Rating: 
Summary: Great courtroom scenes...
Review: I have read all of Lescroart's books. Mercy Rule read more like a 'novel' and less like a legal thriller, until Pat Giotti tangled with Diz. But, good read, anyway. Thanks, John
Rating: 
Summary: This is my least favorite of this author's books.
Review: I started with "13th Juror" upon a recommendation from a friend. Was hooked - went back and read the prequels, have read all the sequels, and everything else this author has written. This one has been hard to get through. I hardly recognize Dismas. Graham isn't really all that likeable either. I really don't feel like I know the character. Sal is the best developed. If this is the first Lescroart you've read you may find it okay. But - go back and pick up another. This isn't his best work by a long shot.
Rating: 
Summary: Great
Review: I undertsand that I have read only 3 of this author's books and I do like his writing. This book has everything in it.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: I undertsand that I have read only 3 of this author's books and I do like his writing. This book has everything in it.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting characters, but a bit too long
Review: I've read all of Lescroart's books, and was glad to get my hands on another. However, I was a bit disappointed in the general lethargy of the plot, as well as the overboard dose of assisted-suicide leanings. I'm a law student, and as such I was also a bit disappointed by the lack of courtroom drama. However, all that said, the main character is incredibly interesting, as are others characters I would've liked to known better. Alas, my last novel before law school starts again...
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful characters, rich details, don't miss this one!
Review: John Lescroart has quickly become one of my favorite authors for his way with characters. I cannot think of another author who provides a good mystery while filling our minds with the texture of a city and unique, interesting characters that continue to pop up in his novels. Dismas Hardy is a masterpiece.I had to force myself to read slowly so that I could savor not only the story, but most of all, the details.
Rating:
Summary: A Home Run
Review: Lescroart hits another home run and in a competition between Grisham and Lescroart, Grisham would be begging for the Mercy Rule. An intriguing story with appealing characters. This is one of the few legal thrillers that I have read that is more character-driven than plot-driven. Another great book that will make you eager for the next Dismas Hardy book.
Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful and engrossing legal thriller
Review: Lescroart is not an author I recommend to people seeking an easy,lightweight and disposable read.His San Francisco set legal tales tend to be quite complex,and multi-layered with an emphasis on issues and characterization as well as plot.
The Mercy Rule is no exception to the pattern.Its centre piece is the trial of Graham Russo,lawyer turned wanna be baseball player,who is accused of killing Salvatore ,his father and stealing his money and vintage baseball card collection.Salvatore was terminally ill with an inoperable brain tumour as well as in the grip of Alzheimer's.Some -including liberal SF District Attorney,Sharon Pratt,see it as a mercy killing-assissted suicide-and refuse to proseecute.The State of Califirnia takes a different view and put Graham on trial.
His defence is entrusted to Lescroart regular character,Dismas Hardy.The trial ,crisply and dranatically presented,is compelling reading but occupies only around 30%of the book and the verdict is delivered with around 60 pages of the book left.The coda sees Hardy digging into events leading up to Salvatore,s death
The build up to the trial is fascinating with the whole issue of assisted suicide and the conflicting views it gives rise to dealy with fairly and impartially.The investigation is complicated by the developinhg relationship between Graham and the homicide detective Sarah Lee who has been assigned to the case and we identify with Dismas Hardy in his desire to be a defence attorney when the main source of income is in borin but financially rewarding corporate law issues The downside to the Lescroart method is a certain leisureliness of pace and the book ,nearer 500 than 400 pages,does have its longeurs but overall its rewarding and full of inside information on legal processes and political wheeling and dealing,something which seems to be an inevitable part of the legal process in America
Rating:
Summary: The best one for Dis ... I'm glad he's back
Review: Lescroart really brought Dis back with a bang. I've missed him and Frannie, etc. I thought the story was engrossing and extremely well-told. So what if euthanasia was a red-herring; it provided some provocative prose. Thanks, John!
Rating:
Summary: OPENING A LESCROAT BOOK IS LIKE MEETING OLD FRIENDS
Review: Lescroat has that ability to make his primary characters believeable and earthy. In the "Dismas" books one feels like they are returning to old friends who have encountered some problems along the way. The only problem is that Dismas always seems to get involved in MURDER! And when that happens you can rest assured that Dismas looks under every stone until he finds the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. "The Mercy Rule" was a great 'who dunnit' with quite a few possibilities on the list of suspects but the author holds us in suspense until the enth degree - as we rule out each suspect and turn the pages faster and faster to learn the identity of the true killer. Even with murder, mystery and mayhem, Lescroat instills a sense of duty, family loyalty and love in his novels and he shows no exception with The Mercy Rule. A great read.
| 
