The Ophelia Cut

Dismas Hardy, Book 14

By: John Lescroart

Narrated by: David Colacci

When a brutal rapist is murdered, a loving father stands accused of the crime. Defense attorney Dismas Hardy must defend his brother-in-law and old friend Moses McGuire in a thrilling case that hits far too close to home.

Moses McGuire has good reason to be concerned about his beautiful 23-year-old daughter, Brittany. She moves quickly from one boyfriend to the next, and always seems to prefer a new and mysterious stranger to a man she knows something about. But her most recent ex, Rick Jessup, isn’t willing to let her go, culminating in a terrible night when Brittany is raped.

Within 24 hours, Rick Jessup is dead, Moses McGuire is the prime suspect in the investigation, and Dismas Hardy has been hired to defend his brother-in-law. Making things even more complicated, McGuire has fallen off the wagon, and his stay in prison could bring to light old secrets that would destroy Hardy and his closest colleagues’ careers.

As the overwhelming evidence against McGuire piles up, Dismas Hardy focuses on planting doubt in the minds of the jurors - until, in a feat of legal ingenuity that is staggering in both its implications and its simplicity, Hardy sees a new way forward that might just save them all. But at what price?

For the first time since 2009, Dismas Hardy, the author’s most beloved protagonist, returns in a masterful novel that showcases Lescroart’s extraordinary storytelling gifts: a cast of flesh-and-blood characters, morally complex situations, and relentless, nail-biting suspense.

©2013 John Lescroart (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

He did it again

I have just begun enjoying this author. This is the third book of his that I have listened to. Each has kept my attention and enjoyment. The characters in this book are very real and relatable. Couldn't guess if I was rooting for a bad guy or a good guy!

Classic Hardy

I have read or listened to every one of the Dismas Hardy novels, along with most of John Lescroarts other books. In the past several novels there has been an absence of real substance. This book is written with the same zeal and character driven plot that his older books were and in that it excels. Its full of interesting little ethical questions and conundrums, along with a great story. You wont be disappointed with this book. Just like all of the other Hardy novels this one will twist and turn and throw you off your seat every time you think you've got something figured out.

Irritating narration

Any additional comments?

I don't believe I've heard this narrator before, and I will avoid listening to him again. He performs way too fast, which likely he believes amps up the drama although it makes me feel rushed and harried. In addition, he does not put any pause in between sections (such as the switch from what's going on with one character to a different scene) so I'm listening along and all of a sudden I wonder "how did we get from there to here in this split-second?"

I have read most of the Dismas Hardy books, which is a much more enjoyable endeavor than this listening.

Great buildup....

I really enjoyed the storyline and the suspense, the twists and turns the plot takes, building towards the final chapters. The story lost a little steam before taking a left turn for a last twist. Epilogue was unsettling.

surprise ending

Didn't see the final fewchapters comung at all. (spoiler alert) With MM gone, who will rescue Brittany?