Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC of this book.
I’m having a hard time reviewing this book. I haven’t read all of the other books in this series so I felt slightly lost. While it could be a stand alone book- I felt like some of the characters weren’t described as well because they have made appearances in previous books.
The story was a quick read and enjoyable. I will most likely go back and read the rest of the series since I did enjoy the author’s writing style.

Poison is the 17th book in the Dismas Hardy series by John Lescroart. It begins with Dismas recovering from gunshot wounds, easing into retirement, when a former client shows up. He had defended Abby Jarvis on a DUI charge eleven years previously, and she needs help again.

With her record, finding work hadn’t been that easy, but she her friend Gloria Wagner got her a job as a bookkeeper for the extremely successful Wagner family business. Gloria is one of the four adult Wagner children, all of whom have all worked in the business for their father Grant, who has just been murdered. Dismas agrees to help Abby, who is the primary suspect.

It turns out that Abby has been receiving a LOT of cash under-the-table from the company, but she insists she didn’t kill Grant. Dismas also begins to wonder whether the cash was embezzled (as the police believe), or if Abby’s claim that Grant knew all along that she was taking the cash is true.

As he prepares for the trial, Dismas investigates the Wagner family, and discovers that the lives of these four adult children include secrets, heavy sibling rivalry, jealousy, betrayal, and blackmail. As his investigation gets closer and closer to the truth, Dismas figures out that the company’s multi-million dollar market value gives at least one of the siblings motive, and realizes that he has become a target as well.

A parallel storyline involves two SFPD detectives, focusing particularly on one of them, Eric Waverly. This added narrative provides some additional procedural plotline and makes for a more interesting story.

Fans of Lescroart will love this book. With thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley, this one gets four stars.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, John Lescroart, and Atria Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

As a long-time fan of John Lescroart and his work, I was pleased to receive an early copy of his latest legal thriller, which offers series fans much to digest while being highly entertained. Dismas Hardy is still recuperating from the harrowing end of the last novel, when he was shot twice at point blank range. Vowing to scale back at the legal practice and refuse any significant criminal work, Hardy is contacted by a former client whose was arrested for the murder of her boss. Hardy is willing to at least provide some early legal advice to Abby Jarvis, though remains at least somewhat dedicated to his promise, something his wife will demand he honour. The death of Grant Wagner shocked everyone, particularly since it was originally deemed a heart attack, only to be re-examined when one of the Wagner children could not understand the finding. Further inspection reveals that Wagner was actually poisoned, paired with other interesting pieces of evidence, including that Jarvis had been skimming from the company’s profits and that she had been spending a great deal of extra time with Wagner before his death. While the legal system moves forward, it is not only Hardy who feels that his client might be innocent. The entire Wagner family seems shocked that Jarvis might have murdered their father, aware of some secrets shared between Grant and Abby. As Hardy agrees to represent Abby at her arraignment, he pulls out all the stops, upsetting his former partner and current district attorney, challenging the validity of the evidence used to arrest his client, which opens a rare bail hearing and leaves everyone watching what else Hardy might have in store for the courtroom. When Wagner’s recent love interest is shot in the face and killed, it leaves SFPD Homicide to use all their resources to see if the shooting might be tied to Wagner’s murder. Trouble is, Abby Jarvis was behind bars during the shooting and could not have committed the crime. Can the Grant Wagner murder be fuelled by financial gain or might there be something far more sinister at play here? And how does all this tie into another recent shooting that has baffled SFPD Homicide? Lescroart does a masterful job with his full collection of San Francisco characters, sure to impress series fans and those who love a well-crafted legal thriller.

It is always a pleasure to pick up a John Lescroart legal thriller, or more generally, a piece from his ever-expanding ‘San Fran crew’ as I call them. As this extended series keeps its quality throughout the twenty-plus novels, it is enjoyable to dive into Lescroart’s work and discover the legal nuances he has to offer. Lescroart’s Dismas Hardy is always an interesting character, who has evolved throughout the series. While there has been little backstory offered over the last number of novels, the ever-flourishing developments within his family and legal units keeps the reader connected to this unique man. Hints throughout leave the reader wondering if there is some major change brewing, though surely Lescroart will force everyone to wait for the next novel to unveil his plans for this central character. There are a number of strong secondary characters, both those who appear regularly (and receive their own novels in the extended series) and the one-timers who appear within this novel. All the characters mesh well and promote a multi-faceted story that keeps the reader wondering as the narrative develops nicely. Turning to the story, Lescroart delivers a strong piece that looks not only to explore the legal nuances of Abby Jarvis’ case, but also some key areas of poison, finance, and familial interactions. Lescroart never enters a topic half-assed, choosing instead to show that he has done his work to permit the reader the most detailed information as possible. The narrative is heavy with all these areas of insight, but things do not get bogged down by this. Rather, they flourish and permit the reader new areas of interest that might pique their interest for personal exploration. I would be remiss if I did not mention the quality of Lescroart’s work. The novels always flow so well and chapters seem to melt away as the reader rushes through the narrative and finds a well-crafted story throughout. I can only hope that Lescroart will stick with the San Fran gang and let those novels propel him to continued greatness.

Kudos, Mr. Lescroart, for another stellar piece of writing. I have loved this series since first I discovered it and will recommend it to anyone who has an interest in legal thrillers.

Poison is the 17th installment of the Dismas Hardy series. I've been a fan of Hardy series for a while, and although Poison is entertaining enough, I didn't feel John Lescroart included the thrilling suspense I've come accustomed to in his other titles.

Hardy is called to action when an old client of his is charged with murdering her boss. Hardy is reluctant to take the case due to the danger that comes along with fighting a homicide charge, and he's semi-retired. Neither the two bullet wounds or his wife can dissuade him from making sure that justice prevails so that his client can clear her name and return to her life.

The only catch is that his client, Abby, appears to be the perfect suspect for having poisoned the deceased.

Poison has no shortage of suspects but as the story plays out, the true killer is more than obvious. This may be the reason I didn't find this installment especially thrilling. Lescroart spends a lot more time with Hardy battling between wanting to save the world and his own life. This was interesting enough just not quite the legal suspense I was hoping for.

Suffice it to say, Poison was not one of the more thrilling reads in the Dismas Hardy series but it's worth the read for fans who want to continue their journey Hardy. Although Poison was a little lackluster for me, I am still a huge fan of Lescroart and am certainly looking forward to his next title.

Copy provided by Atria Books via Netgalley

Another fantastic book by John Lescroart. I have read all the books in this series and he's one of my favorite authors. Love seeing the same old characters, as well as being introduced to new ones.

Completely unrealistic and boring. Not recommended.

Dismas Hardy is ready to slow down and maybe even give up murder cases when a former client reaches out to him. She has been arrested for killing her boss. As the evidence mounts up, there are more killings seemingly unrelated to this case. Harry’s wife, still shell shocked from Dismas being shot in the last novel and fearing future danger, gives him an ultimatum regarding this case and Harry must race against the clock to prove his client’s innocence.

It’s evident that there is some connection among the murders, and I didn’t want to put the book down until I found out what it was and how the case is resolved.

It’s been a while since the last Hardy novel and it was a pleasure to have him back. The usual cast of characters are there including Abe Glitsky, son and daughter, Vincent and Rebecca, private investigator Hunt.

If you are a fan of John Lescroart, you will welcome this latest addition to the Dismas Hardy series. If this is your first introduction to him, you will want to go back and read some of his prior works. He is master of the legal thriller.

Once again, Lescroart has done it in spades. This time Dismas Hardy, who has actually aged the same way we do through the years, is defending a former client for the murder of her employer. The characters are probable and the plot has enough twists and turns to keep the most avid reader happy. The climax is pure Hardy. Thanks to Net Galley and Atria for an ARC for an honest review.

Right after I read a Jon Lescroart book, I'm already looking for the next book, despite the fact that I know it'll be at least a year until I get a new one. I was SO HAPPYYYY to see Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky back in this one... and I can't get used to Vincent and The Beck being all grown up! I've been reading this series for... so many years. THey're like a security blanket-- a consistently engaging, well written story set in San Fran, which is a character in itself. I hope we get the occasional Hardy novel now and again, but I definitely see the trend happening in the storylines. At any rate, Poison was a fantastic read... it went so fast and yet it was so intricately written, a detail I love about Lescroart.

Fabulous read, you will enjoy!

A good installment to the Dismas Hardy series.

5 stars

Another great Dismas Hardy adventure.

Dismas is just getting used to the idea of retiring. He wants to cut back his hours and take it a little easier. He feels getting shot four times is enough. However, his secretary calls him with an urgent message. It seems Abby Jarvis whom he represented years ago on a DUI charge has gotten herself in trouble again. This time it’s murder.

The deceased is Grant Wagner (the review has the surname incorrect), who was sixty-two years old and the owner of Pipes and Valves where Abby had worked since she was released from prison more than ten years earlier. Abby says she didn’t do it; that she loved him – as a friend.

Gloria, Gene, Gary and Grace are Grant’s four children and are also known as the “The G-Team”. Gary inherited the CEO position from his father being the eldest. Gene is not so thrilled at it. Gene wants to sell the company, while Gary looks to be set in for life. The women siblings are undecided.

Still without the discovery documents or the transcript of the grand jury proceedings, Dismas learns that Abby was embezzling from her employer. She claims he knew about it and approved it. He also learns a startling fact about Abby’s daughter Ronnie. She insists she did not kill him; that she wasn’t even over at his house that evening. At the same time Gloria feels guilty because her friend Abby was arrested after she insisted that the coroner take another look at her father. That’s when the poison was discovered. Abby has been lying to her attorney.

Meanwhile the two detectives that arrested Abby catch a new case. David Chang was shot to death in his apartment. The two detectives, Eric Waverly and Ken Yamashiro don’t have a clue as to who might have done it. Eric is still recovering from an earlier gunshot wound and winds up in trouble with booze and pills. Even though he is married with two children, he also starts an unadvised relationship with the dead man’s sister. Eric Chang was also a friend of Vin’s, Dismas’ son. Vin is understandably upset at the death.

Another murder occurs which has the police second guessing themselves – at least some of them. They start looking harder at their caseload. Waverly and Yamashiro begin to connect the dots to two of the murders. Hardy’s friend Abe Glitsky connects the dots in a bigger way.

Dismas comes up with a cunning plan to catch the murderer.

Apart from knowing who the murder was this is a very good read. It is both well written and plotted as are all of John Lescroart’s novels. The suspense begins immediately and carries throughout the book at an even level until Dismas comes up with his great plan. Then it ratchets up. I like Dismas, Hunt, Glitsky and all the gang. I enjoyed the honest back and forth between the characters. I like the injection that Mr. Lescroart put in about the personal life of Detective Waverly. It added a sense of realism. I’m sure that many police officers go through the same experience. It’s a great book and I heartily recommend it for any lover of police procedurals, attorney stories or just a lover of mysteries.

I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful book to read and enjoy.

Poison by John Lescroart is anther successful and challenging case for Dismas Hardy, Glitsky and the rest of their gang. In this instance Hardy is caught between his wife's fears and his need to see his case successfully completed. Naturally things work out exactly the way Hardy has planned and everyone is safe and happy at the end.

Dismas Hardy gets sucked into another murder case when a former client is accused of murdering her boss. But Hardy's wife has had enough of murder cases - they have threatened the lives of her family far too many times and she insists Hardy give up the case. But how can Hardy give up on a client he is sure is innocent? Lescroart spins his usual but fascinating web of intrigue, with strong characters and believable situations. There is no obvious culprit and Lescroart keeps us guessing about who is the murderer or if there was a murder at all. I've read all of Lescroart's books and they just get better and better. Very satisfying.

Poison is the story of three murders, seemingly unconnected. First, the head of a small business is poisoned. Subsequently a young Asian man is shot twice in his own home. Finally, a woman who had been the lover of the poisoned victim is shot twice in her home. It seems to take the police a long time to connect the shootings, but when they do, a connection to the poisoning arises. The readers have already been told that the poison victim and the Chinese man both loved herbal teas. So we can see a connection coming. Once that's made, finding a suspect isn't so hard as the field is limited. Family embers are excluded. That leads to a bookkeeper for the private firm, who has both a sexual relationship with the soon to be poisoned man, and a child by him. The only other close to the family man who doesn't work for the company is someone the reader suspects before he police do. All of which is to say that there is not a lot of suspense here. But the novel flows easily; it's a quick read. Even though the author gives his clues early on and the reader can make an educated guess at who the killer is, finishing the novel is no problem. We want to see how it all turns out, and if anyone else gets killed.