The First Law

THE FIRST LAW by John Lescroart

Novelist John Lescroart has hit paydirt again with his new thriller THE FIRST LAW. This book continues the travails of his well known characters Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky, and fleshes them out even farther as he takes the reader through a tale of murder and recrimination. It is one of the best segments of the Hardy/Glitsky sagas and makes the reader's mouth water for the arrival of the next installment.

As this story opens Dismas Hardy is working with his friend and associate David Freeman on a court case involving the arrest of a prostitute. This is not the typical case they handle but it has some interest to them because it involves the actions of a private security force. There have been recent allegations this "security force" does not always do things by the book and that the San Francisco police force looks the other way.

To get more information Hardy enlists the aid of John Holliday. He has used him from time to time to get information and thinks he might be of help in this instance too. After Holliday starts looking into the circumstances there is a robbery of a pawnshop owner. Holliday ends up being the key suspect in that case,

Glitsky meanwhile has recovered from his gunshot wound that he got in the line of duty. He is now ready to return to his position as the head of the Homicide section, but there is someone sitting in his place. He ends up being sent to head up the Payroll Section. When he tries to pass along some information about the Pawnshop murder he is asked politely to stay out of it.

As time passes and a few more murders occur which seem to be connected to the Pawnshop killing, Hardy and Glitsky find they are out of the power loop. They also find themselves and their families threatened. This leads them to consider taking the law into their own hands.

The power of Lescroart's writing lies in his ability to make you feel an intimate par6t of his stories. Hardy, Glitsky, Holliday, Freeman and others all emerge as real people with real problems and real reactions. When one or more of them is threatened the reader takes it personally and feels their fear, dread, and anger.

It is also to Lescroart's credit that he is totally unpredictable. Just when you think you have him figured out as to whether a principal character will live or die in a certain situation, he surprises you with its outcome.

This was the first time I read a John Lescroart book in one sitting. Usually I take my time, drinking in the rich content over a few days period. But with THE FIRST LAW I just could not put it down. I had to grasp it all in one marathon sitting. No wonder I can recommend it as good and compelling writing.

If you want a book that grabs you from the start with its plot and won't let go, pick up a copy of THE FIRST LAW. It delivers with fully defined characters, an action packed plot, and a satisfying conclusion.

THE FIRST LAW is published by Dutton Books. It contains 403 pages and sells for $25.95.