Connelly

The Brass Verdict
$9.99
Usually I love Michael Connelly, but this book was a 2nd rate effort. Besides being a slow read, I didn't understand the need to have Bosch in the novel. His character in this book was unecessary and added nothing to the story line. I found the premise ridiculous, Haller's ex-wife is not only his assistant but is marrying his chief investigator and his client, whose hands tested positive for gun powder, supposedly picked up the powder from the back seat of the police vehicle he sat in. I found the defendant, a studio mogul, an irratating, arrogant character. My dislike for him was second only to my distaste for the main character, the lawyer, Haller. I found him a slight of hand, card trick playing lawyer ,whose defense was barely legal, if legal at all.(ex. he knows one jury member is planted but doesn't let the judge know. Holler developes a plan to remove the juror thus rationlizing to himself that he's "honest"?) It reminded me that whomever has the most money to pay for the best (deceptive) attorney will most probably get off. That's the reality of the American justice system. I only finished the book because I don't give up on anything, even when it's not very good. I would have given it one star but even good writers like Connelly write a bad once in awhile. Hopefully Connelly will return to his usual entertaining style after cranking out this stinker.

The Scarecrow
$27.99
This book has everything. Great premise, creepy villain(s), excellent writing....

Connelly gradually unfolds the story as recently fired L.A. Times reporter Jack McEvoy and FBI agent Rachel Walling pursue a high tech serial killer from Los Angeles to Nevada to Phoenix. The pace is fast and the story is easy to follow despite its numerous plot twists. There is also a tie to previous Connelly books including "The Poet" and "The Lincoln Lawyer." This is a nice touch for regular Connelly readers, but reading the others is in no way a prerequisit for enjoying this one.

I love Connelly's writing. "The Lincoln Lawyer" is my all time favorite crime novel. "The Scarecrow" is almost its equal.

The Harry Bosch Novels: The Black Echo, The Black Ice, The Concrete Blonde
$19.99
I have found only two detective story writers that I know in advance will provide reading pleasure for me from front to back cover. This is especially true of this trifecta of Harry Bosh stories, Echo, Ice, and Blonde . Michael Connelly consistently draws a written picture that I feel as if I am there in the place and action. Accurate research is also a must for my reading pleasure. Connelly is one of the top of the line at this necessity.

The Overlook (Harry Bosch)
$7.99
The Overlook seems to have gotten mixed reviews but I think its baggage of being originally a newspaper story released in parts (the novel was expanded and deepened a bit) has made fans go into it with the idea that they wouldn't like it. No, it's not the strongest in the series but its pretty exciting in that it's a mystery that's solved in pretty close to a day. The story, involving terrorism, feels very contemporary, and the mystery's ending is pretty surprising, if a little bit unbelievable.

It's an exciting entry in the series and while probably not the best place to start the series it's fun to see Bosch in a story that's more fast-paced and thrilling than usual.