What do You think about The First Law (2004)?
I began this at one point, ran out of time, had to return it, and then check it out again a month or so later. I don't think that affected my impressions though. The character structure was a bit complex. There is a trio of criminals with a trio of persons whom they implicate in the murder that is the crux of the book. All of the usual characters from Lescroart's other books are here, some more-to-fore than others, but that made for even more character confusion on my part. It was a bit tricky keeping track of everyone. Lescroart has a knack for moving the story along without giving away very much at all, and without the story getting bogged down. There was a too-convenient scene in which the actual perpetrators are out-of-town in a helicopter, that seemed to ask me to suspend belief just a bit too much. Letting that slide kept the book entertaining, but if I had let myself get hung up on it, that could have sunk my enjoyment of the book. I seem to recall something similar, a single pivotal moment that seemed to beg too much forgiveness. I'll have to stay alart for that pattern in other books.
—Mike Barker
Attorney Dismas Hardy and Police Lieutenant Abe Glitsky, reoccurring characters from several of Lescroart's books, are front and center in this one, with everything on the line for them and their friends as a result of rogue cops and a nefarious plot that gets out of hand. I could think of ways in which this would be resolved neatly and to the exclusive benefit of the good guys, but I was completely wrong. I love that.I also enjoyed the strong female characters, who I found credible and realistically portrayed. This was an exciting, smart thriller, where the plot was plausible and well constructed and the story moved forward with persuasive speed.
—Deborah Gray
