Lisa Scottoline, Daddy's Girl

Daddy's Girl

Lisa Scottoline

HarperCollins, March 2007, $25.95

ISBN 0060833149

Though a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Natalie "Nat" Greco hides from the world by strictly adhering to routines. Thus, it is a bit surprising even to her that she steps out of her safety net regimen and agrees to accompany associate Angus Holt on a seminar at a prison, even if he is a hunk with a glib tongue that persuades her to come with him.

However, the assignment turns dangerous when an ugly riot breaks out, with the two visiting professors trapped in the middle of the chaos. Nat tries, but fails to save the life of a guard, apparently stabbed during the melee. However, before he dies, he asks her to tell his final words to his wife. Rescued from prison she sets out to complete her death bed vow, only to find she is the mouse chased by lethal cats who want the message, and by the cops who think she is a killer. Breaking out of her cage for a short outing into another cage has turned her life upside down, as she seeks to uncover the identity of the criminals, understand the enigmatic final words, and prove her innocence, while also eluding the guys she seeks.

Nat is a fascinating protagonist, who takes a small step beyond her normal world, only to find that stride into an abyss, as she lands in a prison riot and from there into a conspiracy, in which she is expendable. Readers will appreciate her exploits, as she investigates who wants her put away and why. Though this Ivy Leaguer's exploits are fun to follow, more realistically inside the prison, readers will have problems accepting her as an active amateur sleuth charging into a conspiracy. However, fans of Lisa Scottoline will still enjoy the adventures of "The History of the Law" professor, who is the legal mouse that roared.