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The 13th Juror (Dismas Hardy)
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The 13th Juror (Dismas Hardy)
Author: John Lescroart

Book Information
Publisher: Signet
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780451215932 - ISBN-10: 0451215931
Publication Date: 8/2/2005
Pages: 560


Other Versions of this Book: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Hardcover, Hardcover

Book Description:
Jennifer Witt stands accused of triple murder. Her husband, Dr. Larry Witt, and their eight-year-old son, Matt, were shot to death in their San Francisco home, and Jennifer is the only suspect. A victim of domestic abuse,the prosecution charges th after years of being victimized at the hands of her husband. Jennifer finally snapped, and pulled the trigger on a life by which she felt strapped. The big surprise is when the Prosecution charges with the murder of her first husband, who died nine years earlier of a suspected drug overdose.

The 13th Juror

When Dismas Hardy undertakes Jennifer's defense, he learns that, in fact, both of Jennifer's husbands had physically abused her, and that she had something to gain from their deaths other than her freedom -- insurance money, and lots of it. But Jennifer refuses to allow iris "battered wife" defense -- a defense that presumes her guilt, and continues to proclaim her innocence of the crimes.

Hardy is driven to seek an alternative truth credible to a jury. As the trial progresses, the complex truth, as it slowly unravels, changes, bends, and fades in and out of focus. Meanwhile, the clock keeps ticking on Jennifer's fate, until there's only one person left to convince of her innocence -- The 13th Juror.

In a stunningly suspenseful performance by Christopher Noth, The 13th Juror is an alarming portrayal of good intentions gone bad, moral ambiguity and the often tortuous path of ultimate justice.

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Similar books to this author and title:
The Vig (Dismas Hardy, Bk 2)A Certain JusticeGuilt (Abe Glitsky, Bk 2)The Mercy Rule (Dismas Hardy, Bk 5)Hard Evidence


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Top Member Book Reviews

Allison W. (sealady) wrote on 4/15/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

From Publishers Weekly
Further evidence that Lescroart ( Hard Evidence ) can hold his own among legal-thriller writers comes with this taut novel about an abused San Francisco housewife who is arrested for shooting both her seven-year-old son and her physician husband, a control freak. Narrator Dismas Hardy, defense attorney and hero of four previous Lescroart novels, has plenty of suspects and issues to grapple with. First there's his icy, recalcitrant client, Jennifer Witt, who refuses to go with a battered-wife defense; Jennifer's aloof psychiatrist, who may or may not be her lover; some financial shenanigans concerning the victim's business that provide plenty of motive for high-stakes murder. Then there's the problem of Dismas's grandstanding boss, whose flamboyant, hit-or-miss style leaves Dismas constantly scrambling for higher legal ground. Finally, there's Dismas's wife, who resents the time her husband spends on the case but who insists on striking up a friendship with the accused without telling her husband. The story gets off to a slow start, and sometimes Lescroart belabors the obvious. He also comes close to telegraphing the solution to the mystery, and much of his writing about the characters' personal lives is hamfisted. Despite these flaws, however, an intricate story and satisfying courtroom scenes carry the day. Fans of the genre should find the second half of the book, which covers the trial, especially engaging." Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ann C. wrote on 2/11/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Courtroom drama at its best. This one looks like a slam dunk for the prosecution, even to the defense. The truth unwinds by increments and "who done it" is not an easy find/guess for anyone, including the reader.

Melissa H. (CatsCradleCreations) wrote on 11/1/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

An interesting turn of events within the Dismas Hardy novel. Dismas is representing a woman who he believes is guilty. But is she really? Suspenseful and worth reading multiple times.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Jim D. (theloper) wrote on 9/28/2008...


great book

Natasha S. (tashajean) wrote on 2/6/2008...


legal thriller - kept me guessing "who did it"

Tammy G. wrote on 7/18/2007...


Oh my goodness...this book is AWESOME. I just ordered 4 other of the Dismas Hardy series by this author. WOW

Chris D. wrote on 3/17/2007...


Great story by Lescroart, as usual.

Judith M. (19Martha44) wrote on 2/9/2007...


Book #4 - Lescroart gets better and better.

Judy O. (HAPPIE) wrote on 12/1/2006...


Great story...twisting legal mystery. Good read.

Louise K. wrote on 11/21/2006...


Extremely riveting until the last page

Pat H. (SWquilter) wrote on 9/5/2006...


Another Dismas Hardy novel by Lescroart - always a good read!

Gloria B. wrote on 5/16/2006...


This is a great book by a New York Times Bestselling Author. I have not read this mans books before but I will now. A young wife is arrested for her husbands murder, and she doesn't even try to defend herself. WHY.

Mary W. (jane) wrote on 4/1/2006...


Couldn't put the book down. Read this one in 2 days. Thriller to the end.


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