The First Law (Dismas Hardy, Book 8)

John Lescroart's books stand out because of their human characters, and The First Law is no exception. Dismis' family life is always interesting, and in this one, we see more of that than in some other books. The San Francisco setting and the interplay among these familiar characters make reading this book like going on vacation with good friends and just having a good time.

I am a firm believer in human law and in its enforcement. I have served on several juries, including one for a homicide, so I know how our system of law functions and I realize that without laws and their enforcement, humanity would live in a state of anarchy. However, I am also aware of the fact that any legal system, like humanity, itself, is imperfect. John Lescroart's novel THE FIRST LAW is a superb, albeit fictional, example of how nature's First Law (the preservation of self and/or of one's loved one(s)) SHOULD take precedence over humanity's legal systems, when a system cannot protect those whom one loves most deeply. The fact that self-protection is not even close in importance to the fear of the future, inevitable deaths of those whom the protagonists love, if they do not break manmade law at great risk to themselves, makes the novel especially emotionally compelling. I am an avid reader of Lescroart's Dismas Hardy-Abe Glitsky novels. I find them to be complex and thought-provoking, but none of them are as important and memorable to me as is his THE FIRST LAW. Although I have a beloved collection of signed first and limited editions of various authors, who write in various genres, I normally only collect most authors' first book(s) in signed, first editions or "special" books in signed, limited editions because of space limitations. The exception to my rule is my signed, first edition of Lescroart's THE FIRST LAW. It is that important to me. The primary point of this novel is that when the legal system cannot protect one's loved one(s), nature takes over and a very loving person, even despite believing wholeheartedly in human law and in its enforcement, will do whatever is necessary to ensure the survival of whoever is/are most loved by that person. Breaking the law to the point of killing others is necessary, but deeply regretted, by the main characters in this novel, as it should be, and the resulting feelings of guilt, which would be felt by any moral person, is made clear and even emphasized in Lescroart's later work. I have read that Lescroart loosely patterned his novel after the notorious gunfight at the OK corral. This is undoubtedly fact since one of the protagonists is named John Holliday (John was Doc Holliday's given name and Doc was present at the shootout). This is my one bone to pick with Lescroart, since I am also an old west history buff and I believe that the shootout was between two rival gangs, rather than between the "good guys" and the "bad guys". However, that is merely my opinion and, as Stephen Crane wrote, "It is only opinion/and opinion be damned". I especially most highly recommend this novel to any reader who is extremely interested, as I am, in morality and in ethics. It is also very enjoyable to read merely as a legal/police procedural novel that is highly engrossing and entertaining and that involves one's emotions while reading it. As for myself, whenever I run into nature's First Law in other novels

I picked up a copy The First Law in an airport bookstore when faced with an unexpected flight delay. I had not read any of Lescroart's other works and did not know what to expect. The storyline was intriguing, effectively bouncing back between the present and the past while building to the final scenes in the book. Character development was solid, although I suspect that the book would have been better is I was more familiar with some of the characters that clearly had been part of Lescroart's previous works. The First Law was not spectacular but it was definitely good enough that I will be back to sample more of Lescroart's works.

In John Lescroart's new thriller, "The First Law," San Francisco resembles the Wild West. A corrupt and malicious individual named Wade Panos wields tremendous political power. Panos and his gang rob and murder whomever they please with impunity, and the police either cannot or will not stop them. Abe Glitsky, a veteran detective, has been moved out of homicide and into the payroll department of the police force, much to his chagrin. However, when Sam Silverman, an elderly friend of Abe's father, is robbed and murdered, Abe takes a look at the case. Much to his surprise, Abe is stymied in his inquiries at every turn; it soon becomes clear that his colleagues on the force do not want Abe interfering in their investigation. To make matters worse, Abe's good friend, Dismas Hardy, represents a man who is being framed for killing Sam. As Abe and Dismas continue to challenge Wade Panos, dead bodies begin piling up and it becomes clear that if Dismas and Abe do not back off, they may be risking their lives. I love the characters of Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky. They are macho and sensitive as well as intelligent and compassionate. I admit that the plot of "The First Law" is a bit far-fetched. It is difficult to believe that such lawlessness would prevail in a city as cosmopolitan as San Francisco. However, Lescroart makes the point that evil people with no conscience do exist. If normally law-abiding citizens are to fight such individuals, they sometimes have to act in unorthodox ways in order to survive. At four hundred pages, "The First Law" is a bit too long. However, the plot and the dialogue are lively and compelling and the characters are nicely drawn. Lescroart maintains a high level of suspense and excitement until "The First Law" reaches its dramatic and action-packed conclusion.

It is a little known fact that some selected areas of San Francisco are policed by Patrol Specials, licensed private security specialists accountable to the SFPD. Wade Panos has six areas that he and his team patrol, but they are also into payola, shakedowns and when somebody gets in their way, they use intimidation tactics to get in his way. Pawn Shop dealer Sam Silverman couldn't afford their rates anymore and suddenly he is robbed and killed.The police led by the Patrol Special's tips are convinced that bar owner John Holiday and two of his friends are the guilty parties because Wade wants his shop and this is a cheap way to get it. John's lawyer is Dismas Hardy, who is bringing a civil suit against Wade and his men for brutality and intimidation. Dismas is threatened twice and he thinks Wade is behind the threats to him and his family. To obtain justice, he, his brother-in-law, Lt. Abe Glitsky, and John might have to go outside the law to see justice done.Make room John Grishan for John Lescroart as the new king of legal thrillers. THE FIRST LAW is full of action, seat-of-your pants suspense, and plenty of chilling scenes. The hero doesn't want to fight and even leans towards caving in when he and his family are threatened but in the end he stands for justice when the law doesn't work. Readers will definitely want to put this legal thriller in the keeper shelf.Harriet Klausner