emileeseibel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
hmbodorable's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It was good but I didn’t really like the very end one twist was enough I didn’t need the final twist and it didn’t make much sense.
jmflint27's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Murder, Blood, Child death, Death, Gun violence, and Pedophilia
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
The Poet
3 Stars
As the crime reporter for a Denver newspaper, Jack McAvoy is used to violence and death. That said, he is shocked to the core when his brother, a homicide detective, is found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In an attempt to cope, Jack decides to write a story about police suicides and inadvertently stumbles upon a malicious serial killer targeting cops and leaving cryptic poetic clues.
Series note: Even though this is one of Connelly's earlier works, it slots in as book #11 in the Harry Bosch Universe, which I am slowly working my way through. Consequently, it invites an inevitable comparison with the Bosch books and does not fare as well.
Unlike Bosch, Jack is a reporter and not a detective. This requires him to manipulate situations in order to be in on the investigation and some of his tactics are questionable. Nevertheless, he is an appealing character and one cannot help but feel for the losses he has suffered.
In terms of the writing, the pacing is slower and the action, tension and suspense are noticeably lacking. Too much attention it paid to descriptions of settings, conversations and procedures, and the book could have been shorter and tighter.
Jack's relationship with Rachel Walling demonstrates once again that Connelly does not write romance at all well. Although Jack claims that there is something deeper than physical attraction to their connection, it does not come across that way and their intimacy feels forced.
The serial killer plot has tremendous potential and is ultimately satisfying although there are numerous unanswered questions regarding the killer's motivations. These will apparently be resolved in the next Harry Bosch book, The Narrows, which I look forward to reading soon.
A final note on the audio narration. Buck Schirner has a deep baritone, which is excellent for the male characters, but his voices for the women are truly awful.
3 Stars
As the crime reporter for a Denver newspaper, Jack McAvoy is used to violence and death. That said, he is shocked to the core when his brother, a homicide detective, is found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In an attempt to cope, Jack decides to write a story about police suicides and inadvertently stumbles upon a malicious serial killer targeting cops and leaving cryptic poetic clues.
Series note: Even though this is one of Connelly's earlier works, it slots in as book #11 in the Harry Bosch Universe, which I am slowly working my way through. Consequently, it invites an inevitable comparison with the Bosch books and does not fare as well.
Unlike Bosch, Jack is a reporter and not a detective. This requires him to manipulate situations in order to be in on the investigation and some of his tactics are questionable. Nevertheless, he is an appealing character and one cannot help but feel for the losses he has suffered.
In terms of the writing, the pacing is slower and the action, tension and suspense are noticeably lacking. Too much attention it paid to descriptions of settings, conversations and procedures, and the book could have been shorter and tighter.
Jack's relationship with Rachel Walling demonstrates once again that Connelly does not write romance at all well. Although Jack claims that there is something deeper than physical attraction to their connection, it does not come across that way and their intimacy feels forced.
The serial killer plot has tremendous potential and is ultimately satisfying although there are numerous unanswered questions regarding the killer's motivations. These will apparently be resolved in the next Harry Bosch book, The Narrows, which I look forward to reading soon.
A final note on the audio narration. Buck Schirner has a deep baritone, which is excellent for the male characters, but his voices for the women are truly awful.
spray76's review
5.0
Great book!!
This book was a page turner for me!! There were so many twists and turns. I've read the Lincoln Lawyer series and have been reading the Harry Bosch series when I decided to read this one; it is definitely one of my favorites from Michael Connelly!!!
This book was a page turner for me!! There were so many twists and turns. I've read the Lincoln Lawyer series and have been reading the Harry Bosch series when I decided to read this one; it is definitely one of my favorites from Michael Connelly!!!
wingless13's review against another edition
3.0
It was a good quick read. Well researched and detailed enough to feel like a true crime drama.
marco5599's review against another edition
2.0
Sleeping with the FBI agent who works with you trying to solve the murder of your twin brother? Oh, Jack.. An agent who happens to have an ex-husband working for the FBI as well? Oh, Michael.. And on the same case?! Oh, puh-lease. Next to the highly unprofessional nature of it all; I don't care how this fits into the plot, I simply don't want to read about romance and everything that comes with it, while kids and cops have been and are being targeted. Stop fucking around!
So, Jack McEvoy. He ain't no Harry Bosch, is he? I geared up for a bout in a Popeye Doyle-universe, but this guy gave me Professor Langdon-vibes. Initially anyway. A lightweight compared to the heavyweight Harry is. Can't say I liked him either. Twin brother murdered and all Jack can think of is scooping the story of the Poet and how to get inside Rachel's pants. I'm sorry, but what an ass. Not the only selfish bastard here. Almost every major ('good') character is at some point. And not in a fun way. More like annoying. Very annoying.
It's the antagonist I enjoyed most. Loved Gladden's aggression. Pretty good bad guy. Also pretty good; when it solely -solely!- focused on the investigation. Kept me from DNFing it, but just when I thought it might actually save the book, to a certain degree anyway, the plot derails. And not once, but twice. Didn't think Connelly was the kind of writer to come up with such silliness to wrap things up. Embarrassing really. And, for me, there's way too much of that in this book.
So, Jack McEvoy. He ain't no Harry Bosch, is he? I geared up for a bout in a Popeye Doyle-universe, but this guy gave me Professor Langdon-vibes. Initially anyway. A lightweight compared to the heavyweight Harry is. Can't say I liked him either. Twin brother murdered and all Jack can think of is scooping the story of the Poet and how to get inside Rachel's pants. I'm sorry, but what an ass. Not the only selfish bastard here. Almost every major ('good') character is at some point. And not in a fun way. More like annoying. Very annoying.
It's the antagonist I enjoyed most. Loved Gladden's aggression. Pretty good bad guy. Also pretty good; when it solely -solely!- focused on the investigation. Kept me from DNFing it, but just when I thought it might actually save the book, to a certain degree anyway, the plot derails. And not once, but twice. Didn't think Connelly was the kind of writer to come up with such silliness to wrap things up. Embarrassing really. And, for me, there's way too much of that in this book.
amakaazie's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing thriller. Jack mcEvoy, a journalist, is on a mission to find his twin brother’s killer. Although his brother’s death is originally believed to be suicide, his quest for justice leads him to a serial killer (or two)...I didn’t see the twists coming. Also well-paced. I didn’t skip any page at all. Such a wonderful story. I recommend.
ofchippo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0