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mbpartlow's review against another edition
3.0
If you like Connolly, particularly the Haller books, you'll love this.
For me, it was a good read, but I prefer the Bosch books. Harry is just a deeper, more fully realized character than Mickey.
And at times, in this book, I felt like I was being clubbed with California legal intricacies that I didn't really need to know, and that slowed the story down for me. Plus writers know they're running a risk when they make a main character (the accused) fairly unlikeable.
The mystery was as twisted as ever, and I'll still buy and read everything Connolly writes. This book just wasn't my fave. Although the one laugh-out-loud line was PRICELESS!
For me, it was a good read, but I prefer the Bosch books. Harry is just a deeper, more fully realized character than Mickey.
And at times, in this book, I felt like I was being clubbed with California legal intricacies that I didn't really need to know, and that slowed the story down for me. Plus writers know they're running a risk when they make a main character (the accused) fairly unlikeable.
The mystery was as twisted as ever, and I'll still buy and read everything Connolly writes. This book just wasn't my fave. Although the one laugh-out-loud line was PRICELESS!
lethaldose's review against another edition
4.0
Great book, Mickey Haller has become my favore recurring Michael Connelly character.
Michael Connelly is one of the most underappreciated talented writers working today. Pacing is what I always think about with Connelly books and that is no different here, his books always have the best pacing. There are no lulls, there is a plot twist and then just when you have gotten used to that everything seems to be going along good, he throws something else at you, until you get to the climax. And it is an awesome climax, but not totally shocking and the thing is once you start thinking about it, the climax doesn't really hold up, maybe all the i's are dotted and t's crossed, but in the end the plot seems overly complicated and to intricate to be completely swallowed. But if you can suspend that kind of belief then this is an awesome story that has me seriously looking forward to the next Mickey Haller book.
Michael Connelly is one of the most underappreciated talented writers working today. Pacing is what I always think about with Connelly books and that is no different here, his books always have the best pacing. There are no lulls, there is a plot twist and then just when you have gotten used to that everything seems to be going along good, he throws something else at you, until you get to the climax. And it is an awesome climax, but not totally shocking and the thing is once you start thinking about it, the climax doesn't really hold up, maybe all the i's are dotted and t's crossed, but in the end the plot seems overly complicated and to intricate to be completely swallowed. But if you can suspend that kind of belief then this is an awesome story that has me seriously looking forward to the next Mickey Haller book.
alex_in_wonderland25's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
smahoney5's review against another edition
4.0
Always love Michael Connelly's books, and this one did not disappoint.
paws42's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
prodigalstudent's review against another edition
2.0
Note: It is actually 2.5 stars.
So, before I start this review, I want to preface it by admitting that I stupidly read some spoilers that revealed the ending of this book. Now with that out of the way, let's discuss the book and that ending. Note, that this review also contains mild spoilers for the next book in the series [b:The Gods of Guilt|17333227|The Gods of Guilt (Mickey Haller, #6)|Michael Connelly|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1362529630s/17333227.jpg|23863053].
And even as someone who has only a very general familiarity with law, Haller's case built on getting the fifth witness to plead the "fifth" did not ring true to me at all, because the strategy to get there did not seem like it would be allowed in the courtroom.
Also, I think Connelly took the easy way out and put the plot before the character to setup the twist reveal. First off - it was weird to have Haller deliberating over whether his client was innocent or not, given that he was a seasoned defense lawyer who repeatedly claimed that the innocence or guilt of his client was not relevant to his work. It just seemed out of character to see him all of a sudden thinking whether he was doing the right thing. I get that he wanted to become a better man for his ex-wife and kid, but there just was not enough development there to make this development believable. The transition felt too damn abrupt.
Moreover, I was sorely disappointed by the mystery in this book. This would definitely classify in the legal-drama portion, since beyond the twist ending, there was hardly any mystery or speculation as to who committed the crime. Even here, Connelly dangles some loose ends that he does not completely wrap up.
Honestly though, the biggest problem with the book is it simply was not that compelling or interesting to read and overall, pointless. Why pointless? The one part I was most excited about was the part that revealed Haller was going to run for DA, but as we find in the next Mickey Haller book [b:The Gods of Guilt|17333227|The Gods of Guilt (Mickey Haller, #6)|Michael Connelly|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1362529630s/17333227.jpg|23863053], that's not the case. In-fact, it's hardly covered in the next book and he's back to being the plain old defense lawyer we know and love. This is disappointing because Haller running for DA felt like such a momentous decision in this novel. But in hindsight, it feels like another last-minute tactic to add some exciting threads to tantalize the reader to follow the series, but with no payoff. I expect better from Connelly, and I hope his next book brings it.
So, before I start this review, I want to preface it by admitting that I stupidly read some spoilers that revealed the ending of this book. Now with that out of the way, let's discuss the book and that ending. Note, that this review also contains mild spoilers for the next book in the series [b:The Gods of Guilt|17333227|The Gods of Guilt (Mickey Haller, #6)|Michael Connelly|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1362529630s/17333227.jpg|23863053].
Spoiler
So, obviously the twist ending was not that much of a surprise for me, given that I was aware of it. However, what I did not expect was to find the book as boring or hard to read as I did. I had to literally force myself to read through certain chapters, and that's usually not the case with Michael Connelly's books especially the Mickey Haller series. The book failed to sustain my attention, containing long bouts of exposition.And even as someone who has only a very general familiarity with law, Haller's case built on getting the fifth witness to plead the "fifth" did not ring true to me at all, because the strategy to get there did not seem like it would be allowed in the courtroom.
Also, I think Connelly took the easy way out and put the plot before the character to setup the twist reveal. First off - it was weird to have Haller deliberating over whether his client was innocent or not, given that he was a seasoned defense lawyer who repeatedly claimed that the innocence or guilt of his client was not relevant to his work. It just seemed out of character to see him all of a sudden thinking whether he was doing the right thing. I get that he wanted to become a better man for his ex-wife and kid, but there just was not enough development there to make this development believable. The transition felt too damn abrupt.
Moreover, I was sorely disappointed by the mystery in this book. This would definitely classify in the legal-drama portion, since beyond the twist ending, there was hardly any mystery or speculation as to who committed the crime. Even here, Connelly dangles some loose ends that he does not completely wrap up.
Honestly though, the biggest problem with the book is it simply was not that compelling or interesting to read and overall, pointless. Why pointless? The one part I was most excited about was the part that revealed Haller was going to run for DA, but as we find in the next Mickey Haller book [b:The Gods of Guilt|17333227|The Gods of Guilt (Mickey Haller, #6)|Michael Connelly|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1362529630s/17333227.jpg|23863053], that's not the case. In-fact, it's hardly covered in the next book and he's back to being the plain old defense lawyer we know and love. This is disappointing because Haller running for DA felt like such a momentous decision in this novel. But in hindsight, it feels like another last-minute tactic to add some exciting threads to tantalize the reader to follow the series, but with no payoff. I expect better from Connelly, and I hope his next book brings it.
dantihero's review against another edition
5.0
If you get through how annoying the client is .... its really good.
kbucheit's review
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
mclellan's review against another edition
5.0
As usual, Michael Connelly wrote a spellbinding book. He has a way of capturing my attention quickly and I find I become almost obsesive w/the need to finish the book -- and then the downward spiral when it's finally all over becuase I know I'll have to wait for the next one. If you are looking for a series to read, I highly recommend both this (Micky Haller aka the Lincoln Lawyer) and the Harry Bosch series. Both are wonderful.