Dismas Hardy is an ex-Marine, ex-cop, ex-attorney, ex-Catholic, and ex-husband. Currently he's a bartender at his friend Moses McGuire's Little Shamrock bar, plays darts and drinks too much. When Moses' brother-in-law is found dead, Hardy ends up investigating whether it was murder or suicide and gradually he begins to start living again.

This is the first book of a long running series, currently eighteen. Unlike many detective writers, Lescroart avoids serial killers and other shocking crimes. He chooses to focus on characters caught up in difficult and unusual circumstances, but trying to deal with the challenges of everyday life. The character of Dismas Hardy shows a multi-faceted character with many unique traits. The sense of friendship and family loyalty are key points in the story.

This first installment of the Dismas Hardy books was slow at times, building up the characters instead of adding to the plot, but you need to view it as the start of a series instead of an independent story, i'm not sure I would have enjoyed it if I hadn't already been familiar with the latter Dismas Hardy novels. The Hardy here seemed so different from the older one.

Lescroart has a pleasant, much more subtle way of reeling out a story. His characters are filled with complexity, nuanced characters, and believable relationships. It was a great introduction to a character I've enjoyed quite a bit over the years. ( )

Dismas Hardy was once a cop. And he was once a lawyer. And now he is a bartender trying not to let life in. But it comes in anyway. The husband of the bar owner's sister commits suicide, but is it really suicide? The plot's premise is kind of old hat but Lescroart gives it texture and spirit and interest way beyond most. His stories are always very interesting and intricate and this one is no different. ( )

I like Lescroart's books but this one was not a favorite of mine. I listened to it on a recent trip and it kept me interested but not invested in the characters or their story. I have read later Dismas Hardy books from this series and enjoyed them more than this first the series. I would give it 3.5 stars. ( )

3.5 stars. This book was great. I needed a new author to follow and Lescroart provided me with a new character to puzzle over. Dismas Hardy is a hard drinking, former attorney turned bartender/private eye. Like all the best of his ilk, he is flawed in ways that drive you as a reader crazy but that make his story and motivations far more interesting. He has a complicated relationship with his ex and with himself.

The owner of the bar where he works asks Diz to investigate a case related to a family member. The cops are calling it suicide, the family is calling it murder. And while there are some who have motive, these are not clear cut or at all obvious which complicates the case.

The story is set in San Francisco evoking those old Chandler settings with a modern twist. But I loved the fog rolling in and the tours of neighbourhoods where suspects live and work.

This book has a lot of twists and turns and does not forecast the ending so that just a few pages in, you keep changing your suspect list. Right up to the end. Diz’s favorite weapon seems to be a cast iron skillet and frankly, it’s refreshing to see someone bashed over the head the old fashioned way instead of just shot. It lends nostalgia I guess!

The book does start a bit slow. I stuck with it and it picked up fast. It is more character than action driven so it requires a lot of patience to listen to Diz’s inner dialogue. This is the first book in the series so I am guessing that the deeper you go into the series, the more Diz will evolve and that is something important to remember with these series books. Main characters almost never start out fully rounded but become so over time.

I can’t write much more because of the plot twists. But if you love a series with a good flawed main character, this one is for you! ( )

The perspective changes are abrupt...making it kind of difficult to follow. still an ok read....looking forward for other books in the series. ( )