- The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly
- Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (October 14, 2008 )
- Hardcover: 416 pages
- ISBN-10: 0316166294
- ISBN-13: 978-0316166294
- SheIsTooFondOfBooksRating: 4 Stars
I was given the opportunity to review an Advance Reading Copy of Michael Connelly’s The Brass Verdict, to be published in October 2008 by Little, Brown and Company. Mystery thrillers are a minority on my bookshelf, and I’m pleased to add The Brass Verdict to the lineup.
Set in current-day Los Angeles, Connelly enters the mind of defense attorney Mickey Haller, recently out of rehab and not yet back to practicing law. Haller learns that his colleague Jerry Vincent has been murdered, and that Vincent’s law practice (and perhaps the bounty on his head!) will be transferred to Haller. Mickey Haller is back in business; the Lincoln Lawyer rides again!
Connelly deftly weaves this tale of suspense as the story unwinds in “real time” in Haller’s voice. His voice rings true, giving background information and explaining the workings of the district court without condescending to the reader. We are privy to his thoughts and strategies as attorney for the defense, his fears as a man with a possible hit out on him, and his concerns as a father struggling in his relationship with his daughter. Connelly uses the LA setting efficiently, drawing a literary map of neighborhoods, highways, restaurants and other landmarks.
This is a well-written novel with good character development (especially Haller, naturally, since he is the narrator). I would recommend it, and would feel comfortable sharing it with a mature teen reader (engaging plot, no excessive foul language). I’m inspired to revisit some of Connelly’s earlier works which feature the Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller characters.
I’m a HUGE fan of Michael Connelly’s and am so jealous you got to read this already. I can’t wait to get it!
Hi! How did you get an advance copy of Michael Connolly’s book? I love all his books and am not sure I can wait until October! Plus I just love getting early books to review. Thanks!
Lori and Michele – I got The Brass Verdict directly from the publisher; it was my lucky day, I guess! My mom is reading it now, and I’ve got 3 other friends/family on the “pass it on” list; it’s a great book.
As I noted in my review, I haven’t read any of his other books with Mickey Haller or Harry Bosch. I was thinking of working backward to The Lincoln Lawyer, is that what you’d recommend?
I’m not Lori or Michelle, but The Lincoln Lawyer is a tremendous novel and it would be well worth your time to read it. It stars Mickey Haller and is a riveting read. Connelly is a terrific writer, and The Lincoln Lawyer may be his very best, which is saying something.
You should definitely pick it up. Then, once you’re hooked on Connelly, go back to the Harry Bosch series.
[...] 2, 2008 by Dawn Congratulations to Superpaige who won my ARC of The Brass Verdict! It will be mailed out in the next few days – don’t forget to Pay It Forward after [...]
I agree with Chris, although Michael Connelly is very well known for his Harry Bosch series; The Lincoln Lawyer is his best by far (in my humble opinion)…
[...] book for your daily commute, or a longer road trip! I haven’t listened to it yet, but I loved Connelly’s writing in The Brass Verdict, and I’m looking forward to many miles with The [...]
[...] Connelly’s novels (The Lincoln Lawyer is the first to introduce the character, also look for The Brass Verdict, and, coming in 2011, The Fifth Witness), or he’s new-to-you, you’ll want to put your [...]