The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly
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Book Reviews of The Scarecrow
Book Review: Not just a great serial killer tale, but also a scathing look at the newspaper business
Summary: 5 Stars
I discovered after finishing this that Connelly was partially inspired to return to the Jack McEvoy character (from The Poet) after watching season five of The Wire; its scathing portrait of the newspaper business and its current status made Connelly interested in visiting some of the same territory. I've long argued that Connelly isn't the greatest writer in the world, but his sense of time and place - whether the post-Rodney King LA of the Bosch novels or the increasingly downsized Los Angeles Times of this one - and his strong sense of verisimilitude more than make up for his pedestrian style. The Scarecrow is no exception, and in some ways, it may be one of his best books in a long time. The main story - about McEvoy being given his two-weeks notice, his desire to go out with a bang, and the way that leads him into the sights of a long working but unknown serial killer - is a great one, and Connelly milks the suspense for everything its worth. (His use of alternating sections between McEvoy and the killer is intriguing; not only does it allow him to add to the suspense, it adds more depth to the villain than we could otherwise get.) But the book is just as worthy for its subtext about the declining state of newspapers; while McEvoy isn't as complex or rewarding a character as Bosch, his strong commitment to journalism makes him a great character for Connelly (himself a crime reporter for many years) to write about. A great serial killer tale, a nice exploration of the media, and more, The Scarecrow is a must for any Connelly fan.Book Review: exhilarating journalistic investigative thriller
Summary: 5 Stars
The L.A. Times pinked reporter Jack McEvoy giving him two weeks notice instead of the usual instant RIF that he is being axed if he agrees to train his replacement Angela Cook. Jack decides to remind his editor what he will lose when he is gone by chasing after a final headline news story.
Jack investigates the arrest of sixteen year old drug dealer Alonzo Winslow, who confessed to the rape and murder of an exotic dancer. However, to his shock, Jack begins to uncover proof that the nasty teen could not have committed either crime. Meanwhile Angela does a search that leads to a place in Arizona called the "Farm". Those at the farm realize someone has discovered them so they must be eliminated; they send assassins to kill Jack and Angela. Jack turns to FBI agent Rachel Walling whom he met on the POET case years ago to help him with the gangbanger inquiry and with the killers coming for him.
Moving back and forth between first and third person voice, Michael Connelly provides an exhilarating journalistic investigative thriller. The story line is action-packed and fast-paced from the moment that Jack decides to go out with a big bang and never decelerates. Jack is terrific as he mentors his replacement while working the Farm inquiry that places him and Angela in lethal danger. Mr. Connelly will have his fans up late with THE SCARECROW.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: Connelly Sets a High Standard
Summary: 5 Stars
So many writers that were my favorites in the 90s have fallen so far. I've sworn off James Patterson since even his Alex Cross books have become unreadable. Lee Child's books have become little more than Steven Segal SNL skits. Stephen Hunter's "Night of Thunder" was like "Smokey and the Bandit" without the humor.
At least there are a few writers out there like Michael Connelly who are still capable of writing a believable story with interesting characters. He still has some entertaining tales to tell.
In "The Scarecrow" we get to catch up with L.A. Times reporter, Jack McEvoy and FBI Agent, Rachel Walling, who broke "The Poet" case years ago. It's no surprise to those who have read Connelly's work before that the two of them team up to track down yet another killer out west.
Some readers will not enjoy Connelly's descriptions of the newspaper industry and the setup of a server farm. These are not wasted words, though. This level of detail is what separates the work of writers like Connelly, John Sandford, and Robert Crais from the established writers who are just "mailing it in" at this point. The details allow the reader to get familiar with the settings of the story and make the extraordinary things that happen seem more believable.
"The Scarecrow" is another fun ride from Mr. Connelly.
Book Review: The return of Jack McEvoy
Summary: 5 Stars
I have always called "The Poet" my favorite Connelly novel, but it has been so long since I have read it that I have forgotten the reasons why. One of the reasons that I began writing amazon reviews was to go back over books I have read and keep the reasons fresher. I never read a novel more than once. I am not that fast of a reader and there is so much great stuff to read. That being said I never miss a Connelly release, and I would go so far as to say that he is my favorite current author. The Scarecrow has not taken over the number two spot for me in Connelly's oeuvre, but it is not too far down the list. Jack McEvoy and Rachel Walling make a great team and Connelly is able to create the reality of a reporter dealing with the changes going on in newspaper publishing as easily as he is able to create a lawyer to rival the best of Grisham and Turow and the best detective working in fiction today.
Connelly is so gifted, he really weaves terrific plots. With the Scarecrow he has created a strange villian whose computer geek genius provides a host of challenges for the team of McEvoy and Walling. I have finished the Scarecrow just in time for the release of 9 Dragons. I love the fact that Connelly is becoming a bit more prolific without sacrificing the quality of his work. (The Overlook nothwithstanding)
Book Review: The Scarecrow is Connelly at his best
Summary: 5 Stars
Michael Connelly does it again with "The Scarecrow." This time, Jack McEvoy (famous from "The Poet" book) is looking at being laid off from the Los Angeles Times and having to train his replacement. He has two weeks left and wonders what he'll do with his life. Suddenly, a story falls to him about a 16 year old accused of rape and murder. The case then twists again and McEvoy finds himself in the middle of a complicated high tech crime with a sociopath who uses modern technology to stalk and kill his prey. McEvoy teams with Rachel Walling in this Connelly thriller.
Admittedly, I prefer the Harry Bosch novels, but this is a solid mystery/thriller from Connelly. He never fails to keep the plot moving along and the twists and turns will keep you turning the pages. The characters are excellent, the dialogue is top notch and the plot is intriguing.
You can't go wrong reading this newest book by Michael Connelly. He only writes top notch mystery/thrillers and this one is no exception. I was hooked from the beginning of the book until the very last page. Now, the only sad reality is that I have to wait until October to get the next Michael Connelly book.