Enjoyed this one very much, another great suspense thriller from author John Lescroart. Never disappoints, highly recommend!

Book #19 in the Dismas Hardy series. John Lescroart fans know he is skilled in building the tension in a story that is full of threads. Pulling one thread will lead to a different question and another thread. The characters are three dimensional, after 18 books, they feel pretty familiar to me. The story line in this book is unique. A man convicted of rape and murder is freed when evidence proves the crime was committed by someone else. He gains his freedom only to be murdered a few months later. The list of suspects is short but conflicted, after all, he was proven to be innocent. The murder investigation is misleading until a connection to an underground victim's group is found. The tension builds quickly and the suspects change with every chapter. Lescroart has again fooled me into looking one way when the actual murderer is running the other way. Another 5 star read.

The storyline is absolutely amazing, lots of twists I didn't expect. Hold your attention to the very end and an outcome I didn't expect. The characters could use a little more depth to really give me the connection with the characters but overall an amazing read!

This story had me guessing until the last page before the acknowledgements. So many suspects to choose from . Great story.

Good

The story opens with a man, recently released from prison by an innocent program, getting killed. He wasn't a very good guy and his innocence was in doubt. He had been convicted of rape. The father of the rape victim is the immediate suspect. But there are a bevy of other possibilities, from members of a rough motorcycle group to a sensitive neighbor.

I enjoyed this book. It wasn't my favorite by the author, but it certainly kept my attention and I was happy to pick it up every night,

I’ve missed these characters and are glad they are back. An intriguing plot with lots of twists. The characters are relatable and have their flaws. Good read

"The Missing Piece" by John Lescroart is a gripping murder mystery that had me hooked from start to finish. The plot is intricately woven, with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The story follows San Francisco DA Wes Farrell and PI Abe Glitsky as they navigate a labyrinth of secrets and motives to uncover the truth behind a murder that initially seemed straightforward.

What I loved most about this novel was its ability to keep me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions are compelling and realistic. Lescroart's vivid descriptions of San Francisco add a rich, atmospheric backdrop to the unfolding drama.

Overall, "The Missing Piece" is a fantastic read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery. It's a page-turner that leaves you wanting more, and I highly recommend it.

Paul Riley has been released from prison after serving eleven years for rape and murder. The Exoneration Initiative has gained his release due to a technicality but is he indeed factually guilty? Soon after Riley is shot in the head when he opens his door. Doug the father of the victim is the prime suspect and is arrested for Riley’s murder. He gets Wes Farrell to aid in his defense. Farrell is having a crisis after leaving t being a prosecutor and now working as a defense lawyer. He believed Doug is guilty but enlists help from PI Abe Glitsky. The day of Doug trial he is a no show. Doug had also been killed. Are these two murders connected and if so how? Glitsky follows many leads often to dead ends. Lots of twists and turns keep the reader turning pages. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery and interesting developed characters.

The detectives that are on the case are just not moving fast enough and their boss is irritated that they could not immediately solve it. The investigative pair of Waverly and Yamashiro have been together for many years. They ask questions at the local watering hole, the last place the victim was seen alive.

The reveal seems very circular to me with the potential perpetrator coming back into the detective's focus repeatedly. I felt I was receiving false leads over and over again. The reveal when it finally arrived was quick and succinct near the last chapter. The dialog at times did have some funny twists and I found myself laughing out loud at a few of the antics. 3.5 stars - CE Williams

A beautifully written thriller that kept me guessing right up to the surprising ending.I really enjoyed the intriguing characters. Will definitely be reading more from this author and highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

John Lescroart's latest addition to the Dismas Hardy series, "The Missing Piece," is a captivating and intricately woven murder mystery that keeps your interest.

Eleven years ago, San Francisco DA Wes Farrell successfully prosecuted Paul Riley for the rape and murder of his girlfriend. But when new evidence surfaces, Riley is released from prison, only to meet a grim fate himself. Found murdered, surrounded by the spoils of his latest scam, the question arises: If Riley was innocent all along, who wanted him dead?

Lescroart masterfully navigates a labyrinth of secrets, motives, and hidden agendas. As Dismas Hardy, now practicing law, takes on Riley's defense, he partners with PI Abe Glitsky to unravel the truth. The investigation leads them through a web of wounded parents, crooked cops, and single-minded vigilantes. Each theory they explore seems to recede further from the elusive truth, leaving Glitsky questioning his own moral compass.

The characters in "The Missing Piece" are richly drawn, each with their own complexities and vulnerabilities. Hardy's determination clashes with Glitsky's pragmatism, creating a dynamic duo that propels the narrative forward. The still-grieving father, the enigmatic defendant, and the elusive murderer—all contribute to a multi-layered tapestry of suspense.

Lescroart's vivid descriptions transport readers to San Francisco's gritty streets, where justice and deception collide. The city becomes a character itself, with its dark alleys, fog-shrouded corners, and hidden truths waiting to be unearthed.

"The Missing Piece" is a hypnotic and powerful thriller that keeps you guessing. Lescroart's prose is sharp, his pacing is relentless, and his plot twists are unexpected. Whether you're a longtime fan of the Dismas Hardy series or a newcomer, this book delivers a perfect blend of suspense, intrigue, and moral dilemmas.

This book makes two 5-star novels I've read in 2024! Kristin Hannah's The Women was a fantastic read of a different sort. John Lescroart has outdone himself again with The Missing Piece. I have always enjoyed Lescroart's writing and these characters, and it was good to meet them again and follow their work through another fascinating case. The book is definitely character driven, but the plot is also multi-faceted and fast paced. I finished the book and watched Dismas and Abe drive away until we get to visit again in Lescroart's next novel.

The Missing Piece is a multilayered mystery/legal thriller/procedural about a convicted murderer and rapist who, when evidence demonstrates his innocence, is released from prison only to be murdered months later.

There were many characters to keep track of and multiple points of view to wade through. I struggled to keep track of who was who, but Abe Glitsky stood out from the others. I liked most of the characters, but I need to get to know them better to truly care. Since I had no attachment to the characters, I didn’t find myself invested in their personal lives, but I was intrigued by the case.

The plot goes in many directions, takes some surprising twists and turns, and often misdirects with red herrings to unravel the events surrounding the mysterious murders. At the same time, the plot is tightly wound, and all angles eventually tie together. I found The Missing Piece to be fast-paced and easy to read. Although there are many characters and pieces to keep track of, they all flow together. This was an enjoyable read, but not one I loved, but I feel like if I read the earlier books in the series that my love will grow!

Paul Riley has served 11 years for rape and murder when he is released from prison early thanks to the work of the non-profit group the Exoneration Initiative who uncover a forensic anomaly. Shortly after he is murdered and an eye witness is able to name his killer. The eye witness is the released convict's father and the man he identifies is the victim's father, Doug Rush - a man who very publicly became violent and aggressive during the trial.

The two detectives who arrive first at the scene go straight to pick up the suspect, already certain of his guilt, and his jaded attitude does nothing to convince them otherwise. Soon the questions descend into an altercation. Unfortunately for the detectives, passers-by have captured video evidence of the confrontation and they are placed on leave.

The DA who convicted Riley is now working in criminal defence, and having seen his impressive performance, Rush asks him to represent him as his defence lawyer. A tough call as the pressure is on to convict following the problems with the arrest, and he already saw first hand Rush's hatred of Riley.

However, when Rush turns up dead, it's clear another unknown person is involved, and former homicide detective turned PI Abe Glitsky sets his mind to solving the mystery and uncovering the culprit.

Well rounded and action packed.

unputdownable, riveting, private-investigators, law-enforcement, local-politics, friends, contemporary, mental-health-issues, cooperation, lawyers, ex-cons, false-information, false-identities, family, family-dynamics, family-expectations, mistakes, multiple-murder, investigations, investigators*****

Despite the steep learning curve rising from the fact that I jumped in at book #19, I only read two or three chapters when I hunted up an affordable audio copy (vision issues).
The plot itself spiraled and branched like elk antlers and scooped up extra characters along the way. Each of the characters, both main and ancillary, are very clearly drawn and realistic. Thanks for the intro, but it was definitely worth the price for the audio!
I requested and received an EARC copy from Atria Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
P.S. Bernie Rhodenbarr says that St Dismas is the patron saint of thieves ;)

On the off chance you did not read the blurb before coming to the comments: a convicted murderer is released from prison (based on the work of the nonprofit Exoneration Project) – and murdered not too long afterward. Who killed him, and why?

John Lescroart is an author whose books I will pick up without even reading the blurb – I know it will be well written, cleverly plotted, and enjoyable. This one, The Missing Piece, was no exception.

The other thing I really appreciate (and it’s so well done I’m not aware of it as I’m reading, only in retrospect) that despite the pretty hefty cast of significant characters, never once in 400 pages did I forget who was whom, and their role in the story.

Besides the always excellent plotting and writing, I enjoy catching up on all the recurring characters’ lives.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

Although released last year, THE MISSING PIECE, John Lescroart’s nineteenth Dismas Hardy novel should not be missed. As he teams up with former homicide detective, now PI Abe Glitsky and the gang, they are investigating the murder of a victim’s father who it is assumed was the perpetrator of killing the man who killed HIS daughter?! Sounds pretty confusing, right? But in the very capable hands of Mr. Lescroart, it all makes perfect sense.
When the Exoneration Initiative succeeds in gaining the release of convicted murderer Paul Riley, the father of his victim apparently kills him, being convinced of his guilt, even though another man has confessed to the crime. When Doug Rush is suspected of the crime and then is also murdered, Abe is on it. What he and the others piece together leads them on a cross country search that provides a much bigger picture than anyone was expecting. Oh, and did I mention the biker gang?
I always love a Dismis Hardy novel. I love the banter between all of the old friends. But be warned. If you haven’t been following the series, there are a lot of people to get straight; who works with who, who’s married to who, who has switched from the prosecution side of the courtroom to the defense, etc.. I CAN say that this one will be well worth your time even if you need a flow chart. Bravo, Mr. Lescroart, you’ve done it again!
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

When Wes Farrell was a San Francisco DA, he put suspect Paul Riley in prison for the assault and murder of his girlfriend. After new evidence uncovered by The Exoneration Initiative secures the man's release, his short lived freedom is cut short by Paul's murder. The police immediately turn to Doug Rush, the girlfriend's father. Farrell, now out of politics and practicing law with attorney Dismas Hardy, agrees out of obligation to represent Doug Rush. When the Doug disappears, it is up to PI Abe Glitsky to track him down.

I have been a fan of the Dismas Hardy series for many years, so I was instantly excited to read The Missing Piece. Unfortunately, the novel did not live up to my expectations. It was unnecessarily complicated and the convoluted plot did nothing to help the pacing. It was nice to have a visit with the characters, but The Missing Piece was not a book that I would recommend.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Missing Piece by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this novel was entirely my own.

John Lescroart's latest novel, The Missing Piece, continues the story of defense attorney Dismas Hardy & gang, this time with former DA Wes Farrell defending Doug Rush, a bereaved father, accused of killing Paul Riley, the newest released prisoner thanks to the Exoneration Project. Paul Riley was convicted of raping and killing Doug's daughter.

I gave this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. The 1.5 stars were mainly deducted because of the overbearing white privilege. Also, this book is not a legal thriller but a murder mystery. While I appreciate a good mystery, I didn't care for the bait-and-switch copy on the Amazon page. If you mention the former DA now defending a murderer, then you should deliver on your promise.