The Brass Verdict: A Novel (Mickey Haller) by Michael Connelly
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Book Reviews of The Brass Verdict: A Novel (Mickey Haller)
Book Review: Everyone Lies
Summary: 5 Stars
What could be better than the "Lincoln Lawyer" and Harry Bosch in the same novel? That's what happens in "The Brass Verdict" when their paths cross in more ways than one. Mickey Haller, however, doesn't operate out of the back of one of his Lincoln Town Cars this time. But he is back, in a high profile murder case after two years away getting over an addiction to pain killers.
Just as he was about to return to the practice of law, Mickey Haller's former colleague, Jerry Vincent, is murdered, and the Lincoln Lawyer inherits all his cases, including the high profile defense of a rich movie mogul accused of shooting his wife and her lover. Harry Bosch is seeking Vincent's murderer and he and Haller sort of work together in solving the crime. Meanwhile, we are greatly entertained with an interesting trial and a surprising verdict.
The intricate plot includes the fact that Haller and Bosch are half brothers, so we may expect to see them teamed up again (and then again, maybe not). More importantly, the premise of the book is that everyone lies (and expects to be lied to), whether juror or lawyer or judge. These two favorite Connelly protagonists are matched evenly (in fact, they may be a match made in heaven). Each provides the author with a uniqueness and the ability to write so many unexpected twists, that the reader can't stop turning the pages. Highly recommended.
Book Review: Exciting and realistic courtroom drama
Summary: 5 Stars
Other reviews have summarized the plot: Criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller lost his clients, ruined his marriage, and alienated his daughter after he became addicted to pain killing drugs. But now he has successfully completed rehab, is trying to mend fences with his ex-wife and daughter, and finds himself busier than ever because he has taken over the clients of a murdered lawyer who was a close friend.
One of those cases involves a Hollywood mogul accused of murdering his wife and her lover. As Haller prepares the defense, he finds himself ensnared in a web of deceit, intrigue and danger to his own life. Detective Harry Bosch, who is a central figure in other Connelly novels, plays a minor but crucial role.
The writing is crisp, the plot turns are realistic though unpredictable (nothing is obvious here), and there are some nice insights into how a recovering addict copes with the pressures of the "real world". But most of all there is nonstop action, fascinating courtroom scenes, and some interesting insights into how the criminal justice system works.
As we learn at the end of the novel, the term "brass verdict" refers to meting out street justice with a bullet, and without giving anything away, the "brass verdict" here will surprise you.
This is a fast paced novel that will keep your attention and entertain you.
Book Review: great combo legal thriller and police procedural
Summary: 5 Stars
In Los Angeles ironically, they were rivals on a double homicide case that the rising star of the prosecutor's office Jerry Vincent lost to the "LINCOLN LAWYER" Mickey Haller; the former's career as an ADA died that day so he went private as a defense attorney. Thus when Jerry is killed, Judge Holder asks Mickey to take over his late peer's workload, but to especially focus on a particular high visibility case. Jerry was defending Hollywood producer Walter Elliot against the charges of killing his wife and her alleged lover.
Haller struggles with mounting a defense in a short time. Meanwhile LAPD Detective Harry Bosch investigates the Vincent homicide. Each feels the other is in the way of performing their job. Haller concludes that the Elliot double murder is much more than a jealous spouse murdering his cheating wife and her lover in a crime of passion. He offers a truce to Bosch so they can work together; Bosch reluctantly agrees.
THE BRASS VERDICT is a great combo legal thriller and police procedural starring two terrific adversaries reluctantly teaming up. The story line is exciting and fast-paced from the onset, but turns stupendous when the cop and lawyer collide. Michael Connelly provides a great crime thriller starring his superstar and one of his best other lead characters.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: Great plot, great characters, great fun!
Summary: 5 Stars
Michael Connelly writes a great mystery. I don't know how he manages to do it, but he delivers every single time. His primary series character, Detective Bosch, hooks up with his newest character, Mickey Haller from The Lincoln Lawyer in his latest book.
Like all of Connelly's books the writing is uncomplicated & well-paced with an emphasis on both plot AND character. I suspect it's this that makes his books so enjoyable. This one is less a police procedural & more a courtroom drama & as such the trial sequences are the strongest part of the book.
Some may think that Bosch has too small a role here, but the intersection is believable & successfully sets up these two men (& their underlying connection) for future interaction.
I also appreciate the fact that Connelly writes L.A. so well. Often writers pay lip service to their setting, but Connelly obviously considers his setting to be a player in the story in much the same way that James Lee Burke writes south Louisiana (although Burke is the master of this). For a fun, quick read you can't get much better than this. It's refreshing to read a writer of a mystery series who doesn't seem to be running out of steam. Can't wait for the next one!
Book Review: Top notch crime fiction
Summary: 5 Stars
This follow-up novel to "The Lincoln Lawyer" is as good or better than the first book. Lawyer Mickey Haller is here connected with LAPD detective Harry Bosch from the author's other series. The plot is complicated but easy enough to follow. Haller inherits a law practice from a murdered lawyer, a practice that includes a high-profile murder case involving a haughtt Hollywood producer, accused of killing his wife and her lover. Something is wrong with the case, and the plot revolves around that.
The characters are exceptionally well drawn. The atmosphere is realistic. The only missing element is a wisp of humor, such as one always sees in Lawrence Block and Donald Westlake crime fiction. A laugh or two might have been welcome here as the action is very intense.
The pace picks up when the case goes to trial and the speed increases to a slam bang finish. I doubt that few hardcore crime fiction readers will be able to predict the grand finale, with its suprise upon surprise.
This is a gem, and Michael Connelly has written several. It doesn't have the sadism and multiple murders one sees in James Patterson crime novels, but it does have intelligence and unpredictable results.