What do You think about Lily White (1997)?
I read this back in the 90s when the author was going through a time of particular popularity given Shining Through being adapted into a film. I was surprised to see in what could have been total fluff, the book had a surprisingly compelling storyline and was touching to boot. Almost from birth, Lily White (nee Weissman, then Weiss, then White) is a fish out of water. Among her photogenic but vapidly superficial family, among her classmates in school and later among her colleagues. Her life told via flashbacks in a double narrative style alongside the present day case she is investigating of a con man accused of killing his latest mark. Driven by her sense of integrity the reader will be in for a roller coaster ride of triumphs and betrayals in both Lily's personal and professional life as an attorney. Though the ending is a bit much to swallow, it still is well worth the readers time to get to know Lily White.
—Greg Lewis
Meet Lily White, Long Islands criminal defense lawyer. Smart, savvy and down-to-earth, Lee can spot a phony the way her snooty mother can spot an Armani. Enter handsome career con man Norman Torkelson, charged with murder; to wit, strangling his latest mark after bilking her out of her life's savings. As the astounding twists and reverses of the Torkelson case are revealed, so too is the riveting story behind Lee's life.Read this one (finally) as part of the 2005 ABC Author challenge; I found it funny, touching, distressing, surprising and a highly recommendable read. Lily was a joy to get to know. I really enjoyed Isaac's writing style, and the storyline grabbed me from the first page. I'll definitively read others by this author (did I mention how I LOVE this challenge??!!
—Maurean
