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The Lincoln Lawyer #2
The Brass Verdict
INSPIRATION FOR THE ORIGINAL SERIES THE LINCOLN LAWYER – THE #1 TV SHOW ON NETFLIX
Defense attorney Mickey Haller and Detective Harry Bosch must either work together or die as they investigate a Hollywood lawyer's murder in this "epic page-turner" ( Library Journal ).
Things are finally looking up for defense attorney Mickey Haller. After two years of wrong turns, Haller is back in the courtroom. When Hollywood lawyer Jerry Vincent is murdered, Haller inherits his biggest case yet: the defense of Walter Elliott, a prominent studio executive accused of murdering his wife and her lover. But as Haller prepares for the case that could launch him into the big time, he learns that Vincent's killer may be coming for him next.
Enter Harry Bosch. Determined to find Vincent's killer, he is not opposed to using Haller as bait. But as danger mounts and the stakes rise, these two loners realize their only choice is to work together.
Defense attorney Mickey Haller and Detective Harry Bosch must either work together or die as they investigate a Hollywood lawyer's murder in this "epic page-turner" ( Library Journal ).
Things are finally looking up for defense attorney Mickey Haller. After two years of wrong turns, Haller is back in the courtroom. When Hollywood lawyer Jerry Vincent is murdered, Haller inherits his biggest case yet: the defense of Walter Elliott, a prominent studio executive accused of murdering his wife and her lover. But as Haller prepares for the case that could launch him into the big time, he learns that Vincent's killer may be coming for him next.
Enter Harry Bosch. Determined to find Vincent's killer, he is not opposed to using Haller as bait. But as danger mounts and the stakes rise, these two loners realize their only choice is to work together.
432 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2008
About the author
Michael Connelly
397 books31.3k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads' database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Michael Connelly decided to become a writer after discovering the books of Raymond Chandler while attending the University of Florida. Once he decided on this direction he chose a major in journalism and a minor in creative writing — a curriculum in which one of his teachers was novelist Harry Crews.
After graduating in 1980, Connelly worked at newspapers in Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, primarily specializing in the crime beat. In Fort Lauderdale he wrote about police and crime during the height of the murder and violence wave that rolled over South Florida during the so-called cocaine wars. In 1986, he and two other reporters spent several months interviewing survivors of a major airline crash. They wrote a magazine story on the crash and the survivors which was later short-listed for the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. The magazine story also moved Connelly into the upper levels of journalism, landing him a job as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times, one of the largest papers in the country, and bringing him to the city of which his literary hero, Chandler, had written.
After three years on the crime beat in L.A., Connelly began writing his first novel to feature LAPD Detective Hieronymus Bosch. The novel, The Black Echo, based in part on a true crime that had occurred in Los Angeles, was published in 1992 and won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by the Mystery Writers of America. Connelly has followed that up with over 30 more novels.
Over eighty million copies of Connelly’s books have sold worldwide and he has been translated into forty-five foreign languages. He has won the Edgar Award, Anthony Award, Macavity Award, Los Angeles Times Best Mystery/Thriller Award, Shamus Award, Dilys Award, Nero Award, Barry Award, Audie Award, Ridley Award, Maltese Falcon Award (Japan), .38 Caliber Award (France), Grand Prix Award (France), Premio Bancarella Award (Italy), and the Pepe Carvalho award (Spain) .
Michael was the President of the Mystery Writers of America organization in 2003 and 2004. In addition to his literary work, Michael is one of the producers and writers of the TV show, “Bosch,” which is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Michael lives with his family in Los Angeles and Tampa, Florida.
Michael Connelly decided to become a writer after discovering the books of Raymond Chandler while attending the University of Florida. Once he decided on this direction he chose a major in journalism and a minor in creative writing — a curriculum in which one of his teachers was novelist Harry Crews.
After graduating in 1980, Connelly worked at newspapers in Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, primarily specializing in the crime beat. In Fort Lauderdale he wrote about police and crime during the height of the murder and violence wave that rolled over South Florida during the so-called cocaine wars. In 1986, he and two other reporters spent several months interviewing survivors of a major airline crash. They wrote a magazine story on the crash and the survivors which was later short-listed for the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. The magazine story also moved Connelly into the upper levels of journalism, landing him a job as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times, one of the largest papers in the country, and bringing him to the city of which his literary hero, Chandler, had written.
After three years on the crime beat in L.A., Connelly began writing his first novel to feature LAPD Detective Hieronymus Bosch. The novel, The Black Echo, based in part on a true crime that had occurred in Los Angeles, was published in 1992 and won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by the Mystery Writers of America. Connelly has followed that up with over 30 more novels.
Over eighty million copies of Connelly’s books have sold worldwide and he has been translated into forty-five foreign languages. He has won the Edgar Award, Anthony Award, Macavity Award, Los Angeles Times Best Mystery/Thriller Award, Shamus Award, Dilys Award, Nero Award, Barry Award, Audie Award, Ridley Award, Maltese Falcon Award (Japan), .38 Caliber Award (France), Grand Prix Award (France), Premio Bancarella Award (Italy), and the Pepe Carvalho award (Spain) .
Michael was the President of the Mystery Writers of America organization in 2003 and 2004. In addition to his literary work, Michael is one of the producers and writers of the TV show, “Bosch,” which is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Michael lives with his family in Los Angeles and Tampa, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,585 reviews
August 14, 2018
The Brass Verdict is, I think, one of Michael Connelly's best books, and it reinforces the notion that in this genre, virtually nobody does it better. It's Connelly's eighteenth book and is significant because it is the first to feature both his long-time L.A. homicide detective, Harry Bosch, and the defense lawyer, Mickey Haller. It's principally Haller's book, but Bosch plays a prominent role.
As the book opens, Haller is just returning to work after a prolonged absence. At the close of the last book in which he appeared, The Lincoln Lawyer, Haller was wounded. He then wound up addicted to drugs following his surgery and has been through rehab, and is now making a comeback. He intends to do so slowly, but then another attorney, Jerry Vincent, is murdered in the parking garage of his office building. Vincent and Haller were friends of a sort and occasionally pinch-hit for each other. Vincent had named Haller as his legal successor, and on the morning of Vincent's murder, a judge calls Haller to inform him that he now has in excess of thirty new cases, including a couple that demand immediate appearances in court.
Among the cases that Haller inherits is an especially high profile murder case. A major Hollywood executive has been accused of killing his wife and her lover. The evidence against him seems fairly strong, and the trial is due to start the following week. Most of Vincent's case notes have disappeared, along with his computer, and Mickey has no idea how Vincent planned to structure the executive's defense.
Logically, Haller wants to file a motion to delay the trial so that he can get up to speed and plan a defense. But his client seems totally unconcerned about all of this and insists that there be no delay. He is innocent, he says, and wants his good name restored ASAP. If Haller can't be ready to go, he will get someone who can. Given no choice in the matter, Haller plunges in, determined to do the best he can.
Meanwhile, Harry Bosch is investigating the murder of Jerry Vincent, which brings Bosch and Mickey Haller into contact and conflict. Bosch suspects that there might be information in Vincent's files suggesting who might have a motive to kill him, but Haller insists on protecting the confidentiality of the clients he has just inherited. Bosch suggest that by doing so, Haller might make himself a target, and thus the dance is on.
Watching these two work their respective parts of the criminal system is great fun. The case is an intriguing one and gives Connelly an opportunity to further develop the Haller character. The legal maneuverings are interesting and it's always entertaining to watch Harry Bosch investigate a murder. I found the combination irresistible and when I first read it, it immediately became one of my favorites of all of Connelly's books. It's hard to imagine that there's any fan of crime fiction that would not enjoy it.
As the book opens, Haller is just returning to work after a prolonged absence. At the close of the last book in which he appeared, The Lincoln Lawyer, Haller was wounded. He then wound up addicted to drugs following his surgery and has been through rehab, and is now making a comeback. He intends to do so slowly, but then another attorney, Jerry Vincent, is murdered in the parking garage of his office building. Vincent and Haller were friends of a sort and occasionally pinch-hit for each other. Vincent had named Haller as his legal successor, and on the morning of Vincent's murder, a judge calls Haller to inform him that he now has in excess of thirty new cases, including a couple that demand immediate appearances in court.
Among the cases that Haller inherits is an especially high profile murder case. A major Hollywood executive has been accused of killing his wife and her lover. The evidence against him seems fairly strong, and the trial is due to start the following week. Most of Vincent's case notes have disappeared, along with his computer, and Mickey has no idea how Vincent planned to structure the executive's defense.
Logically, Haller wants to file a motion to delay the trial so that he can get up to speed and plan a defense. But his client seems totally unconcerned about all of this and insists that there be no delay. He is innocent, he says, and wants his good name restored ASAP. If Haller can't be ready to go, he will get someone who can. Given no choice in the matter, Haller plunges in, determined to do the best he can.
Meanwhile, Harry Bosch is investigating the murder of Jerry Vincent, which brings Bosch and Mickey Haller into contact and conflict. Bosch suspects that there might be information in Vincent's files suggesting who might have a motive to kill him, but Haller insists on protecting the confidentiality of the clients he has just inherited. Bosch suggest that by doing so, Haller might make himself a target, and thus the dance is on.
Watching these two work their respective parts of the criminal system is great fun. The case is an intriguing one and gives Connelly an opportunity to further develop the Haller character. The legal maneuverings are interesting and it's always entertaining to watch Harry Bosch investigate a murder. I found the combination irresistible and when I first read it, it immediately became one of my favorites of all of Connelly's books. It's hard to imagine that there's any fan of crime fiction that would not enjoy it.
December 3, 2017
Michael Connelly has in his 2008 novel The Brass Verdict the opportunity to bring two of his most compelling characters together into one plot – and he rises to the occasion, delivering a solid and very entertaining crime mystery.
Connelly’s benchmark detective Harry Bosch is joined by his motion picture legal thriller protagonist Mickey Haller in a suspenseful thriller sure to please fans.
Everybody lies.
This is the universal truth that Haller sets out as the book begins and this theme of deception and human frailty is returned to again and again.
Mickey Haller has been away from law for a year. But this was not just time off, he struggled through addiction and made decisions that have negatively impacted his closest relationships. Though the drugs were off stage and in the past, Connelly vividly depicts the results in Haller’s actions and priorities.
When another LA lawyer is killed, Haller takes over his cases, including a high profile and deep pockets “franchise” case set for trial. The dead attorney’s murder is investigated by none other than Connelly headliner Harry Bosch, and the two will need to work together to solve one murder while Haller tries the other.
As good as The Lincoln Lawyer and as impressive as the Harry Bosch series, this is a must read for Connelly fans and a damn fine book for any reader.
Connelly’s benchmark detective Harry Bosch is joined by his motion picture legal thriller protagonist Mickey Haller in a suspenseful thriller sure to please fans.
Everybody lies.
This is the universal truth that Haller sets out as the book begins and this theme of deception and human frailty is returned to again and again.
Mickey Haller has been away from law for a year. But this was not just time off, he struggled through addiction and made decisions that have negatively impacted his closest relationships. Though the drugs were off stage and in the past, Connelly vividly depicts the results in Haller’s actions and priorities.
When another LA lawyer is killed, Haller takes over his cases, including a high profile and deep pockets “franchise” case set for trial. The dead attorney’s murder is investigated by none other than Connelly headliner Harry Bosch, and the two will need to work together to solve one murder while Haller tries the other.
As good as The Lincoln Lawyer and as impressive as the Harry Bosch series, this is a must read for Connelly fans and a damn fine book for any reader.
February 10, 2024
I wasn't expecting that we'd start this story with Mickey Haller on bad terms with his ex-wife and daughter. In the opening chapter, we find out that he got addicted to prescription pain pills after being shot in the first book.
So...yeah. That happened.
Ok, this was a whole thing that added another layer to the story and took me by surprise. I liked it. The last book seemed to end on a somewhat high note because
But. It seemed as though the next book should open on a high note, as well.
Alright. So everything is on pins and needles with his family, but he's completed rehab and doing well. In fact, he's just about ready to start dipping his toes in the water of his law practice again when he gets called before a judge who informs him that one of his frenemies has died and left his clients to him.
And one of those clients is a big-time movie producer who is accused of the double homicide of his wife and her lover. Oooooh. The smell of money is just wafting off of this case.
Unfortunately, it's not all rainbows and unicorns. While he does manage to hook the producer, he can't seem to get him to take the murder charge seriously.
Not to mention he's now concerned that whoever killed his predecessor might be after him.
Or so says this cop Harry Bocsh...
Things are never quite what they seem for our Lincoln Lawyer and that's a big part of what makes the books work. But I think the main reason I enjoy this series so much is that the characters Connelly introduces us to grow and change throughout the story.
Recommended for fans of legal thrillers.
So...yeah. That happened.
Ok, this was a whole thing that added another layer to the story and took me by surprise. I liked it. The last book seemed to end on a somewhat high note because
But. It seemed as though the next book should open on a high note, as well.
Alright. So everything is on pins and needles with his family, but he's completed rehab and doing well. In fact, he's just about ready to start dipping his toes in the water of his law practice again when he gets called before a judge who informs him that one of his frenemies has died and left his clients to him.
And one of those clients is a big-time movie producer who is accused of the double homicide of his wife and her lover. Oooooh. The smell of money is just wafting off of this case.
Unfortunately, it's not all rainbows and unicorns. While he does manage to hook the producer, he can't seem to get him to take the murder charge seriously.
Not to mention he's now concerned that whoever killed his predecessor might be after him.
Or so says this cop Harry Bocsh...
Things are never quite what they seem for our Lincoln Lawyer and that's a big part of what makes the books work. But I think the main reason I enjoy this series so much is that the characters Connelly introduces us to grow and change throughout the story.
Recommended for fans of legal thrillers.
December 6, 2023
In this second book in the 'Mickey Haller' series, the attorney defends a Hollywood mogul. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller is 'The Lincoln Lawyer' who - instead of keeping an office - works out of the back of one of his three specially equipped Lincoln sedans.
As Mickey's chauffeur drives him around to meet with clients, interview witnesses, go to the courthouse, examine crime scenes, etc. the attorney studies his case files, make phone calls, sends and receives faxes, plans his defense strategy, and so on.
Haller's second ex-wife, the meticulously organized Lorna Taylor, works as his 'office manager' from her home and Mickey's private investigator Cisco is a phone call away - so it all works quite well.
As the story opens Mickey has been on sabbatical for a year, recovering from a gunshot would and the painkiller addiction that resulted. Mickey is ready to re-open his law practice, but wants to start with a low-key case or two to get back in the game.
Fate has other plans for Mickey, however, which he discovers in the office of the chief judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court. The justice tells Mickey that his colleague, Jerry Vincent, was just murdered and Mickey is the designated 'heir' to Vincent's law practice. Thus Mickey instantaneously gets Vincent's thirty-something cases - assuming he and the clients agree on his representation.
Mickey hustles over to Vincent's office, to make sure detectives investigating his murder don't grab any case files - which would violate attorney-client privilege. And wouldn't you know it, Mickey finds Detective Harry Bosch and his partner riffling through Vincent's papers.
There's a brief stand-off and the cops leave, but Bosch insists the identity of the murderer is somewhere in Vincent's file cabinet. Bosch isn't about to let it go, and initiates some cat and mouse games to try to get the information he wants.
Meanwhile, Mickey learns that Vincent was working on a variety of run-of-the-mill cases and one REALLY BIG ONE. The dead lawyer was defending Hollywood movie producer/studio head Walter Elliott, a multimillionaire charged with killing his trophy wife Mitzi Elliott and her lover Johan Rilz. Mickey is anxious to keep the lucrative, high profile case and quickly makes an appointment to speak to Elliott, who's out on bail and working at his movie studio.
Elliott agrees to keep Mickey on as his lawyer under one condition - the trial, slated to start next week, CANNOT be postponed. Elliott insists he's innocent and will be acquitted, and he wants the whole business over with. Mickey reluctantly agrees, though he's puzzled by Elliott's confidence and certainty.
Mickey and his private eye immediately start re-investigating the Mitzi Elliott/Johan Rilz murder - so Mickey can prepare a defense - and Bosch continues to look for Jerry Vincent's killer. All of this leads to some surprising discoveries.
The novel contains gripping courtroom scenes, and the descriptions of jury selection, as well as the maneuvers of the prosecution and defense, are compelling. It's fun to see Mickey lay traps for the prosecution, though it's not always easy to root for his client.....who seems like a sly fellow.
In his personal life, Mickey is trying to maintain cordial relations with his first ex-wife Maggie, a fierce prosecutor and the mother of their daughter Hayley. Pre-adolescent Hayley acts a bit like Mickey's conscience, asking why he gets criminals off rather than putting them away like mom.
This book is a turning point in the 'Bosch Universe' since Mickey and Bosch meet for the first time and form a kind of uneasy cop/attorney truce. I've read books further along in the series and it's always a treat to see them work together.
Connelly is an excellent mystery writer and this is a very good story. Highly recommended to fans of suspense novels.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
August 18, 2017
I am reading my way steadily through the Harry Bosch series and decided I would include this book which crosses over with the Mickey Haller series.
I am not usually a fan of court cases but this one was pretty good and, of course, it helped that Harry Bosch was around to provide extra interest! Mickey Haller is an okay character but not quite up to Harry's standard.
Having said that however Haller does very well in the court room. He is cunning and very smart and knows all the psychological aspects of playing a jury along. He is not necessarily a good person but he is certainly an interesting one.
The ending presented an intriguing twist which I did not see coming, although a certain character was so unlikable I was happy he/she (no spoilers!) came to a sticky end.
Now on to the next Harry Bosch:)
I am not usually a fan of court cases but this one was pretty good and, of course, it helped that Harry Bosch was around to provide extra interest! Mickey Haller is an okay character but not quite up to Harry's standard.
Having said that however Haller does very well in the court room. He is cunning and very smart and knows all the psychological aspects of playing a jury along. He is not necessarily a good person but he is certainly an interesting one.
The ending presented an intriguing twist which I did not see coming, although a certain character was so unlikable I was happy he/she (no spoilers!) came to a sticky end.
Now on to the next Harry Bosch:)
January 13, 2023
The second book in the series about the lawyer Michael haller. I enjoyed it as much as the first in the series. It felt like I was watching an episode of suite, just with even more suspense. Can’t wait to read the next one!
June 30, 2024
⚖️ Good plot, but this book, even though it’s #2, was used for the screenplay for the first season on Netflix, so no surprises. (#1 was The Lincoln Lawyer which was made into a movie so they couldn’t use that.) I guess you either read the books or watch the series, trying to do both hasn’t worked for me. Still a strong story especially if you come to it fresh.
December 6, 2019
An entertaining read. The breezy, cynical voice of Michael Connelly's lawyer Mickey Haller produces something much different--and much lighter in tone--than the Harry Bosch books, but it is something just as exciting and engrossing. There's a bonus here as well: Bosh appears as a minor, but important character.
January 24, 2024
In cop-speak, a “brass verdict” refers to justice handed down with a bullet. It’s a way to bypass the law, the courts, judges, and juries. It’s vigilante justice.
One of Mickey Haller’s fellow defense attorneys, Jerry Vincent, is murdered in the parking garage of his law practice one night. It could have been any one of a hundred suspects, as a lot of people didn’t like Vincent. Any one of those suspects probably felt that what happened to Vincent was justice.
The next day, Haller is called downtown and told that he has inherited Vincent’s entire backlog of clients and ongoing cases, roughly thirty of them. Apparently, Vincent left a will, bequeathing his entire caseload to Haller upon his death.
One day, Haller woke up with no clients, and by lunchtime, he had thirty new ones.
Thus begins Michael Connelly’s novel “The Brass Verdict”, the second in the series featuring The Lincoln Lawyer.
Among his cases is the Walter Elliott case. Elliott, a wealthy Hollywood executive, is being accused of murdering his ex-wife and her lover.
Meanwhile, Detective Harry Bosch is working the Vincent murder. He’s asking Haller for help, but Haller’s hands are tied. He has attorney-client privilege, which prevents him from talking about anything to the police about ongoing or upcoming cases. But Haller wants to see Vincent’s murderer brought to justice, too, as Vincent was also a friend. There’s always loopholes, as Haller knows only too well.
“The Brass Verdict” is definitely one of my favorite Connelly novels thus far. It’s also a pretty important one in the series, as it’s the first time Haller and Bosch are teamed up. There are also some very important life-changing events for both characters in this one, but I won’t spoil it.
One of Mickey Haller’s fellow defense attorneys, Jerry Vincent, is murdered in the parking garage of his law practice one night. It could have been any one of a hundred suspects, as a lot of people didn’t like Vincent. Any one of those suspects probably felt that what happened to Vincent was justice.
The next day, Haller is called downtown and told that he has inherited Vincent’s entire backlog of clients and ongoing cases, roughly thirty of them. Apparently, Vincent left a will, bequeathing his entire caseload to Haller upon his death.
One day, Haller woke up with no clients, and by lunchtime, he had thirty new ones.
Thus begins Michael Connelly’s novel “The Brass Verdict”, the second in the series featuring The Lincoln Lawyer.
Among his cases is the Walter Elliott case. Elliott, a wealthy Hollywood executive, is being accused of murdering his ex-wife and her lover.
Meanwhile, Detective Harry Bosch is working the Vincent murder. He’s asking Haller for help, but Haller’s hands are tied. He has attorney-client privilege, which prevents him from talking about anything to the police about ongoing or upcoming cases. But Haller wants to see Vincent’s murderer brought to justice, too, as Vincent was also a friend. There’s always loopholes, as Haller knows only too well.
“The Brass Verdict” is definitely one of my favorite Connelly novels thus far. It’s also a pretty important one in the series, as it’s the first time Haller and Bosch are teamed up. There are also some very important life-changing events for both characters in this one, but I won’t spoil it.
March 25, 2023
Twenty successes and still counting!
It simply amazes me that Michael Connelly can produce such incredible gems, such convincing police and legal procedurals and such compelling psychological drama from such simple seed plots.
In THE BRASS VERDICT, a sole-practitioner no-name defense attorney, Jerry Vincent, has been murdered. His case load is assigned to LA lawyer, Mickey Haller, who made his Michael Connelly debut a few years ago in THE LINCOLN LAWYER. A quick review of Vincent's files and case calendar reveals that top priority has to be given to the defense of Hollywood producer Walter Elliot, who's accused of the double homicide of his wife and her lover. Walter Elliot is what the legal profession lovingly calls a "franchise case", somebody who wants to pay for the best, is capable of paying top dollar for his legal services and whose case is going to require lots and lots of billable hours. In fact, this just might be one of those once-in-a-lifetime franchise cases that's capable of putting the practice and the lucky lawyer onto easy street all by itself. LAPD detective Harry Bosch is in charge of the police investigation and, as the knots in the case become more and more serpentine, as the case profile becomes higher and higher, and as the sex, celebrity and media attention gets hotter and hotter, it's hard to determine whether Haller and Bosch are working with one another, against one another or in spite of one another.
THE BRASS VERDICT is a bit of a change of pace for Connelly. Although Bosch plays a big role in the novel, the lead in the piece falls to Mickey Haller. Instead of a police procedural, this one is much more focused on the legal maneuverings. Bosch's typical angst and psychological baggage takes second place to Haller's back story and the tale of his recovery from a gunshot wound, a year long sabbatical from the legal profession and dubious recovery from acknowledged addictions.
I'd have to say that this is one of the weaker entries in the Connelly body of work but it still makes a convincing, enjoyable read. And I'm still a fan who's more than willing to pick up the next two or three in the series without even so much as a glance at the dust jacket. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
It simply amazes me that Michael Connelly can produce such incredible gems, such convincing police and legal procedurals and such compelling psychological drama from such simple seed plots.
In THE BRASS VERDICT, a sole-practitioner no-name defense attorney, Jerry Vincent, has been murdered. His case load is assigned to LA lawyer, Mickey Haller, who made his Michael Connelly debut a few years ago in THE LINCOLN LAWYER. A quick review of Vincent's files and case calendar reveals that top priority has to be given to the defense of Hollywood producer Walter Elliot, who's accused of the double homicide of his wife and her lover. Walter Elliot is what the legal profession lovingly calls a "franchise case", somebody who wants to pay for the best, is capable of paying top dollar for his legal services and whose case is going to require lots and lots of billable hours. In fact, this just might be one of those once-in-a-lifetime franchise cases that's capable of putting the practice and the lucky lawyer onto easy street all by itself. LAPD detective Harry Bosch is in charge of the police investigation and, as the knots in the case become more and more serpentine, as the case profile becomes higher and higher, and as the sex, celebrity and media attention gets hotter and hotter, it's hard to determine whether Haller and Bosch are working with one another, against one another or in spite of one another.
THE BRASS VERDICT is a bit of a change of pace for Connelly. Although Bosch plays a big role in the novel, the lead in the piece falls to Mickey Haller. Instead of a police procedural, this one is much more focused on the legal maneuverings. Bosch's typical angst and psychological baggage takes second place to Haller's back story and the tale of his recovery from a gunshot wound, a year long sabbatical from the legal profession and dubious recovery from acknowledged addictions.
I'd have to say that this is one of the weaker entries in the Connelly body of work but it still makes a convincing, enjoyable read. And I'm still a fan who's more than willing to pick up the next two or three in the series without even so much as a glance at the dust jacket. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
August 17, 2016
Connelly does it again. I love it when he brings his characters together & this one has a bunch of them. Primarily, this is a Mickey Haller story (#14 - The Lincoln Lawyer) & is told by him, but Harry Bosch is a major character. Jack McEvoy (#05 - The Poet) makes several appearances. There is a reference to Cassie Black (#09 - Void Moon) & Mickey Haller's father that was fantastic. The interplay between Haller & Bosch was great since they're a bit at odds & it had my sympathies volleying between them like an Olympic ping pong ball.
As usual, it's a twisty tale of murder. There are a lot of loose plot threads floating around, but they'll be woven in eventually. It's a police procedural told from the defense bench as Mickey tries to keep his client out of jail. The magic bullet of the defense was obvious early on, but it still unfolded well & the court scenes were far more interesting here than they would have been in real life.
The end: When you get to about the 90% mark, make sure you don't have anything else on the schedule. Once I hit that point, I couldn't stop. Didn't dare. Fantastic!
Obviously, I'll be reading more in the series soon. You can find the full reading order in my review of the first bookThe Black Echo here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
17 - The Overlook (Harry Bosch #13), 2007
17.4 - Father’s Day (2007) in Angle of Investigation (2011) (HB's first investigation?)
17.6 - One Dollar Jackpot(2007) in Suicide Run, 2011
18 - The Brass Verdict (Harry Bosch #14, also Mickey Haller #2), 2008
19 - Nine Dragons (Harry Bosch #15), 2009
20 - The Scarecrow (Jack McEvoy #2), 2009
21 - The Reversal (Mickey Haller #3), 2010 (Harry Bosch #16,
21.5 - The Perfect Triangle, 2010 Mickey Haller short story
21.6 - Blue on Black - Harry Bosch Short Story 2010
22 - The Fifth Witness (Mickey Haller #4)
As usual, it's a twisty tale of murder. There are a lot of loose plot threads floating around, but they'll be woven in eventually. It's a police procedural told from the defense bench as Mickey tries to keep his client out of jail. The magic bullet of the defense was obvious early on, but it still unfolded well & the court scenes were far more interesting here than they would have been in real life.
The end: When you get to about the 90% mark, make sure you don't have anything else on the schedule. Once I hit that point, I couldn't stop. Didn't dare. Fantastic!
Obviously, I'll be reading more in the series soon. You can find the full reading order in my review of the first bookThe Black Echo here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
17 - The Overlook (Harry Bosch #13), 2007
17.4 - Father’s Day (2007) in Angle of Investigation (2011) (HB's first investigation?)
17.6 - One Dollar Jackpot(2007) in Suicide Run, 2011
18 - The Brass Verdict (Harry Bosch #14, also Mickey Haller #2), 2008
19 - Nine Dragons (Harry Bosch #15), 2009
20 - The Scarecrow (Jack McEvoy #2), 2009
21 - The Reversal (Mickey Haller #3), 2010 (Harry Bosch #16,
21.5 - The Perfect Triangle, 2010 Mickey Haller short story
21.6 - Blue on Black - Harry Bosch Short Story 2010
22 - The Fifth Witness (Mickey Haller #4)
December 26, 2023
This is the second Mickey Haller book in the Lincoln Lawyer series. Michael Connelly fans will enjoy the appearance of some other characters from the Bosch universe. When Haller inherits a franchise case—a wealthy movie producer accused of a double murder—Harry Bosch is the investigating detective. Jack McEvoy, the Los Angeles Times reporter, also appears when Haller and Bosch use him to plant a story to smoke out a suspect.
In addition to all the usual courtroom drama there is a nice mystery involving the murder of another attorney, and a mysterious juror. This is where Connelly shines as an author. He constructs a story with interweaving storylines without taxing the limitations of credibility. The end of the book proceeds in a fashion that defies the reader to put it down.
In addition to all the usual courtroom drama there is a nice mystery involving the murder of another attorney, and a mysterious juror. This is where Connelly shines as an author. He constructs a story with interweaving storylines without taxing the limitations of credibility. The end of the book proceeds in a fashion that defies the reader to put it down.
August 30, 2021
"'Go talk to him and work your magic, Mick. Convince him. We both know you’re not long for the Public Defender’s Office. You might need a favor from me someday when you’re out there in the big bad world with no steady paycheck coming in.'
"I just stared back at him, registering the quid pro quo of the offer. I help him and somewhere down the line he helps me, and Barnett Woodson does an extra couple of years in stir."
Do you remember the Lincoln Lawyer? Not Matthew McConaughey, but the original Mickey Haller created by Michael Connelly. He's back after some time off for bad behavior. Harry Bosch is around as well, but in this novel he is definitely second fiddle and it would severely challenge Titus Welliver to play him with nuance. Where is this all going?
Haller is handed some cases when his friend is murdered. Has Mickey climbed back on the wagon sufficiently to represent a rich client in L.A.'s murder of the decade? Bosch hangs around and both scares and annoys Haller as the case marches ahead.
This may really be a 3 star effort from Connelly but I loved both the audiobook narration and the meticulous description of courtroom tactics and backroom strategy for the criminal defense. If you stick around through some wooden dialogue, I think you will be surprised by the conclusion and some plot revelations.
"I just stared back at him, registering the quid pro quo of the offer. I help him and somewhere down the line he helps me, and Barnett Woodson does an extra couple of years in stir."
Do you remember the Lincoln Lawyer? Not Matthew McConaughey, but the original Mickey Haller created by Michael Connelly. He's back after some time off for bad behavior. Harry Bosch is around as well, but in this novel he is definitely second fiddle and it would severely challenge Titus Welliver to play him with nuance. Where is this all going?
Haller is handed some cases when his friend is murdered. Has Mickey climbed back on the wagon sufficiently to represent a rich client in L.A.'s murder of the decade? Bosch hangs around and both scares and annoys Haller as the case marches ahead.
This may really be a 3 star effort from Connelly but I loved both the audiobook narration and the meticulous description of courtroom tactics and backroom strategy for the criminal defense. If you stick around through some wooden dialogue, I think you will be surprised by the conclusion and some plot revelations.
June 6, 2014
This is the 4th mystery/thriller I have started in the last several days. It is the only one I will finish. The others, all by authors well known who I will not name, were a mishmash of confusing scenes, unnecessary filler (the price of having to produce a book every year?), and reader-unfriendly prose. Connelly, who crafts just as complicated a plot, does so without confusion and without extra "stuff." He is a pleasure to read.
The rest was as good as the beginning. It is interesting to see how Connelly brings his two series characters together in this book.
The rest was as good as the beginning. It is interesting to see how Connelly brings his two series characters together in this book.
May 21, 2017
It's been two years since Mickey was injured and a lot has happened. After taking time off to get his life in order, he's suddenly handed a full practice load following the murder of another defense attorney whose clients he inherits. Included is a high profile murder case involving a Hollywood studio head who is accused of murdering his wife and her lover, and it comes with some pretty impressive fees. And for the first time, Mickey and Harry Bosch cross paths as he's the lead detective assigned to investigate the attorney's death.
I really enjoyed this story as it had so many elements to sink your teeth into. There's Mickey and his personal issues, the process associated with assuming another attorney's clients, the studio head's trial and, finally, Bosch and Mickey. I got hooked from the beginning and enjoyed every minute of this story. While my initial suspicions of who was probably involved were borne out, I still didn't know the "whys and what fors" and was caught flatfooted in the end.
The narration was excellent, done by Peter Giles who has a couple of past stories under his belt. I've looked forward to Mickey and Harry finally interacting and it didn't disappoint. This one was a psychological battle and I'm not sure who won.
I really enjoyed this story as it had so many elements to sink your teeth into. There's Mickey and his personal issues, the process associated with assuming another attorney's clients, the studio head's trial and, finally, Bosch and Mickey. I got hooked from the beginning and enjoyed every minute of this story. While my initial suspicions of who was probably involved were borne out, I still didn't know the "whys and what fors" and was caught flatfooted in the end.
The narration was excellent, done by Peter Giles who has a couple of past stories under his belt. I've looked forward to Mickey and Harry finally interacting and it didn't disappoint. This one was a psychological battle and I'm not sure who won.
September 20, 2020
"Everybody lies."
The Brass Verdict is the second book in the Mickey "The Lincoln Lawyer" Haller series. Published in 2008 it seemed in part timely. At the end of The Lincoln Lawyer Haller was seriously wounded. He became addicted to the drugs he was prescribed following surgery and has been through rehab.
Now he is ready to return to work. The plan is to ease back into the job but things don't work out that way. Another attorney, Jerry Vincent, is murdered in the parking garage next to his office building. Mickey was named co-counsel on Vincent's cases and successor in his practice. On the morning of Vincent's murder Mickey is summoned by the head judge and informed he suddenly has thirty plus new cases. Including the latest trial of the century. A Hollywood executive, Walter Elliott, has been accused of killing his wife and her lover. The trial is scheduled to start the following week.
First Mickey must visit all of Vincent's clients and explain the situation. They have the option of staying with Mickey or changing lawyers. Among those who decide to stay with Mickey is Walter Elliott. Naturally Mickey wants to delay the start of the trial so that he can prepare a defense. Among the complications of inheriting Vincent's caseload is the fact that his laptop and notes have disappeared. Walter Elliott however insists that there be no delay. He claims he is innocent and wants to clear his name. If Mickey can't be ready to start he will get another lawyer.
The lead investigator in Jerry Vincent's murder is Harry Bosch. Haller and Bosch first meet when Mickey goes to Vincent's office and finds Harry going through Vincent's files. He believes there might be a clue to his murderer in the files. Mickey objects citing attorney-client confidentiality. This sets up a conflict between the two. Bosch suggests that by inheriting Vincent's clients he could find that he could be in danger. It was fun to read how these two went about their jobs. Different sides of the criminal system coin. At one point Harry is on the deck at Mickey's house and comments that he has the same view but from the other side of the mountain.
I was curious about the title and it is explained at the end of the story. Michael Connelly is a terrific story teller and does not disappoint. Mickey Haller is the main protagonist but Harry Bosch has an important role. When I finished this story I had to add The Reversal to my TBR shelf.
The Brass Verdict is the second book in the Mickey "The Lincoln Lawyer" Haller series. Published in 2008 it seemed in part timely. At the end of The Lincoln Lawyer Haller was seriously wounded. He became addicted to the drugs he was prescribed following surgery and has been through rehab.
Now he is ready to return to work. The plan is to ease back into the job but things don't work out that way. Another attorney, Jerry Vincent, is murdered in the parking garage next to his office building. Mickey was named co-counsel on Vincent's cases and successor in his practice. On the morning of Vincent's murder Mickey is summoned by the head judge and informed he suddenly has thirty plus new cases. Including the latest trial of the century. A Hollywood executive, Walter Elliott, has been accused of killing his wife and her lover. The trial is scheduled to start the following week.
First Mickey must visit all of Vincent's clients and explain the situation. They have the option of staying with Mickey or changing lawyers. Among those who decide to stay with Mickey is Walter Elliott. Naturally Mickey wants to delay the start of the trial so that he can prepare a defense. Among the complications of inheriting Vincent's caseload is the fact that his laptop and notes have disappeared. Walter Elliott however insists that there be no delay. He claims he is innocent and wants to clear his name. If Mickey can't be ready to start he will get another lawyer.
The lead investigator in Jerry Vincent's murder is Harry Bosch. Haller and Bosch first meet when Mickey goes to Vincent's office and finds Harry going through Vincent's files. He believes there might be a clue to his murderer in the files. Mickey objects citing attorney-client confidentiality. This sets up a conflict between the two. Bosch suggests that by inheriting Vincent's clients he could find that he could be in danger. It was fun to read how these two went about their jobs. Different sides of the criminal system coin. At one point Harry is on the deck at Mickey's house and comments that he has the same view but from the other side of the mountain.
I was curious about the title and it is explained at the end of the story. Michael Connelly is a terrific story teller and does not disappoint. Mickey Haller is the main protagonist but Harry Bosch has an important role. When I finished this story I had to add The Reversal to my TBR shelf.
October 30, 2023
Volum al 2-lea al seriei mult mai slab decât primul. Deși cazul a fost interesant,iar strategia avocatului foarte surprinzătoare, prezentarea a fost destul de seacă. Mă așteptam la ceva mai interesant din combinația Bosch și Haller dată fiind relația dintre cei doi.
April 9, 2019
Well, this was an interesting book, a good read and held my interest from the first. I must say I wasn't as taken with it as with the first, but it's still good and I've got the next waiting though I might try another Connelly character first as I have a Harry Bosch novel waiting to.
Here some time has passed since the last book and Connelly used what I'd call a "plot device" to reset Michael's character to a "bad place". He was injured as the last book ended. Here we find that he went back to work too soon, had another injury and ended up addicted to painkillers. This destroyed his relationship with ex-wife one...caused him to lose co-custody of his daughter and have only visitation. He closed his practice and went to rehab.
That's where we start here. Michael is still a good lawyer and he has another high profile case, and he's still somehow looking at his soul, his conscious and his "morals"...something really inconvenient for a lawyer to have.
Recommended...good book...enjoy.
Here some time has passed since the last book and Connelly used what I'd call a "plot device" to reset Michael's character to a "bad place". He was injured as the last book ended. Here we find that he went back to work too soon, had another injury and ended up addicted to painkillers. This destroyed his relationship with ex-wife one...caused him to lose co-custody of his daughter and have only visitation. He closed his practice and went to rehab.
That's where we start here. Michael is still a good lawyer and he has another high profile case, and he's still somehow looking at his soul, his conscious and his "morals"...something really inconvenient for a lawyer to have.
Recommended...good book...enjoy.
August 9, 2020
Legal suspense at its best!
There's little doubt that this author is a master of storytelling, especially when it comes to crime. Having been introduced to Mick Haller in The Lincoln Lawyer, I felt it important to read the second installment which was on par with the first. While I enjoy well crafted stories, I have to admit that this genre is lower on my list than others. Regardless, for those that enjoy well paced crime stories with plot twists a many, you'll love this book!
There's little doubt that this author is a master of storytelling, especially when it comes to crime. Having been introduced to Mick Haller in The Lincoln Lawyer, I felt it important to read the second installment which was on par with the first. While I enjoy well crafted stories, I have to admit that this genre is lower on my list than others. Regardless, for those that enjoy well paced crime stories with plot twists a many, you'll love this book!
December 23, 2018
The Brass Verdict is an excellent follow up to 'The Lincoln Lawyer'. The story is good - with excellent courtroom drama. Mickey Haller is turning out to be another favorite character of mine.
On top of it, Harry Bosch is present in this story too. W00t!
On top of it, Harry Bosch is present in this story too. W00t!
July 17, 2022
The new Lincoln Lawyer series more closely follows this, the second book, than the first. The writing is brisk and the characters are growing on me. I appreciate this series has a greyer approach to the justice system rather than the standard black and white. The next book is already on my very long TBR list.
July 12, 2023
This series gets better and better.
December 24, 2022
4 Stars. I was spoiled by the first entry in the Mickey Haller series, "The Lincoln Lawyer." This one's a step down. Not a gigantic one though. It shouldn't be missed. The life and times of Haller, a criminal defence attorney in Los Angeles, are crammed with legal highs and lows, physical threats, and family issues. I can only think of one term: it rollicks. How's this for an opening? "Everybody lies. Cops lie. Lawyers lie. Witnesses lie. The victims lie." What the reader soon learns is that Haller's clients lie too. The overriding question relates to which ones and what about! Slowly recovering from pain-killer addiction, he hasn't practiced law in more than a year, Haller gets an urgent call from Superior Court Chief Judge Mary Holder. An old friend of Haller, Jerry Vincent, has been murdered and she needs to appoint a competent lawyer to take over his cases fast. There's a big one starting in a week. Movie executive Walt Elliott is charged with murdering his wife and her lover. In a flash, Mickey vaults from 0 to 30 demanding clients. But he's got support. Harry Bosch is investigating the Vincent murder. And his second ex-wife, Lorna Taylor, is one tremendous legal secretary! (November 2021)
June 4, 2020
4 stars.
🇺🇸
Read again. 5 stars. The reason why is I have change ( do not wish to discuss). I see things differently again.
Mahalo,
RM
🐼💀🦋🇺🇸
🇺🇸
Read again. 5 stars. The reason why is I have change ( do not wish to discuss). I see things differently again.
Mahalo,
RM
🐼💀🦋🇺🇸
July 9, 2017
Wow what a great follow-up to "The Lincoln Lawyer". This book does not have sequel disease thank goodness, it was gripping from beginning to end.
It's been a couple years since the events in "The Lincoln Lawyer" and Mickey Haller has been retired from law for a year. After being shot in the last book his recovery caused him to become addicted to pain pills which led to him almost losing everything. When he's called into a judge's chambers and told that he has inherited a dead lawyer's practice, just like that Haller is back in the saddle again.
So "The Brass Verdict" focuses on Mickey doing what he can for his new clients and finding out that he might have a huge franchise case involving a Hollywood movie producer whose standing accused of murdering his wife and her lover.
Just like in "The Lincoln Lawyer" not all is as it appears and it takes a lot of twists and turns to find out who's truly innocent in this one.
We also get an appearance by another one of Michael Connelly's characters Harry Bosch. Now as many of you know this year I've had a kind of grudging respect, than love, than just general annoyance with Harry Bosch. I really do think that he's an intriguing character and Connolly has allowed him to grow. But the last couple of Bosch books have not exactly thrilled me. When Haller appeared in the Bosch books I already knew about the twosomes connection so getting to read it backwards like this was actually pretty cool. I always thought that in the Bosch books Mickey wasn't that interesting and was kind of a jerk, but when you read it from his point of view, he's actually a pretty straightforward person.
So Haller and Bosch are going head-to-head because the latter is trying to investigate the murder of the lawyer who left Haller the practice.
We do get welcome appearances by other characters that we've rad about from the prior books, Lorna, Mickey's second wife, and we get to see him interact more with his young daughter, and his former wife Maggie McPherson. We also get an introduction to another investigator, Cisco, that I really liked as well.
The writing was typical Connolly, you definitely know the man knows his way around a courtroom, knows how prosecutors and defense attorneys are supposed to prepare. And it was really cool to read about how juries are picked and to get to see people at trial.
I thought the flow was quite good in this one and there was nothing that I could actually quibble about when it came to the writing or flow.
I thought the setting of a different Los Angeles one that's kind of seedy and just not typical for people who aren't living as A list celebrities is always a nice and realistic read.
The ending definitely leaves some secrets revealed and I definitely didn't see a couple coming at all.
It's been a couple years since the events in "The Lincoln Lawyer" and Mickey Haller has been retired from law for a year. After being shot in the last book his recovery caused him to become addicted to pain pills which led to him almost losing everything. When he's called into a judge's chambers and told that he has inherited a dead lawyer's practice, just like that Haller is back in the saddle again.
So "The Brass Verdict" focuses on Mickey doing what he can for his new clients and finding out that he might have a huge franchise case involving a Hollywood movie producer whose standing accused of murdering his wife and her lover.
Just like in "The Lincoln Lawyer" not all is as it appears and it takes a lot of twists and turns to find out who's truly innocent in this one.
We also get an appearance by another one of Michael Connelly's characters Harry Bosch. Now as many of you know this year I've had a kind of grudging respect, than love, than just general annoyance with Harry Bosch. I really do think that he's an intriguing character and Connolly has allowed him to grow. But the last couple of Bosch books have not exactly thrilled me. When Haller appeared in the Bosch books I already knew about the twosomes connection so getting to read it backwards like this was actually pretty cool. I always thought that in the Bosch books Mickey wasn't that interesting and was kind of a jerk, but when you read it from his point of view, he's actually a pretty straightforward person.
So Haller and Bosch are going head-to-head because the latter is trying to investigate the murder of the lawyer who left Haller the practice.
We do get welcome appearances by other characters that we've rad about from the prior books, Lorna, Mickey's second wife, and we get to see him interact more with his young daughter, and his former wife Maggie McPherson. We also get an introduction to another investigator, Cisco, that I really liked as well.
The writing was typical Connolly, you definitely know the man knows his way around a courtroom, knows how prosecutors and defense attorneys are supposed to prepare. And it was really cool to read about how juries are picked and to get to see people at trial.
I thought the flow was quite good in this one and there was nothing that I could actually quibble about when it came to the writing or flow.
I thought the setting of a different Los Angeles one that's kind of seedy and just not typical for people who aren't living as A list celebrities is always a nice and realistic read.
The ending definitely leaves some secrets revealed and I definitely didn't see a couple coming at all.
August 20, 2023
Another top-notch read (and listen) - although the narrator was different to the first book but I got used to him - I see the narrator for Book 3 is not the same as the first two - not sure what is going on with the change of narrator every feckin' book - a little annoying (for me anyway as if I like one, I tend to prefer if the publishers stick with same) ... just me being a fussy cow, as usual.
I like Mickey and his no-nonsense approach. I must take a look at the netflix series now that I have the first two books read as I believe that season 1 is based on the first two ...
Onto book 3 ...
Los Angeles spread out in front of me in a carpet of lights, each one a verdict on a dream somewhere. Some people lived the dream and some didn’t. Some people cashed in their dreams a dime on the dollar and some kept them close and as sacred as the night. I wasn’t sure if I even had a dream left. I felt like I only had sins to confess.
I like Mickey and his no-nonsense approach. I must take a look at the netflix series now that I have the first two books read as I believe that season 1 is based on the first two ...
Onto book 3 ...
November 23, 2008
Connelly has some of the best quotes in his books.
"There is nothing you can do about the past except keep it there." A quote from Mickey Haller when discussing his prior addiction to OxyContin.
This was a fantastic read! Mickey Haller is taking a break from the law. After being injured, and becoming addicted to pain pills, he is planning on getting back into his practice gradually. When one of his colleagues, Jerry Vincent, is murdered, Haller has suddenly found himself back in the game. With 31 clients. Jerry Vincent had Mickey appointed to take over his practice if anything was to happen to him. Now Haller has inherited one of the most high profile cases of the day. Walter Elliot is a prominent producer in Hollywood and is accused of killing his wife and her lover.
Enter Harry Bosch. Harry is in charge of the Vincent murder and he thinks Haller knows more than he does.
I thought Connelly was great at writing from the prospective of a LA homicide detective. He does an equally great job writing as a defence attorney.
I can't wait to see what Connelly does next!
"There is nothing you can do about the past except keep it there." A quote from Mickey Haller when discussing his prior addiction to OxyContin.
This was a fantastic read! Mickey Haller is taking a break from the law. After being injured, and becoming addicted to pain pills, he is planning on getting back into his practice gradually. When one of his colleagues, Jerry Vincent, is murdered, Haller has suddenly found himself back in the game. With 31 clients. Jerry Vincent had Mickey appointed to take over his practice if anything was to happen to him. Now Haller has inherited one of the most high profile cases of the day. Walter Elliot is a prominent producer in Hollywood and is accused of killing his wife and her lover.
Enter Harry Bosch. Harry is in charge of the Vincent murder and he thinks Haller knows more than he does.
I thought Connelly was great at writing from the prospective of a LA homicide detective. He does an equally great job writing as a defence attorney.
I can't wait to see what Connelly does next!
October 28, 2008
Another winner from Michael Connelly. I always have to ration myself when I get one of his new books so I don't go through it too fast and then have to wait forever for the next one. I think I managed to make this one last a whole five days.
This one is fun because it brings Harry Bosch (our old fave) and Mickey Haller (from The Lincoln Lawyer) together in the same book. Mickey is the main character and narrator in the story, but Bosch appears at all the right moments with his cleverness and well-earned cynicism. This is mostly a lawyer story, not so much a police procedural.
I think the basic storyline is covered well enough by other reviews, but I will mention that if you read this book, be sure to pay attention to little details and seemingly unimportant characters as you're reading. As things fall into place in the story's conclusion, some of these little things become important and it might be hard to follow if you've forgotten the details.
As always, Connelly provides a satisfying conclusion full of unexpected curveballs and solutions.
Michael Connelly is one of those authors who throws in little treats for his long-time readers. I call them "Easter eggs" because you never know where you'll find them. They're just little things related to previous novels that aren't essential to the story but give you the satisfied little smirk of an insider.
There's an especially good Easter egg in this book. I figured it out at the beginning, but it was fun to have it confirmed at the end.
This one is fun because it brings Harry Bosch (our old fave) and Mickey Haller (from The Lincoln Lawyer) together in the same book. Mickey is the main character and narrator in the story, but Bosch appears at all the right moments with his cleverness and well-earned cynicism. This is mostly a lawyer story, not so much a police procedural.
I think the basic storyline is covered well enough by other reviews, but I will mention that if you read this book, be sure to pay attention to little details and seemingly unimportant characters as you're reading. As things fall into place in the story's conclusion, some of these little things become important and it might be hard to follow if you've forgotten the details.
As always, Connelly provides a satisfying conclusion full of unexpected curveballs and solutions.
Michael Connelly is one of those authors who throws in little treats for his long-time readers. I call them "Easter eggs" because you never know where you'll find them. They're just little things related to previous novels that aren't essential to the story but give you the satisfied little smirk of an insider.
There's an especially good Easter egg in this book. I figured it out at the beginning, but it was fun to have it confirmed at the end.
August 18, 2016
Not keen at all on Haller. He has so little integrity. Bosch, however, is a man on a mission of truth and justice, a super-man.
December 1, 2008
Lawyer Mickey Haller is back and this time he gets to share the spotlight with Connolly's L.A. Detective Harry Bosch.
It's been over a year since the events of "The Lincoln Lawyer" and Haller is looking to get back into the world of lawyering. He gets to do so in a big way, when a fellow lawyer is killed and leaves his practice to Haller. At stake are 30 or so cases, including a big one where a Hollywood movie mogul is accused of killing his wife and her lover. Circumstantial evidence and a killer (no pun intended) pre-nuptual agreement put the husband firmly as the prime suspect, but Haller figures his old friend had a "magic bullet" that was the key to the case. The only problem is his old friend was killed by an unknown attacker and had his laptop stolen.
As Haller begins to work on the case, he makes one alarming discovery after another. He crosses paths with Bosch, looking into the murder of the lawyer and Bosch drops hints that the FBI may be interested in both the murder and the big case. For a while, Haller can't figure out why but slowly begins to connect the pieces and find out the bigger picture.
Connelly is no stranger to creating good mysteries with an element of suspense to keep the pages turning. In "The Brass Verdict," he raises his game to the next level, creating a lot of plot threads that come together in a satisfying way. As the various plots and conspiracies unfolded, I found myself more and more intrigued by what was happening and curious as to where Conelly would take me next. And when he delivers the final twists and turns of the novels last 100 pages, they are easily some of the most satisfying of any mystery novel I've read in a long while. (Probably second only to this year's "Careless in Red" by Elizabeth George).
A lot of this can be credited to Connelly's decision to bring back Haller. Haller is an extremely flawed protagonist. He's not a perfect man and Connelly wisely doesn't portray him as such. He's haunted by demons from his past and driven by the desire to be a better man and laywer now. This comes into conflict each time he meets with his client, who is obviously hiding a lot of things from Haller, including just how far he'll go to retain his freedom. Haller's slow whittling away to the truth is compelling and fascinating.
The only part I didn't like is that, at the end of the story, we get a force family connection between Haller and Bosch and the story strongly suggests this is the end of Haller's career. I know we sort of had that at the end of "The Lincoln Lawyer" and we saw Haller come back here. Hopefully Connelly will find another story worthy of Haller's return in the future.
It's been over a year since the events of "The Lincoln Lawyer" and Haller is looking to get back into the world of lawyering. He gets to do so in a big way, when a fellow lawyer is killed and leaves his practice to Haller. At stake are 30 or so cases, including a big one where a Hollywood movie mogul is accused of killing his wife and her lover. Circumstantial evidence and a killer (no pun intended) pre-nuptual agreement put the husband firmly as the prime suspect, but Haller figures his old friend had a "magic bullet" that was the key to the case. The only problem is his old friend was killed by an unknown attacker and had his laptop stolen.
As Haller begins to work on the case, he makes one alarming discovery after another. He crosses paths with Bosch, looking into the murder of the lawyer and Bosch drops hints that the FBI may be interested in both the murder and the big case. For a while, Haller can't figure out why but slowly begins to connect the pieces and find out the bigger picture.
Connelly is no stranger to creating good mysteries with an element of suspense to keep the pages turning. In "The Brass Verdict," he raises his game to the next level, creating a lot of plot threads that come together in a satisfying way. As the various plots and conspiracies unfolded, I found myself more and more intrigued by what was happening and curious as to where Conelly would take me next. And when he delivers the final twists and turns of the novels last 100 pages, they are easily some of the most satisfying of any mystery novel I've read in a long while. (Probably second only to this year's "Careless in Red" by Elizabeth George).
A lot of this can be credited to Connelly's decision to bring back Haller. Haller is an extremely flawed protagonist. He's not a perfect man and Connelly wisely doesn't portray him as such. He's haunted by demons from his past and driven by the desire to be a better man and laywer now. This comes into conflict each time he meets with his client, who is obviously hiding a lot of things from Haller, including just how far he'll go to retain his freedom. Haller's slow whittling away to the truth is compelling and fascinating.
The only part I didn't like is that, at the end of the story, we get a force family connection between Haller and Bosch and the story strongly suggests this is the end of Haller's career. I know we sort of had that at the end of "The Lincoln Lawyer" and we saw Haller come back here. Hopefully Connelly will find another story worthy of Haller's return in the future.
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