The Motive

By John Lescroart

I was told to read Lescroart because of the apparent similarities between his body of work and John Grisham's. If The Motive is any indication, I don't really see the similarities.

Don't get me wrong - this wasn't an awful book. It just didn't have the style and creative flair that Grisham routinely exhibits. What I really reminded me of was a novel-length version of Law & Order. Which means cops with attitude, a heated trial and a host of suspects leading to a surprise conclusion.

The two main characters are Abe Glitsky, a veteran former cop asked by the mayor to take an assignment he doesn't want to get involved with; and Dismas Hardy, an attorney and Glitsky's best friend, who opts to represent a suspected killer in the very same case.

The book is done in three parts, starting with the Law & Order-esque murder and progressing through the case to an ultimate conclusion. In that respect, the book is satisfying; it definitely fleshes out the details and puts some meat on the characters. And the conclusion is differently a bit of a surprise.

So why am I not thrilled with the book? Perhaps I've been spoiled by Grisham, but I was just looking for a more compelling story. Something that makes you disappointed when you reach the end. As it is, I'm not sure I'd re-read this one again as I have most of the Grisham books, but I'd certainly be willing to give Lescroart another try. Maybe this just wasn't the one to start with...