Last night I stayed up late to finish Corrupted by Lisa Scottoline; I’m glad I did because it was the best legal thriller I’ve ever read and one of her finest books.

What made this novel so compelling? Well, for starters, it featured excellent character development. From the protagonist to the client she represented, nearly all of the key players in the book faced realistic internal and external struggles that made them relatable, mature and human. 

I also enjoyed the romantic subplot and how it intersected with and influenced the main storyline. It was tastefully written and heartfelt, and I’m eager to see how it evolves in future novels in this series. 

Corrupted has an interesting structure as well, with portions of the book taking place in the past and others in the present. Scottoline wisely doesn’t jump back and forth more than necessary, and events that take place in both time periods are seamlessly woven together as Corrupted escalates toward a thrilling climax that is unpredictable, plausible and immensely satisfying. 

If you need a new book for the new year, pick up a copy of Corrupted. It’s a finely crafted tale that makes one thing clear: Lisa Scottoline is at the top of her game.