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Cate Fante is hearing the first big case of her newly launched career as a federal judge. It involves Richard Marz, an unbelievably naïve lawyer who claims that Hollywood bigwig Art Simone stole his idea for the hit TV series "Attorneys@Law." But what little proof Marz has is sorely lacking and mostly irrelevant, despite its intrinsic ability to tug at the jury's heartstrings. Simone gloats smugly at the weakness of Marz's case, his open cockiness palpable. But his smugness vanishes the night he wins the case --- he turns up dead outside a posh Philly restaurant. That same night, Marz simply disappears.
In a heroically rapid response, the cops put out a wide sweep for Marz, but when they find him, he too is dead, an apparent suicide. At the time, it seemed like simply a mistrial of justice that came to a tragic end. However, the judge starts to have doubts about who really killed Simone and Marz, and the judge's colleagues start to have doubts about her. Cate's doubts gain strength when Marz's screenwriting partner, Philadelphia PD Officer Frank Russo, takes a couple of potshots at her. It appears that Detective Russo harbors ill will toward the judge, not only for dismissing the case against Simone but also because he suspects her of killing his pal Marz. Cate finds herself fast learning inventive ways of staying alive.
If dodging a cop turned vigilante doesn't make her life tough enough, Cate has --- well, had --- a dangerous secret that has just been splashed all over the newspapers. What draws her to the dark side goes unexplained, but her foolish actions set in motion painful circumstances for all those whose lives she has touched.
Saying Cate shows poor judgment is like saying Osama Bin Laden isn't real fond of the United States. Her decisions, on and off the bench, demonstrate such immaturity and appalling lack of common sense that it becomes hard to work up any sympathy for her. When she finally shows some moxie, because her job is --- understandably --- on the line, her display of grit comes pretty late in the game. Her peers feel that a federal judge should be held to higher standards, and the fact that Cate doesn't try to deny her tawdry secret life does little to raise her esteem in their eyes. Calling Judge Fante "Your Honor" is difficult after her shameful admission. Is there any way she can redeem herself? Well, she actually does a pretty fine job of trying.
DIRTY BLONDE is court drama just like you'd see on television. Despite some good-sized flaws in her main character, Lisa Scottoline manages to wrap up her story with a fair amount of aplomb. Her fans will devour this one. It's an easy read that tackles some controversial subjects certain to heat readers up. Plus, Scottoline does killer conversation.
--- Reviewed by Kate Ayers
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