THE SUSPECT by John Lescroart
John Lescroart is one of America's top writers and his books are anxiously anticipated by a horde of devoted followers. Most of his stories concern San Franciscans Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky and avid readers know the full stories of their lives. But in his latest novel Lescroart focuses on one of Hardy's fellow law partners, Gina Roake. THE SUSPECT is her adventure and she plays the heroine well.
At the start of the story Gina is vacationing at Echo Lake. Also in the area is author Stuart Gorman. Gina is trying to learn to cope with the death of her beloved David Freeman. He was killed on the streets of San Francisco and his death devastated Gina. Now she feels it is time to pick up her life and her career as an attorney.
Stuart is trying to control his anger at his wife Caryn. She has asked for a divorce and he is furious. He is trying to get his rage under control and he is mildly successful. Still he plunges from one emotion to another when he discovers that she is dead. She has committed suicide in their hot tub, or she was perhaps murdered.
Gina and Stuart did not meet while at Echo Lake but they do become acquainted quickly. She becomes his attorney, at the request of his friend, California Assemblyman Jedd Conley. Gina and Jedd have known each other for years but she is surprised that he has recommended her as this will be her first murder case.
One of the great things about Lescroart's writing is he does not try to make Gina a superwoman. She has flaws and one of them is that she makes numerous mistakes in her defense of Stuart. She is not knowledgeable about how to handle a murder case and she has also been out of the practice of law for a while. Still it is refreshing to see her muddle through, making mistakes and then correcting them.
Dismas Hardy pops up in the plot but very briefly. This is Gina Rake's story and Lescroart lets her have the spotlight. He also gives the reader plenty of information about Stuart Gorman but not enough to convince them the man is guilty or innocent. That information is up in the air until the final chapters of the book.
You won't find a smoother writer than Jon Lescroart. He doesn't overburden the reader with details but he provides enough information to back up his premises. His characterizations are also broad enough to be informative but brief enough to digestible.
THE SUSPECT is a stand-alone novel. Some of Lescroart's other novels are more entertaining and enjoyable if you have read previous books by this author but this one is different. Gina has never before been at the forefront of a Lescroart book and this is her time to shine. I am sure she will get her chance again as this book proves what a fascinating character she is.
Lescroart books are like Christmas presents. They usually arrive just once a year. Pick this one up quickly and Merry Christmas!
THE SUSPECT is published by Dutton. It contains 390 pages and sells for $26.95.