Mary DiNunzio

Mary DiNunzio is a strong willed and beautiful lawyer in South Philadelphia. She grew up in South Philly and loves her job. The author describes Mary well, writing "She has gorgeous hazel eyes and brunette hair to match. Even though she grew up in South Philly, her accent isn't strong. She daintily walks to her desk with a cup of strong brewed coffee and the daily newspaper"(10). DiNunzio is a great lawyer, but she sometimes forgets who is important. She doesn't seem to prioritize and it seems that every night in the book, she is working late.  Most of her cases deal with family friends and are mundane, like the case she did for the battling Frank Sinatra groups. I don't think she has the ability to say no after reading the book. It's not until the murder case goes into full swing that she realizes that she can say no and things will turn out and the world won't crash down on her. 

In the book, her friend from high school, Trish, comes to visit her at her firm. Trish is nervous because her boyfriend, Bobby is abusive towards her and is the head of the Mob in Philadelphia. Trish is worried because the day she visits Mary, it's her birthday and Bobby is surprising her with something. Trish believes that he is going to propose to her. She doesn't want to say yes because she is scared to become a spouse of a mobster. If she said no, he would most likely kill her. Trish goes to Mary for help, but refuses to get a restraining order or anything that would keep Trish safe. Mary tried to do eveything possible to help Trish, but Trish refused, saying that other members of the mob could go after her.  Trish leaves Mary's office and later that night, she disappears.