Betrayal (Dismas Hardy Series #12)

by John Lescroart Narrated by David Colacci

Overview

New York Times bestselling author John Lescroart presents an ambitious thriller featuring San Francisco defense attorney Dismas Hardy.

“Betrayal is provocative...a tour de force of a legal thriller.”-The Providence Journal

Dismas Hardy agrees to take an appeal to overturn the murder conviction of National Guard reservist Evan Scholler. Scholler had plenty of reasons for revenge-but as Dismas delves into the case, he begins to uncover a terrible truth that drops him right into the complicated world of government conspiracy, assassination, and betrayal...

Editorial Reviews

Kirkus Reviews

Bay Area lawyer Dismas Hardy's first starring role since The First Law (2003) tackles a controversial subject: the independent contractors making a killing in Iraq. Even though he was defended by hotshot attorney Aaron Washburn, it's no wonder that Evan Scholler was convicted of murdering Ron Nolan in 2005. The two men had been close in Baghdad: Scholler an ex-cop National Guard lieutenant whose unit was deployed to Iraq with no clear mission, Nolan a contractor for Allstrong Security who inveigled the unit into accompanying his hefty cash pickups. But their friendship shattered when Nolan, having seduced Scholler's ex-girlfriend Tara Wheatley back in the States, provoked an ambush that decimated Scholler's group and left him with a brain injury. When he finally learned the depth of Nolan's perfidy, Scholler vowed to kill him, and all the evidence indicates that he did. Three years after Washburn's unsuccessful defense, Charlie Bowen, the attorney preparing Scholler's appeal, vanished. Now, after six months, he's been declared incompetent to file the appeal, which has been assigned to Hardy. After sitting out most of the opening 300 pages, Hardy settles down to sift through reams of documents, most of them damning. Eventually he notices a sinister pattern: Several minor figures associated with the case (an ex-SEAL with Allstrong, an Iraqi middleman, Charlie Bowen's suspicious wife) have died violently, leaving behind no evidence of who killed them. Was Scholler framed after all? Of course he was-and although it's pretty obvious who did the job and why, it's a pleasure watching Hardy pick up the scattered pieces and fit them together. Sturdy wartime intrigue, subpar courtroom drama, littlemystery, much righteous (and infectious) anger. A great case, but a decidedly mixed verdict. Agent: Barney Karpfinger/Karpfinger Agency

From the Publisher

Praise for Betrayal

“Lescroart dispatches courtroom scenes with crisp efficiency.”—Entertainment Weekly
 
“Easily usurps the latest from Grisham and Turow.”—The Providence Journal-Bulletin

“A great read.”—Booklist

“Extremely satisfying.”—Library Journal

“A first-rate addition to the author's ongoing series, this should please both longtime readers and new fans.”—Publishers Weekly

JUN/JUL 08 - AudioFile

There's much more than usual going on—almost too much—in Lescroart’s latest legal thriller featuring Dismas Hardy. Narrator David Colacci handles the plots and subplots effortlessly. Hardy is called on to handle the murder appeal of a veteran of the Iraq war. Not only has the vet's former lawyer mysteriously disappeared, but the lawyer’s wife seems to have committed suicide. Somehow the FBI and national security agents become involved. All told, there are four mysteries to be solved. Colacci capably juxtaposes the Iraqi war events with the veteran's legal proceedings—which are exciting and believable, thanks to strong narration. The only blemish on this offering is the author's lack of legal accuracy. But legal accuracy isn't always necessary when you have a good story. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169583779
Publisher:	Brilliance Audio
Publication date:	02/26/2008
Series:	Dismas Hardy Series , #12
Edition description:	Unabridged

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