Dismas Hardy, my favorite defense attorney, seems to be a favorite of Lescroart too. We have watched him for years as he tries to get over the sudden death of his infant daughter, marry Frannie and raise Rebecca. He has worked as a policeman, A D.A., and defense attorney while he dabbled in bartending and now has part ownership in The Shamrock - everyone's favorite bar and meeting place.
This book features Rebecca, who has recently become an attorney and works in her dad's firm. Luckily for her (and us) Dismas is there to back her up in her first big case. Greg Treadway, a teacher and seemingly good guy, stops in for a drink at the Shamrock. Rebecca is behind the bar helping her dad when a news report mentions the death of Anlya Grace Paulson , a young African American. She apparently fell to her death from an overpass, but witnesses say someone was with her. Anlya was the sister of the young man that Greg has been mentoring, and he admits to Rebecca that he and Anlya shared a meal earlier in the day.
Rebecca suggests that he immediately tells the police of his connection with the dead woman and then represents him when he is arrested for the murder. As in all Lescroart novels, all of the characters are multifaceted, and we never know who is innocent or guilty. There are a number of characters, including Greg, who had motive and opportunity to end Anlya's life. This author always makes the hunt for the "bad guy" personal and exciting.
The long time Lescroart reader looks forward to Abe Glitsky being the cop who will do anything to find justice and help his best friend Dismis. The reader will also find that PI Hunt is on the job, and D.A. Wes Farrell is working on his end. Since we have pulled for Farrell in previous books that feature him as protagonist, the reader knows that he is fair and honest. How fair can he be though in a town ready to explode over another black victim and white defendant. There have been no arrests in the last eight murders of African Americans, and the city is on edge.
I don't want to give away any "spoilers" in this review, but I will say that things are not what they seem. Lescroart's ability to show the weaknesses in his "good guys" lead the reader in many directions while trying to figure out who, if anyone, is guilty of pushing Tanya to her death.
Thanks John Lescroart, for a couple of days being immersed in the lives of these wonderful characters. Although Rebecca is the weakest at this point, I look forward to watching her strengthen in the books to follow.
- Beverly
Publisher - Atria Books
Date of Publication - May 5, 2015