Dismas Hardy: A Mysterious Profile

John Lescroart

2022-ж. май · Open Road Media

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The New York Times–bestselling author tells the story of how he created his popular San Francisco sleuth.

In 1989, everyman Dismas Hardy debuted in John Lescroart’s mystery, Dead Irish. It’s a story millions of readers have enjoyed, along with other entries in the New York Times–bestselling series. But a tale they may not know is how Lescroat invented the ex-Marine, ex-cop, and ex-lawyer turned sleuth.

In this brief autobiographical essay, Lescroart details the development of Dismas Hardy, as well as his own career. He discusses his attempt to be a “serious” novelist, his stint as the lead singer of a band, and his struggle to get published. He also talks about how he realized he was meant to be a writer (and not working a “regular” nine-to-five) and how Dismas’s adventures almost didn’t become the series readers love.

Praise for the Dismas Hardy Novels

“Compulsively readable . . . a dense and involving saga of big-city crime and punishment.” —San Francisco Chronicle

“A beautifully written San Francisco murder story with perfect-pitch dialogue.” —Playboy on Dead Irish



“The killer proves to be as fascinating a personality as Hardy himself.” —Publishers Weekly on Dead Irish

“The narrative flows effortlessly and includes a Perry Mason–worthy moment when Hardy manifests a bit of courtroom magic. Lescroart is a perfect choice for readers who enjoy great ensemble casts.” —Booklist on Poison

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Born in 1948 in Houston, Texas, John Lescroart had a varied career before becoming a successful author, whose work is a regular on the New York Times bestseller list. After graduating with honors from the University of California at Berkeley in 1970, he worked as a computer programmer, advertising director, moving man, housepainter, legal secretary, fundraiser, management consultant, bartender, and musician. He wrote about five hundred songs and was lead singer for more than two years with Johnny Capo and His Real Good Band. Although the band was somewhat successful, Lescroart retired to write full-time. His affection for music never disappeared, though, so he founded his own recording label, Crow Art Records.

Lescroart’s first book, Sunburn (1981), a political thriller, was followed by mysteries Son of Holmes (1986) and Rasputin’s Revenge (1987), both of which feature Auguste Lupa, the son of Sherlock Holmes (a character reminiscent of Nero Wolfe). Many of his Dismas Hardy novels follow Abe Glitsky, a somewhat acerbic and disillusioned San Francisco policeman. Lescroart then created yet another popular character, Wyatt Hunt, a private detective who starred in books The Hunt Club (2005) and The Suspect (2007).

Lescroart lives with his wife and children in Davis, California.