an exceptionally good read

I've always enjoyed Lescroart's books -- but this one is at the top of my list. All the characters are interestingly and insightfuly developed. The author's portrayal of a psychopathic/narcissistic character is especially well written.

the reader was also outstanding.

I couldn't stop listening once I started and wished it would keep on going, even though the ending was gratifying.

19 people found this helpful

Out of Sequence

When I first started listening to "Guilt," I thought that this novel, despite the copyright dates, must come chronologically before "A Certain Justice," Lescroart's previous novel. But, actually, Lescroart here has used the risky technique of filling in the back-story missing from "A Certain Justice." I don't think the technique quite works with "Guilt," since it leaves the listener feeling a bit confused until the end, where the story jumps to events after "A Certain Justice." For this reason, I have docked one star from my rating of "Guilt." Otherwise, Lescroart gives us his usual excellent writing, and David Colacci gives us his usual excellent narration. Perhaps, to vent another slight criticism of "Guilt," Lescroart paints the bad guy -- Mark Dooher -- with a bit of cartoonist's brush: portraying a villain so good and likable on the outside that nobody can see the evil on the inside. But we like our bad guys bad, and our good guys good, don't we? We already know, from "A Certain Justice," that Mark Dooher is a bad guy, so we have inside knowledge that the other characters don't have; and we keep wondering when the other characters are going to wake up to Dooher's inner wickedness. Of course, he gets his just deserts in the end. I would recommend "Guilt" to Lescroart fans, suspense fans, and legal thriller fans who have patience for good character development and intricate plotting. Only I might recommend that they listen to "Guilt" before listening to "A Certain Justice," since these two novels seem to have been published out of sequence in Lescroart's San Francisco series.

13 people found this helpful

Interesting Twists

This was the first Lescroart book I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mark Dooher is an attorney who has made it to the top. At first glance he has it all, but Lescroart, through other characters, gives very subtle indicators of Dooher's darker side. Dooher ends up indicted for murder of his long-time wife and Wes Farrell, his best friend as well as Christine, the new girlfriend, stand steadfastly by his side. The court room drama begins to unravel all that the characters have held to be true and the reader wants to jump in and save them all - but can't. If there is one criticism of the book it's the rather cardboard relationship between Sam and Wes, which actually continues on into other books (which I started to read after reading this one). But there is little doubt that Lescroart is a master of courtroom drama. Good read and credible narrator.

9 people found this helpful

Enthralling!

To me, Lescroart is the king of the legal thrillers and I have read/listened to almost all of his novels. And, in my opinion, this is his best. It wrapped me up from beginning to end. HIghly recommended!

4 people found this helpful

Another thriller in the Abe Glitsky series.

Actually, this novel is more about attorney Wes Farrell than Abe Glitsky. It provides background on Wes that I had not appreciated from reading the Dismas Hardy series. (Dismas and his wife are only mentioned in passing at one point in the story.) I found it hard to put down, although it took longer than necessary to wrap the story up. The novel is more of a thriller than a mystery but, although I prefer the latter style, I found it hard to stop listening, even after knowing who the antagonist was and what his likely comeuppance would be. (That is a tribute to Lescroart's suspence-filled writing.) As always, David Colacci does a terrific job narrating the action.

2 people found this helpful

Great plot - really interesting book

This was my first John Lescroart book but it won't be my last! He develops interesting plotlines and characters and the book describes San Franscisco beautifully. It is a long book, but it kept my attention all the way through. I thought the narrator was excellent.

2 people found this helpful

Only if you are truly bored...

A bit flat. A bit didactic, a bit single-dimensional. The story is not believable and the characters are also strange and not realistic. All and all, I will not buy this author again

1 person found this helpful

Too many words

Good story but way too many words. I understand the character development of Dooher and it was well done. But I do not want to believe people can be that gullible.

2 people found this helpful

Thoroughly Disappointing

What disappointed you about Guilt?

The story was flat and predictable. I suppose even a writer as reliable as Lescroat has to drop the ball once in a while. However, this book is an aberration in Lescroat's otherwise satisfying efforts.

3 people found this helpful

Great book

Great book...starts slow...but really get going with unexpected twists and turns...very nice ending w/o the typical cliff hanger