The Brass Verdict: A Novel

This book is a procedural with a rather dry plot development. Characters as depicted do not draw the reader in, and these are interesting characters normally. Things didn't really pick up until the end; this was more like a reading assignment: so many pages per day, did anything happen: yes? no?, okay, continue. Eventually everything was dutifully woven together, except for one rather gaping loose end. It seemed dragged out, a contract fulfillment or a stepping stone to another story. Lacks heart, immediacy. Recommendation: Okay if you already know the characters' backgrounds and are a fan. Coming into it cold, difficult.

After reading this page turner, Michael Connelly is once again guilty of writing another great mystery novel. Once you start, you are not going to be able to put this thriller down. Unlike so many mystery writers, Connelly does not resort to one or two foot prints to build his stories around. Each tale is unique and imaginative.

Brass Verdict is no different. After building the story to a crescendo, Connelly takes his readers in a completely different direction that never could have been anticipated. All I can do now is wait for the next Connelly thriller to be written.

After been on sabbatical for about two years, prominent defense attorney, Mickey Haller finds himself in business again. A former colleague of his, Jerry Vincent has been murdered. Now Haller may have just inherited, what could be considered the biggest case of his career. He client is famous Hollywood movie producer, Walter Elliot. Walter has been accused of killing his wife and her lover. Also, Haller is helping to solve the murder of his friend Walter. Someone doesn't like Mickey sticking his nose in places where it doesn't belong. For all of Haller's troubles, he now has Vincent's killer after him.

Police detective, Harry Bosch is on the case to solve the murder of Walter Vincent. IT seems Vincent was dealing something shady on the side. Bosch and Haller don't really like each other but they do respect one another. Mickey is adamant about not backing down, even if it means partnering up with Bosch.

You could call me a late bloomer of author, Michael Connelly. I have seen his books everywhere but just never read one till Truck Music. After reading Truck Music, I just fell in love with this author and his writing style. He had me hooked. The Brass Verdict is only the second book I have read by Mr. Connelly. I plan to go back and check out all the rest of his novels. One of the reasons, I like reading this author's books is because of the main character, Harry Bosch. Harry is this brass, loud mouth, in your face, gives it as good as he can dish it kind of guy. Not many people can write a character like this, who is annoying. Another reason I enjoyed this book is because it reminded me of The Runaway Jury meets Law and Order. I look forward to more great reads by Mr. Connelly.

I am a huge fan, and this does not disappoint. We are reacquainted with Mickey Haller of the "Lincoln Lawyer," who meets up with Harry Bosch. With many unexpected twists and turns, this is yet another super page-turner. I actually gasped out loud at one of the revelations.

I would say my only concern was with Walter Eliott, a truly unlikeable character. One of the things I love about Connelly's writing is that the characters are so complex. In most mystery/thriller novels, the characters are quite black or white. The characters in this book are a bit less developed.

If you have not read Connelly before, don't start here. Read a couple of the earlier Harry Bosch books first and the "Lincoln Lawyer" first.

Over and over I review on the basis of "Is it worth the money?" "Is it worth the time?" Yes and yes. Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller meet up as each kindo of slides into a murder case by way of the death of a fellow lawyer who covered cases for Mickey and vice versa. The shadowy presence of the F.B.I. auggests something more than a mere jealous spouse, big time beach house murder and some mysterious characters show up here and there. The real questions in this novel are not merely those of the "police procedural" of who, how and why, but also questions of ethics and power as confidentiality and subpoena power, court secrecy, lawyer/client and personal knowledge of potential crime s all enter into the mix. This is a satisfyingmeshing of these two major characters in a story worthy of the author. A don't put down read.