The Hearing

A Novel (Dismas Hardy, Book 7)

By: John Lescroart

Narrated by: Robert Lawrence

Length: 14 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

The call comes at midnight. It looks like a tragic and petty murder - a rising star in San Francisco's legal firmament found shot in a dark alley. But for homicide lieutenant Abe Glitsky, the crime cuts horribly close to home - unknown to anyone, the victim was his daughter. Seething, Glitsky leans hard on his only suspect - a homeless heroin addict found lingering over his daughter's body, with her jewelry in his pocket and a smoking gun in his hand.

The city's embattled, ambitious D.A. Sharron Pratt sees an opportunity to revive her troubled administration by publicly declaring war on the killer and vowing to deliver a death penalty, putting the case on the fast track to certain conviction. Unable to watch a man die for Pratt's political gain, Dismas Hardy warily takes on the defense. But as Hardy's crusade to secure his client a fair hearing ensues, a lethal web of political corruption, legal conspiracy, and cold-blooded murder begins to unravel. In a case that will send shock waves through San Francisco and echo in the private lives of its most prominent citizens, the hearing is just the beginning.

Check out another title in the Dismas Hardy series: The Mercy Rule.

©2004 John Lescroart (P)2004 Brilliance Audio

Poorly narrated

Purchased this recording as part of a "buy 2, get 1 free" offering. I'm relegating this book to the free category. Would not have wanted to pay for this bungled narration. Robert Lawrence cannot seem to grasp the length of a given sentence. Unable to endure more than a few chapters. Will not listen to any other recording by this narrator.

Bad Reader

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

It wasn't a problem with the book. It was a problem with the reader.

If you’ve listened to books by John Lescroart before, how does this one compare?

OK

Would you be willing to try another one of Robert Lawrence’s performances?

I will look for Mr. Lawrence's name and not get that book.

What character would you cut from The Hearing?

xxx

Any additional comments?

Bad Reader

Sorry I wasted a credit

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If David Colacci had narrated it. You get used to the voices and have a vision in your mind as to what is happening. I could not do that this time.

What could John Lescroart have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I love the Dismas Hardy novels narrated by David Colacci but I could not even get past chapter 6 with Robert Lawrence. I will get another Dismas Hardy novel but with David Colacci.

Would you be willing to try another one of Robert Lawrence’s performances?

Never

What character would you cut from The Hearing?

Don't know because I could not listen to it long enough to find out.

Story good. Narration really bad.

John Lescroart is one of my favorite authors. His books are usually narrated by David Colacci who is excellent, in my opinion.. This title was narrated by Robert Laurence whose style, in my view, leaves a lot to be desired. He reads so fast it gives the impression he is simply rushing to finish the job. In addition, his delivery on text other than dialogue is flat and monotonic. His narration ruined the story for me, in fact I could not finish the book.... unheard of in my experience for a Lescroart novel. I wasted a credit on this book and will not be purchasing another title no matter how stellar the author, that is narrated by Laurence.

Great story, terrible narration.

Very disappointed. David Colaci was/is great, why do they change when they have a winner? Don't know but I'm sorry to see that #8 is narrated by the same guy.

Couldnt get past the narrator

I have no idea if this is a good book or not. The narrator is horrible... maybe i will come back to this book, so i don't waste a credit ... but i will have to be really bored.

I will never listen to anything narrated by this person again.