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simonrtaylor's review against another edition
5.0
In the prequel to The Brass Verdict, defence lawyer Mickey Haller must represent a man accused of brutally attacking a woman in her home. As the cover tells us, neither victim nor accused are as they seem.
From the outset we are sucked into Haller’s intense life, hardly stopping for breath between cases. We meet both his ex-wives: his first, a prosecutor, and his second, his case manager. Both are complex relationships that add real depth to the character, even if a little cliché.
Connelly educates us as we race through the book, explaining tactics and giving us insight into the workings (and failings) of the criminal justice system.
Haller is a flawed protagonist, easy to sympathise with and reaches a crisis of confidence that makes him an incredibly interesting lead actor who lives permanently in shades of grey. The colourful supporting cast are distinct, adding flourishes of colour to the palette.
Connelly never drops the ball, and the plot has enough surprise twists to keep you going right to the end. There’s an abundance of subplots, some relevant to the main story and others important to Haller, and they all add a richness to the story that leaves you constantly engaged.
In short, every expectation is met and exceeded in this rollercoaster journey. A tight plot, believable and three-dimensional characters, excellent writer’s craft and intriguing analysis into the court system makes this more than worthy of five full stars. You won’t be disappointed.
From the outset we are sucked into Haller’s intense life, hardly stopping for breath between cases. We meet both his ex-wives: his first, a prosecutor, and his second, his case manager. Both are complex relationships that add real depth to the character, even if a little cliché.
Connelly educates us as we race through the book, explaining tactics and giving us insight into the workings (and failings) of the criminal justice system.
Haller is a flawed protagonist, easy to sympathise with and reaches a crisis of confidence that makes him an incredibly interesting lead actor who lives permanently in shades of grey. The colourful supporting cast are distinct, adding flourishes of colour to the palette.
Connelly never drops the ball, and the plot has enough surprise twists to keep you going right to the end. There’s an abundance of subplots, some relevant to the main story and others important to Haller, and they all add a richness to the story that leaves you constantly engaged.
In short, every expectation is met and exceeded in this rollercoaster journey. A tight plot, believable and three-dimensional characters, excellent writer’s craft and intriguing analysis into the court system makes this more than worthy of five full stars. You won’t be disappointed.
neumanzoo's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent book. So much better than the movie could've ever been (I'm not interested in the new TV series, either). There were parts that made me question the validity of the storyline, but it wasn't enough to deter me. A lot of twists and turns, and overall a great legal thriller. This book is in the Bosch Universe, but you needn't read any of those prior to this one, as Bosch nor his circle make any appearances here.
chaun_sox's review against another edition
5.0
Regardless of how much I like a book, I'm reluctant to hand out five stars to any pulp fiction or genre fiction, because it always feels like there's something missing. I don't know what that something is, it's just a feeling.
That said, this one was no different; yet, the plot and characters were so well developed, I raced through it. I was being for more at the end of each chapter. I was surprised because the way the book is written(almost perfectly uniform 10 page chapters and first person narrative) would be a hard sell if I had known before I started reading.
Great book. Easy read. Mystery, twists, and turns. Bittersweet moments. And best of all a main character that, every once in a while, breaks free from his one dimensional portrayal and critically examines himself and his ideas about right and wrong.
That said, this one was no different; yet, the plot and characters were so well developed, I raced through it. I was being for more at the end of each chapter. I was surprised because the way the book is written(almost perfectly uniform 10 page chapters and first person narrative) would be a hard sell if I had known before I started reading.
Great book. Easy read. Mystery, twists, and turns. Bittersweet moments. And best of all a main character that, every once in a while, breaks free from his one dimensional portrayal and critically examines himself and his ideas about right and wrong.
fatimah_karolia's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
ashwee0955's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
galed's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
liliya_klein's review against another edition
4.0
This was really good! I haven't read too much courtroom drama books but this was definitely a winner. Not overly dramatic but still a compelling story.
takamalaika's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0