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Mistaken Identity Reading Mistaken Identity, I had the impression that the author certainly seems to know the ins and outs of the Pennsylvania court system. And she should, having been a trial lawyer in that state. But it takes more than technical knowledge to write an absorbing novel, and Scottoline proves she excels at that as well. The protagonist is Bennie Rosato, not coincidently a trial lawyer in Pennsylvania. Bennie has worked hard in her field, and has built a reputation for prosecuting corrupt police. Everything seems to be running fairly smoothly for her, so, naturally, Scottoline has us primed for the plot complication the book is named for. Alice Connelly, in prison awaiting trial for murder, has summoned Bennie to be her attorney. At their first meeting, Bennie is stunned to see Connelly is her mirror image, and furthermore, she claims to be Bennie's long-lost twin. Despite the ethical dilemma posed by their possible blood ties, Bennie takes up Connelly's defense. And although their identical appearance does confuse a witness, the title does not really refer to a minor courtroom antic. Rather, it points to the protagonist's questioning of her own identity. And as she sees the similarities between her life and Connelly's, she wonders how deep these similarities lie: if Connelly is guilty or murder, is Bennie herself capable of such an act? Scottoline proves herself a skilled novelist in Mistaken Identity, capable of both exposing her characters' most personal thoughts and emotions, as well as writing the gritty, cruel instances many female mystery writers shy away from. And while the American audience should seemingly be jaded enough to be shock-proof, Scottoline surprises again. (And again, in the author's aknowledgments. But don't spoil it for yourself: save this part for last.) Mistaken Identity is a well-written, thoroughly enjoyable novel, proving Scottoline a competent writer of the genre.
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