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“Far better than Grisham and the like.” –The Star Tribune
“Former D.C. prosecutor Allison Leotta pens romantic suspense detailing street crime in a style that’s as real as it gets.” — USA Today
“[Leotta is] a writer exceptionally well-informed about crimes against women….These are smart, tough-minded tales, well worth a look.” — Patrick Anderson, The Washington Post
“An assured and authentic voice, and a highly entertaining storyteller.” — George Pelecanos
Praise for THE LAST GOOD GIRL:
“Beautifully written.” —Mysterious Women
— Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of INK AND BONE
“INCREDIBLE! I read it in four hours.” — Robin Agnew, owner of Aunt Agatha’s bookstore
Praise for A GOOD KILLING:
Named a “Best of the Best Summer Books” by O, The Oprah Magazine
“A perfect 10 — it’s too good to miss.” — Romance Reviews Today
“Dark secrets, a small town, and one supercharged trial … [Leotta] scores big.” — Kirkus
“Chilling and deftly done … an excellent book.” —Catherine Coulter
“Comes to life in the most haunting and best way.” –Brad Meltzer
“Vivid … explosive.”– RT Book Reviews (four stars)
“Suspenseful … exciting.” – Publisher’s Weekly
“Absolutely a must-read!” –Fresh Fiction
“Leotta is on fire in the literary world.” — Deadline Detroit
“This entertaining novel is about one of the nation’s most dangerous gangs. Surprisingly, it’s also an intriguing romantic legal mystery.” — The Minneapolis Star-Tribune
“Sexy and brutal, Speak of the Devil takes an unvarnished look at the seamiest side of life in the nation’s capital, and it does so with a wealth of convincing authoritative detail….this is an author who knows what she’s talking about. Leotta combines professional expertise with a breezy prose style and a flair for dramatic narrative. Watch out, George Pelecanos!”
–– Seattle Post-Intelligencer via BlogCritics (Editors’ Choice)
“Taut and fast-paced…intelligent, probing & clear-eyed…part morality tale, part riveting drama…and very, very good.”
— The Washington Independent Review of Books
“This is a true thriller, and this author—who was once a prosecutor—shows her immense judicial savvy when it comes to everything from the descriptions of the backrooms of power and the inner-workings of the Federal Witness Protection Program, to the gang rituals that speak only of evil. An excellent story!” — Suspense Magazine
“Leotta creates compelling worlds of intrigue and suspense that manage to shed a whole lot of insight on race relations, gender issues and the intricacies of law.” — Jessica Haney, The DC Moms
“Leotta so cleverly writes this novel with her craftily twisted plot and her ability to set each scene up to where you can actually close your eyes and imagine it before you, a rare talent.” — Mystery Net
“With Speak of the Devil, Allison Leotta has graduated from the hyphenated crowd of lawyer-novelists to become a full-fledged novelist. Her confident and mature style complements her impressive grasp of plotting and pacing. She is as skilled in ratcheting up tensions as she is in describing delicate moments of contemplation… Leotta leavens the intensity with humor… and deftly weaves the story between Curtis’ private and work lives, reminding us that personal crises can be as fraught with consequence as the most terrifying professional quandary. Doubt and surprise creep in on both fronts, inspired by Leotta’s trademark whipsawing plot twists. Terrifically entertaining.” — JoAnn Baca, The Federal Lawyer
“Allison Leotta is quickly making her place at the table of D.C.’s finest crime and legal thriller novelists. She’s an assured and authentic voice, and a highly entertaining storyteller. Discretion is another winner from this talented writer.”
— George Pelecanos
“Discretion is the best legal thriller I’ve read this year, beautifully crafted and frighteningly real. Leotta knows her stuff cold and will bring you into a world of big money, corruption, high-end prostitution and murder. If you’re a fan of Grisham or Richard North Patterson, you simply have to buy this novel.
— Douglas Preston
“Discretion is a first-rate thriller. Leotta nails the trifecta of fiction: plot, pace and character. Ranks right up there with the wonderful Linda Fairstein.”
— David Baldacci
“Allison Leotta is by far one of finest new thriller writers today. Discretion will have you on the edge of your seat turning page after page, chockfull of twists and turns. This story is so far the best thriller I’ve read this year.”
— Andrew Gulli, editor of Strand Magazine
“Allison Leotta scores big again with Discretion, her top-notch follow-up to Law of Attraction. Smart and sexy, Discretion showcases Leotta’s rock-solid plotting as well as another star turn for her protagonist, U.S. Attorney Anna Curtis. If you liked Law of Attraction and who didn’t? – you’ll love this one!”
— John Lescroart
“Discretion is fast, fresh, and addictive. Allison Leotta’s experience as a federal sex-crimes prosecutor shines through on every page. The result is a realistic legal thriller that’s as fun to read as it is fascinating.”
— Lisa Scottoline
“Discretion is a terrific read. Slick, sexy, and very smart. Allison Leotta is a master at creating tension and then mercilessly tightening it. This is the kind of book I love to read, crafted by a wonderfully imaginative writer, who really knows what she is talking about. Allison Leotta is headed to the top of the heap.”
— Michael Palmer
“Plots within plans, treachery and betrayal, but it’s the characters who rule these pages. Allison Leotta expertly rachets up the suspense and brings a deft perception to a world that is cutting-edge current.”
– Steve Berry
“Fantastic! Smart, gritty, and fast-paced—Discretion is everything a great thriller should be. I’m a Leotta fan for life.”
— Allison Brennan
Praise for LAW OF ATTRACTION
“Fast-paced … a racy legal thriller … taking on a still-taboo subject.”
– Lisa Rein, The Washington Post
“A winning legal thriller … creating a buzz with critics.”
– David Ashenfelter, Detroit Free Press
“This is a major debut, and Leotta is a female John Grisham.”
– Jon Land, The Providence Journal
“The balance between romance and suspense can be difficult to sustain in a mystery. In this debut novel, Leotta smoothly blends both into an engaging legal thriller that’s far better than anything I’ve read from Grisham or the like.”
– Carole Barrowman, The Minneapolis Star Tribune
One of the best books of 2010.
– Suspense Magazine
“With this riveting debut legal thriller, Leotta, a federal sex crimes prosecutor in Washington, DC, joins the big leagues with pros like Lisa Scottoline and Linda Fairstein. A vulnerable, tenacious heroine, surprising twists and turns, and equal parts romance and danger are a recipe for success. Readers will feverishly hope for a second book.”
– Library Journal (starred review)
“One of the most notable new faces to debut in 2010 is Allison Leotta. By day, she’s a federal prosecutor specializing in sex crimes and domestic violence. By night, she turns her experiences into visceral prose. Her debut, Law of Attraction, is a riveting page turner about an up-and-coming prosecutor who gets entangled in a brutal murder case.”
– Nevin Martell, Washington City Paper
“This debut novel strikes all the right chords, drawing on the author’s experience as a federal prosecutor in the nation’s capital….Law of Attraction is an impressive accomplishment, particularly for a novice writer. Leotta has fashioned a gritty, suspenseful novel that is part courtroom drama and part mean streets chronicle with a smidgen of romance. The characters are well formed and multi-layered and Leotta deftly portrays the thin line those in the law must walk between personal and professional ethical behavior. This is a new writer to watch.”
– Leslie Doran, Mystery Scene Magazine
“A riveting yet realistic legal thriller. . . A fun, fast-paced read; I could hardly put it down.”
– David Lat, Above The Law
“With her exceptional debut novel, Allison Leotta has written a thrilling and intriguing legal mystery with just the right hint of romance. I stayed up late in to the night to see how it would end. Leotta, who is a federal prosecutor, captures much of the complexity and ambiguity inherent in the legal process while completely engaging the reader.”
– Maria Munoz, Fresh Fiction
“This stunning novel is Allison Leotta’s debut, and I must admit to being mightily impressed. I don’t think anyone else could have written this story so well. Her obvious knowledge and years of experience show on every page . . . I highly recommend that all of you legal thriller fans get a copy of Law of Attraction as soon as possible. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
– Lori Ann, Romance Reviews Today
“Leotta’s expertise as a federal prosecutor permeates every page of Law of Attraction. The book is compelling on multiple levels. First, it is a fast-paced legal thriller. Secondly, and more importantly, it is a glimpse inside the world of the troubled psyche of domestic violence victims. This is both an entertaining novel and one with psychological teeth. Don’t pick it up if you have anywhere to go any time soon.”
– Mary Hanlon Stone, New York Journal of Books
“Talented newcomer Allison Leotta doesn’t hold back in her gritty debut legal thriller. Sharing an insider look into the intricate dynamics of the criminal justice system blended with the powerful draw of intense and realistic characters, Leotta has created more than your typical thriller. This is an author to keep your eye on. . . . [Leotta is] an up-and-coming literary giant.”
– Suspense Magazine
“A sexy, fast-paced legal thriller. Reminiscent of Linda Fairstein.”
– Bill Castanier, The City Pulse
“I loved Allison Leotta’s debut novel. It is realistic, gritty and filled with twists and turns. Her female lawyer character is compelling and engaging. You won’t expect the dramatic ending. This is a great read for anyone who loves legal thrillers, cares about domestic violence or wonders how lawyers can live with themselves. Read it and learn—and enjoy.”
— Alan Dershowitz, author of The Trials of Zion
“Law of Attraction is a beautifully written and suspenseful debut, offering not only an inside look at crime and the courts in DC, but an exploration of the family dynamics that affect so much of who we are and what we do. A fabulous book!”
— Barbara Delinsky, author of Not My Daughter
“Law of Attraction is a great ride, with plenty of twists and turns leading to a shocking end. It kept me reading late into the night and guessing until the very last page. Allison Leotta brings a fresh voice to the thriller genre. A stunning debut indicating a bright future.”
— Robert Dugoni, author of Bodily Harm
“Law of Attraction is a compelling look into the courthouse conflict between prosecutors and public defenders. The unfolding of this harrowing homicide makes Allison Leotta an intriguing new voice in legal thrillers.”
— Julie Kramer, author of Silencing Sam
“Allison Leotta takes the most neglected type of court case—domestic violence—and infuses it with both heart and great drama. Incredible plot and pacing make this a fantastic read!”
“A dynamic, gritty, spell-binding story with a gripping mystery.”
– Barbara Vey, Beyond Her Book / Publishers Weekly
“A feminist John Grisham legal thriller. I loved it — couldn’t put it down!”
– Carole Barrowman, The Morning Blend TV show