The Motive

by John T. Lescroart

Part of Dismas Hardy, book 11

First published 2005

A double murder rocks San Francisco's wealthy elite when a politically connected socialite and his glamorous fiancée turn up dead. The mayor demands top-tier investigation, thrusting detective Abe Glitsky into the controversial case. Dan Cuneo, the original investigating officer, views Glitsky's arrival with suspicion and hostility. When Cuneo zeroes in on a prime suspect who happens to be defense attorney Dismas Hardy's former girlfriend, the situation becomes deeply personal. Cuneo sees conspiracy everywhere, convinced that Glitsky and Hardy are colluding to protect the accused. Glitsky believes they're pursuing the wrong person. He defies department protocol to pursue his own leads while Hardy prepares for trial. Their parallel investigations uncover a web of lies stretching far beyond the city limits. As the murder trial reaches its climax, Glitsky's relentless search for truth puts both men in danger and exposes secrets that powerful people will kill to keep hidden.

Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective

Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking

Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, parallel-investigations

Setting: San Francisco

436 pages · Paperback · Berkley

More by John T. Lescroart

Readers who liked The Motive also liked

View on Siftivo