In her best novel yet, Lisa Scottoline has once again mined her knowledge of all things Italian and the result is pure gold.  "The Vendetta Defense" is the story of "Pigeon Tony" Lucia (he breeds and races pigeons), an elderly Italian gentleman who admits that he has killed his enemy, eighty-year-old Angela Coluzzi, in order to settle an ancient vendetta.  In a series of flashbacks, we learn the story of Tony Lucia and Angelo Coluzzi.  These two men were neighbors in a small town in Italy sixty years ago, and they were rivals for the hand of the beautiful Silvana.  Silvana chose Tony Lucia over Angelo Coluzzi, and Angelo, a rabid Fascist and a vicious thug, never forgave this betrayal.  Coluzzi spent his life doing everything that he could to destroy the Lucia family.  For over half a century, Tony has restrained his anguish, until the fateful day when he and Coluzzi finally have it out.  Judy Carrier, a hotshot lawyer in Bennie Rosato's all-female law firm, decides to take on Tony Lucia's seemingly hopeless case.  While trying this case, Judy risks her life, weathers exciting and nerve-wracking courtroom battles and finds love with Frank, Tony's gorgeous grandson.  Scottoline's novel is at times achingly poignant, especially during the flashbacks, and at other times, it is laugh-out-loud funny.  Scottoline is politically incorrect in her depiction of the old Italian men and young Italian mobsters who live in South Philly.  "The Vendetta Defense" works as a light and entertaining mystery, and I recommend it unreservedly.  Fans of Scottoline will fall in love with Judy and Pigeon Tony, and they will enjoy this wonderful novel immensely.