Fatal by John Lescroart

John Lescroart deviates from his successful Dismas Hardy and Abe Glisky series to write this stand-alone novel also based in his beloved San Francisco.

Kate and Ron lead a typical yuppie lifestyle.  Ron is a successful attorney and Kate is a stay at home mom.  They frequently attend dinners and social events with like-minded friends.  Kate is a natural beauty and has worked to keep fit.  She has maintained a life-long friendship with Beth, now a homicide detective.  One day while out walking with Beth, Kate reveals a sexual fantasy she has had about Peter, an attorney in one of Kate and Ron’s social circles.  Beth warns Kate not to act on her fantasy and Kate assures Beth, it’s only a fantasy.  But on a whim Kate books a downtown hotel room and calls Peter’s office.  She lures him to her hotel room and seduces him.  Initially, they agree this is a one time encounter but the event changes Peter’s outlook.  He has been dissatisfied and views his fling with Kate as a sign to lead his life differently.  He leaves his wife and family, and after Kate’s repeated rejection, patterns his life after an alley cat.  He moves into a rooming house for single college students and begins his nightly prowls.  Among his many sexual conquests are his secretary and his landlord.

Meanwhile, Kate continues on as if nothing has happened.  Then her life takes a turn.  She’s out with Beth one day when a terrorist group attacks the downtown restaurant where they are lunching.  The terrorists randomly shoot and kill many innocent people.  Beth is shot twice in the legs and Kate is shot in the chest.  They both survive but only with surgery and months of therapy both physical and mental.  Beth is on medical leave from her job for three months.  Her first case upon returning is to investigate the murder of a downtown lawyer named Peter Ash.  She doesn’t immediately make the connection that the murder victim is her best friend’s fantasy from six months earlier.

So the who-done-it begins.  With Peter’s abrupt change in life style, the list of potential suspects is long.  A disgruntled client or law partner, a jilted lover, spouse or boyfriend of a one night stand, the victim’s wife or teenage son, or some random killer… all must be investigated.  And then there is Kate, her best friend who ignited Peter’s path to destruction.  She couldn’t have done it because she was recuperating from being shot but could her actions have caused Peter’s demise?

This book has many flaws but I enjoyed it nonetheless.  The plot is contrived at times and the coincidences too convenient.  The characters are too many for much in depth development.  But sorting through the plethora of suspects and measuring their motives and opportunities for murder with a seasoned detective is a treat.  John Lescroart is still in my top ten list of favorite authors.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced look.