BOOK REVIEW: The Oath

THE OATH was my first John Lescroart book, but it will not be my last.

Luz Ramiro had to report off work three times to take her sick boy to the Judah Clinic for a sore throat. Missing work meant no pay as well as the fear of being fired from her job as a maid. It also meant ten dollars for each visit, ten dollars that she did not have. On each visit her son’s case was misdiagnosed and he eventually died of an infection that possibly could have been treated. This vignette sets the mood for the rest of the story.

While out for his regular morning jog, HMO executive, Tim Markham, is struck by a hit-and-run driver. Unfortunately, Tim is taken to one of the hospitals that is run by his HMO; a hospital that already has too many rumors concerning the unexplained deaths in their ICU. Tim is a well known member of the city’s society and his death gets noticed by the press as well as the city officials.

When his family is gunned down at their home, the police decide that Tim’s death may not have been simple malpractice, but caused by someone with evil in mind.  Doctor Eric Kensing comes under suspicion almost immediately. He had the opportunity; he had been on duty in the ICU at the time. He had the means; by being a doctor, he had access. Most importantly, he had motive; Eric’s wife and Markham had been having an affair.

Lt. Abe Glitsky and defense attorney Dismas Hardy are good friends, but they are on opposite sides of a case…again. Dismas is Eric’s defense lawyer and Abe is sure that Eric is guilty and that he can prove it. This is the case that might cause the end of their friendship, if not the end of life for one of them.

Picking up a series in the middle is not a good idea and I know that. In the beginning I did have some trouble keeping what were probably regular characters straight. That quickly stopped being a problem as I got caught up in the story. Hospital policy is something that I am not familiar with, but again, I was soon into the intrigue of the plot and it all made sense.

I really enjoy a good thriller with lots of plot twists and well done characters. How Lescroart has escaped my notice is a mystery. I do know that my stash now includes two more books by him.

PS, I have found an aphorism that suits P.O.V: Anyone who says that they only have one life to live must not know how to read a book.