leirben's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
darbyart's review
4.0
I enjoyed the plot and how Mickey, Maggie, and Harry worked together as a team. I hated the unanswered questions at the end.
alifromkc1907's review
4.0
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Published in Nov 2013.
Pages: 389
Number of books by author: 29 Novels
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Mickey Haller is approached by a prosecuter to work as an independent attorney on a high-profile case. When Mickey takes the case, he finds himself intertwined in a mess against his normal teammates on the defense. Mickey teams up with his ex-wife and half-brother to take on this case as a first-time prosecuter. Will a murderer walk free, or will Haller seal the case?
You may like this book if you like the following subgenres:
Legal/Law
Police/FBI/Detective
Murder Mystery
Goodreads users gave this book a 4.10. I think it was more deserving of a 4.00.
Pros: The explanation of the process of pre-trial, investigations, and court proceedings was extremely well done. I never thought, "Well, how did we get here," or "Why are they doing that?" Both the defense and prosecutors motives and roles were well explained, and I was easily following along as I played my own role as detective/attorney/jury member. The story line felt very realistic. I never doubted the possibility that this could've been based on a true story (although, the note on the publisher's page stated it was very much a work of fiction). I was propelled into the story both by curiosity and push from the author's "rushed" writing style. Dating each new chapter, it was easy to see how we moved throughout the days while also feeling as if we got an idea of how long the research, how long the investigating, how long each court proceeding took. And I think the author's writing style brought these characters to life. I was always feeling as if I could run into Detective Bosch or see him on TV next time a crime happens in the area. This is definitely a made-for-TV Lifetime movie. I'd even go as far as to say I would pay the $9 for a movie ticket to see this movie played out on the big screen.
Cons: Yet again, another NY Times Best Seller with an editing error - while it was only one, I expect an author and an editor to catch these errors. It's just one of those things that stands out and I find to be an annoyance for the next 20 pages of my read. While the characters themselves felt very real, I wasn't real pleased with the concept of their relationship - ex-husband/ex-wife and 1/2 brothers. It felt too pushy, almost. The author seemed to be trying to create additional drama on the already switching-sides-Haller by having him work with his ex-wife and then bringing in the 1/2 brother (whom he had "no" prior relationship with) to work this case - lots of late nights, early mornings, long hours, oh the building drama. And the final character dilemma I am having is that the main character at the beginning, Williams, who puts this whole situation into motion, drops out until you're in the final chapters. As adamant as Williams was at the beginning, he sure disappeared and it felt as if he was forgotten by the author.
Published in Nov 2013.
Pages: 389
Number of books by author: 29 Novels
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Mickey Haller is approached by a prosecuter to work as an independent attorney on a high-profile case. When Mickey takes the case, he finds himself intertwined in a mess against his normal teammates on the defense. Mickey teams up with his ex-wife and half-brother to take on this case as a first-time prosecuter. Will a murderer walk free, or will Haller seal the case?
You may like this book if you like the following subgenres:
Legal/Law
Police/FBI/Detective
Murder Mystery
Goodreads users gave this book a 4.10. I think it was more deserving of a 4.00.
Pros: The explanation of the process of pre-trial, investigations, and court proceedings was extremely well done. I never thought, "Well, how did we get here," or "Why are they doing that?" Both the defense and prosecutors motives and roles were well explained, and I was easily following along as I played my own role as detective/attorney/jury member. The story line felt very realistic. I never doubted the possibility that this could've been based on a true story (although, the note on the publisher's page stated it was very much a work of fiction). I was propelled into the story both by curiosity and push from the author's "rushed" writing style. Dating each new chapter, it was easy to see how we moved throughout the days while also feeling as if we got an idea of how long the research, how long the investigating, how long each court proceeding took. And I think the author's writing style brought these characters to life. I was always feeling as if I could run into Detective Bosch or see him on TV next time a crime happens in the area. This is definitely a made-for-TV Lifetime movie. I'd even go as far as to say I would pay the $9 for a movie ticket to see this movie played out on the big screen.
Cons: Yet again, another NY Times Best Seller with an editing error - while it was only one, I expect an author and an editor to catch these errors. It's just one of those things that stands out and I find to be an annoyance for the next 20 pages of my read. While the characters themselves felt very real, I wasn't real pleased with the concept of their relationship - ex-husband/ex-wife and 1/2 brothers. It felt too pushy, almost. The author seemed to be trying to create additional drama on the already switching-sides-Haller by having him work with his ex-wife and then bringing in the 1/2 brother (whom he had "no" prior relationship with) to work this case - lots of late nights, early mornings, long hours, oh the building drama. And the final character dilemma I am having is that the main character at the beginning, Williams, who puts this whole situation into motion, drops out until you're in the final chapters. As adamant as Williams was at the beginning, he sure disappeared and it felt as if he was forgotten by the author.
eldiente's review
4.0
Audio listen. The author has spent several novels and many years developing two characters who are related and similar in temperament but on opposing sides of the criminal justice system. This novel brings them together in a case that places them in unusual territory. The story is a reversal on many levels. I enjoyed this one more than the last couple written by Connolley.
bookworm_vevans's review
4.0
Nothing special or different or unique. Good ol' fashion procedural crime book. Loved it!!! I am a huge fan of the show Bosch, Law & Order, Bones, and love the idea of reading a good crime book. You get what you expect on a book like this. This is my first book of Mickey Haller or the Harry Bosch universe, but I am starting at the beginning now and going to make my way through them. Good read if you like this.
bpotthast's review
3.0
I thought this book was really interesting and had a lot of good twists and turns. But the ending was weak and had too many similarities to The Brass Verdict. I know they weren't exactly the same, but there were some similarities.
alexsiddall's review
2.0
I have to admit, this is a page-turner. Respect to MC, he can certainly construct a plausible thriller. He keeps pumping the money-machine of the LA-based serial-killer novel - he knows his stuff, and who can do it better? However, I'd love him to take a new direction, as effectively this is more of the same thing he's been doing for a couple of decades now. It's good, but a change of genre would be really refreshing.
jacks623's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
indianajane's review
3.0
Would have liked to give this three and a half stars and had trouble deciding to go to three or four. The story was decent. I'm hoping that the ending has left us set up for the next Harry Bosch book.