Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline

It's a blast from the past for Mary DiNunzio when a "mean girl" from high school comes to her for help. Trish Gambone has an abusive boyfriend who's connected to the mob and she fears for her life if she leaves him. Mary offers what aid she can, telling Trish to disappear for a while or get an order of protection. Trish refuses and Mary feels terrible guilt when Trish and her boyfriend, Bobby, go missing. Mary makes it her job to find out what happened to Trish, despite having a full workload. Her emotions are also invested deeply in the case because she had feelings for Bobby when they were teenagers. Lady Killer marks the return of series characters from the law firm of Rosato and Associates. Scottoline also immerses the reader in the Italian-American neighborhood of South Philadelphia. Unfortunately, it was hard for me to believe the extent that Mary would go to help Trish because of how badly she's treated in return. The book also could have used more of a plot. Not one of her best, although I will continue to read her books.