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Dismas Hardy #15
The Keeper
From New York Times bestselling author John Lescroart, a riveting novel featuring Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky on the hunt for clues about a woman who has gone missing.On the evening before Thanksgiving, Hal Chase, a guard in the San Francisco County Jail, drives to the airport to pick up his step-brother for the weekend. When they return, Hal’s wife, Katie, has disappeared without a clue.
By the time Dismas Hardy hears about this, Katie has been missing for five days. The case strikes close to home because Katie had been seeing Hardy’s wife, a marriage counselor. By this time, the original Missing Persons case has become a suspected homicide, and Hal is the prime suspect. And the lawyer he wants for his defense is none other than Hardy himself.
Hardy calls on his friend, former homicide detective Abe Glitsky, to look into the case. At first it seems like the police might have it right; the Chases’ marriage was fraught with problems; Hal’s alibi is suspect; the life insurance policy on Katie was huge. But Glitsky’s mission is to identify other possible suspects, and there proves to be no shortage of them: Patti Orosco—rich, beautiful, dangerous, and Hal’s former lover; the still unknown person who had a recent affair with Katie; even Hal’s own step-mother Ruth, resentful of Katie’s gatekeeping against her grandchildren. And as Glitsky probes further, he learns of an incident at the San Francisco jail, where Hal works—only one of many questionable inmate deaths that have taken place there. Then, when Katie’s body is found not three blocks from the Chase home, Homicide arrests Hal and he finds himself an inmate in the very jail where he used to work, a place full of secrets he knows all too well.
Against this backdrop of conspiracy and corruption, ambiguous motives and suspicious alibis, an obsessed Glitsky closes in on the elusive truth. As other deaths begin to pile up he realizes, perhaps too late, that the next victim might be himself.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2014
446 people are currently reading
1988 people want to read
About the author
John Lescroart
141 books1,300 followersJohn Lescroart (born January 14, 1948) is an American author best known for two series of legal and crime thriller novels featuring the characters Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky.
Lescroart was born in Houston, Texas, and graduated from Junípero Serra High School, San Mateo, California (Class of 1966). He then went on to earn a B.A. in English with Honors at UC Berkeley in 1970. In addition to his novels, Lescroart has written several screenplays.
Lescroart was born in Houston, Texas, and graduated from Junípero Serra High School, San Mateo, California (Class of 1966). He then went on to earn a B.A. in English with Honors at UC Berkeley in 1970. In addition to his novels, Lescroart has written several screenplays.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 362 reviews
December 5, 2022
I read three books so far from Dismas Hardy series. Is it too early to confess that I love this series? 😘
I was introduced to this crime, legal and investigative series with an advance review copy of the latest installment #19, The Missing Piece. I felt I knew all the characters because the author did such an amazing job seamlessly adding their background to the story so that a newbie like me wasn't lost. The series is set in San Francisco.
I have since read book one which I thought was okay. I'm glad that it wasn't my first and I think these get better over time. When Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers Group has "The Keeper" (#15) as a November group read, I just had to throw my attempt to read them in order out the window.
Around Thanksgiving time, a woman has gone missing. Her husband Hal Chase, a prison guard who had a weak alibi becomes a prime suspect. Days later when her body was found, Hal was arrested and sent to the very prison where he worked while awaiting trial. Dismas Hardy brought on former homicide detective Abe Glitsky to help with the case.
This book was so goood! I would rate it higher if it wasn't so predictable. I click with the writing and I feel the story flows so well. The characters and the procedural make the story interesting although Hardy has a smaller role than his investigator. I feel David Colacci performance made this audiobook very entertaining.
I was introduced to this crime, legal and investigative series with an advance review copy of the latest installment #19, The Missing Piece. I felt I knew all the characters because the author did such an amazing job seamlessly adding their background to the story so that a newbie like me wasn't lost. The series is set in San Francisco.
I have since read book one which I thought was okay. I'm glad that it wasn't my first and I think these get better over time. When Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers Group has "The Keeper" (#15) as a November group read, I just had to throw my attempt to read them in order out the window.
Around Thanksgiving time, a woman has gone missing. Her husband Hal Chase, a prison guard who had a weak alibi becomes a prime suspect. Days later when her body was found, Hal was arrested and sent to the very prison where he worked while awaiting trial. Dismas Hardy brought on former homicide detective Abe Glitsky to help with the case.
This book was so goood! I would rate it higher if it wasn't so predictable. I click with the writing and I feel the story flows so well. The characters and the procedural make the story interesting although Hardy has a smaller role than his investigator. I feel David Colacci performance made this audiobook very entertaining.
June 7, 2022
“Transmogrifying anchovies. Dave Barry would say that’s a good name for a rock band.”
The back cover marketing blurb gives a great overview of the basis for the plot, “A young wife and mother named Katie Chase has been missing for days, her husband Hal – a guard in the San Francisco County Jail – the prime suspect. When the police begin talking murder, attorney Dismas Hardy calls on his friend Abe Glitsky, a former homicide detective, to investigate.”
That the police would chase the most obvious suspect, the husband, and adopt the strategy of “follow the money” (a 7-figure insurance payout not to mention adultery with a drop-dead gorgeous multi-millionaire jet setter) is hardly new plot material but Lescroart does a very workmanlike job of using the mundane as a basis for a solid police procedural that leads into the realm of police corruption, multiple murder, black marketing to prisoners in the local jail, and a cover-up conspiracy. For those who follow the series, it should be noted that, this time around, the lawyer Dismas Hardy plays second chair to Abe Glitsky’s leading role as an erstwhile private investigator for defense counsel after his retirement from active duty as a homicide detective with the SFPD. Their relationships with their wives are also used to heartwarming effect to complement the basic story line.
If not particularly memorable (as is the case with most novels of this genre), it is certainly enjoyable fast-paced reading and very easy to recommend to those who like a good thriller.
P.S. NOTE TO JOHN LESCROART: "Too many syllables. I don’t think there’s ever been an eight-syllable band name.” CREDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL has eight syllables and CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY has nine! Just sayin’!
Paul Weiss
The back cover marketing blurb gives a great overview of the basis for the plot, “A young wife and mother named Katie Chase has been missing for days, her husband Hal – a guard in the San Francisco County Jail – the prime suspect. When the police begin talking murder, attorney Dismas Hardy calls on his friend Abe Glitsky, a former homicide detective, to investigate.”
That the police would chase the most obvious suspect, the husband, and adopt the strategy of “follow the money” (a 7-figure insurance payout not to mention adultery with a drop-dead gorgeous multi-millionaire jet setter) is hardly new plot material but Lescroart does a very workmanlike job of using the mundane as a basis for a solid police procedural that leads into the realm of police corruption, multiple murder, black marketing to prisoners in the local jail, and a cover-up conspiracy. For those who follow the series, it should be noted that, this time around, the lawyer Dismas Hardy plays second chair to Abe Glitsky’s leading role as an erstwhile private investigator for defense counsel after his retirement from active duty as a homicide detective with the SFPD. Their relationships with their wives are also used to heartwarming effect to complement the basic story line.
If not particularly memorable (as is the case with most novels of this genre), it is certainly enjoyable fast-paced reading and very easy to recommend to those who like a good thriller.
P.S. NOTE TO JOHN LESCROART: "Too many syllables. I don’t think there’s ever been an eight-syllable band name.” CREDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL has eight syllables and CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY has nine! Just sayin’!
Paul Weiss
May 3, 2015
I've long been a fan of John Lescroart's series featuring San Francisco lawyer Dismas Hardy and Homicide Inspector Abe Glitsky, and so it's always a treat to open a new book in the series. Glitsky has recently been forced to resign from his position as head of the Homicide department and is at loose ends. Feeling like he's too young to be retired, he's spending his days reading, watching television, and generally being bored as hell.
On the night before Thanksgiving, Hal Chase, who is a guard at the jail run by the county sheriff, goes out to the airport to pick up his brother who's flying in for the holiday. When the two men return to the Chase house, they find Hal's two young children in bed asleep. Hal's wife, Katie, is nowhere to be found and a few drops of blood on the floor suggest that she has been the victim of foul play.
Although this begins as a missing persons case, it quickly becomes a homicide investigation, even though as yet, Katie's body has not been found. The most logical suspect in such cases is always the surviving spouse and the detectives are strongly suspicious of Hal Chase from the beginning. There were serious problems in the marriage and while Hal has something of an alibi, it's not air tight.
As a sheriff's deputy, Chase is no dummy when it comes to this sort of thing and he quickly realizes that he needs a very good lawyer. His wife had been in therapy with Dismas Hardy's wife, Frannie, and so Chase asks Hardy to represent him. Shortly thereafter, Katie Chase's body is discovered in a wooded area near their home and Hal finds himself in jail, indicted by a grand jury for the murder.
Wyatt Hunt, the P.I. that Hardy usually relies on, is out of town for a while and so Hardy appeals to Abe Glitsky to investigate the case for him. Glitsky agrees, and what initially appeared to have been a relatively simple case soon turns into something much more complex and seriously dangerous for a lot of the parties involved, Glitsky included.
While Glitsky has played a prominent role in all of the books in this series, Harding has always been the principal character, usually defending someone that Glitsky's homicide department has charge with a killing . There's usually a lot of great courtroom dramatics, and these are the things I like best about the series. In this book, though, Glitsky is really on center stage and there are no court room scenes.
It's a fun read; it's well-plotted and there's a lot of great banter among the characters, which is another attractive hallmark of the series. I enjoyed the book very much, and it should appeal to large numbers of crime fiction fans, whether they are familiar with the series or not. But as far as favorites go, this is one that will fall into the middle ranks of the books in this series for me, simply because I favor the books in which I can watch Hardy at work in the court room.
On the night before Thanksgiving, Hal Chase, who is a guard at the jail run by the county sheriff, goes out to the airport to pick up his brother who's flying in for the holiday. When the two men return to the Chase house, they find Hal's two young children in bed asleep. Hal's wife, Katie, is nowhere to be found and a few drops of blood on the floor suggest that she has been the victim of foul play.
Although this begins as a missing persons case, it quickly becomes a homicide investigation, even though as yet, Katie's body has not been found. The most logical suspect in such cases is always the surviving spouse and the detectives are strongly suspicious of Hal Chase from the beginning. There were serious problems in the marriage and while Hal has something of an alibi, it's not air tight.
As a sheriff's deputy, Chase is no dummy when it comes to this sort of thing and he quickly realizes that he needs a very good lawyer. His wife had been in therapy with Dismas Hardy's wife, Frannie, and so Chase asks Hardy to represent him. Shortly thereafter, Katie Chase's body is discovered in a wooded area near their home and Hal finds himself in jail, indicted by a grand jury for the murder.
Wyatt Hunt, the P.I. that Hardy usually relies on, is out of town for a while and so Hardy appeals to Abe Glitsky to investigate the case for him. Glitsky agrees, and what initially appeared to have been a relatively simple case soon turns into something much more complex and seriously dangerous for a lot of the parties involved, Glitsky included.
While Glitsky has played a prominent role in all of the books in this series, Harding has always been the principal character, usually defending someone that Glitsky's homicide department has charge with a killing . There's usually a lot of great courtroom dramatics, and these are the things I like best about the series. In this book, though, Glitsky is really on center stage and there are no court room scenes.
It's a fun read; it's well-plotted and there's a lot of great banter among the characters, which is another attractive hallmark of the series. I enjoyed the book very much, and it should appeal to large numbers of crime fiction fans, whether they are familiar with the series or not. But as far as favorites go, this is one that will fall into the middle ranks of the books in this series for me, simply because I favor the books in which I can watch Hardy at work in the court room.
May 30, 2014
The Keeper is the latest by John Lescroart after last years phenomenal The Ophelia Cut. Let me just say this isn't The Ophelia Cut. There is no huge courtroom battle, no mountain of evidence against the defense, or really much of a performance from Dismas Hardy.
The Keeper begins with Hardy and his wife, Frannie, reading the morning paper and discussing the disappearance of Katie Chase. Katie is a client of Frannie's who was recently receiving counseling for her turbulent marriage.
The main suspect, as with many cases where the wife has gone missing (or is dead), is the husband Hal Chase. He is a correctional officer for the San Francisco county jail where a stream of inmate deaths is barely making any news. Could there somehow be a connection?
John Lescroart begins The Keeper as close to cliche as possible. Wife goes missing, the husband is a suspect, said husband enlists the help of powerhouse attorney Dismas Hardy, then revelations surface that the husband (who is also having an affair) may actually have a motive. All a very good recipe for a story we've heard before... many, many times before.
What Lescroart does right is that although the premise is pretty cliched, he does not continue in that direction long before many more suspects are introduced and more victims die. The Keeper becomes a police procedural starring Abe Glitsky who takes the story by the horns and is essentially the only character we follow. After I got used to the idea that we would not see Hardy battle it out before a judge, I got on board with this title.
Bodies drop like flies, suspects come and go, and there is no shortage of possible ways this mystery could have turned out. I only feel like I didn't have any closure with respect to the inmate deaths. I found this to be an issue with the only other previous novel I read by Lescroart. The blurbs mention how important the politics are in his novels but there never seems to be a resolution to the politics of the matter.
For all those fans who expect a great courtroom drama you are barking up the wrong tree. But just like the ending in The Ophelia Cut, The Keeper ends in a way I never saw coming. Maybe Lescroart's go-to is an explosive ending that entices us readers to remain trapped in his literal web. I don't know for sure, but I am definitely looking forward to reading even more by this author.
Copy provided by Simon & Schuster via Netgalley
The Keeper begins with Hardy and his wife, Frannie, reading the morning paper and discussing the disappearance of Katie Chase. Katie is a client of Frannie's who was recently receiving counseling for her turbulent marriage.
The main suspect, as with many cases where the wife has gone missing (or is dead), is the husband Hal Chase. He is a correctional officer for the San Francisco county jail where a stream of inmate deaths is barely making any news. Could there somehow be a connection?
John Lescroart begins The Keeper as close to cliche as possible. Wife goes missing, the husband is a suspect, said husband enlists the help of powerhouse attorney Dismas Hardy, then revelations surface that the husband (who is also having an affair) may actually have a motive. All a very good recipe for a story we've heard before... many, many times before.
What Lescroart does right is that although the premise is pretty cliched, he does not continue in that direction long before many more suspects are introduced and more victims die. The Keeper becomes a police procedural starring Abe Glitsky who takes the story by the horns and is essentially the only character we follow. After I got used to the idea that we would not see Hardy battle it out before a judge, I got on board with this title.
Bodies drop like flies, suspects come and go, and there is no shortage of possible ways this mystery could have turned out. I only feel like I didn't have any closure with respect to the inmate deaths. I found this to be an issue with the only other previous novel I read by Lescroart. The blurbs mention how important the politics are in his novels but there never seems to be a resolution to the politics of the matter.
For all those fans who expect a great courtroom drama you are barking up the wrong tree. But just like the ending in The Ophelia Cut, The Keeper ends in a way I never saw coming. Maybe Lescroart's go-to is an explosive ending that entices us readers to remain trapped in his literal web. I don't know for sure, but I am definitely looking forward to reading even more by this author.
Copy provided by Simon & Schuster via Netgalley
February 17, 2014
His best yet.....thought I had it figures out three times and still he got me! What a great way to spend a rainy weekend.
May 7, 2014
Publication Date: Available NOW from Headline.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy via BookBridgr
Dismas Hardy takes on a case that’s very close to home.
When Hal Chase’s wife, Katie, goes missing and he becomes the prime suspect for her murder, he wants Dismas Hardy as his lawyer.
Hardy calls on former homicide detective Abe Glitsky to look into the case. Chase certainly had strong motives but as Glitsky delves deeper, he identifies other possible suspects and he also uncovers an incident that might be related – the death of an inmate in the jail where Chase used to work.
So for me, a new Dismas Hardy book is like sinking into a hot bath at the end of a long and stressful day – Brilliantly relaxing, absolutely anticipated, with the knowledge that you are in for a treat. And hey, here we are at No 15 in the series and the quality and sheer joy of the reading experience has diminished not one iota. Blissful sigh.
In this instalment, Dismas takes on the case of Hal Chase, suspect in the disappearance of his wife – when it becomes clear that this is no open and shut case, he calls upon old friend Abe Glitsky to help. As Abe delves further into the people involved, secrets begin to emerge..
Once again Mr Lescroart weaves a twisty tale, immersing his well drawn and authentic characters right into the heart of the matter with a brilliantly flowing, addictive story that will keep you reading into the early hours. I’m not sure why but I’m always put in mind of Sherlock Holmes – probably because danger is often afoot, and the eclectic cast all mix it up beautifully to keep you on your toes and changing your mind about whats what. Plus of course there is Dismas himself, a man I’d sure want on my side if someone decided to accuse me of murder.
I can count on one hand the number of authors out there at the moment that can write really good legal and courtroom drama’s. Scott Turow is one, James Sheehan is another. And right at the top of the tree for me sits Mr Lescroart and Dismas Hardy – along with all his friends who often appear in novels in their own right. As a whole world created its pretty amazing. And I hope it continues for a good long while.
Highly Recommended. You can pick up any one of these and have a great reading experience. This one was top notch. But then they all are…
Happy Reading Folks!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy via BookBridgr
Dismas Hardy takes on a case that’s very close to home.
When Hal Chase’s wife, Katie, goes missing and he becomes the prime suspect for her murder, he wants Dismas Hardy as his lawyer.
Hardy calls on former homicide detective Abe Glitsky to look into the case. Chase certainly had strong motives but as Glitsky delves deeper, he identifies other possible suspects and he also uncovers an incident that might be related – the death of an inmate in the jail where Chase used to work.
So for me, a new Dismas Hardy book is like sinking into a hot bath at the end of a long and stressful day – Brilliantly relaxing, absolutely anticipated, with the knowledge that you are in for a treat. And hey, here we are at No 15 in the series and the quality and sheer joy of the reading experience has diminished not one iota. Blissful sigh.
In this instalment, Dismas takes on the case of Hal Chase, suspect in the disappearance of his wife – when it becomes clear that this is no open and shut case, he calls upon old friend Abe Glitsky to help. As Abe delves further into the people involved, secrets begin to emerge..
Once again Mr Lescroart weaves a twisty tale, immersing his well drawn and authentic characters right into the heart of the matter with a brilliantly flowing, addictive story that will keep you reading into the early hours. I’m not sure why but I’m always put in mind of Sherlock Holmes – probably because danger is often afoot, and the eclectic cast all mix it up beautifully to keep you on your toes and changing your mind about whats what. Plus of course there is Dismas himself, a man I’d sure want on my side if someone decided to accuse me of murder.
I can count on one hand the number of authors out there at the moment that can write really good legal and courtroom drama’s. Scott Turow is one, James Sheehan is another. And right at the top of the tree for me sits Mr Lescroart and Dismas Hardy – along with all his friends who often appear in novels in their own right. As a whole world created its pretty amazing. And I hope it continues for a good long while.
Highly Recommended. You can pick up any one of these and have a great reading experience. This one was top notch. But then they all are…
Happy Reading Folks!
May 25, 2018
The Keeper by John Lescroart. (CD)
Dismas Hardy does not take front and center stage in this book. Abe Glitsky, former head of homicide, is the main character. Glitsky has been pushed out of his place in the Dept. and the boredom is more than he can stand. Hal Chase reports his wife, Katie, as missing, but this is after several days have passed. This would have been a missing person case, but now that this length of time has elapsed perhaps it's become a possible homicide. Dismas refers the case to Glitsky. His reasoning behind this choice may be the fact that Katie was seeking marriage counseling from Dismas's wife.
Hal Chase, a guard at the jail, appears to be remorseful over his wife's disappearance. Then he's still the most likely suspect and Katie had quite a large like insurance policy with Hal as the beneficiary.
I enjoyed this story and the character of Glitsky kept me involved and interested. Secrets are revealed as this becomes not just another missing persons mystery.
Dismas Hardy does not take front and center stage in this book. Abe Glitsky, former head of homicide, is the main character. Glitsky has been pushed out of his place in the Dept. and the boredom is more than he can stand. Hal Chase reports his wife, Katie, as missing, but this is after several days have passed. This would have been a missing person case, but now that this length of time has elapsed perhaps it's become a possible homicide. Dismas refers the case to Glitsky. His reasoning behind this choice may be the fact that Katie was seeking marriage counseling from Dismas's wife.
Hal Chase, a guard at the jail, appears to be remorseful over his wife's disappearance. Then he's still the most likely suspect and Katie had quite a large like insurance policy with Hal as the beneficiary.
I enjoyed this story and the character of Glitsky kept me involved and interested. Secrets are revealed as this becomes not just another missing persons mystery.
June 8, 2020
Counselor Frannie Hardy, wife of attorney Dismas Hardy, knows one of her clients has gone missing. Katie Chase disappeared while her kids were asleep. I see a lot of missing women on the news where relatives say the women wouldn't have left their children. These cases usually don't end well.
Katie's husband Hal Chase is in law enforcement. Homicide detectives question him even though there's no body. Hal retains Dismas as his legal representative. Dismas calls Abe Glitsky, retired head of homicide, who is about to go stark raving crazy with nothing to do in retirement. I'm betting they're going to find out the truth.
The writing style in this book from 2014 is a cut above many of the 3 star books I was reading earlier in 2020 from my own bookshelves. The plot is a good one, put together and wrapped up very well. There's more of Abe to be seen here than Dismas although they work together. Fortunately, I like both characters.
Katie's husband Hal Chase is in law enforcement. Homicide detectives question him even though there's no body. Hal retains Dismas as his legal representative. Dismas calls Abe Glitsky, retired head of homicide, who is about to go stark raving crazy with nothing to do in retirement. I'm betting they're going to find out the truth.
The writing style in this book from 2014 is a cut above many of the 3 star books I was reading earlier in 2020 from my own bookshelves. The plot is a good one, put together and wrapped up very well. There's more of Abe to be seen here than Dismas although they work together. Fortunately, I like both characters.
March 31, 2018
Another typical book from this series. By typical, I mean it has the constant wisecracks and goofy humor from Dismas Hardy, the very dry wisecracks and humor from his friend Abe Glitsky, and a crime where an innocent person has the deck stacked against him in a case that seems hopeless and unfair.
This one was a little different, in that the prosecuting side was not totally convinced of the suspect's guilt, and even came to believe the other guy did it. But the other guy seemed to always have an alibi.
I suspected who the guilty party was for the main case, but was never sure, of course. But that didn't detract from my enjoyment, and I always enjoy the books of this series.
The audiobooks are done well, if you are interested.
This one was a little different, in that the prosecuting side was not totally convinced of the suspect's guilt, and even came to believe the other guy did it. But the other guy seemed to always have an alibi.
I suspected who the guilty party was for the main case, but was never sure, of course. But that didn't detract from my enjoyment, and I always enjoy the books of this series.
The audiobooks are done well, if you are interested.
September 1, 2021
Abe Glitsky is investigating the disappearance of Katie Chase. The young mom seemingly left her children sleeping, and disappeared. Was her disappearance related to some bad things she knew about the prison guards her husband Hal worked with? Was it related to his infidelity? When Hal is arrested for her murder, Abe is trying to connect all of the dots, and time is running out. Another page turner from Lescroart.
July 15, 2016
I really enjoyed the character development and the unfolding of the mystery. Good writing, held my interest from beginning to end. I was misled more than once, but the clues were there.
March 4, 2017
This was a pick for my Mystery Book Club. I've never read this author before and I really enjoyed the book. It was a real mystery. I will definitely read this author again. I enjoyed the story and the characters. The reason I gave the rating as a 3 was because I did feel like there was one point that he did not give a good explanation for, even at the end of the book, but I did enjoy the story.
July 13, 2014
Very enjoyable read! Kept me up late because I couldn't put it down. This book confirms why I love the Dismas Hardy series.
October 14, 2014
In his latest legal thriller, Lescroart offers up a great novel, which fans and newbies alike can praise. When Katie Chase goes missing, all eyes turn to her husband, Hal, as having something to do with the disappearance. Pre-empting what is sure to be a legal conundrum, Hal seeks the counsel of Dismas Hardy, renowned defence attorney in San Francisco. When SFPD begin circling like vultures and soon turn their Missing Persons case into a Homicide investigation, even before a body can be found, trouble surely looms for Hal and Hardy alike. Hardy turns to his long-time friend and recent retiree, Abe Glitsky, to help out with the investigative leg of the case, hoping that he might use his long-time connections on the force to weasel out some information before it gets too hairy. Alas, once a body turns up, the investigation kicks into high gear, leaving Hal Chase behind bars while Glitsky and Hardy scramble to put together a strategy. Professing his innocence, Chase is left to hope that he is not incarcerated for too long. Like a dog with a bone, Glitsky leaves no rock unturned and opens up more cans of worms that anyone thought possible, putting his own life and honour in jeopardy. With a slew of possible suspects at every turn, the real murderer may be not only eluding authorities, but tying up loose ends as they emerge. Lescroart at his best in this thrilling novel that kept the intensity and twists coming right until the final chapter.
Reading a Lescroart novel is like coming home; always a handful of characters ready to advance their own story just a little more. For those long-time Lescroart fans like myself, they will note that no matter which angle the author takes (he has three main series, all of whom deal with the same central set of characters), you're sure to learn a great deal. Hunt, Hardy, and Glitsky in particular all have their own nuances, but each plays off one another so seamlessly that it doesn't really matter who is standing in the spotlight, you just want to ensure you get a dose of them all. And, in this most recent Hardy-centred novel, Lescroart does not disappoint in the least. He has much to say and even more to present. I often wonder what else he could pull out of his bag of tricks, but am rarely disappointed with what he offers up to his fans.
Kudos, Mr. Lescroart on this excellent piece of work. Always a pleasure to sink my teeth into one of your thrilling legal mysteries.
Reading a Lescroart novel is like coming home; always a handful of characters ready to advance their own story just a little more. For those long-time Lescroart fans like myself, they will note that no matter which angle the author takes (he has three main series, all of whom deal with the same central set of characters), you're sure to learn a great deal. Hunt, Hardy, and Glitsky in particular all have their own nuances, but each plays off one another so seamlessly that it doesn't really matter who is standing in the spotlight, you just want to ensure you get a dose of them all. And, in this most recent Hardy-centred novel, Lescroart does not disappoint in the least. He has much to say and even more to present. I often wonder what else he could pull out of his bag of tricks, but am rarely disappointed with what he offers up to his fans.
Kudos, Mr. Lescroart on this excellent piece of work. Always a pleasure to sink my teeth into one of your thrilling legal mysteries.
October 9, 2014
Gotta love this series. Abe Glitzky, now retired, takes an investigative job w/Dismas to determine who killed Hal Chases' wife. Hal, Dismas' client, is a guard at the San Francisco Jail where shady deals and unsolved deaths have occurred. Although I had a feeling who had done the deed, this was an enjoyable read.
October 28, 2020
Another Dismas Hardy story, and I like him and the other characters, (although I wish Lescroart would stop killing some of my faves off.) this one is mainly about Abe Glitsky, Dismas friend, who was forced to retire from head of the Homicide Unit. Now he was bored, and when Dismas called and asked if he could do some investigating for him because Wyatt, was on his honeymoon, he agreed. Then he got obsessed with the case, and it was quite a page turner.
December 24, 2022
This was the best book in the series in a while. I really liked that it focused on Abe, who is my favourite character. Although I guessed the real murderer about halfway through, I still enjoyed the web of connections that Lescroart wove.
April 18, 2014
Reviewed First at Brunner's Bookshelf
It has almost been a year since I started blogging, and when I began I made sure to join Netgalley. I have gotten a lot of great books through them and have gone outside my comfort zone and found some authors I never would have tried otherwise. John Lescroart is one of those authors that I am glad to have found. I had never read his work before but had seen his name around the bookstore. The summary of his last book, The Ophelia Cut, sounded interesting, so I got it and really enjoyed it. That book was listed as a one shot, but there was a lot of reference to something that happened in an earlier book. I spent most of the book lost and trying to figure out what Lescroart was referring to. I decided to take a shot, and I emailed John Lescroart to see which book this was from and if I could get a little clarification on some things. I was shocked when he wrote back the very next day. He was so apologetic and kind in his response. He answered all of my questions and thanked me for my comments and email. This made me really respect him, and when I saw this book was available for review I jumped at the chance to read it.
This book was really interesting. Hal Chase is the prime suspect in the disappearance of his wife. Distraught and at his whit’s ends, he finally seeks a lawyer to make sure he stays in the clear since homicide has been put on the case. Dismas Hardy is just that lawyer, and he brings in his old friend Abe Glitsky to be his investigator to try and find who really kidnapped her. I have seen this kind of plot in movies and Law & Order reruns all the time, but I found as I was reading this that I was putting myself into Hal’s shoes. Would my in-laws jump to the conclusion that I must have killed her if my wife disappeared? What would I do in his situation? Could I really remain calm through the whole thing? I liked that this book really got me thinking about what I would do if I was thrown into that situation. My answers, in case you are wondering are; I would hope my in-laws don’t think me the villain right away, no way in hell would I be calm at all, and I would like to think that I would throw on my deerstalker hat, grab my magnifying glass, and go on the hunt for the true culprit myself. Reality check. I’d probably be rocking in the fetal position in the corner of my bedroom while my kids wonder how far gone I really am.
This book was really well written, and I seemed to fly through it in the limited time I had to read it. I would say this is an easy read for the fact that I was able to get into this book right away, and I didn’t care just how many chapters I read at a time. Lescroart writes some great characters, and in this book it is good to have read earlier books for those character relationships, but the story is a stand-alone. I have now read two books by him, and I wasn’t lost at all in this one. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the book, but I will admit that there are a few items that were predictable. Maybe that was Lescroart’s intention, or my inner Sherlock was on fire throughout this book, but I still really liked being right. Ok, I'm finished bragging now. This is not a spoiler, but I want to say that the kidnapper was on my radar of suspects since about mid book, but I was still surprised at the reasoning so the ending was not ruined by one of my two suspects being it. Not sure I could be more cryptic there, but I hate spoilers.
This was a great book, and I am so glad I read it. Now with two of his books under my belt I am anxious to read more of his work. I could see him being added to my list of favorite authors very soon if the rests of his books are like this one. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, and I am almost leaning to 4.5. I really couldn’t stop thinking about this book when I read it or after I finished it.
It has almost been a year since I started blogging, and when I began I made sure to join Netgalley. I have gotten a lot of great books through them and have gone outside my comfort zone and found some authors I never would have tried otherwise. John Lescroart is one of those authors that I am glad to have found. I had never read his work before but had seen his name around the bookstore. The summary of his last book, The Ophelia Cut, sounded interesting, so I got it and really enjoyed it. That book was listed as a one shot, but there was a lot of reference to something that happened in an earlier book. I spent most of the book lost and trying to figure out what Lescroart was referring to. I decided to take a shot, and I emailed John Lescroart to see which book this was from and if I could get a little clarification on some things. I was shocked when he wrote back the very next day. He was so apologetic and kind in his response. He answered all of my questions and thanked me for my comments and email. This made me really respect him, and when I saw this book was available for review I jumped at the chance to read it.
This book was really interesting. Hal Chase is the prime suspect in the disappearance of his wife. Distraught and at his whit’s ends, he finally seeks a lawyer to make sure he stays in the clear since homicide has been put on the case. Dismas Hardy is just that lawyer, and he brings in his old friend Abe Glitsky to be his investigator to try and find who really kidnapped her. I have seen this kind of plot in movies and Law & Order reruns all the time, but I found as I was reading this that I was putting myself into Hal’s shoes. Would my in-laws jump to the conclusion that I must have killed her if my wife disappeared? What would I do in his situation? Could I really remain calm through the whole thing? I liked that this book really got me thinking about what I would do if I was thrown into that situation. My answers, in case you are wondering are; I would hope my in-laws don’t think me the villain right away, no way in hell would I be calm at all, and I would like to think that I would throw on my deerstalker hat, grab my magnifying glass, and go on the hunt for the true culprit myself. Reality check. I’d probably be rocking in the fetal position in the corner of my bedroom while my kids wonder how far gone I really am.
This book was really well written, and I seemed to fly through it in the limited time I had to read it. I would say this is an easy read for the fact that I was able to get into this book right away, and I didn’t care just how many chapters I read at a time. Lescroart writes some great characters, and in this book it is good to have read earlier books for those character relationships, but the story is a stand-alone. I have now read two books by him, and I wasn’t lost at all in this one. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the book, but I will admit that there are a few items that were predictable. Maybe that was Lescroart’s intention, or my inner Sherlock was on fire throughout this book, but I still really liked being right. Ok, I'm finished bragging now. This is not a spoiler, but I want to say that the kidnapper was on my radar of suspects since about mid book, but I was still surprised at the reasoning so the ending was not ruined by one of my two suspects being it. Not sure I could be more cryptic there, but I hate spoilers.
This was a great book, and I am so glad I read it. Now with two of his books under my belt I am anxious to read more of his work. I could see him being added to my list of favorite authors very soon if the rests of his books are like this one. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, and I am almost leaning to 4.5. I really couldn’t stop thinking about this book when I read it or after I finished it.
April 16, 2014
My goodness, I've been reading John Lescroart's novels for a long time! The latest entry in his series about Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky is The Keeper, and I enjoyed it very much. (Especially since I was disappointed in the previous one, The Ophelia Cut, I was so glad to find that Lescroart can still keep me involved.)
Hal Chase is a guard at the city jail, his wife is missing, and when homicide detectives visit him, he decides it is time for a lawyer. Dismas Hardy is well aware that the circumstances look grim for Katie, Hal's wife, and that the usual suspect is, indeed, the husband. However, Dismas entertains an intuition that Hal may not be responsible.
Abe Glitsky, former head of homocide, is now retired, at loose ends, and a little bored. When Dismas brings him on as an investigator to find evidence of Hal's innocence, Abe has to admit that Hal would be his most likely suspect.
When Katie's body is discovered and Hal's affair and the large insurance policy on Katie are revealed--well, things don't look good for Hal Chase.
District Attorney Wes Farrell, Dismas' friend and former partner, is also concerned with suspicious deaths that have occurred in the jail. What connections can there be between corruption in the jail and Katie's murder?
Glitsky is now looking at the possibility of other suspects, and it turns out there may be more than would be expected.
Lescroart is in top form, pulling together a number of disparate threads in this tightly constructed plot. As usual, his characterization is spot on, and the cast of characters, both familiar and newly introduced, feel genuinely human.
I've been reading this series for about twenty years, and have rarely been disappointed. The characters have aged, their kids have grown up, their situations have changed, but the San Francisco world that Lescroart has created still feels honest and authentic.
NetGalley/Atria Books
Crime/Mystery/Legal Thriller. May 6, 2014. Print version: 320 pages.
Hal Chase is a guard at the city jail, his wife is missing, and when homicide detectives visit him, he decides it is time for a lawyer. Dismas Hardy is well aware that the circumstances look grim for Katie, Hal's wife, and that the usual suspect is, indeed, the husband. However, Dismas entertains an intuition that Hal may not be responsible.
Abe Glitsky, former head of homocide, is now retired, at loose ends, and a little bored. When Dismas brings him on as an investigator to find evidence of Hal's innocence, Abe has to admit that Hal would be his most likely suspect.
When Katie's body is discovered and Hal's affair and the large insurance policy on Katie are revealed--well, things don't look good for Hal Chase.
District Attorney Wes Farrell, Dismas' friend and former partner, is also concerned with suspicious deaths that have occurred in the jail. What connections can there be between corruption in the jail and Katie's murder?
Glitsky is now looking at the possibility of other suspects, and it turns out there may be more than would be expected.
Lescroart is in top form, pulling together a number of disparate threads in this tightly constructed plot. As usual, his characterization is spot on, and the cast of characters, both familiar and newly introduced, feel genuinely human.
I've been reading this series for about twenty years, and have rarely been disappointed. The characters have aged, their kids have grown up, their situations have changed, but the San Francisco world that Lescroart has created still feels honest and authentic.
NetGalley/Atria Books
Crime/Mystery/Legal Thriller. May 6, 2014. Print version: 320 pages.
April 8, 2015
It's been a while since I picked up a Lescroart "Dismas Hardy" legal thriller and within the first 10 pages, I realized what I had been missing. There are many authors out there writing legal thrillers but none with the characterization skills of Lescroart. His plotting isn't bad either.
In this story the wife of a jail guard, Hal Chase, goes missing under puzzling circumstances. Katie Chase left her house and kids with no explanation which was entirely unlike her. As in most such cases the husband is the primary suspect. He goes to Dismas Hardy who, while not totally convinced of Chase's innocence, nevertheless hires his friend Abe Glitsky, a recently retired homicide inspector to try to find Katie and to determine Chase's guilt or innocence.
Eventually Katie's body is found, Hal is arrested and Glitsky works hard to discover the truth. There are numerous blind alley's and twists and turns as Abe keeps following his gut which doesn't always pay off. The Sheriff's management of the jail, the DA, Wes Farrell's, connection to Hardy and Glitsky, the two families involved, Katie and Hal Chase's affairs, all contribute to the confusion about who did what to whom.
As usual in Lescroart's work, the city of San Francisco is as much a character as the humans. While not a complete surprise, the ending is not what any reader might necessarily expect.
I have been reading Lescroart's novels for many years and this effort is as good as anything he's done. I highly recommend it even if it's your first exposure to the world the author has created.
In this story the wife of a jail guard, Hal Chase, goes missing under puzzling circumstances. Katie Chase left her house and kids with no explanation which was entirely unlike her. As in most such cases the husband is the primary suspect. He goes to Dismas Hardy who, while not totally convinced of Chase's innocence, nevertheless hires his friend Abe Glitsky, a recently retired homicide inspector to try to find Katie and to determine Chase's guilt or innocence.
Eventually Katie's body is found, Hal is arrested and Glitsky works hard to discover the truth. There are numerous blind alley's and twists and turns as Abe keeps following his gut which doesn't always pay off. The Sheriff's management of the jail, the DA, Wes Farrell's, connection to Hardy and Glitsky, the two families involved, Katie and Hal Chase's affairs, all contribute to the confusion about who did what to whom.
As usual in Lescroart's work, the city of San Francisco is as much a character as the humans. While not a complete surprise, the ending is not what any reader might necessarily expect.
I have been reading Lescroart's novels for many years and this effort is as good as anything he's done. I highly recommend it even if it's your first exposure to the world the author has created.
June 20, 2014
In the last book of the series Lt. Abe Glitsky’s had been forced to retire from his job as Chief of SFPD homicide department. This book is mostly about Abe and what he is doing with his life. He sits at home reading until his friend Dismas Hardy, a defense attorney has him do some investigation for him on a new case of a missing woman. The woman Katie Chase, wife of a Sheriff Deputy who works at the jail is missing. The story appears to be the usual who-done-it until Katie Chase’s body is found. Then it turns into a story of political corruption or does it? Glitsky has stopped following the usual investigation procedures and is on a crusade. The suspense builds as the story twist and turns. I had picked out my suspect for the murder about half way through the book, but then as the story proceeds I start second guessing myself then the story looks as if it has concluded and I must be wrong. But the story keeps going and oh boy, I turn out to be correct. The book is lots of fun and the suspense keeps one reading. Guess I will have to wait until the next book to find out if Abe is working for the D.A. or is going private. I read this as an audio book downloaded from Audible. I enjoyed the dulcet tones of David Colacci who has narrated the series from the beginning. It is great when the publisher keeps the same narrator throughout the series. I would give this a 3.5 start but alas they don’t allow for half stars.
May 26, 2014
I usually love Lescroart's Dismas Hardy series. However, this is not really a Dismas Hardy story, but really a story of Abe Glitsy, who has been retired for about 6 months when Hardy hires him as an investigator. Not much Dismas, and NO court room scenes at all in the entire book. How can it be called a legal thriller? The first half was slow, and actually a bit annoying because of the tired old plot premise that one of the main characters in the story must be the best suspect because the murder victim is his wife. Ho Hum. It does get better, though, and the second half moved along and was more engaging. My other issue is how Abe behaves out of character, running down the wrong clues, and later, not even properly arresting a suspect. What happened to Abe? We have as history dozens of Abe Glitzy novels where Abe is by the book, exacting, and, let's face it, brilliant. Without resorting to spoilers, that's not the Abe we see here. I did like the story, at least the second half, but it is far, far from Lescroart's best. Even the ending, when we finally find out who the bad guy is, doesn't satisfy and leaves the reader up in the air about some other important
things. Absolutely no more than 3 stars, and I think that is generous.
things. Absolutely no more than 3 stars, and I think that is generous.
May 20, 2014
Dismas Hardy is called to represent a guard in the sheriff's department whose wife has been found murdered. There is not much evidence to go on, but the guards alibi is weak and the police and the DA are pretty sure he did it. Dismas hires Abe Glitsky, who has been betting bored in retirement, be his investigator for the case. Meanwhile there is something rotten in the Sherriff's Department and the DA is putting on a push to investigate and soon the two cases come together. A good read and another cast of characters I have not read for awhile and missed.
July 8, 2017
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK, JULY 7, 3017
David Colacci
Dragged a little and was overly long for me. I did want to know who killed Katie and whether Hal was innocent or did he kill his wife so I stuck it out. The Big Reveal was a surprise, not so much the identity but the reason.
Glitsky is heading towards a PI licence, it looks like. I like it when he's involved in the story and look forward to the next installment.
David Colacci
Dragged a little and was overly long for me. I did want to know who killed Katie and whether Hal was innocent or did he kill his wife so I stuck it out. The Big Reveal was a surprise, not so much the identity but the reason.
Glitsky is heading towards a PI licence, it looks like. I like it when he's involved in the story and look forward to the next installment.
May 22, 2014
A great read with the usual great cast of characters and great plot, it's just great!!
August 12, 2017
Lescroart is in top form in this thrilling mystery. Abe Glitsky comes out of retirement to help both Dismas Hardy and the DA investigate jail house corruption...but how to do this without triggering any more murders? Lots of turns in this extremely satisfying novel!
November 27, 2018
An enjoyable mystery, with twists and turns enough to get your mind involved. My first book by this author, but I will probably be reading another soon. Well written!
December 24, 2019
I listened to this in the car so it took a long time. Has some twists.
March 15, 2017
This was a book I read for my Mystery Book Club. My first time reading this author. This was a true mystery with a LOT of characters. In fact a friend of mine in this book club (she is a defense lawyer) said this book would make a good police manual. So if you are looking for excitement this is not the book for you. There are no AHA moments just a lot of how the law works and how the characters work out "who done it!" Interesting and informative but not great for me.
April 10, 2015
Pretty good yarn.
How DO you pronounce that name? Tom Stienstra, the Outdoors editor/columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, a gentleman who just loves to drop names, mentioned some time ago that he and John Lescroart get together and go fishing every year or so to compare new ways in which their names are mis-pronounced. And so it ever will be!
Be that as it may, Lescroart can write a good legal/cop/procedural yarn. He's been doing it for decades, and he's trying it again with The Keeper. Emphasis on "trying."
The Keeper starts slowly, using a plot trick that Lescroart has used often in the past; the innocent naif, well-meaning and righteous, allows himself to become enmeshed in the unforgiving web of procedural cop-dom. The not-guilty guy is obviously so not-guilty that you KNOW he's gonna be painted as guilty no matter what. Blind justice will prevail and, as usual, Lescroart paints Miss Justice as not only blind, but deaf, stupid, naive, and the unwitting victim of her own agents; greedy prosecuting attorneys, narrow-minded cops, rush-to-judgment cops, lazy cops and, perhaps evil cops looking only to close a case! GASP! As usual, the keepers of justice go too far, indicting the proverbial ham sandwich, only to be proven wrong by (TA-DA) Super-Diz!
See what I mean? The plot trick is old. Really, really old. Geriatrically old. As soon as this doofus guy makes his first contact with the heartless legal system, you know several things: 1) he's gonna get arrested, 2) he's gonna get screwed, 3) he'll only LOOK like he's getting screwed because 4) Diz Hardy will save him, and 5) disaster will be (yawn) averted (once again) and the doofus and his wife/lover/child/mother/patron saint or parish priest will ride off happily into the sunset.
This is not a spoiler review. EVERY Lescroart novel follows this formula, in one way or another. What's kinda sorta interesting about this one is the way in which the doofus is saved. And I WON'T spoil that. Let's just say that the Saviour had better get a self-powered wheelchair if the evolution of his character is to go too very much further.
Don't read this for the plot; it's older than God. Read it for the characters and the situations. Read it for the procedures. Read it for the apparent evolution of characters. Read it because Lescroart, while mired in his arthritic plot line, can still turn good phrase, and knows how to make his characters appealing, vulnerable, real, and surprisingly interesting.
Even though I knew the outcome after about 15 pages, I thoroughly enjoyed the "getting there." And the "getting there," through the interplay of procedure and characters, has always been John Lescroart's stock-in-trade.
How DO you pronounce that name? Tom Stienstra, the Outdoors editor/columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, a gentleman who just loves to drop names, mentioned some time ago that he and John Lescroart get together and go fishing every year or so to compare new ways in which their names are mis-pronounced. And so it ever will be!
Be that as it may, Lescroart can write a good legal/cop/procedural yarn. He's been doing it for decades, and he's trying it again with The Keeper. Emphasis on "trying."
The Keeper starts slowly, using a plot trick that Lescroart has used often in the past; the innocent naif, well-meaning and righteous, allows himself to become enmeshed in the unforgiving web of procedural cop-dom. The not-guilty guy is obviously so not-guilty that you KNOW he's gonna be painted as guilty no matter what. Blind justice will prevail and, as usual, Lescroart paints Miss Justice as not only blind, but deaf, stupid, naive, and the unwitting victim of her own agents; greedy prosecuting attorneys, narrow-minded cops, rush-to-judgment cops, lazy cops and, perhaps evil cops looking only to close a case! GASP! As usual, the keepers of justice go too far, indicting the proverbial ham sandwich, only to be proven wrong by (TA-DA) Super-Diz!
See what I mean? The plot trick is old. Really, really old. Geriatrically old. As soon as this doofus guy makes his first contact with the heartless legal system, you know several things: 1) he's gonna get arrested, 2) he's gonna get screwed, 3) he'll only LOOK like he's getting screwed because 4) Diz Hardy will save him, and 5) disaster will be (yawn) averted (once again) and the doofus and his wife/lover/child/mother/patron saint or parish priest will ride off happily into the sunset.
This is not a spoiler review. EVERY Lescroart novel follows this formula, in one way or another. What's kinda sorta interesting about this one is the way in which the doofus is saved. And I WON'T spoil that. Let's just say that the Saviour had better get a self-powered wheelchair if the evolution of his character is to go too very much further.
Don't read this for the plot; it's older than God. Read it for the characters and the situations. Read it for the procedures. Read it for the apparent evolution of characters. Read it because Lescroart, while mired in his arthritic plot line, can still turn good phrase, and knows how to make his characters appealing, vulnerable, real, and surprisingly interesting.
Even though I knew the outcome after about 15 pages, I thoroughly enjoyed the "getting there." And the "getting there," through the interplay of procedure and characters, has always been John Lescroart's stock-in-trade.
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