The Fall - (Dismas Hardy) by John Lescroart (Paperback)

About the Book

Originally published in hardcover in 2015 by Atria Books.

Book Synopsis

A "courtroom thriller extraordinaire" (Providence Journal) from "master craftsman" (Associated Press) John Lescroart puts Dismas Hardy and his daughter in the middle of an uncertain murder case where winning the trial could mean losing everything.

On a cool night in May, a teenage foster child named Anlya Paulson plummets to her death from a San Francisco overpass. But did she fall...or was she pushed?

Homicide inspectors focus their attention on a likeable but naïve middle school teacher and volunteer foster care advocate. At first, his only connection to Anlya's death is the meal they shared earlier that night. But soon his story falls apart, and Rebecca Hardy, now an associate at her father's law firm, is drawn into his defense.

As the case rushes toward trial, Dismas and Rebecca battle an aggressive prosecutor, a disinterested police force, and their own client, who isn't faring well in jail. When a dying woman's last words cast a surprising new light on the evidence and problems develop with a key witness, the father-daughter duo begins to glimpse the intricate web that connects the young victim to the city's complex political and judicial machine. Proving their case in court, however, will be harder, as Rebecca comes to realize that a trial doesn't always end with the truth.

Review Quotes

"[A] smart and riveting legal thriller that is more complicated that it first appears to be. The plot and characters are all superb,"-- "Daily American"

Praise for The Ophelia Cut

"Smart, riveting, and utterly compelling, The Ophelia Cut has an incredible cast of characters from whom you will not want to depart...hands-down the best legal thriller I have read in years and a perfect case study for why readers love the brilliant John Lescroart. "--Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Black List

Praise for The Fall

"Action-packed."-- "Publishers Weekly"

Praise for The Keeper

"A terrific read... Lescroart satisfies with every bite, and the finale is delicious."-- "Associated Press"

"The Fall is both a mystery and a courtroom thriller in the best ways possible."-- "The Bookreporter"

"[A] tense and intricate tale. . . Lescroart is a master of legal suspense. . . The Ophelia Cut will be remembered more as a literary endeavor in the vein of Scott Turow than anything Lescroart has done."-- "Associated Press"

"A nail-biting suspense yarn that's not to be missed."-- "Providence Journal"

"A terrific courtroom mystery... Lescroart is a master craftsman. He knows how to juggle story elements to keep readers guessing up to the last chapter. The Fall is a tantalizing legal thriller."-- "Associated Press"

"Action-packed."-- "Publishers Weekly"

"Bristling with red-hot suspense, The Ophelia Cut is the roller-coaster ride of a lifetime... You'll love this book."--Gayle Lynds, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Spies

"Fresh, interesting and evolving."-- "Daily Republic"

"Lescroart is a master at building tension to a complicated climax that will satisfy both old and new readers alike."-- "The Florida Times-Union"

"Lescroart's popularity as a legal-thriller author only stands to grow."-- "Booklist"

"Lescroart's popularity as alegal-thriller author only stands to grow."-- "Booklist"

"Nothing short of magic, dark and delicious. The Ophelia Cut is the work of a master at the top of his game."--William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author of Trickster's Point

"There's something special about The Fall... a courtroom thriller extraordinaire that matches the best of John Grisham and Scott Turow."-- "Providence Journal"

About the Author

John Lescroart is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-nine previous novels, including the The Rule of Law, Poison, and Fatal. His books have sold more than ten million copies and have been translated into twenty-two languages. He lives in Northern California.