The Missing piece by John Lescroart is a book that will not disappoint. It is part of The Dismas Hardy Series and The Gang is back in this one . If you are a current fan of The Dismas Hardy Series and have been patiently waiting for another book I would definitely pick this one up. If your new to this series this is a great murder mystery with lots of twist that leaves you staying up late to find out what happens next.
It starts out talking about a man named Wes Farrell who was a former DA who now is a partner in a law firm defending people that he used to put away.
One of those men is named Paul Riley, Paul happens to gets out early due to an organization called The Exoneration Initative who found legal errors in in case. After Paul is released he goes to live with his father who soon finds him Murdered and tells the police he seen who did it and that’s where the mysteries begin.
Follow Wes and the detectives and read how they solve this case.

The Missing Piece is John Lescroart’s latest in his popular series starring Dismas Hardy - lawyer and former cop - and his close friends and associates. In this episode, Wes Farrell - Hardy's partner and former DA - is losing faith in his cause as he does not believe in the innocence of his clients anymore. In the meantime, Paul Riley, whom Farrell had convicted eleven years ago for the rape and murder of Dana Rush and released recently due to the efforts of the Exoneration Initiative, is shot from close range and killed. Paul's dad, James Riley, tells the police that he saw Dana's father Doug Rush running from the crime scene after the shot was fired. Upon being arrested by the overeager police, Doug says he is innocent and wants to be defended by Farrell, whom he remembers from the days of Dana’s murder trial. Farrell is not convinced that his client is innocent, but gets him out on bail and gets his trial scheduled soon. When Doug disappears just before the trial, cop-turned-Private Investigator and Farrell / Hardy's friend Abe Glitsky is tasked with searching for Doug. Glitsky has a feeling that Doug is plain unlucky to go through whatever has happened and tries to get to the truth behind the events. His investigation turns up several leads and his own well-being is endangered when certain people feel uncomfortable with his snooping about. Ultimately, Glitsky's tenacity pays off as he uncovers the truth, which is much bigger than the murder-disappearance that he started with.

This was my first Lescroart novel and I am quite impressed with the taut plot, interesting characters and the well-kept mystery. Though I could guess the killer - just a hunch, really - beforehand, the resolution was very enjoyable. The friendship among the lead characters is decades old and the reader gets to feel it through the amusing conversations. Though Farrell occupies the plot of this book in the initial quarter, Glitsky carries it all through to the end. Though his character is not that of a typical fictional P.I., him being sixty-five years old and not much action-oriented, Glitsky comes across as realistic and believable. His wife, and the family members of other lead characters, play their part without encroaching too much on the story. In my opinion, the character of the actual culprit could have done with a bit more development, which would have made the book even better.

Apart from such minor issues, I found The Missing Piece to be a fine thriller with good characters and a fast-moving plot, and would recommend it to all readers who enjoy mysteries and thrillers. My sincere gratitude to The Missing Piece’s author, publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

I loved this mystery, just what I needed to escape this Covid world we live in! I had not read any of the previous books in this series, but I plan to! I didn't have any trouble following all the characters. Paul Riley has been released from his life term in prison when legal errors were found in his trial by an organization called the Exoneration Initiative.. He was in prison for the rape and murder of Dana Rush. A short time later, Paul is found dead of a single bullet to the head, and Doug Rush, the father of the girl Paul was convicted of murdering, is the main suspect. Until he also turns up dead! A good police procedural, with lots of twists and turns. PI Abe Glitsky is called in to help solve the mystery of who killed these two, This was a great read, and thanks to the publishers, the author, and #NetGalley for my copy.!

This was the best in the series! I just loved the pace and the writing. The end was shocking and loved it all the more for that.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book by John Lescroart.
This author is a very reliable story teller when it comes to police procedurals and character wholeness. His stories normally involve three characters to whom readers are very familiar with : Dismas Hardy, former cop turned defense attorney/bar owner; Wes Farrell, former DA turned defense attorney; and Abe Glitsky, former cop, now retired and a PI.
When the story first began, it heavily centered on Wes Farrell, and I was disappointed, as I find him uncompelling in the character department. But then it slowly faded to a very full-on Abe Glitsky POV, and I was in.
It is not necessary to read the stories that have come before to follow the relationships that are in place, but Lescroart is such a great storyteller, I highly recommend it.
This story follows a former convict exonerated by an "Innocence" foundation, who is subsequently murdered. Commence the relationships, twists and turns, deadends and pathways, and you have yourself an interesting story examining both sides of the law.
I didn't rate this story higher because I found it over talky, and this repeated exposition brought the story down. Other than this, it was well-told and the characters, other than Farrell, who always comes off as a throw-away, were honestly fleshed-out.
I really enjoy this author and I highly recommend readers to check him out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
I feel quite fortunate to have been allowed to read this. I am a huge fan of John Lescroart. I have read and own most of his books. The series of Dismas, Abe, their wives, and the rest of the gang is like following the trajectory of close friends. I understand that Mr. Lescroart took some time off from writing so this 19th book in the evolving and, in my opinion, wonderful world of these San Francisco characters was happily received.

This book did not disappoint. The story stars Abe Glitsky, the retired Chief of Homicide, now a private detective, and his uncovering of strange murders that seemed linked but aren't necessarily so. When the arrested culprit dies, the police put the case at the bottom of their to-do list but Abe couldn't let it go. And so, we follow, with him, the twists and turns of a great Lescroart mystery/police thriller. And as always, San Francisco with its beautiful days, foggy days, baseball-loving population, is as much of a character as the two-legged beings.

I recommend this book. If you like it, start from the beginning and get to know everyone, You'll be glad you did.

As with Lescroart's other books, I really enjoyed the plot lines, the twists and turns, and the continuation of the characters in the novel. A great way to spend a weekend!

I've read all of the books in the "series" and once again, was not disappointed. The twists and turns were engaging and I, as always, like the interaction amount Dismas Hardy, Abe Glitzky and Wes Farrell (and would like to see more of that). I will admit that I didn't see the ultimate "villain" coming so definitely was surprised there - especially since his "face time" was fairly minimal.

John Lescroart’s latest novel, The Missing Piece, begins with a portrayal of police brutality in subduing an alleged crime suspect- complete with a video recording of the event - and continues with thrilling twists and turns to a completely satisfying conclusion.

The author also gives us an insight into what an attorney actually thinks about a client’s innocence or guilt. We learn about the Exoneration Initiative, a group dedicated to proving the innocence of persons convicted of crimes for which they have been wrongfully imprisoned and some of their clients figure prominently in this book.

If you are a fan of the author’s novels, as I am, you will find it interesting to see many familiar characters in different roles - the former District Attorney who prosecuted alleged criminals is now a defense attorney and the former head of the police Homicide Division is now a private investigator.

The novel is highly recommended for readers of thrillers who will not mind missing sleep with this riveting, stunning page turner.

It’s always nice to spend time with old friends you’ve made over the years. When you reconnect with Hardy, Glitsky and Farrell you’ll always spend time at the bar, eating good food and throwing darts, that’s just a given.
   Fierce loyalty, trust among partners and devotion to family are always a priority and this visit with them reinforces all that.
   What seems like a simple, straightforward murder has so many side stories. Glitsky can’t believe that it’s so matter of fact as the police may think. He starts down a winding path that sets off a sequence of events that results in more murders and him getting attacked and concussed.
   All the while he is convinced they are missing something important item and he is determined to connect all the dots to find the murderer. The final exposure of the murderer was drawn out till the final moments and it was a surprise. I never made the connection.
   Always a good read with characters you’re happy to spend time with.

Another great book featuring John’s main set of characters. I like books in a series like this, as it lets the reader catch up with the characters. This was an interesting storyline and one I didn’t have figured out until the end. Thanks for the chance to read this as an early copy.

Can I just start by saying I am a huge John Lescroart fan, and this book was no exception!

Wes Farrell, back when he was a DA sent Paul Riley to prison for the rape and murder of Dana Rush, move forward 11 years and Riley is released with the help of Exoneration Initiative, his crime pinned on someone else who confessed.

Riley has gone back to his old 'job' of breaking and entering while he awaits a hefty payout for false imprisonment. He is found dead by his father who saw the person who shot him or did he?

Doug Rush lost his daughter Dana to Paul Riley and at the time of the trial was very vocal in what he wanted to do to Riley, so it's no big surprise when he is arrested for the murder, even his own attorney (now working in defense), Wes Farrell believes him to be guilty.

This is a great book, all the old favourites are back, and it was great to see Abe take a starring role.

Really written with an ending I did not see coming!

Highly recommended and

I haven’t read Lescroart in a very long time. I was delighted to be reintroduced to his work and his character Dismas Hardy. A good read. Well-paced. I can easily imagine this leading me back to the books I have missed over the years.

I really enjoyed this book. I don’t read many thrillers, but this one had good characters and plenty of twists and turns that made it hard to put down. I actually didn’t know this book was part of a series when I requested to read it - let alone book #19, but I now want to go back and start from the beginning. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read the book!

The usual cast of characters shows up again. John Lescroart gets better with each book he writes. The characters are at once familiar yet still evolving.

Throughout, the author keeps your attention and makes you think. These are essential to a good story. You should read all his books yet this will stand on its own.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley fior the opposition to read this advance copy.

This book felt like going back to an old friend. This one primarily focuses on Abe. If you've read any of the others, this will be exactly like them. If you haven't , no need to read the ones before. There is an easy familiarity with the characters which is refreshing. The whodunit was easy to figure out but otherwise a solid read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book follows the case of a father who wishes the guy who raped and murdered his daughter to die. However when doubt is cast upon his guilt Doug, who is generally decent had a change of heart. Wes the attorney thinks his client is guilty when the rapist is murdered. Abe, the private investigator, carries on after all the others have given up. He finds the killer in an unexpected quarter.

I haven't read one of John Lescroart's books in a long time and this one didn't disappoint. Great thriller with many twists and turns with Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky. I devoured the book in 3 days. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

John Lescroart has done it again! What a wonderful well written thriller with great characters and full of twists and turns. Despite the thriller genre being one of my favorites, and reading many thrillers, there were still twists and turns that I did not see coming! I highly recommend The Missing Piece by John Lescroart. If you have never read one of
his books you are missing out!

Thank you to Net Galley & the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. What a great read. Twists and turns and solid, solid characters and great plotting/writing. I'd be tempted to say 'classic Lescarot' but that would be understating how good this newest book was. Y'all, no matter how familiar you are with Abe and Wes and the other great characters Lescarote populates his San Francisco books with, you are not going to figure this one out ahead of time! If this author is new to you, you deserve to start with earlier books and watch the characters' relationships build before reading this one; of course, not doing so won't make this book any less good but you will miss out on some of the nuances.