Poison: A Novel (Dismas Hardy Book 17)

Poison is the 17th entry in John Lescroart's long running Dismas Hardy series.

A former client of Dismas has been charged with murder. Her employer has been poisoned - and she stands to benefit from the will. But, there are a myriad of other suspects. It's a family business and any of the man's relatives had an opportunity to kill him. And as Dismas digs into their lives, looking to clear his client, he discovers they all have secrets - and motives.

I've always enjoyed Dismas as a lead character - he's intelligent, cagey and driven to find answers. The supporting cast has always included now retired SFPD Lieutenant Abe Glitsky. They play well off of each other, with differing personalities and styles, but with an eye on the prize - catching the guilty. (Glitsky has a few novels where he is the lead character.) PI Wyatt Hunt is also a fave supporting player of mine.

The murder method in Poison was unusual and clever. Dismas's sussing out of the murderer was just as clever. The whodunit is somewhat revealed before the final aha, but the path to those final answers was enjoyable and entertaining.

I enjoyed the return to Hardy's roots - murder, defense and the courtroom. Some of the previous entries became too convoluted and a bit far fetched for my taste.

Lescroart has moved the series along in real time, with the players aging and evolving. The Hardy family life has figured into the plots over the years. Dismas is now looking at making a change as well and has been contemplating retirement. I will be curious to see where Lescroart takes him in the next book. Although Posion is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone.

I chose to listen to Poison. The reader was Jacques Roy - a narrator I've quite enjoyed in other books. He has a calm, quiet voice that suits the character of Dismas. His speaking is well paced, well modulated and easy to understand with a slight gravelly tone. That measured pace draws the listener into the story.

Poison: John Lescroart

There are many ways to mask the cause of a murder. The cause of death in this case was thought to be a heart attack. But one of the victim’s children thought otherwise and this would lead to a chain of events that would spiral out of control and the arrest of a close personal friend or lover of the victim. Abby Jarvis was a client of Dismas Hardy who was charged with vehicular homicide and served time in prison. Landing a position with Pipes and Valves plumbing as the bookkeeper for Grant Wagner the owner. When he suddenly dies it appears to be a heart attack but someone in his family disagrees and the investigation takes on a dangerous turn.

Dismas Hardy promised his wife, Frannie that he would not handle any more murder cases but when Abby Jarvis is arrested for the death of Grant Wagner, why does he rush to come to her aid? When Phyllis, his secretary calls him to tell him about her arrest he goes to the jail, tries to get into see her only to be blocked by the arresting officers who were not really interested in helping attorneys. Dealing with Grassilli who finally called intake, Hardy gets into the see Abby who seems to clink to him in more ways than one.
Grant Wagner was a wealthy man who was just 62 years of age and Abby was his bookkeeper that was left one million dollars in his will. Added to that his company was worth about 25 million dollars and they heirs wanted to put it on the open market for sale thinking it would go for between 75-100 million. Gary Wagner was the new CEO and he wants to put it on the market but what about Grace, Gloria and Gene, the G-Team.
Eric Waverly and his partner Ken Yamashiro were called for a 911-murder case as David Chang was killed. Two gunshots killed him and the end result was Eric’s anger flared up after dealing with the victim and the CSI team and he took is out on his wife and kids.
Gloria Wagner was sure that her father did not die of a heart attack and asked to have another tox screen done to learn he was poisoned but who, how, why? The poison used was called Aconite. Aconite has a long history as poison. Eating too much of it can cause serious problems with your cardio vascular and nervous systems. Grant Wagner had many varieties of tea and it was possible that when Abby prepare his team she might have included some of this wild plant. Severe aconite poisoning can occur after an accidental ingestion of too much of this herbal decoction made from aconite roots. Meeting an herbalist in this novel who literally sells this plant you learn that aconite roots are used only after processing to reduce the toxic alkaloid content.
Gene went to his father’s office to get on Abby’s computer and review the decisions made over the past few months and daily running of the office. Gene was sure he could get to the bottom of it and he was a licensed CPA and Abby and Gloria’s bookkeeping degrees he was the only one with a finance background. Gene learned that their salaries would increase but that Gary would come out, as CEO and his would increase by 250,000 dollars making it what he felt unfair.
Things would heat up even more as Frannie and Dismas would have their own falling out over this murder case, Eric and Ken would deal with not only David Chang but with two other cases as well as the link between Grant’s murder, David’s and one more comes into focus.
Abby’s arrest came under the title of specials and she was not going to be allowed bail or even a bail hearing although she had a daughter who is autistic and it would be hard for her mother to take care of Veronica for a long period of time. Eric Waverly was dealing with his on demons and anger issues plus PTSD and his actions and attitude towards his partner and other co-workers was taking a toll on not only him but his family and friends too. Pain pills for his injury made it worse and simmering rage that was uncontrollable made it necessary for others to often steer clear of him. David Chang’s murder was a homicide and meeting his friends would add to the suspect list.
Retirement seems out of the question and hoping to reconnect with Vincent and Rebecca his two children was his goal after recovering from two gunshot wounds. Grant Wagner’s murder ended that all as he gets deeper into the case and interviews his client, deals with her lawyer, hopes to get payment and then finds himself embroiled in his own tug of war not knowing if she is guilty or innocent. Abby has been receiving huge amounts of extra money from Grant’s company and although she claims he knew about it, that the money was given to her for a reason, his family was not aware or claimed they were not aware and yet Gloria her best friend at first does not believe she is guilty.
Dismas is nothing but thorough and delves into the finances, history and family composition of each Wagner member who it appears ha an alibi for the time of Grant’s death. But, Grant played the field and another interesting snag comes into play as we meet Stacy Holland his latest girlfriend who he breaks up with the month before his death. Women what want him for cash, family disloyalties, money, power, betrayals and the death of a young man named David Chang that just happens to be related to someone who could identify the killer and connect the dots with the aconite poison and how it was delivered to Grant. The trial is looming as he has requested time waived but Abby wants it cleared up before a year and his request and outstanding research present by Dismas Hardy as author John Lescroart explains why Abby should at least have bail hearing and the statues and laws which apply although the prosecution countermands him but in the end Dismas wins. Embezzlement, blackmail, deceptions and a killer hiding in plain sight as Abby is the prime suspect and when Grant found out about the money she was taking did she poison him? Enter my favorite PI Wyatt Hunt who develops his own mode of investigation and learns more about the G-Team, their not so wonderful family alliances, and the fact that they are in total opposition when it comes to selling the company as some feel they can keep it going while others especially one, wants out. Sara Chang was David’s sister and seemed to have a link to where the aconite came from and even more to more herbal cures to help Eric with his pain. But, not everything comes for free as he’s about to learn when he falls prey to what she really wants that could take everything including his family and job away from him if he’s not careful.
Abby is a single mom and her mother is unemployed and her daughter, Veronica is autistic and needs monitoring. Where did she get as a bookkeeper and extra 25 thousand dollars to pay Dismas his retainer and more to come? Gene and Gloria wanted to put the company up for sale whereas Grace did not. Grace was the sales and marketing director who was closer to Gary and would vote for anything he wanted. Their father’s death hit her harder than the rest and the funeral was coming up. Meet their half-brother or stepbrother Joey who has no vote but definitely an opinion so what is his stake?
Abby and Grant created this own special blend of the root of the aconite but the poison is in the root. Wyatt Grant presented this information to Dismas and he also learning that this is not a controlled substance and you can buy it in any herbal shop, which we will learn how this links to the murder of David Chang. Added in he is shot twice at home, and then Stacy Holland who we meet is the next victim also shot twice. The connection between Abby and Grant comes into play when we learn the truth about Veronica. There is one other person that stands to lose a lot if found out and when dealing with Gene created a plan to get the money targeted for Abby and hopefully save this person’s business and financial ruin.
The court case comes into play, the jury is about to be picked but a new lead from Hunt brings it all together but first Frannie and Dismas realize that Vincent was close with David, the group of friends that he was connected with and warn him that he might be next. The links are connected and someone chose to gain several millions of dollars from Grant’s death. Will Farrell is the DA and is sure that Abby is guilty and each time Dismas presents him with more evidence he declines the information until Eric, Ken and the team realize that they might have missed something. But, what? What about Eric and his anger will he get some help but first the need to catch a dangerous killer as Abe Glitsky presents information to Dismas that might set off a spark that will ignite more than who killed all three victims. When someone’s past comes into the present is it a motive for a copycat murder? Who killed Grant Wagner? Was he the innocent victim of a killer’s greed? Did Abby do it for money for her daughter? What will the fate of the G-Team be? Will the sell? What about Dismas Hardy will he really retire or will author John Lescroart find a reason to bring this amazing attorney back again to solve another murder. Beware before you take a sip of your next herbal connected tea if you are not the one to prepare it yourself. You might be the next victim of someone’s desire to use POISON!

Poison is the story of three murders, seemingly unconnected. First, the head of a small business is poisoned. Subsequently a young Asian man is shot twice in his own home. Finally, a woman who had been the lover of the poisoned victim is shot twice in her home. It seems to take the police a long time to connect the shootings, but when they do, a connection to the poisoning arises. The readers have already been told that the poison victim and the Chinese man both loved herbal teas. So we can see a connection coming. Once that's made, finding a suspect isn't so hard as the field is limited. Family members are excluded. That leads to a bookkeeper for the private firm, who has both a sexual relationship with the soon to be poisoned man, and a child by him. The only other close to the family man who doesn't work for the company is someone the reader suspects before he police do. All of which is to say that there is not a lot of suspense here. But the novel flows easily; it's a quick read. Even though the author gives his clues early on and the reader can make an educated guess at who the killer is, finishing the novel is no problem. We want to see how it all turns out, and if anyone else gets killed.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I discovered the Dismas Hardy books two years ago and have enjoyed most of them. The settings and characters are so familiar it's like visiting old friends to see how they're getting along, which is fun. This book had enough twists and turns to keep me interested, but a bit more action and less dialogue might have added some excitement. The language was rough in places--especially Waverly's frequent use of the f-word--which is unusual in Lescroart's books. Also, many of the characters received little or no physical description, leaving their appearance to the reader's imagination. Overall, though, I enjoyed this new adventure in San Francisco with Dismas Hardy. I hope he doesn't retire anytime soon!

Poison, by John Lescroart, maybe a good read for you, however not for me! Conversations between a defendant and her/his attorney are fine, however it goes on and on and on. For me not enough movement. A young mother has done time for manslaughter and is released from prison. She is hired by a San Francisco company as a book keeper. The owner, much older than she, dies. The investigation is quick and she is arrested for murder. The medical examiner does not call it murder but heart failure. Thus begins the long and drawn out dialog. Sorry, John, you are a good writer, just not in my desire to read more. Rate "R" extreme vulgar language and little sexual content. DP. Castro Valley, CA.

Luckily this was a kindle library book as I would have been really upset had I paid for this babble. I've probablt read all of Lescroart's books. This one and the last one - page filling babble, so much so with this one that I skimmed many pages just to get to the end to find out how he saved the day. Now, does he really at 60 plus years of age finally retire and does Lescroat find a new character with a bit moe life? Tune in

I’ve read all John Lescroart’s novel, love them all, including Poison. Dismas Hardey, a criminal lawyer, once again takes on a tough case, in this instance, a young single Mom, accused of poisoning her boss. His stories are set in my city, San Francisco, and I enjoy the familiarity of the places around town.
Characters are familiar and wonderful. Dismas Hardey is aging, and talking more and more about retirement, and I’m hoping it isn’t soon.

Poison story line was good if Lescroart has stayed with it. Too much "other stuff". I also think I noticed there were some identical paragraph sequences in this book?? I do hope he keeps writing but the Dismas/Abe/Wyatt/Wes story line is getting old. I did like the new medical examiner. I would hate to lose another author. John Harvey (over 80) and Henning Mankell (passed away) are really missed by me. Stand Alone books might be the way to go instead of another series.

I would like to thank Atria books and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After recovering from near-fatal gunshot wounds, attorney Dismas Hardy decided he is done with murder cases. It is time to limit his time at his law practice and concentrate on his family. It is a decision supported by his wife, but when he gets a call from Abby Jarvis, a former client, he agrees to meet with her. Abby has been arrested for murdering her employer. Hardy is planning to look at the evidence against her and recommend an attorney to help her. Like many plans, this one does not go as expected.

Grant Wagner’s Death was originally ruled a suicide. His daughter was not happy with that ruling and asked the police to take a closer look. Abby was hired as the bookkeeper for his company after serving time for vehicular homicide while driving under the influence. She is now sober and a single mother. There was an affair with Wagner and she stood to inherit a million dollars. Then the discovery of a large amount of money missing from the company seals her fate. The problem is that Hardy believes in Abby’s innocence.

With their father’s death, Wagner’s children are divided on the disposition of the company. The eldest son has already moved into his father’s office to take control. Hardy has his investigator look closely at the family and his inquiries lead him to a second murder that may be tied to Wagner’s death.

John Lescroart has once again provided an intricate mystery that will have the reader guessing up to the very end. With the authorities convinced of Abby’s guilt, Hardy is up against a clever killer and he is not receiving any assistance from his friends on the force. He also faces opposition at home, where his wife faces her fear of possibly losing him this time. When his son involves himself in the investigation, he has no choice but to push on. This is John Lescroart at his finest and is not to be missed.

Poison is a terrific read, a great story and tremendous presentation and continuing evolution of Dismas Hardy and his wife Frannie. Anyone who has been reading the Hardy legal thriller series certainly won't want to miss this one and it's a great place to open the door and jump in for those who haven't yet met Dismas and Frannie.

This is part of the Dismas Hardy series but could be read as a stand alone. Dismas has taken on a case for an old client. Abby Jarvis has been accused of poisoning her boss Grant Wagner. Abby has not exactly helped herself with the police, because of her past she has trust issues with the law. She is also keeping a secret. When other murders occur could they be connected to the Wagner case? This is a well written book with a great plot. The characters are keeping secrets and there is a lot of family drama and jealousy. I had a hard time putting the book down. I didn’t figure out who did it until the author revealed the guilty party to the reader. This is a great addition to the series. I have always loved this series and was glad to have the opportunity to read the latest book. I look forward to future Dismas books. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-copy of Poison by John Lescroart in exchange for an honest review. This novel is the 17th installment about attorney Dismas Hardy, which attests to the popularity of the legal genre in general and John Lescroart in particular. Hardy is approaching retirement and recuperating from a gunshot wound when he is approached by Abby Jarvis, a former client who has been arrested for the murder of Grant Carver, her boss and lover. The adult Carver children all work for the family business and all have something to gain from the death of the patriarch. Abby stands to financially gain as well, which has led to her arrest. What follows are more murders, deceptions and intrigue which could put Hardy and his family at risk. Poison maintains the reader's interest throughout and is a tense but enjoyable read.

Another excellent legal thriller from John Lescroart. Well defined and colorful characters, funny, suspenseful...what more could you want? I've enjoyed the previous 16th books in this series and this may well be the best to date!

Have read all 17 Dismas Hardy Novels. This one changed the dynamic a little with a few plot twists that I did not like. But I read the book in 3 days.
I appreciate John Lescroart's attention to detail and consistency in his characters. And Cast Iron Frying Pan. I hope he keeps writing and has good health!!

5 Stars because Mr Lescroart delivers a good read every time!
It is a challenge trying to weave my way through the action to even come close to “Hardy’s solution to the crime”. Sometimes I even come close.
Barb

I’ve read all John Lescroart’s novel, love them all, including Poison. Dismas Hardey, a criminal lawyer, once again takes on a tough case, in this instance, a young single Mom, accused of poisoning her boss. His stories are set in my city, San Francisco, and I enjoy the familiarity of the places around town.
Characters are familiar and wonderful. Dismas Hardey is aging, and talking more and more about retirement, and I’m hoping it isn’t soon.