What truly impressed me, having recently read a number of thrillers marked by graphic violence and language, was that Scottoline told her story without much of either. Don't get me wrong: it's a taut thriller with lots of twists, turns, and some violent encounters, but much like Mary DiNuzio herself, this is story with a bit of an older soul. It spends the time to develop the characters and allows the story to unfold at its own pace, rather than simply catapulting the characters from one unpleasant situation to another. As someone who believes you can tell a good story without resorting to gore or graphic language, I'm always pleased to see a story that validates that premise. Killer Smile shows that what a good thriller needs is heart and soul, both of which Scottoline provides - in spades. If you like well-plotted crime fiction with a capable protagonist and a writer who doesn't bow to convention (despite a number of blind dates, Mary doesn't end up romantically entangled with anyone!), Scottoline's Killer Smile would make an excellent - and highly recommended - selection.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
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