Tl;dr: Latest entry in series about lawyer Dismas is pretty dismal.

This was my first novel by Mr Lescroart, and I'm thinking that perhaps a standalone (if there is one) or the starter series book would have been a much better place to start because The Rule of Law was very tired. The good guys were good, the bad guys were bad, and the ending was obvious from the start.

Sometimes, all the things I've just mentioned can be fun, like wrapping up in a favorite blanket. This was more like being stuck at a boring relative's house. You know exactly what's going to happen, right down to the "fun surprise" they've planned, and when you leave you spend the entire trip home wishing you would have remembered to make up an excuse as to why you couldn't come.

Mr. Lescroart's writing is okay, but, imo, he's tired of his characters, and that's a problem. When a series is successful, readers want more. And sometimes it's great because you can tell the author is having fun. That's not happening in The Rule of Law, where which nothing is memorable or even very exciting.

Having a series about a lawyer named Dismas sounds fun (right? I mean, what a name!), and I'm guessing the first few book were. This isn't.

For diehard fans only.

A thoroughly enjoyable adventure with lawyer Dismas Hardy and a set of old friends, all connected to police or the legal system, who start a 'new' firm by adding the ex-DA, Wes Farrell. Many of their skills are needed quickly as Hardy's long-time secretary, Phyllis, is arrested while at work, handled roughly and taken away for accessory to murder!! As we all immediately find out, the new DA is Not a fan of Hardy nor any in his firm, and has burned hastily to a grande jury indictment of a young illegal for murder!
Lescroart is an amazing writer who melds several different situations into one wild thriller! The characters are outstanding, you know what they are going through and feel all emotions, with scenes you can visualize and surprises jump at you just when you think you know what is happening!
I enjoy crime tales, legal stories and thrillers, but this writing is memorable and the characters will hold your attention long after the page is turned...
I give this thriller 5 stars!! I received a copy of the ARC from Netgalley and Atria Books, who I thank for an exciting adventure and I am able to put my thoughts in this review.

Rule of Law may not be the best novel we've seen from John Lescroart, but it's pretty good. Infighting in the justice system leads to a new DA, one with a very checkered past. With Wes Farrell no longer DA, the firm of Freeman, Farrell, Hardy & Roarke can rise again. The inquisitive police, the ambitious DA investigator, and the team of Hardy and Glitsky all have big roles, but even office secretary Phyllis has a star turn. Something for everybody! Well, the gay and lesbian police, attorneys and judges are hard to find, but it is San Francisco, so author Lescroart is likely aware of them even if they don't get a star turn.
Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC.

Lescroat' s long-running Dismas Hardy series runs out of steam in this overstuffed thriller about the old gang in the plush offices of a handful of well-connected San Francisco legal types - a few lawyers, a retired homicide detective,a lawyer-turned crime novelist, and their nearest and dearest. Reading it isn't stupid, but it's more like a party with old friends telling the same or familiar stories about their previous exploits than having your interest provoked with a new one. The plot is pretty thin - and not particularly believable - and the political machinations of evil-doers in high places won't surprise anyone. How about leaving this bunch at their favorite bar and introducing your fans to some new ones ?

OK... Let me first start off by saying.... I'm so glad that I stepped out of my usual comfortable genre of books that I read.

Wow.... I can definitely see why Lescroart has many fans! I felt like I just left a super intense tennis match. My head feels like I just had whiplash lol.

So.. I am a little conflicted on reviewing this one because I jumped on this bandwagon to see if I felt the same about legal thrillers. In this process... I found out legal thrillers truly aren't for me. BUT, I am impressed with the author's writing style... and definitely left me on the edge my toes... trying to figure out the characters and who was innocent/not innocent.

I think this is a perfect choice for the legal thrillers out there! Storyline was strong... but felt a little all over the place to me and left me confused at times trying to piece everything together. But, maybe this was the authors intent? Hence the whiplash lol.

Overall, I'm glad I was able to experience this author and type of thriller.

3 stars for me on this one.

Thank you to Atria and Netgalley for the advanced arc in exchange for an honest review.

Published to GR: 9/3/18
Expected publication date: 1/22/19

There’s a new DA in San Francisco, and he’s not a nice guy. In fact, he’s a murderer, adulterer, liar, and just about any other kind of scoundrel you can name. His election was close, and his opponent is a member of Dismas Hardy’s new law firm.. This scenario leads to manufacturing evidence, hurting innocents, police corruption, and all sorts of intrigue. A great entry into Lescroart’s series. Highly recommended.