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It is not often that one waits for an author’s forthcoming book with bated breath and it is also not many authors that do this to me. However, Michael Connelly is one of the few authors that fall under this group. My anticipation in reading his latest book was more than fulfilled. BRASS VERDICT is Connelly’s 20th book to date and is certainly an answer to any self-respecting crime fiction readers dream. It has been two years since Mickey Haller (THE LINCOLN LAWYER, 2005) has last been in a courtroom. He is just out of rehab and what he would really like to do is gradually make his way back into his legal practice. His carefully laid plans are disrupted when a former colleague of his, Jerry Vincent,is murdered. He and Jerry used to help each other out with their cases. Much to his surprise Jerry has left his practice along with all his current cases to Mickey. Amongst the cases that Mickey has to deal with is the high profile case of Hollywood producer Walter Elliot who is accused of killing his wife along with her alleged lover. As he begins the battle to organise a defence in the short period that he has, two issues crop up. First, he is sure that this is much more than a simple act of jealousy on the part of an aggrieved husband and he is determined to get to the bottom of it and second, he finds himself in constant conflict with LAPD Detective Harry Bosch who is also working on the Vincent case. As their two worlds collide they reluctantly agree to work together. From the start BRASS VERDICT is the type of combination novel (legal thriller and police procedural) that gets one's heart racing. The storyline is intriguing, fast paced and thought- provoking. Here we have two adversaries who have their own set of moral standards that they endeavour to uphold in their own way. The relationship between Bosch and Haller alone makes for great dynamics and it is very interesting to see what happens when Haller realises how much of a close relationship he does in fact have with Bosch. One the one hand they are capable, spirited and willing to co-operate with one another, but on the other they are also both wary and equally predatory. It is also interesting to find out much more about Haller’s past and how he copes with looking after his daughter. Looking at Bosch from another perspective and Haller as he tells the story as it is happening is a deft piece of writing that could go awry under other circumstances. This of course is not the case with Michael Connelly. In BRASS VERDICT Michael Connelly has written a brilliant, revealing, relevant and succinct narrative that shows how good a writer he is. I certainly want more.
Reviewed by Ayo Onatade, September 2008
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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