Guilt

Abe Glitsky #2

by John Lescroart

“A great thriller: breakneck pacing, electrifying courtroom scenes, and a cast of richly crafted characters.”—People
 
Mark Dooher is a prosperous San Francisco attorney and a prominent Catholic, the last person anyone would suspect of a brutal crime.  But Dooher, a paragon of success and a master of all he touches, is about to be indicted for murder.

Charged with savagely killing his own wife, Dooher is fighting for his reputation and his life in a high-profile case that is drawing dozens of lives into its wake—from former spouses to former friends, from a beautiful, naive young attorney to a defense lawyer whose own salvation depends on getting his client off.

Now, as the trial builds to a crescendo, as evidence is sifted and witnesses discredited, as a good cop tries to pick up the pieces of his shattered life and a D.A. risks her career, the truth about Mark Dooher is about to explode.  For in a trial that will change the lives of everyone it touches, there is one thing that no one knows—until it is much too late. . . .
 
Praise for Guilt
 
“A well-paced legal thriller . .  . one of the best in this flourishing genre to come along in a while.”—The Washington Post Book World
 
“Begin [Guilt] over a weekend . . . If you start during the workweek, you will be up very late, and your pleasure will be tainted with, well, guilt.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer
 
“A wonderful novel . . . reminiscent of Scott Turow. John Lescroart isn’t a lawyer, but he writes like one.”—Dayton Daily News
 
“Crackling legal action . . . robust and intelligent entertainment.”—Publishers Weekly

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Legal Thriller, Legal, Crime, Suspense

654 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 12, 1997

About the author

John 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.

Reviews

[Dean Ryan Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember I read this during the summer break in college. The courtroom drama is intensifying.

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must say that JL is such a talented writer. Now as the reader we have expectations of our hero from the first. Mark Dooher is introduced to us from the first, he is the primary character and to be very frank, I hated him. On the surface he was a handsome, talented he's -got-it-all-kind-of guy. Oh and he is a good Catholic boy to boot.

But when the camera, lights and action hasn't been called yet, Mark is a whole nother breed of slime. His wife thinks that he might be suicidal, his best friend, another lawyer, thinks that he may be having an affair. But Abe Glitzky, one of San Francisco finest, thinks he has committed the murder of a fellow lawyer.

Abe has has been overruled and with no smoking gun or hot bayonet at the case may be, he is forced to let it go. Heck is barely getting by with suffering his own hell on earth tragedy.

He gets the call though that galvanizes his life. Goldenboy Mark's wife has been murdered. Now he has him right where he wants him. But as he sits in court and watches his case fall apart and the devil looking at him from the defense table, what can he do?

You will have to read for yourself to see how it ends up. :-)

The only small niggling thing was I think this was about 100 pages too long. Other than that it was a very good taunt thriller. I heart Glitzky.

[Asghar Abbas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guilty pleasure does not get any guiltier than this. The flow is pretty smooth here. Lescroart sure knows how to write believable characters with clear motivations. Plus, his books are just so much fun to read. A right amount of everything in them; equal part cynicism and hope.

Codicil: November 2020

Thursday, 19 November
International Men's Day 2020

Okay.

So, I was thinking about this book back in November, when I was watching Jojo Rabbit, then I saw that one of the dates was an International Men's Day that month. Witch. Which at first I thought was a joke, a jest even. Maybe satire, who knows? But no, that's a real day. Kinda redundant but whatever, and I canceled that whatever, so whatever. The thing is. No, listen. As bad as men are, Women are no better than them, really, who are you really, women are people, she's a person, not chattel. Patriarchy is well and alive, still a thing, sibilant, There. But Men tend to be the aggressor, women are usually their victims. So a day in March makes much more sense to me, To Me Ghost, than the one in November, for sure I don't like that Day, and how could I. For men came up with entire religions, made themselves the center of attention, the whole of their tiny universes, how do you spell insecurity, damn. So this day is a joke, not a very good one. I have heard better ones.

Anyway, on that day I found myself but thinking about one of the characters from this novel. Therefore, well not exactly on that auspicious day, but for that sacred day, I present to you the antagonist from this fine wine of a novel. In the vein of Kilgrave, seriously one of the most aggravating creatures in fiction. One of the vilest, bitchiest, gaslighting of all assholes. A personal villain who took everything a little too personally. That's who reminded me of on a day for men, that's who it made me think of. International Men's day, yikes, that's what I thought of that day, so good job. In any case. Women are not that great either. They just didn't get their chance to showcase their fall, they certainly didn't get or their due, we just didn't get to theirs yet. Instead, they got colonized by one of the dumbest creatures on God's green earth, Men.

Jan 2021. 22

So, I have read this book twice, once back in '03 and then in 2007. I liked it better the second time around. Wrote this review last year, adding to it a little, and this little addendum is in this January. I don't know why I keep coming back to this review, and not necessarily the book. But language matters. Everything does, like that Aurora's song, as per Her. But not Warpaint's. Things remain the same, then they don't.

Nothing is the same.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd had this on my shelf for a while, and every time I looked at it, I thought, "no, not in the mood."
At over 600 pages, and by an author with whom I was unfamiliar, I just couldn't get in the proper mood. Nevertheless, here I am, having just finished with these few thoughts to share.

I reluctantly began really enjoying this book about a quarter of the way in. I knew it would end up being a courtroom drama for the most part, but with a touch of police procedural thrown in, and a cop who was bi-racial and Jewish to boot, I was game. Of the players, Wes Farrell, the defense attorney and best friend of the accused, Mark Dooher, turns out to be the most likable character. Dooher is just a little too transparent, and his obsession with the young and incredibly naive Christina Carrera really exceeds credulity.

All along, I kept thinking, this author seems too good to be leading me to the obvious conclusion. It's got to be a red herring... he has another ending up his sleeve, because the story would simply be too disappointing were it not the case. Alas, I was wrong. Where Lescroart had the chance to really pull a cool twist out of the story, using a set-up or frame-job to tie up the loose ends, he just bailed. So, we are left with the frankly unsurprising and unimaginative ending, that brought down the rating and the enjoyment factor of this book.

The author writes well, and the courtroom scenes were pretty entertaining. I guess my expectations were falsely set and then dashed a bit. Fans of the author undoubtedly would enjoy this, but for me, the only Guilt about this book should be the author's for missing out on what could have been a really cool story and settling for an obvious one.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character is Mark Dooher, a successful attorney that seems to have the golden touch to everything he touches. Mark, although he is married, also has an eye for the ladies and is attracted to a beautiful young women about to be engaged to one Mark's young associates. Mark manipulates
things so that this young women is in close proximity to him and pursues her until he has her under his spell. Mark's largest client is the Catholic Church and when it appears that he may lose his client Mark makes a fatal decision to make sure that doesn't happen. Mark is the last person you would expect of murder, but he is the prime suspect from the very beginning of Abe Glitsky. If you have read other Abe Glitsky stories written by John Lescroart you will know that when Abe gets involved with a case he doesn't let go, he is like a dog with a bone. Wes Farrell, a long time friend of Mark Dooher, agrees to represent Mark when it appears Mark needs a lawyer. In the end Mark finds nothing can stop his world from crumbling around him and his closest friend is one of the costs.

[Linda Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many of the books in the Abe Glitsky series, but this was an early book that I had somehow missed. This brings Wes Ferrel not only into the picture, but sets up the friendly alliance between Criminal Attorney and Police Officer.

Can a murder committed during the Vietnam War (or conflict whichever you prefer) and a lost platoon actually reach out of the past seducing a wealthy, self-made man? Can it corrupt a man so powerful, he even has the Arch-Bishop of the San Francisco diocese in his pocket? While the action twists and turns, Abe Glitsky looks straight ahead, following the past into the present. A must read, especially for those who feel entitled!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wes Farrell & Abe Glitsky focused storyline...excellent early character development for both as they begin as opponents & emerge as allies against a psychopathic head of a major law firm...wonderful procedural & story twists...I love the use of San Francisco as if it too was a character...much like Paretsky & Fairstein use their great cities!

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read ! Abe Glitsky and Wes Farrell battle each other then team up. Too bad I can't give it SIX stars ! 640 some pages that never lets up on the intrigue or suspense.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this some time ago, it was my first read of a book by this author. I enjoyed it.

[Jeni VW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I hadn't read #1 in the Abe Glitsky series, I had no difficulties following Lescroart's complex network of characters. While Glitsky figures prominently throughout the novel, the key character is Mark Dooher, a lawyer accused of a brutal murder. Lescroart devotes a substantial part of the novel to an in-depth character portrait of Dooher and his family and associates while giving rich insights into Abe Glitsky's professional and personal life. The suspense builds evenly throughout the first half as the story's premise is thoroughly established, then Lescroart's cat-and-mouse game of intricate details drives the action to its climax and resolution. In a word, the book is gripping, interlacing suspicions with doubts and revelations, stringing the reader along until the very last page.

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Abe Glitsky series. Suspenseful and entertaining.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series but they can be read as standalones

[Byron Washington]

Twists & Turns!!!

John Lescroart may not be a lawyer, but his books are so well researched and written that this revelation boggles my mind. Scott Turow and John Grisham have NOTHING on this author. My only complaint, slight as it may be, is the sheer volume of his books takes some getting used to. GREAT book though!!!

Buy it, read it and enjoy!!!👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable but I did not enjoy this as much as Lescroart's Dismas Hardy novels. This one is sort of Wes Ferrell's origin story, with an important part of Abe Glitsky's story. A compelling crime motivates the narrative, almost to the exclusion of compelling characters.

[Michel Sizaire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea, reads like a TV soap opera

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enter Mark Dooher; he’s the guy with the golden touch. Good things just come to him—that whole law of attraction thing perhaps? People are drawn to him. He looks younger than his 46 years, and he has a highly successful law practice whose clients include the San Francisco archdiocese.

Christina Carrera is a beautiful 20-something woman who is almost engaged to one of Mark’s associates, but as soon as Mark spots her at a party, he can think of nothing else. His current marriage is troubled at best, and the young woman who volunteers at a rape crisis center while studying for the bar exam appeals to him. The solution is easy enough; transfer the almost-fiancé to a new Los Angeles office to ensure a breakup in that relationship, and somehow get his current wife out of the picture.

When Dooher’s wife is found stabbed to death ostensibly a casualty of a burglary, the city’s homicide head, Abe Glitsky just doesn’t buy the burglary.

This is a legal thriller with plenty of creep factor. Like a food-driven dog scrambling to get kibble out of a Cong toy, you’ll read your way through this with the single-minded purpose of trying to understand whether Dooher is guilty of multiple murders. There’s so much I’ve not written about here; is there a brutal rape in Mark’s past? And who killed the Vietnamese-born lawyer attempting to sue the archdiocese? It’s all revealed as you drill into this, and you’ll want to.

[wally · Rating 4 out of 5]

finished this one yesterday the 13th of august 2020 four stars (almost a five) good read really liked it kindle owned maybe it was the story (probably) maybe it was the climate (things) but this one made me want to pick it up and continue every chance i had right combination of action character plot and no surprises...which i imagine is a dreaded spoiler. no diablo ex-machine-gunner dropping down from the abused statue in the center of town. but other things. related to time maybe...how the advance of time is addressed in the story. and...i've often found it hard to reconcile the description of glitsky...black jewish, his hair...brush cut? scar...wicked smile...and i blame it on barney miller, abe vigoda...i often imagine abe vigoda...maybe there's a jewish theme running there but there you have it, you can't get this anywhere else folks. smoke em if you have em.

[Deborah Robb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read with interesting characters. Mark Dooher is a prominent attorney with a thriving practice. He's married, but after a chance meeting with a beautiful young woman, is consumed with thoughts of her. Mark Dooher is a man who is very driven and not used to things not going his way. He manipulates every situation he can. First, a lawyer he is negotiating with ends up dead. The cops suspect he may have something to do with it, but can't prove anything. Then, Dooher's wife ends up dead and he is charged with her murder. His best friend, also a lawyer, steps up to represent him. As the trial moves forward, several lives are forever changed. An explosive ending with a very satisfying conclusion to the book.

[Susan Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having recently found and enjoyed Lescroart, I was delighted to find this very fat one of his that I had not read. If you're interested in trying him, start with GUILT. It is an excellent example of my favorite kind of novel. In an organized, well paced plot, he fully develops more than a handful of really interesting characters. A powerful, well respected San Franciso attorney is arrested for a particularly grizzly murder and is suspected by the homicide detective and his team of being responsible for other equally horrible murders. But, there is a camp of also credible people who know that it is impossible for him to have done anything even remotely like this. This one is going to have to go on my best of the year list.

[Gary Hahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, but somewhat long and wandering at times. I always try to read series books in their publication order, but realize I also need to look at publication order year of sister series. I was already aware of the main story line of this book from the Dismas Hardy series. That may be why I'm not as enthusiastic for this book as for others I've read by this author. He seems to belabor issues more than I felt was necessary. I believe if you read this book in chronological order with the Dismas Hardy series you might enjoy it more than I did, but I still believe it was longer than it needed to be.

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I was confused on how in the second book of the Glitsky story, his wife, Flo and the district attorney Chris Locke were alive, when in the first Flo was dead and Locke was killed. Late in this installment we find the beginning of the story takes place BEFORE the first book and the remainder takes place after. This story provides more backstory on Wes Farrell and the relationship he has with Glitsky. The focus of this story is a man you love to hate. Has it all and feels entitled to anything he wants. He looks down on everyone around him and manipulates everyone to get his way. Ending was a bit of a let down, but overall a satisfying read.

[Nicole Dyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked: So what I liked about this book is that you know he did it, but you don't know if he will get caught or not but hopping, he does. I also liked how when Christina finds out what Marks really like she leaves him.

What I didn't like: so what I didn't like about it was how naive some of the characters are like when Christina leaves mark and asks her parents not tell them where she is her mum ends up telling him. I also don't like how marks best friend when he finds out what Mark is really like he still goes to see him.

Overall, it was a good read, and you should read it if you like books where you know who the killer is and if they get caught or not.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book. I've never read John Lescroart's work before, but I'd like to read more.
Guilt is centred around a murder trial, when a prominent attorney is accused of killing his wife of over twenty years' standing. A fellow attorney defends the accused as the evidence is brought against him.
After the trial, life moves on, not unchanged, for the attorneys. New relationships begin, old ones are rekindled and families are brought together through adversity.
This is a totally absorbing story. One I will not forget in a long time.

[Hans Brienesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read this was. One begins the book not knowing who the heroes will be and at various points during the story opinions change of necessity; what seems obvious at one section suddenly becomes blurred and indistinct at the next. The underlying theme if indeed there is one is the triumph of good over evil albeit at great cost to the innocent. Probably half of this book is devoted to the court case in one form or another but I found myself loathe to put it down and in the end devoured it in two marathon gulps. A well crafted story and well deserving of the five stars I gave it!

[Skyedaisy McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallelujah for the real deal

I give this book five stars just for being a book and not a gosh darned short story with big font. And here's where the praise comes in, it's a compelling story. Yes, I know the back drop but gee whiz, I got to read all the details. Thank you for not wasting my time or money, like James Patterson does every time I get suckered in to his lame novellas.

[Billiejo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I loved the storyline and the characters. Couldn't wait to find out and had me wondering all kinds of things as I read, which always is a good thing in my book! 😉

Things I didn't like:

I like to have a nicely wrapped up book in the end and this one left me with unanswered questions. Too many...
The final sentence left me completely speechless as I have never spent any time whatsoever in the Ojai Valley and the author shouldn't assume that his readers have.

[Dave]

A lawyer who is head of a large law firm and also counsel to the archbishop in San Francisco gets caught up with a young attractive woman who he entices to join his firm as an articling student.
He also is the suspect in a murder of a lawyer who is trying to sue the diocese.
In the end, his world comes crashing down and his past comes back to haunt him and show to everyone the person he really is.

[Mikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first in the series relating to Abe Glitsky - that I wanted to read to fill in some blanks about background stuff to events in later books. As ever, a suspensful read. I thought I caught glimpses of already read material in the story, but I don't remember the ending at all, so maybe I saw similar storylines elsewhere. Maybe it was a TV adaptation. Don't know. 1997 is a long time ago. Recommended read.

[Peter Flom · Rating 4 out of 5]

To all appearances, John Dooher is a paragon. A successful lawyer, a prominent Catholic, a devoted husband. But appearances can be deceiving. Guilt, the 2nd novel in the Abe Glitsky series, keeps you turning the pages to find out who did what to whom and who can prove what. And Lescroat saves some surprises for the final pages, too.

[Terri Floccare · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tied up some of the loose ends from previous books. It's in the Abe Glitsky series, but I like that Lescroart also gave a shout out to his other characters as they passed through this story. Definitely not a bad read, but I appreciate when Hardy and Glitsky are working together. They bring out the best in each other.