The Motive

Dismas Hardy #11

by John Lescroart

Hardy and Glitsky are embroiled in a murder that begins in the upper echelons of San Francisco society, where money and political influence collide. . . .

It starts with a double homicide. Because of the high profiles of the victims—a politically connected socialite and his glamorous fiancée—the mayor of San Francisco herself demands that a high-ranking detective be put on the case. And so Abe Glitsky is thrust into the controversial investigation.

Dan Cuneo, the officer already working the case, is immediately wary of Glitsky and doesn’t hide his distrust. Matters are made worse when Cuneo starts to focus on his primary suspect—who also happens to be an old girlfriend of Dismas Hardy. For Hardy and Glitsky, this is an awkward and uncomfortable coincidence. But for Cuneo, it’s proof positive of collusion, and yet another instance of Glitsky cheating with his insider friends and cronies.

Convinced that Hardy’s client is the wrong suspect, Glitsky breaks ranks within the police department to continue his own investigation. As Hardy’s murder trial builds to its stunning conclusion, Glitsky’s search for the truth does more than fuel suspicion against the two men. It reveals a trail of deception that leads beyond San Francisco, where exposing desperate secrets can be the most deadly offense.

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

404 pages, Hardcover

First published December 16, 2004

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

[Ms.pegasus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flames engulf a picturesque, renovated San Francisco Victorian in the opening pages of this mystery. The entire first chapter is a mesmerizing drama pitting the fire against wave after wave of arriving fire fighters. As the fire is contained but not yet totally extinguished, Arnie Becker, the lead arson investigator begins initial questioning of the onlookers. "But suddenly Becker's partner in the Arson Unit, J.P. Dodd — twenty eight years old, Army-trained, competent yet relaxed, appeared at his elbow. The night around them was a kaleidoscope of lights in the darkness — the yellow flickering fire, the red bubbles on the trucks, the white glare from the firemen's helmets, now the kleigs of the TV camera crews. Dodd's earnest face looked particularly grave. 'They've found two bodies, Arn. Shaklee needs you to come on up.'”(p.7)

Lescroat saturates this multiplex procedural with detail. He follows Becker's attentive precautions to preserve the crime scene in the midst of the ongoing fight to extinguish the blaze. He presents a vivid picture of Detective Dan Cuneo's personal tics and oddly disjointed round of interrogations.

Lescroat ensnares his characters in a complex web of emotional family crises, political maneuvering, and personal animosity. Abe Glitsky is now fifty-five and deputy chief of inspectors for the San Francisco Police Department. His enjoyment of family tranquility and professional success is brief. His wife hesitantly discloses she is pregnant. The mayor pressures him to intervene in the arson murder investigation. Glitsky is reluctant. Not only is it bad form to interfere in another detective's case, but he and Cuneo have a past history that also involved Glitsky's close friend Dismas Hardy. Then, Hardy becomes involved in the case due to a past relationship with one of Cuneo's suspects.

This is one of those cases with almost too many leads. The owner of the house was Paul Hanover, a prominent attorney, lobbyist and political backer of the mayor. One of Hanover's clients was a towing company whose lucrative contract with the city is coming up for review. Hanover was engaged to a much younger woman whom his ex-wife and three children disapproved of. He lavished money on this woman, giving her an expensive engagement ring and funding her a million dollars to renovate the Victorian house. After some rancorous exchanges with his family, he had announced his plan to alter his will in favor of his fiancée. The last person known to have spoken with him was his daughter-in-law Catherine, but she relayed the gist of their conversation to both Hanover's ex-wife and one of his daughters that same afternoon. The principals in the case are questioned at various times by Cuneo, Glitsky, and Hardy and significant details seem to emerge by happenstance as each of them pursues differing scenarios. Detective Cuneo seizes on one of these scenarios early in the investigation and halts further inquiry. The reader is surprised at how effectively he is able to assemble circumstantial evidence to secure the indictment of Hardy's client.

The second part of the book is a gripping courtroom procedural. Hardy deflects damaging testimony to nudge the jurors toward any one of a number of alternative narratives, always seeking to instill that tiny seed of reasonable doubt. Without any other suspects, it's a risky strategy. Lescroat is masterful at depicting the changing rhythms of the courtroom. Hardy's objections are designed to break the prosecution's momentum. His carefully phrased questions target damaging testimony he hopes to convert into performances of either belligerance or confusion.

Lescroat exploits Glitsky's family life to prime the reader's susceptibility. Thus there is the added drama of Glitsky's distraction by his wife's delivery and Hardy's attempt to be supportive in the middle of a tense murder trial. The success of this tactic will depend on the reader's previous engagement with the characters of this popular series. For the most part, the author is successful. This was an enjoyable book, and my only regret is not having read more of the earlier books in the series first.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read every Dismas Hardy/Abe Glitsky book of Lescroart's and love them, but sometimes even the heroes should NOT come out on top.

I enjoyed much of this book, but was very disappointed with a lot of it. Of course, the poor defendant is completely innocent, right? Of course, the detective who has a grudge against the heroes completely f**ks up the case and is proven to be the inept cop that Hardy & Glitsky want him to be. Of course, one of the victims isn't really who they're supposed to be and of course, Glitsky gets to the truth.

I think the biggest problem I had is that there is just too much going on. Did I mention that the defendant was Hardy's first love? That Glitsky's wife has a baby who is born with a hole in his heart? That the "bad cop" detective who's "out to get" the "good guys" has borderline ADD and hits on the defendant, which is then of course used against him at the trial? Oh, and don't forget that there's someone from the Witness Protection Program and a far-fetched story involving Islamic terrorist cells in Algeria...

All in all, a decent read, but Lescroart has written much better.

[Tom S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. Dismas Hardy is a great character. If you like fast paced legal thrillers, this series is for you. I have read several of this author's books and they are always good. I am seeing him speak tomorrow night at my local library, so I am looking forward to the event.

[Iniye · Rating 4 out of 5]

#11 of the Dismas Hardy series.
One of the famous “Painted Ladies”—Victorian houses in San Fransisco—is on fire. The house belonging to famous lawyer and political figure, Paul Hanover. Two bodies are later discovered inside the building, Paul Hanover and his supposed young fiancée, Missy D'Amiens, which are almost burnt beyond recognition. However, they didn't die from the fire, they were shot in the head which makes it double homicide and the fire being arson.

Investigations are carried out. Eyewitness of the fire and neighbours are interviewed. One of the people interviewed was Paul's daughter-in-law, Catherine Hanover. Catherine was seen leaving the building some hours before it was on fire. Catherine later becomes the main suspect and is arrested because they think she has a motive to kill Paul and Missy—Paul Hanover had earlier made it clear to his ex-wife and 3 adult children that he intends to change his will and give everything to his fiancée, Missy.

A series of fast-paced events follow as Dismas Hardy takes up the case as Catherine's lawyer in an entertaining court drama.

Man, I've missed legal thriller. This is a good one. John Lescroart doesn't seem to miss at this point. Criminal Law never gets old, definitely my favourite of the law body.

“In his experience, the bodies of people who died from fire or smoke inhalation as the blaze grew around them tended to curl protectively into a fetal position. Victims of murder or suicide most often lay as they fell, and these two bodies fit that profile. There was still the characteristic drawing up of the extremities as the flesh cooked, but it did not strongly resemble the curled-up bodies he’d seen of victims who’d died by fire and fire alone.

Suspicious by nature and now by circumstance, Becker reached for a flashlight-like device he wore on his belt— the multi-gas-detecting AIM-32/50. Turning it on, he waved it down the sides of the smaller victim—the one nearest to the front door—and wasn’t exactly stunned to see that it registered the presence of gasoline.

So, Becker thought, this was probably arson. And from the attitudes of the bodies, it was quite possibly a murder, or a murder/suicide, as well.”

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Dismas Hardy and his friends and family. This was a tricky one as the suspect was an old flame of his from High School. Good read.

[Kendra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, sometimes I need a mindless page turner to get me through a long layover or boring bus ride. This book helped with that. It's definitely captivating, and I like that it is set in SF (makes me nostalgic) but this will be my last Lescroart book. His characters are just so one-dimensional, and I can't stand the way he writes about women. Most of the women are written fairly weak-willed, and lacking in professional capabilities, but (surprise surprise) most are beautiful despite aging or pregnancy. For example, the main character (Hardy) called the women in this particular case 'gourmet arm-candy of a high order.' Gross. Also, the main woman character in this book (whose beauty all men in the book comment on) is depicted as full of drama and prone to emotional outbreaks. I could go on. It's a miracle I didn't throw this book in anger and hit some unsuspecting passerby. So no more creepy Lescroart for me.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a heavy contributor to the San Francisco mayor is found murdered in his burning home, an ambitious maverick detective with a background of sexual harassment and a grudge against Dismas Hardy's childhood girlfriend, Hardy must prove the detective abuse of his position and inadequate investigation. Meanwhile personal problems arise if the circle of Hardy's family and friends. A good police and trail procedural read.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read 2008

[Beth Bennett]

Kept my interest.

[Kimberly Peters · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst most boring and illwritten books I have ever read in my life! Will never read this author again; I don't even feel that he should have his work published because it's so painful to read.
Such convoluted, boring writing that would go on about the most boring stuff, many of the conversations you couldn't even follow or keep straight.
Just my opinion probably one of the worst authors out there.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy the messiness of the stories in this series. Relationships are complicated, there are jealousies, bureaucratic pettiness, political ambitions and human frailties. This is #11 in this series, I found it to be well plotted and interesting enough that I was sorry when the book ended, then remembered that there are still another 10 Dismas Hardy books that I have not yet read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Political patronage and crony-ism rear their ugly heads when San Francisco's mayor asks Abe Glitsky, recently promoted to a lieutenancy, for a personal favor. Now a lieutenant, Glitsky reluctantly agrees to return to the streets to investigate a house fire, in which a double homicide occurred. The victims, an influential lobbyist and his fiancee, were friends of the mayor, but she tells Glitsky very little about the nature of their connections. There's bad blood between him and the detective assigned to the case, Dan Cuneo, and things promise to get messy. To complicate the picture, Dismas Hardy, Glitsky's own close friend, is called upon to defend the prime suspect, a beautiful woman who was romantically involved with Dis when they were teenagers.

And messy they get. Neither the cop nor the attorney believe that Cuneo fingered the right perp, and they're determined to discover the identity of the true culprit. There's no dearth of other suspects, and soon both men are up to their eyeballs in danger.

A precis of the plot does little to illustrate its actual intricacy. Throughout most of the book, I was certain that I knew who did it, but I was way off track. Equal parts police procedural and legal thriller, expect over 600 pages of accomplished writing and engrossing reading.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great legal thriller (Dismas Hardy series).

[Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very slow read. Could not keep my interest. Found myself scanning pages instead of reading them

[Teresa Schrader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always read this author. Sometimes it's formulaic, but this was a good one.

[SoulSurvivor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best book by Lescroart I've read thus far !

[Lesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dismas Hardy, US, San Francisco

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins with fire which is described in meticulous detail in the opening. You can see the fire engines' flashing red lights, smell the smoke, and watch the flames light up the night sky as a Victorian house in a wealthy neighborhood of San Francisco is totally destroyed. When the fire cools down enough for investigators to sift through the rubble, they discover the bodies of a man and woman who were shot. So it's a double homicide and the fire is arson.

Found dead in the house were wealthy attorney Paul Hanover, a socially connected and politically powerful figure, and a woman presumed to be his much younger fiancee, Missy D'Amiens. Hanover leaves an ex-wife and three grown children, all of whom have plans for the money they presume will inherit unless Missy, whom they see as a gold digger, has convinced Hanover to change his will in her favor.

Lots of hot spots and smoldering flames to put out in this one. None of them have to do with actual fire. Dismas Hardy is defending a woman he dated as a teenager; the mayor puts Abe Glitsky on the hot seat by asking him to personally investigate what should be someone else's case; and that someone else is Dan Cuneo, a cop who has a rep for cutting corners and being difficult to work with, and who holds a grudge against both Hardy and Glitsky from a previous encounter.

With all these distractions going on, vital details about the murders are overlooked. On fairly flimsy evidence, Cuneo gathers, Hanover's daughter in law, Catherine, is arrested for the murders and Hardy has to do some fancy legal dancing to defend her.

The courtroom scenes are well-portrayed and suspenseful, but don't solve the crime. Hardy's goal is to get his client off. Glitsky wants to solve the crime. He continues his own investigation but it takes a personal toll on him and raises self-doubts about his ability as a cop. His obsession takes him out of San Francisco and does lead to a complicated resolution that involves CIA intervention and Algerian freedom fighters. But somehow it worked!

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hardy and Glitsky are embroiled in a murder that begins in the upper echelons of San Francisco society, where money and political influence collide. . . .

It starts with a double homicide. Because of the high profiles of the victims—a politically connected socialite and his glamorous fiancée—the mayor of San Francisco herself demands that a high-ranking detective be put on the case. And so Abe Glitsky is thrust into the controversial investigation.

Dan Cuneo, the officer already working the case, is immediately wary of Glitsky and doesn’t hide his distrust. Matters are made worse when Cuneo starts to focus on his primary suspect—who also happens to be an old girlfriend of Dismas Hardy. For Hardy and Glitsky, this is an awkward and uncomfortable coincidence. But for Cuneo, it’s proof positive of collusion, and yet another instance of Glitsky cheating with his insider friends and cronies.

Convinced that Hardy’s client is the wrong suspect, Glitsky breaks ranks within the police department to continue his own investigation. As Hardy’s murder trial builds to its stunning conclusion, Glitsky’s search for the truth does more than fuel suspicion against the two men. It reveals a trail of deception that leads beyond San Francisco, where exposing desperate secrets can be the most deadly offense.

[Linda Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

The discovery of two bodies each with a bullet hole in the bed of its head in the midst of a ravishing fire leads Abe Glitsky and Dismis Hardy down a long, politically charged, controversial path; a path that could lead to the one secret that could bring both men down!
Glitsky is called by the Mayor who directs him to insert himself into the case. Dan Cuneo, the officer already assigned the case distrust Glitsky and lets his disdain for the man shine through. When Cuneo targets a witness who went to Glitsky claiming harassment on the part of the investigator, Glitsky attempts to ward him off to no avail.
Hardy is hired to defend the (now) suspect, his own first high school romance. This is enough to make Cuneo believe that Hardy and Glitsky are colluding to keep justice from being served.
At the same time, Glitsky breaks ranks within the department carrying on his own investigation which may or may not help Hardy’s trial. What Glitsky learns is sometimes exposing people’s secrets can be a deadlier offense than seeing justice served.

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first moved to San Francisco from the UK and didnt have a job, I spent a lot of time reading mysteries and thrillers set in San Francisco. One of my favorite authors was John Lestroat as his police/legal thrillers had such an authentic feel of place. 20 years after I drifted out of this phase, I found one of Mr Lescroart’s newer novels in a holiday home and buried my nose in it. It was a satisfying, if undemanding, read and still retains a nice sense of San Francisco - I’m not sure why but I always get quite a thrill to be able to picture exactly a location that’s referred to in a book.

The book features Lescroart’s long time protagonists, Abe Glitsky (cop) and Dismas Hardy (lawyer) and revolves around a double murder and arson in a fancy Alamo Square house. The plot is solid if a bit slow with the requisite number of twists and red herrings.

This was ideal for a holiday read and, though about halfway through I did find myself thinking that I could have spent my reading time more wisely, I plugged on to the end for the simple desire to know what happens.

[Cecilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dismas Hardy, a lawyer, and Inspector Glitsky of the San Francisco police department team up when the Mayor asks Glitsky to look into the grisly murder of a prominent man and his mysterious young fiancé. Detective Cueno has already been assigned to the case and actively resents and thwarts Glitsky's perceived interference in 'his' case. All the usual mystery ingredients are here: rich older man divorced from his bitter wife; grown children expecting the sizeable inheritance; young beautiful fiancé with cloudy past; and suspicious business dealings.

The story moves along at a fairly rapid pace and the events and those involved begin to be revealed but then the daughter-in-law of the murdered man is charged with murder of the man and his fiancé and arson. The remainder of the book unfolds the layers of actions and emotions nicely - until the "wrap up" of the one outstanding piece of the puzzle. The author apparently went into a mental stupor and the conclusion is messy at best and incoherent and poorly (if at all) thought out. Really disappointed with the finish.

[ElaineY · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; MARCH 8, 2017
Narrator: David Colacci
Rating: 5 stars!

A prime example of what's one person's poison is another's prime rib.

The police procedural/courtroom drama/action thriller lover in me was in 7th heaven with this installment. I may have hated Catherine but relieved that Lescroart did not allow Dismas to make a fool of himself (okay, only a little) over her. I doubt if I could have continued listening if Dismas had become besotted with his high school sweetheart all over again.

As it was, Lescroart did not distract me with that but kept the ball squarely on the investigation around Paul Hanover's and Missy D'Amiens' deaths. While this was a legal thriller as we follow Dismas in his defense of Catherine Hanover, The Motive is also a solid police procedural where Abe Glitsky gets equal page time with Dismas. The time spent with Glitsky and Hardy are, to me, what cozy mysteries are to their fans.

There's a lot of detail, as well as many characters, in the story and I was glad to have my Kindle copy for reference as I needed time in some places to absorb the info. I'd say this book is better read and if you liked it then listen to the audio as a "reread" one day. Told in 3 parts, I was restless and dying to find out if Catherine was guilty or not and how the author would handle Insp Cuneo. In Part 3 the plot takes a twist I did not really expect even though there was already a little clue thrown in in Part 2. That little clue did have me wondering but I forgot about it totally as I got caught up in the police investigation and the Dismas' courtroom drama.

The interruption of Glitsky's family crisis wasn't as disruptive as they can be when one just wants to get on with the murder investigation and I actually enjoyed the little break away from the protagonists' professional lives. As for the final resolution, as a fan of espionage/political thrillers, I found it absolutely plausible and well-done.

[Nancy McPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished audio version. Heard a couple of items that caught my ear. Glitzky carries what is said to be a Glock 40 automatic. It has to be a semiautomatic--one round per trigger pull-- and is probably one of the Glock .40 caliber models. Until fairly recently, most law enforcement departments were using .40 caliber. Lately, many have been switching to 9mm. The Glock model 40 is a 10mm which is a heavier caliber than is normal for police use. The other item that had me wondering was when Glitzsky is heading north on Interstate 80. Like all the other even numbered interstates, I-80 is an east-west road. Good novel, but as a firearms instructor, and former trucker, I pick up on things like these.

[Andrew Langert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 10th Lescroart novel I’ve read, so I really like his work. This one, published in 2005, is rock solid.
The crime in this one is obviously arson, but also a murder-suicide or double murder as two burned occupants of the house also had bullets put through their heads. The crime investigation is interesting, the courtroom drama featuring defense attorney Dismas Hardy is very strong and the twist at the end is well-played.
I like a lot of things about Lescroart, but I especially appreciate the pace and logic of the progression in this book. What you want to know next is what he delivers.
5 stars for this book and for his collection of works.

[Mike Nesemann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was initially disappointed in this book. He seemed, for me, to introduce too many highly improbable historical relationships that kept popping up in the present. Then there was the seemingly unfiltered sharing of every piece of evidence by the Detective with his lawyer (non-DA) friend, wife, and even daughter. I am a retired MD and I guess confidentiality is reflex. But once he got to the meat of the legal maneuvering, it was fast-paced, surprising, and seemed believable. Note: I have no legal background, so it may have been totally bogus, but it was presented in such an authoritative manner that I readily accepted it. Some nice twists in the plot. All in all, a pleasant diversion.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky get caught up in the murder investigation of a "high society" couple. The dead man is a wealthy businessman and the woman is thought to be his fiancée. His daughter in law is arrested (after a flawed investigation) and Hardy ends up defending her (she is, as it turns out, his first serious girlfriend). Although it goes to trial and is cruising along, a surprising finding ends the trial and she is set free when it is discovered that the other victim is not the fiancee after all!!
The book seems to end suddenly for me and it is a mystery to me why the fiancee's background wasn't discovered MUCH earlier.

[Jane Giardino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed "The Motive" very much. The last time I delved into the Dismas Hardy/Abe Glitsky oeuvre I read the first 2 books in the series; for sure, Lescroart improved as he went along. I like the wry humor, the commentary on the Bay Area, details of family life as well as the courtroom and police procedures, although there is at times more detail than I would wish in my desire to know whodunit.
I guessed way early who the murderer was, with no clue why or how. To be honest the WHY was quite far-fetched but still convincingly presented, and it made for a fun read.

[Myrna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked the story. (this is the 3rd book I have read in this series) The character Dismas Hardy is interesting. The story takes a number of twists and turns and keeps your interest. Beginning w/the fire of the Victorian House in SF and the bodies found. The author takes you thru the investigation,
suspects, and trial. It turns out very different than expected as does the ending. The author includes some of the day to day living of Dismas, his wife and family as well as the Chief of Police.

I am not reading the books in order-which I regret but now on to the next one!

[Ken Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second John Lescroart detective novel I have recently read features Abe Glitsky now asst. police chief in San Francisco along with his good buddy lawyer Dismas Hardy. This "who done it" novel centers around a destructive fire of a Painted Lady (San Francisco brightly painted old mansions) in which the owner and supposedly his girlfriend have been found murdered then left to burn. The story centers around city politics, police department politics, CIA witness protection, family hatreds, you name it, the plot (s) endlessly expand. Three Stars ***