“A breathless thriller. . . . If a good roller-coaster is what you want, step up and have your ticket punched.”— People A female judge finds her life and her career on the line when the defendant in a high-profile lawsuit is killed in this riveting and stylish novel of greed, murder and justice, from New York Times #1 bestselling author Lisa Scottoline. Attractive, sexy, tough-minded Cate Fante has just been appointed to the federal bench in Philadelphia. Uncomfortable among the elite meritocracy of the federal judiciary, the hard-charging woman with working class roots secretly indulges her taste for bad boys and men who work with their hands, like those she knew growing up in an old northeastern Pennsylvania coal-mining town. Presiding over a high-profile multi-million-dollar lawsuit, Cate quickly learns that being a judge doesn’t always mean she can do justice. While a wronged former Philly ADA has the moral high ground, the sleazy television producer he’s suing has the law on his side.  Upset over the trial’s outcome, Cate wants to forget with a few drinks and a night of anonymous sex. But when she realizes she’s made a mistake, the stranger she picked up becomes aggressive, and she barely escapes without getting seriously hurt. For Cate though, the trouble has only begun. Returning home, she learns that the TV producer from her court case has been murdered. Then the body of her failed one-night stand is discovered.  Suddenly Cate’s secret private life is splashed across the media and her job is in jeopardy. Her only hope is to find a murderer and clear her name. But can she uncover the truth before the cold-blooded killer silences her?  “Scottoline...renders snappy dialogue and vivid descriptions of her native Pennsylvania in this engaging...suspense about consequences and truths.” - Booklist “Compelling...sure-footed mastery” - Kirkus Reviews “Compelling...the fast pace and ever-increasing tension will keep readers turning the pages.” - Publishers Weekly “Fast-paced, sexy, and suspenseful . . . a guaranteed page-turner.” - Romance Reviews Today “Fascinating, believable people...Scottoline offers some interesting insights into what goes on in judges’ chambers....Judge Cate deserves to come back in a sequel or two. We could do with a bit more disorder in the court.” - St. Louis Post-Dispatch “Quick-witted.” - Seattle Times “An explosive novel about legal entanglements that is hard to resist.” - Orlando Sentinel “Breathless thriller...If a good roller-coaster is what you want, step up and have your ticket punched.” - People “Tantalizing . . . tough to put down.” - Cosmopolitan “Irresistible.” - Sunday News Journal (Delaware) “Assured way with dialogue.” - Entertainment Weekly “Another winner...[a] fast-paced, entertaining yarn....Scottoline is a pro. She knows how to keep the pages turning.” - Philadelphia Inquirer Cate Fante is strong and sexy and wears designer suits like overpriced armor. She's just become a judge but leads a dark double life that she hides from everyone. Her cover is blown when a high-profile case in her courtroom takes a stunning turn. Overnight the tabloids tell her secret, her boyfriend dumps her, and her new career hangs in tatters. But Cate's troubles are only beginning. An enemy no one anticipated sends her running for her life, and she'll have to fight her way back to the truth . . . or die trying. Lisa Scottoline is a #1 bestselling and award-winning author of more than thirty-two novels. She also co-authors a bestselling non-fiction humor series with her daughter, Francesca Serritella. There are more than thirty million copies of Lisa's books in print in more than thirty-five countries. She lives in Pennsylvania with an array of disobedient but adorable pets. Dirty Blonde By Lisa Scottoline HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. Copyright ©2007 Lisa Scottoline All right reserved. ISBN: 9780060742911 Chapter One Six months later, Cate sat in her high-backed chair atop the dais, waiting to start the day's session. The courtroom was packed, and she hid her anticipation behind a professional mask, which was turning out to be a job requirement. The jury trial had taken all last week, but today was the only day that counted, like the final two minutes in a basketball game. Sixers-Hornets. It was on at the bar last night. Wonder who won. Cate shifted behind the slippery wall of stacked pleadings in front of her. She hadn't slept well last night and was relying on her concealer, but was otherwise in full costume: synthetic black robes, dark blond hair in a judicial chignon, a swipe of pink gloss on her lips, and neutral makeup on largish, blue eyes. Finally the courtroom deputy flashed Cate a wink. Showtime. Cate gestured to plaintiff's counsel. "Mr. Temin, let's begin. I assume that plaintiff continues his testimony this morning." "Yes, Your Honor." Nathan Temin was a roly-poly lawyer with the paunch of a much older man and a dark suit that begged to