The best thriller so far this year.
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Since Donald Mitchell's review (above) says it perfectly, I can't add much more, except don't miss this one.
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Haller and Bosch...together!
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Mickey Haller first appeared in Connelly's 2005 novel The Lincoln Lawyer. I had followed the Harry Bosch detective series ( 13 up to now ) since 1993 and wasn't too sure about a 'new' character, but was happily proven wrong. Haller is back in The Brass Verdict. The best part? Harry Bosch is featured as well!
Defense lawyer Mickey Haller inherits a dead colleague's law practice and with it what could be his biggest case ever. His client, Walter Elliot, wants the case to proceed quickly, so Haller is playing catchup. But is his client holding something back? The dead colleague, Jerry Vincent, was murdered and Detective Harry Bosch is on the case. Can Vincent's murder and Elliot's case be tied together? Haller and Bosch may have to put their heads together for this one. The ending was fantastic setting up what I hope will be many more books where both characters are featured.
Connelly's writing skillfully captures both courtroom and police investigation scenes and dialogue. The legal aspect is never dry and the investigation side always keeps you guessing. His characters are believable and human. The personal lives and relationships of the main and supporting characters greatly enhance the whole storyline. It was interesting to see Harry Bosch through Haller's eyes. It was a bit of a different Bosch than I have become accustomed to. But that too is part of Connelly's skill - keeping us on our toes and never, never letting us become bored of his writing!
I always anticipate starting a new book by one of my favourite authors and try to stretch it out and 'make it last'. But yet again it didn't work - I burned through this new release in just over a day. Sigh.....another year till the next one.
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Courtroom Thriller with Harry Bosch Portrayed as He Is Seen by Others
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Do not read this review or this book unless you have at least read The Lincoln Lawyer and The Last Coyote. If you have read both of those, you'll probably think The Brass Verdict is a four-star book. If you've read The Lincoln Lawyer and all of the previous Harry Bosch novels, you will probably think The Brass Verdict is a very interesting five-star character study buried in a series of intriguing mysteries.
Characters, to me, are what make or break mysteries. If I like a character or find the character to be interesting, I look forward to each book teaching me something new about the character. In the best mysteries, the characters grow into something more than before which makes the progression interesting to contemplate.
The best writers save some things to surprise readers. Most such surprises are like a little firecracker going off. There's big bang for a second, but it doesn't mean much after a few minutes. Michael Connelly has the ability to set off what seems like a little firecracker that makes you see the whole world differently. It's a great gift, and he employs it in The Brass Verdict. But you need background from the earlier novels to appreciate the beauty of what he does.
I have a problem in reviewing this book. I can't tell you about the two most interesting aspects (what the title means and revelations about the two leading characters in The Brass Verdict). But I can tell you that these aspects will pique your interest and leave you with many fascinating things to think about after you finish the book.
Here's what I can tell you. Mickey Haller is a sadder and a little wiser version of the man who was the hero of The Lincoln Lawyer. He has had a serious run-in with drugs, and he doesn't have his empathy back yet. As a result, he can think clearly about legal issues . . . but human relations are difficult for him. The emotional environment for him is flat . . . which makes reading the book a little flat . . . but that's part of the Connelly's plan.
Michael Connelly also puts Harry Bosch in the background of this story. That's something that you should know before you decide whether or not you want to read the book. There's a good reason for doing this that you won't understand until you finish the book. But you should appreciate that you'll gain new insights into Harry's methods and effectiveness by getting a sense of what it's like to be on the receiving end of one of his investigations.
As the book's blurb reveals, Mickey Haller hasn't been doing criminal defense work since The Lincoln Lawyer events for about two years. When a fellow solo practitioner is executed in his parking garage, Mickey inherits Jerry Vincent's cases . . . including a multiple six-figure defense of a Hollywood mogul who is accused of killing his wife and her lover. Mickey's life is shaken to the core, but he decides he wants to get back in the saddle.
There's only one problem with being a criminal defense attorney . . . you are usually defending guilty people who did the crimes. You have to watch out that you don't get in their way . . . or you may become a victim as well.
Wanting to help with the Jerry Vincent investigation, Mickey Haller provides what information and cooperation he can to Harry Bosch. Bosch isn't too impressed, and soon Mickey finds Bosch putting on unnecessary pressure as well.
Can Mickey hold it all together? Will he become a victim, too?
Ultimately, Mickey has to face up to a question that his daughter asks: Why can't he do what mommy does, and prosecute bad guys?
It's gritty and exciting and filled with many mysteries. It's a keeper.
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