John Lescroart is one of my favorite authors. The Dismas Hardy series is well written, has good character development and excellent plot---almost always. I started the book and liked it. By about page 200 I was ready to give up. TOOOOOOOOO SLOOOOOOOOOOOOW! He needed to move it along. Not even recommended for a long flight.
I liked the book, never heard or read any thing from this author prior to this book
It was a little slow at times, but he made the charatures likeable even the ones that got murdered. No gore, just drama not, just one who commited the murders, but how did the gangs life's turn out after the trial was over
Good read, I will read more of his work, it did not seem as boring as Grisham,but since this was my first book to read from him, I can't speak to if they are all repeats like Grisham
One of Lescroart's best yet!
This is one author I would love to meet; his books are carefully orchestrated works of art! With humor and grace, John Lescroart delves into the deepest fears and conflicts a human can have. Dismas Hardy, defense attorney, and Abe Glitsky, lieutenant in homicide, are two worthy (opposing) warriors in the battle to keep San Francisco safe. I absolutely adore these two men.
In spite of the fact that Mr. Lescroart is NOT an attorney, his courtroom dramas are fascinating (He graduated with a degree in English literature). This book is like the others quick to catch the readers attention (to the point where nothing else gets done until the book is completed).
This one and the next book: THE OPHELIA CUT, are in some ways very scary. The US government has shocking powers and Lescroart uses his books to shine a light on how they sometimes abuse that power.
In this story -- the amazing reach of the RICO laws, when used against innocent Americans, is unsettling. (RICO) Act is a group of federal laws passed by the United States Congress in 1970 to deal with organized racketeering activity. RICO law is specifically directed at individuals or organizations involved in systematic, long-term illegal activities. It increases criminal penalties and allows the government to confiscate any tangible goods (houses, cars, airplanes, etc.) that were purchased through these illegal funds.
Lescroart has a way with dialog; his humor is often laugh-out-loud funny. These characters (Abe Glitsky and Dismas Hardy) are so real; I wish they were my next door neighbors.
Dismas Hardy Series
1. Dead Irish (1989)
2. The Vig (1990)
3. Hard Evidence (1993)
4. The 13th Juror (1994)
5. The Mercy Rule (1998)
6. The Hearing (2000) 7
. Nothing but the Truth (1999)
8. The Oath (2002)
9. The First Law (2003)
10. The Second Chair (2004)
11. The Motive (2004)
12. The Suspect (2007)
13. Betrayal (2008)
14. A Plague of Secrets (2009)
Great story, a real page-turner. Methodical courtroom drama keeps you captivated. The twist at the end had my mouth hanging open; total surprise.
Stephanie S. (punkinema) - 
