gamblin_man's Full Review: John T. Lescroart - The 13th Juror: Library Editio...
I tend to read the fiction of John Lescroart as his books are published. Somehow I missed this one. I have now corrected the error and am glad I did. Until his most recent works, John Lescroart has had as his main protagonist a fellow named Dismas Hardy. Dismas is an attorney who started as a cop. When he was pensioned off after an injury he went to law school and became a prosecutor. Now he is in private practice as a defense attorney and works out of a law office of the famous defense attorney, David Freeman. He is only “of counsel” to David as he doesn’t want the hassle of big law offices after his terrible experience as a DA.
He lost his first family through a tragedy and has begun to rebuild his life with a new wife and children. He doesn’t want to return to the grind of high profile cases that kept him from enjoying fully his first family. But Phyllis, David’s secretary and attack dog, is about to change that. She enters his office with a message from David. Jennifer Witt had been arrested for the murder of her husband and had called to ask David to represent her. David and all of his associates were busy. As a favor would Dismas go down to the jail and cover for him? Dismas couldn’t say no.
Ultimately David agrees to represent Jennifer and asks Dismas to be available as the attorney for the penalty phase of the case if she is convicted. Dismas reluctantly agrees. The prosecution is his former boss and the colleagues he worked with as a DA. In the mind of Dismas they are scum. His early meetings with Jennifer have convinced Dismas she is innocent. David doesn’t care – or even want to know. Jennifer is subsequently also charged with the murder of her first husband as well. The DA is running for higher office and sees a defeat of David Freeman as a feather in his cap. Jennifer becomes a pawn in the lawyer game and Dismas is drawn deeply into the conflict.
This novel is a courtroom drama of high caliber. It plays family against the law, legality against guilt or innocence. The life of the accused takes a back seat to the thrill of the trial. Dismas, almost vainly, holds on to his belief in her innocence against the advice of his mentor, David Freeman. Through the inspired writing of John Lescroart you will feel the torment and doubt of Dismas Hardy as the testimony and discovery twists and turns both in the office and before the jury of twelve. You will also find that the protagonist is named after the thief on the cross with Jesus, for what that is worth.
The story is mostly told through the eyes of Dismas Hardy. There are, however, regular italicized thoughts of the accused to help enlighten or further confuse you. It is a well written story that pulls you into the mess that is the modern murder trial.
In the end Jennifer is convicted of murdering her husband and Dismas has realized his worst nightmare. He must try to save her life from the jury’s recommendation of death. The judge in the case becomes the 13th juror. Jennifer has consistently refused to allow any testimony that she was an abused wife. Dismas still believes she is innocent, but Jennifer would not allow the defense team to use the abused wife defense during the main trial. Now Dismas decides to put her psychologist on the stand to try to mitigate the death sentence. That testimony makes the entire read worthwhile as Dismas battles the forces of legal evil in his quest for justice, truth, and the American way. Get this book, get a comfortable seat, and prepare for the legal thriller ride of your life
Jennifer Witt is accused of murdering both her son and her husband, a prosperous doctor who repeatedly abused her. Defense lawyer Dismas Hardy believe...More at Alibris
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