juvenile cases,
but he refuses to listen. Bennie heads to Mountaintop to
meet Lefkavick and Jason and quickly becomes embroiled in a
legal nightmare. A hot and steamy romance begins when
Declan Mitchell, uncle to the other teen arrested in the
fight, offers his help to Bennie. The tall, dark, handsome
State Trooper appeals to Bennie and their mutual attraction
is strong and sexual. They spend a snow-bound weekend
together and it promises new beginnings.
Meeting Jason in jail and getting to know him brings
interesting revelations to his lawyer. Jason talks about
the recent loss of his beloved mother. The fight in the
cafeteria concerns her. Richie has bullied Jason for years,
making fun of his weight, calling him Dracula because of his crooked teeth, and
being nasty. When he approached Jason in the
cafeteria, he insulted Jason's mother. That convinced
Bennie. This 4th grader treasures his Richard the
Strong Lego more than anything because Jason feels Richard
is a protector. He convinces Bennie that he needs to be out of
jail and fast. She works hard but faces impasses at every
turn. When news of the relationship between Bennie and
Declan is leaked, Bennie is fired, Declan breaks up with her,
and she heads back to Philadelphia. Her loss breaks her
heart and haunts her for years.
Many years later, another frantic telephone call is received
by Bennie asking for her legal help. Jason Lefkavick is back and this time he is
charged with the murder of Richie Grusini. She owes him. She let
him down last time. This time she will win for him.
The trial is exciting, filled with non-stop action and
described brilliantly. I feel like I was sitting in that
courtroom, rooting for Bennie and Jason. I think the
Honorable Judge Martina Patterson is funny, more than fair
and I laughed when she threw her gavel. Prosecutor Martinez
is easy to despise. The story is filled with colorful
characters you could easily love or hate. It is so
intricately woven and re-woven you cannot afford to miss a
moment. I spent hours researching Kids-For-Cash. A
haunting experience and one that I am still thinking about.
Ms. Scottoline never fails to give this loyal fan the very
best reads that keep us remembering long after the last page
is turned. I highly recommend this book to everyone who
enjoy high energy and thrilling plots that keep your focus
to the finale. I look forward eagerly to her
next book, coming soon, I hope. Brava!
Bennie Rosato the founder of the Rosato & DiNunzio law firm
hides her big heart beneath her tough-as-nails exterior and
she doesn't like to fail. Now, a case from her past shows
her how differently things might have turned out.
Thirteen
years ago, Bennie Rosato took on Jason Leftavick, a
twelve-year-old boy who was sent to a juvenile detention
center after fighting a class bully. Bennie couldn't free
Jason, and to this day it's the case that haunts her.
Jason
has grown up in and out of juvenile prison, and his
adulthood hasn't been any easier. Bennie no longer
represents those accused of murder, but when Jason is
indicted for killing the same bully he fought with as a kid,
she sees no choice but to represent him. She doesn't know
whether or not to believe his claims of innocence, but she
knows she owes him for past failures-of the law, of the
juvenile justice system, and of herself.
Forced to relive
the darkest period of her life, Bennie will do everything in
her power to get the truth, and justice.
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