In The Oath by John Lescroart, multiple mysteries coalesce into a fascinating conundrum. When a “hit and run” driver hits the head of an HMO (probably one of the few occupations that would be despised more than a lawyer in our popular culture), it’s difficult to know whether the act was attempted murder or led to an opportunity for attempted murder. When negligence leads to death in the marquee hospital of the same HMO, it’s difficult to know whether that death is connected to other “convenient” deaths in that same hospital. More than any other Dismas Hardy mystery that I’ve read so far, this novel offers a virtual kaleidoscope of motives and opportunities for murder with plenty of refracting color from Dismas’ ongoing struggle to keep his marriage/family intact if not entirely happy and his combination competitive/collaborative friendship with Abe Glitzky, head of homicide for SFPD. Everywhere one looks, there is a fascinating complexity to this story.I was disappointed to reach the point in the book where I read an obituary on one of the important supporting characters in the series. My respect for the author went up yet another notch when I read how he handled the events surrounding that obituary (I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you). Lescroart prepared a spicy recipe of guilt, reality, and grief (mixed with hope—wouldn’t want anyone to think the whole book is a downer) that was just right.Now, I don’t mean to imply that Lescroart’s craft completely fooled me. I was fairly certain about the “villain” responsible for the pivotal event(s), but this master storyteller managed to make me doubt my own suspect at various points in the book. Maybe the suspect I “liked” as the pivotal “villain” didn’t do all of the dirty work himself/herself. Maybe Dismas was wrong in his assumptions this time. Maybe this potential alibi for one of the suspects did it. Maybe the events in the book have no bearing to each other, just like standard police procedure would assume until there was sufficient evidence to establish the case. At one point, Lescroart gave a color and a clue related to a foreign language to take the reader’s suspicions in a certain direction. This proves to be important evidence, but not with the suspicion with which it is introduced. I love it when this happens in a mystery. The author is clever enough to shake my faith in my own deductions and then, shows me how wrong I was to doubt my conclusions.Finally, I truly appreciated the fact that the protagonist wasn’t overconfident in this one. In some of the earlier Dismas Hardy stories, I felt like he was certain that his “courtroom tricks” as one opponent (and even a judge) called them would win the day. This time, I felt like Hardy weighed law, justice, his client, and the case very carefully at many different junctures. He seemed more mature, if you will. Needless to say, this episode in the series is nowhere near a disappointment.
This book is pretty good. I had no clue where the Author was going with it, as far as the 'murderer' goes. You seriously don't really know, until the last minute. There are SO many people it could have been, that killed this CEO, that it's interesting to see how the story is woven together. This story DID make me really uneasy and kind of upset though. The reason being, because, although this story in specific is fiction, the idea behind the story, is NOT. As someone who's worked in the Medical Field, in outpatient clinics, and as a patient and the daughter of someone who died because of this, I can tell you that it is absolutely TRUE, that a lot of docs worry more about the organizations pocket book, than their patients health. I've seen first hand, on both sides, physicians and insurance companies who refuse to order necessary tests, or refuse treatment to patients because they don't have insurance, or because the test or treatment is too costly, in the eyes of the insurance company. My mother didn't have insurance. And she died of lung cancer that we didn't know she had, until she was in the Respiratory ICU, dying. She died a mere 10 or so hours, after we found out. Had her physician ordered a Chest x-ray when she went in with a cough, and URI's, we would have known, and possibly could have stopped it. But because she had no insurance, he said it was 'just emphysema' (she was a smoker) and left it at that. Even when I asked him if it could be cancer, as she had lost and EXTREME amount of weight before she died, he assured me that it 'wasn't likely' .... well, had he freaking DONE HIS JOB AS A PHYSICIAN, we would have known otherwise. ... okay, off my soap box. Pick up the book! - CJ
What do You think about The Oath (2003)?
This is a fine "popcorn" book, which is what I call my annual summer run of slightly lighter books, murder mysteries and so forth. Beach books if you will.When the head of San Francisco’s largest HMO dies in his own hospital, no one doubts it is anything but the result of massive injuries inflicted by a random hit-and-run car 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. Abe Glitsky, though hindered by the inept bunglings 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 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. Who done it????? NIce touch of skepticism about corporate motive and ethics here.
—Deborah
Dismas Hardy, San Francisco attorney, takes on a client who becomes a suspect in a murder case. Eric Kensing was the attending physician when the head of an HMO died in his hospital. The victim had been hit by a car but an autopsy showed that excessive levels of potassium had been administered to him just before he died, bringing on a heart attack. Hardy believes his client is innocent but Kensing has difficulty comprehending that he is the prime suspect. He manages to lie to his attorney about critical times and persons, thinking it doesn't matter; he's innocent. His obfuscations cause Hardy a great deal of pain, but he continues to work for his client. And part of that work involves looking for the real killer.Hardy's relationship with Abe Glitsky, homicide detective, is threatened along the way. The two have been friends for years but they are working different sides of the fence this time, and acting in the best interest of different interests. Much of the book is, in fact, about these two men. The plot is a vehicle for exploring their feelings and actions. Which appealed to me, given that I prefer plots that are character-driven.It turns out that there are several possible murderers, but only one other stands out. Again and again Kensing emerges as a real possible. Are we to find out that Hardy has it wrong? It's happened before. I won't tell. It's a good legal thriller, more on the outskirts of the law than on the courtroom.
—Judith
This is a book that I picked up in a book exchange in a condo in Hawaii and it is a good beach read. It was published in 2003 and was a NY Times bestseller. I had to keep track of the characters in the beginning (many introduced quickly), but they became more real as they developed. The story is a medical mystery, blending the plot with personal lives. I especially like the characters of Glitsky and Hardy and their personal relationship. Just a good, fun read.I will read more books by this author.
—Vicki
