Reviews

Reversal the by Michael Connelly

lmnettles13's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

acrolo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense

4.75

meggymae's review against another edition

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2.0

Started off really well, it was really well written all way through and then I just feel like the ending was really rushed. It could have been an amazing read but the ending really did ruin it :(

hankjones66's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious tense fast-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

donnek's review against another edition

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4.0

As a huge Bosch universe fan, I’ve been really enjoying the Mickey Haller/Lincoln Lawyer series. One of the things that I’ve enjoyed about the books from the movies and tv shows is that in the books, Mickey and Harry actually work together. In the movies and shows, the producers chose to never allow them to be a part of each other’s lives. HUGE MISTAKE!!! Harry and Mickey work pretty good together and I love that their kids, Maddie and Hayley, are becoming friends.

Anyway, the book summary just basically introduces the primary storyline of reinvestigating a 24yr old murder case because after umpteen appeals the Supreme Court finally granted the killer a new trial because of new evidence as the result of DNA testing. Mickey crosses the “table” (from defense attorney to county prosecutor) for this case at the request of the DA. As part of the agreement, Mickey requests his ex-wife (#1), Maggie, to be his second chair, which she is not pleased about – at all; ex-wife #2, Lorna, is his paralegal. As I mentioned before, there is a secondary storyline of Harry and Mickey finally working together. Even though they are half-brothers (different mothers), they’ve never worked together, never been close, and have barely acknowledged each other.

Most of the story revolves around the reinvestigation of the case, which has Harry as the case investigator. Harry is also struggling as a new full-time parent to teenage Maddie, since the death of her mother. This sort of becomes another storyline too. During the investigation, Harry and Maggie take an overnight trip to WA to talk to a witness from the first case. It’s during this trip that Maggie finds out about Maddie and Harry and Maggie make plans to introduce the cousins to each other so they can get to know each other. Shortly, thereafter, Mickey’s green monster makes an appearance. LMAO Omg! That was so funny! You tell him, Maggie!

The story flips back and forth between Mickey’s preparation for the trial and Harry’s investigation of the case and tracking down witnesses. I don’t read a lot of legal dramas; I find all the legal mumbo jumbo and court drama and antics boring. So, suffice it to say, I enjoyed Harry’s chapters more than Mickey’s chapters. However, I did enjoy the friction as well as banter between Mickey and Maggie in and out of court. Like all of the Lincoln Lawyer stories, the best part of the stories is the explosive ending where Mickey has legally backed the villain into a corner that they become so desperate that they start screwing up.

I loved the character development between Mickey and Harry; it adds so much more to the stories. The pacing was steady to fast, even during the trial chapters. The story was interesting and the writing well done. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.1 that I will be rounding down to a 4star rating. 

jamelchior's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

raymond_murphy's review against another edition

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3.0

This is the kind of book that makes you want to stay home all day and read. So I obviously liked it, but it is not anywhere near as good as early Connellys (although it was a lot better than 9 Dragons).

The focus here is on the re-trial of a convicted killer. New DNA evidence has called the ruling in his first case into question. Mickey Haller is asked by the DA to re-try the case and he brings Harry Bosch on as his investigator.

These two main characters from other Connelly books in one novel doesn't really work. Neither gets the character or story development that each needs to be interesting. And there is just too much shorthand about Bosch's need to right wrongs and give himself over wholly to his work. It is these drives that have always made Bosch an interesting character but the description of them here is almost glib.

Mickey Haller is a new character in the Connellyverse but he has not had enough opportunities yet to shine on his own. I hope Connelly will focus on Haller on his own while he figures out where he wants to go with Bosch next.

jsandora5's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

jasmin97's review against another edition

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dark informative mysterious sad tense 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? No

3.75

Liked the book, but no real surprises