A decent mystery in the Dismas Hardy series. It's always nice to jump into a familiar series where you know the characters. The plot was interesting and kept me engaged, not as intense as books earlier in the series but an entertaining quick read. #Netgalley #TheMissingPiece

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

Paul Riley, who was in prison for the rape and murder of his girlfriend, is released from prison thanks to the Exoneration Initiative, who found evidence that pinned the crime on someone else. No one is particularly pleased to see him freed after 11 years, and he soon turns up dead, surrounded by loot from his latest B&E. If Riley was innocent all along, who would want him dead? The police instantly suspect the still-grieving father, Doug Rush, of Riley's dead girlfriend. Wes Farrell, now a defense attorney, agrees to represent Rush but is left in the dust when Rush vanishes. At a loss, Dismas Hardy and Farrell ask PI Abe Glitsky to track down the potentially lethal defendant. Throughout his search, Glitsky encounters wounded parents, crooked cops, cheating spouses, and single-minded vigilantes. He discards one enticing theory after another, trying to unravel the mystery of Doug Rush and Paul Riley.

This is actually my first Lescroart book, and I have now added him to my list of author's to read. His writing is a lot different than other mystery writers out there, something I wasn't quite sure I liked at first. But in the end, I loved that Farrell is not your typical defense attorney, and I enjoyed the fact that there wasn't really a main character- focus shifted between various characters, mostly Farrell and Glitsky. It was like reading an episode of Law & Order (one of my favorite shows). One of my favorite parts was finding out what crazy shirt Farrell was wearing- love little details like that. I loved the twists and turns throughout the story, never knowing what was going to happen next. Amidst the mystery of the case, Lescroart raises some interesting questions with his humanistic writing, causing the reader to think deeply about issues that are prevalent in today's society.

The only thing that I had a little bit of difficulty with was when Lescroart would switch back and forth (sometimes within the same sentence) on how he referred to characters. For example, he would refer to Wes Farrell as Wes and as Farrell, which sometimes made this seem like it was two different people. He did this with other characters as well. Other than that, I enjoyed the book immensely.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Lescroart for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Innocent until proven guilty. That’s the basis for our American justice system, isn’t it? A jury is, in theory, screened and selected on the premise that each member will be unbiased, will impartially listen to the evidence, and will deliberate without prejudice. Defense attorneys are duty bound to defend their clients to the best of their abilities, regardless of their personal opinions of the guilt or innocence of the accused.

In The Missing Piece, John Lescroart’s 19th episode of his Dismas Hardy series, defense attorney Wes Farrell is facing a late-career crisis. As a prosecutor for the Office of District Attorney in San Francisco, he successfully prosecuted Paul Riley, a man who was charged with raping and murdering a young woman. Eleven years later, Riley has been set free, thanks to an organization known as The Exoneration Initiative. The group’s advocates discovered evidence that exposed led to another person confessing to the crime. Farrell is no longer with the DA’s office; he’s back with his old law firm, Farrell, Freeman, Hardy & Roake.

It turns out that no one is particularly happy to see Paul Riley when he’s released from prison. Even his father isn’t all that welcoming. No one seems more unhappy, however, than the father of the woman who was raped and murdered. So, when Riley is murdered only a month after his release, the father, Doug Rush, is the prime suspect. Here’s the rub: Rush was so impressed with Farrell’s skills in the courtroom during the trial more than a decade earlier that he wants Wes to defend him. What will Wes do? He’s no longer certain where his head and his heart are leading him.

The plot thickens, as the saying goes, and the focus quickly shifts from Wes Farrell to Abe Glitsky, the former homicide detective turned private detective. Abe stirs up a hornet’s nest with his questions and leaves in his wake a trail of dead bodies. Okay, not really his fault. He does uncover some interesting data about other EI alumni and questions an assortment of witnesses. This book is not a barnburner, by any means, but it certainly held my interest. Even though I had a good idea who was responsible, my mind was doing some crazy mental gymnastics trying to keep up with Abe’s investigation. Naturally, he takes too many chances and well…I’m not saying more than that.

I love this Hardy series! I love how Lescroart shuffles his lead characters from one book to another and that when one team member gets in over his head, the others all get together and pitch in. Those who are familiar with San Francisco will probably recognize some familiar places like the Embarcadero and the Little Shamrock Bar, which was established in 1893 and survived the 1906 earthquake.

On a more serious note, of course, is the matter of justice. Guilt. Innocence. Fairness. We see what happens when an unauthorized person decides to take matters into his own hands.

I received an ARC digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. My thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Mr. John Lescroart.

4 stars for another well crafted legal mystery in the Dismas Hardy series. This book focuses on an Exoneration Initiative case, where convicted murderer Paul Riley is released after this legal team files legal appeals on his behalf and succeeds in getting the alleged murderer exonerated and released. But then 4 months after his release Riley is murdered and a witness claims that he saw Doug Rush, the father of the murdered victim from the original trial 11 years ago, at the scene of Riley's murder. Rush is arrested and Wes Farrell, a lawyer with Hardy's firm, agrees to defend Doug.
Doug is released on bail. Doug disappears and Hardy assigns his chief investigator, Abe Glitsky to find him. Another murder happens and Abe is attacked, because he won't give up the investigation. Abe does solve the case, but there are several false clues and some interesting moral questions raised in the book: What happens if a factual killer is released on a technicality?
This series is probably best read in order, but I have not done so. This book worked fine for me as a stand alone.
One quote, describing Wes Farrell: "The customer cut a fine figure, an attorney in a thousand dollar business suit. Like the werewolves of London, his hair was perfect, full and speckled with just the right amount of gray, for the ever-crucial gravitas."
Thanks to Atria Books and John Lescroart for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
Revised Pub.date: March 29, 2022

John Lescroart never fails his books always draw me in.This is an excellent addition to the series but can be read alone.Characters that one alive a tight story will be recommending this and other books by the author.#netgalley #atria

This is the nineteenth in the Dismiss Hardy series; the first one was published in 1989! Over the years, I have read quite a few of them. I enjoy the repeating characters; it is like visiting with old acquaintances whenever a new book in the series is released.

A solid legal thriller/police procedural (albeit most of the work done by a former head of homicide turned PI), it takes a while for the case(s) to be solved as Glitsky chases a number of red herrings. The plot is maybe not the strongest in this series, but it still makes for a page turning, enjoyable read.

Lescroat quickly fills in the background information on the main characters meaning this book will work as a standalone, but I think it may be more enjoyable if you have read some of the others. I’m looking forward to the next in this series to see how Farrell (DA turned defense attorney) resolves his present career crisis.

This book is one in a series about the character Dismas Hardy. You do not have to read the books in order but it is nice to do so because of the character development and age progression of Dismas and his family. The story is compelling, as usual. John Lescroart is a fabulous author who writes a believable story with realistic and likable character. I highly recommend this book.

I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. It was a well written book. I hope to read more books by this author.

Wes Ferrell, former DA, is now working at a law firm that defends people accused of crimes. Wes is burned out and assumes if you are arrested you are guilty. Is it time for him to move on? When he gets a case of a man who is beat up by the police during his arrest for murder he assumes the man is guilty and is only going thru the motions. When the defendant disappears Wes soon finds out he might be wrong about his guilt. Abe Glitsky starts an investigation and the more he learns the more he feels something isnt right. There were a lot of twists and turns in this book, I had no idea where it was going. This is part of a series but could easily be read as a stand alone, definitely a page turner. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

This book is extremely timely. It looks at the ethical dilemma of reminding people that someone is innocent until proven guilty and the need for fair representation. It turns a stern eye at the police as more folks use cell phones to record police brutality.
Wes Farrell is having a crisis of faith. As Lescroat writes, “The prosecutor Wes had been for the past eight years had altered his DNA and he believed what he told Gina: once you got yourself all the way to arrested- he didn’t care too much about the individual circumstances or even the crime itself-you were guilty.” But Wes is now back to being a defense attorney. And he just can’t bring himself to believe the defense attorney mantra, that they do it for the one in a hundred accused who’s actually innocent.
This 19th book in the series brings back all the regular players, including Farrell, Hardy and Glitsky. Back when Wes was the DA, he sent away a man for the rape and murder of a young woman. The man is exonerated through the efforts of the Exoneration Initiative and released from prison. On the exact day of the woman’s death, the man is shot. And his father claims he saw Doug Rush, the father of the woman, leaving the man’s apartment. Now, Wes is taking Doug's case. But things take another turn. Now, it’s Glitsky’s turn to take the lead, as he investigates how everything might have played out.
It’s not a fast paced story. There are lots of possibilities and red herrings thrown up as Glitsky struggles to figure out what happened.
I enjoyed the story as the pace and possibilities felt real. I liked the mental gymnastics Glitsky goes through trying to put the puzzle pieces together. There are lots of suspects, but no evidence that puts any of them squarely in the mix. Although I have to say, I caught on to who was behind the crimes early on in the book.
While it’s part of a series, it could easily be read as a standalone as the reader is given adequate background on the characters.
My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.

I have to say this Dismas Hardy et all book was a bit of a disappointment. The author obviously wanted to focus on current policing and legal issues. But the book felt a bit sanctimonious in that journey. And while I have loved this series in the past some of the interactions and character development was not awesome or believable. The whole idea of the case and how it plays out is so unrealistic.

I was given a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

I've read all the books in this series and I love them all. It's like reuniting with old friends. Wes Farrell, a county attorney turned defense attorney is having a moral dilemma. He sees all his clients as guilty and can't strum up the energy or desire to defend them. When one of them ends up murdered himself, Wes and partners fell obligated to find justice. Abe Glitsky, private investigator, goes on the hunt, Possibly at a great cost.
Definitely not my favorite in the series. It lacked the usual humor and witty banter between characters. If you like a good who dunnit, this books for you!

As a fan I have read all of the Hardy and Glitzky books and have enjoyed them allover these many many years. The last book in the series would have been a great way to wrap it up if that is what Lescroart intended but it was still fun to see the characters again. Pretty much everyone returns in this one but what brings this one down a notch for me is that the case in this story just wasn't that interesting. A few too many coincidences ( including everyone having a resemblance to the main suspect, seemed a little far-fetched) and a villain that was easy for me to spot. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early review copy, 3 + stars.

Another great addition to this series! I love returning to these characters and see what’s new in their lives combined with a fantastic mystery that really has you wondering how it’s going to pan out. This could easily be read as a stand-alone but I’d recommend the series. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review.

I came to the Dismas Hardy party late, reading my first book in the now 19-book series in 2018. Since then, I haven't missed a one - and like the others, this one was thoroughly enjoyable and once again made me eager to read more.

As this one opens, Wes Farrell, former San Francisco District Attorney who now on the defense side at Hardy's firm, is thinking about quitting - he's tired, he says, of defending people he thinks are guilty. One of those he helped put in jail as a prosecutor, Paul Riley, has just been released from jail after being found guilty of murder - one of many cases taken up by a group called the Exoneration Initiative. The group works to find legal snafus that indicate their clients were wrongfully convicted.

Riley, though, doesn't waste much time trying to keep his nose clean; perhaps as a result, not long after his release, somebody shoots him dead. The culprit, the investigating officers are certain after hearing from a witness to the crime, is the father of the girl Riley was convicted of raping and killing - a man who many times threatened to kill Riley if he ever got the chance. Back at the law office, Farrell agrees to defend the father, Doug Rush, whom he thinks did, in fact, do the deed. Not long thereafter, Rush skips bail and runs - and Farrell asks Abe Glitsky, Hardy's former police partner who's now a private detective mostly working for Hardy's firm, to track him down.

From that point on, the trail becomes a winding road with several turnoffs, at least one of which becomes a dead end (pun intended). Throw in a timely issue like police brutality, and you've got another well-written book in this entertaining series. My only complaint? The series namesake is noticeably absent throughout most of this story, so I'm hoping he gets to play a bigger role next time out. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

This is not a new author to me, it's just been awhile since I've read his books. Nor have I read all the prior in this series. It read easily as a standalone. Legal thrillers are my favorite genre and this looks at the age old question "was justice served?". It also delves into new issues with wrongful convictions and exoneration.
The story of Dismas Hardy and Wes Farrell is very well rounded as it includes the legal process, attorneys, judge, clients, detectives, criminals, witnesses, private detectives, police, victim's family, and an exoneration initiative group. Dismas not not really a primary character in the story.
Paul Riley is not particularly likable, a petty criminal, convicted murderer. When the Exoneration Initiative frees him on a technicality, Doug Rush wastes no time murdering him. Or did he? Mr. Rush has every reason to make good on his previous threat to kill the man who he knows murdered his daughter.
Attorney Wes Farrell is floundering and questioning his purpose in his current position with the firm. He takes on the defense of Mr. Rush. Then has to hire PI Abe Glitsky to find his client when he disappears, forfeiting a million in bail.
The law has always been very clear as to attorneys representing clients regardless of guilt or innocence. This story describes a case where the convicted defendant is exonerated after serving many years. The fairness of the trial itself is in question, not guilt or innocence. There are perspectives from many sides. It will certainly make you think and it is an enlightening glimpse into the legal system.
Glitsky will go through many theories, dead end senarios, uncover lies and corruption, back and forth from one killer to different killers. In the end will it matter and was the right killer punished?
Definitely one of the best legal murder mysteries I've read recently. The issues raised will continue to resonate with me. Highly recommend!
Thanks to Netgalley, John Lescroart, and Atria Books for the advance digital copy of "The Missing Piece", Dismas Hardy Series #19. These thoughts and opinions are mine alone, given voluntarily.

I love the Dismas Hardy series by John Lescroast. San Francisco DA Wes Farrell put Paul Riley in prison eleven years ago for the rape and murder of his girlfriend. No one is happy to see him released after The Exoneration Initiative uncovered evidence that pinned the crime on another person.. Riley soon turns up murdered, surrounded by the loot from his latest scam. The question is who wants him dead. Many think it is the grieving father of Riley’s dead girlfriend, Doug Rush. Farrell, now practicing law with Dismas Hardy, agrees to represent the defendant and is left in the dust when Rush disappears. Farrell and Hardy ask PI Abe Glitsky to track down Rush. The search takes Glitsky through wounded parents, crooked cops, cheating spouses, and single-minded vigilantes. The story is a solid Lescroart read.

Clearly this wasn’t my cup of tea. Well it could also be the fact that this was the 19th book in the series and I had literally picked a book from the middle of a series. Even though the core plot is good enough to make a standalone read, it doesn’t quite work full in that capacity because like 80% of the book is dealing with the personal relationship between the central characters. They are talking about previous incidents, jabbing at backstories that maybe well in knowledge to the followers of this series. So I don’t think my issues with the book is actual issues related to the book. Because I simply picked up the book from the wrong shelf. I should have probably started with Book1 rather than directly going to Book 19. So literally with THE MISSING PIECE I had to deal with the missing pieces.

I totally get it that by the time a book reaches this far, there are a lot of history, back stories and previous incidents that will be rolled into every sequels. Being a fan of many series myself, I can very well understand, the need to see more of the personal aspects of the central characters along with the usual investigative plots. This is exactly what the book is dealing with. I am guessing that the incidents in this book is some sort of after currents of incidents in the previous books.

So my issue with the book was majorly that actual events or actions in the book was nearly to nil. 90% of the book is talks and talks. And even in that 90% only 20% of it is about the actual plot and rest of them are basically piling up with reference to either previous events, backstories or just mere portal of camaraderie between particular characters. I wouldn’t say that it would be a totally bad idea to pick up this book as a standalone as the book has its own plot but since the actual events and action are so less, it is a bit tough to cope up with all the information overload. You kind of become a bit dazed at the mere facts and not knowing which ones to shelf and where. That was what made it a bit tough for me to enjoy the book.

It is a legal thriller so the investigative arc is not exactly like an alpha male with a machete kind. Its more of paperwork, procedures, round table discussions and brain storming. So for somebody who is a fan of guns, blood, car chases and fists and kicks, this may come as a bit slow. So that was why I couldn’t fully get into the book

This is book 19 in a detective series featuring Dismas Hardy, ex-cop and lawyer in San Francisco. It can be read as a stand alone. I’ve only read one other in the series, many years ago. Not all his books feature Dismas and this is one of them where he made cameo appearances only. It features his best friend, aging former homicide detective, now a P.I. Abe Glitsky.

This novel is pretty convoluted and revolves around those criminals cleared from life sentences by the Exoneration Initiative. One case in particular is close to home for this law enforcement team. The plot is quite convoluted as there seems to be two murders involved in the release of one of the victims who was exonerated for the rape and murder of the others daughter.

It is a police procedural more than a legal thriller, but straddles the line between both genres.
I found it interesting, but a bit long for my taste, and like I said, leads you down one road in speculation, then another.

For this reader a 3.5 to 4 star review. Watch for its release coming in November, 2021. My thanks for the eARC provided through NetGalley, Atria books and of course the talented Mr. Lescroart. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes, you can start a book way late in a series and just groove with it. Sometimes, you feel like you’re missing something. So, yeah…shame on me for starting with book 19.

The thing is that I’m not at all certain that my tepid reaction to the book was as a result of my not being up on the characters and their histories. Maybe a smidge? I was just kind of underwhelmed with the whole plot in general. It just wasn’t exciting.

I stuck with it out of mild curiosity, but it never rose beyond that. The solution to everything was interesting, but not mind-blowing.

I liked our characters enough that I’ll definitely check out book one in the series and decide where to go from there.

So maybe not working so much as a standalone? Maybe not working so much plot wise for me? Or maybe just not for me.

*ARC via publisher