The Oath

Dismas Hardy, Book 8

By: John Lescroart

Narrated by: Robert Lawrence

When the head of San Francisco's largest HMO dies in his own hospital, no one doubts that it is anything but the result of massive injuries inflicted by a random hit-and-run accident. But the autopsy soon tells a different story - an overdose of potassium killed him, and the attending physician, Eric Kensing, becomes the prime suspect in a high-profile homicide.

Homicide lieutenant Abe Glitsky, though hindered by the inept bungling of two politically appointed cops assigned to the investigation, quickly sets his sights on Kensing. Desperate and in need of an attorney, Kensing turns to lawyer Dismas Hardy for his defense. But as the pressure mounts to indict Kensing, Hardy goes on the offensive, believing that the murder had little to do with his client, and everything to do with business. Hardy knows that all is not well with the HMO, and makes a terrifying discovery: too many patients have been dying, many of them victims of murder - and it looks like it is the hospital that is killing them.

His own marriage tested and his family strained as he struggles to save his client, Hardy must uncover a twisting conspiracy of avarice and violence that takes the lives it is sworn to save. A timely and gripping novel that puts lives - and a long-standing friendship - at grave risk.

Check out more titles in the Dismas Hardy series.©2004 John Lescroart (P)2004 Brilliance Audio

Another good book in the series

I like a book with a few good suspects like this one, and I especially enjoyed that it strayed from the Hardy formula, in that the client did not go to trial.

Enjoyable story, but the narration is pretty bad

Since when does Moses McGuire have a (bad) Irish brogue? I was a bit annoyed with the narration of this book. Lawrence also narrated The Hearing, which sounded terrible. This was a little better, but sheesh, the accents! Stop it! Especially when it makes no sense for the character!

As for the book itself, it was well-written, as always. I like Lescroart's mysteries.

Half the Story - Twice the Length

Would you consider the audio edition of The Oath to be better than the print version?

I do not know.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Boring.

Have you listened to any of Robert Lawrence’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not sure but I liked him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but in half the time. It had a decent idea, characters are good but just went on-and-on without any accretive contributions. Would have been twice as pleased if it had been half as long.

Misplaced emphasis by the performer

The story engages the reader, but the many errors in emphasis by the performer result in incorrect information and force the listener to regularly reinterpret those sentences.

A well-written story

The plot is decent, the details are adequate, and the characters are nicely developed. I think this book is a fairly typical Lescroart, and is money well spent.
The Oath could be considered a medical thriller, but the hospital is only the start of the action. This particular book is also short on courtroom drama, so if you really want some Perry Mason stuff this one is not going to please you. There are a few philosophical passages, but they are actually quite nice and not too long.
The Abe Glitsky twist towards the end was unnecessary.
Robert Lawrence has a somewhat sing-song style of narration, but, once I got used to the style I thought he was quite good. Despite all the adverse reviews about him, I will gladly pick up another book read by Lawrence.