The Brass Verdict (Mickey Haller, #2) (Harry Bosch, #14)

by Michael Connelly

book data

1,295 ratings, 3.97 average rating, 401 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		24%
4		49%
3		23%
2		2%
1		0%

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published

October 14th 2008 by Little Brown and Company

binding

Hardcover, 384 pages

characters

Harry Bosch, Mickey Haller, Jack McEvoy

isbn

0316166294 (isbn13: 9780316166294)

description

Things are finally looking up for defense attorney Mickey Haller. After two years of wrong turns, Haller is back in the courtroom. When Hollywood lawy...more

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11/25/08

Michael rated it:

bookshelves: mystery, read-in-2008

Read in November, 2008

Lawyer Mickey Haller is back and this time he gets to share the spotlight with Connolly's L.A. Detective Harry Bosch.

It's been over a year since the events of "The Lincoln Lawyer" and Haller is looking to get back into the world of lawyering. He gets to do so in a big way, when a fellow lawyer is killed and leaves his practice to Haller. At stake are 30 or so cases, including a big one where a Hollywood movie mogul is accused of killing his wife and her lover. Circumstan...more Lawyer Mickey Haller is back and this time he gets to share the spotlight with Connolly's L.A. Detective Harry Bosch.

It's been over a year since the events of "The Lincoln Lawyer" and Haller is looking to get back into the world of lawyering. He gets to do so in a big way, when a fellow lawyer is killed and leaves his practice to Haller. At stake are 30 or so cases, including a big one where a Hollywood movie mogul is accused of killing his wife and her lover. Circumstantial evidence and a killer (no pun intended) pre-nuptual agreement put the husband firmly as the prime suspect, but Haller figures his old friend had a "magic bullet" that was the key to the case. The only problem is his old friend was killed by an unknown attacker and had his laptop stolen.

As Haller begins to work on the case, he makes one alarming discovery after another. He crosses paths with Bosch, looking into the murder of the lawyer and Bosch drops hints that the FBI may be interested in both the murder and the big case. For a while, Haller can't figure out why but slowly begins to connect the pieces and find out the bigger picture.

Connelly is no stranger to creating good mysteries with an element of suspense to keep the pages turning. In "The Brass Verdict," he raises his game to the next level, creating a lot of plot threads that come together in a satisfying way. As the various plots and conspiracies unfolded, I found myself more and more intrigued by what was happening and curious as to where Conelly would take me next. And when he delivers the final twists and turns of the novels last 100 pages, they are easily some of the most satisfying of any mystery novel I've read in a long while. (Probably second only to this year's "Careless in Red" by Elizabeth George).

A lot of this can be credited to Connelly's decision to bring back Haller. Haller is an extremely flawed protagonist. He's not a perfect man and Connelly wisely doesn't portray him as such. He's haunted by demons from his past and driven by the desire to be a better man and laywer now. This comes into conflict each time he meets with his client, who is obviously hiding a lot of things from Haller, including just how far he'll go to retain his freedom. Haller's slow whittling away to the truth is compelling and fascinating.

The only part I didn't like is that, at the end of the story, we get a force family connection between Haller and Bosch and the story strongly suggests this is the end of Haller's career. I know we sort of had that at the end of "The Lincoln Lawyer" and we saw Haller come back here. Hopefully Connelly will find another story worthy of Haller's return in the future. (less)

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2 comments

11/19/08

Kellie rated it:

bookshelves: 2008-reads, bosch-series, mystery-thrillers, series

Read in November, 2008

Connelly has some of the best quotes in his books.
"There is nothing you can do about the past except keep it there." A quote from Mickey Haller when discussing his prior addiction to OxyContin.

This was a fantastic read! Mickey Haller is taking a break from the law. After being injured, and becoming addicted to pain pills, he is planning on getting back into his practice gradually. When one of his colleagues, Jerry Vincent, is murdered, Haller has suddenly found hi...more

Like this review? yes (3 people liked it)

2 comments

01/09/09

Lori Anderson rated it:

Read in January, 2009

I love Harry Bosch, and I hated how he was portrayed in this book. He was a side character in this one, so I didn't expect to like it as well, but I kept getting bored. Kind of meh, but I love Connelly, so I'll give it a pass.

Lori Anderson

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08/27/08

Paula rated it:

Read in August, 2008

recommends it for: Legal thriller fans

Like The Lincoln Lawyer, this second book featuring attorney Mickey Haller delves into the often amusing and usually unsavory realities of defending accused criminals. Even though Haller's been struggling with a painkiller addiction he's still a barrel of laughs compared to police detective Harry Bosch, who shows up investigating the murder of another lawyer. If you've read any of Connelly's Bosch series you'll enjoy hearing what Haller makes of him, and at the same time you might find yoursel...more

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07/01/08

Linda rated it:

bookshelves: crime-and-mystery, fiction

One of my favorite genres is Detective-in-Recovery (or Detective Dealing with Some Other Personal Demon)-- and Michael Connelly delivers a double in this one. Mickey, the attorney from THE LINCOLN LAWYER, and Harry Bosch star, but it's really Mickey who has the lead. Out of recovery and about to step back into the courtroom scene, Mickey suddenly has to cover another attorney's caseload when that attorney is murdered. The solution to the murder is probably in the files for one of those cases, an...more

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10/21/08

Barb rated it:

Read in November, 2008

Michael Connelly's books are the best and it's so exciting when a new one comes out. In this book he brings back Mickey Haller from another of his tomes (The Lincoln Lawyer) and the other protagonist is the infamous Harry Bosch - my favorite. I couldn't put this book down and the circuitous paths the story took made it more exciting. I adore Connelly so much, I would read his grocery list and probably find it a great and interesting work. If you haven't read Michael Connelly's books, get sta...more

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12/14/08

Wyma rated it:

Read in December, 2008

Connelly's such a good writer that it's hard to fault him. The Lincoln Lawyer however seems a bit gimmicky and the courtroom explanations go on too long. I realize that I'd probably give anyone else 4 stars for this book because it is fast paced, a good mystery w/ logical misdirection, and a plausible protagonist. We do learn a secret about another Connelly character that I won't divulge. I expect a lot from Connelly;I prefer the Bosch series and the one-offs.

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03/07/09

Laura rated it:

Read in March, 2009

Most of Michael Connelly's books feature detective Harry Bosch and although Bosch has a minor (but ultimately important role) in this story, center stage is given to defense attorney Mickey Haller. Understand, Haller's been out of the legal arena for about a year when the story starts, but he's quickly thrust back into it when a colleague and friend is murdered and leaves all his cases to Haller. The caseload includes a homicide involving a Hollywood producer and the impending trial is certain t...more

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5 comments

02/25/09

Nena rated it:

In a pickle, take the nickel. -- This is the best Michael Connelly book ever! The blending of Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch was done extremely well and very poignantly. I was impressed with this entire book. Two murder mysteries simultaneously being dealt with and the addition of a surprise character from a prior Connelly book, plus the references to several other Connelly books that preceded this one, was magnificent! I love when he writes in first person, too. Boy can Connelly tell a story...more

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01/07/09

LJ rated it:

bookshelves: attorney, california, contemporary_post_1945, legal_thriller, male_author, mystery, so_cal_la

Read in December, 2008

THE BRASS VERDICT (Legal Thriller-Michael Haller-Los Angeles-Cont) - Ex
Connelly, Michael – 2nd in series
Little, Brown and Company, 2009, US Hardcover – ISBN; 0316166294

First Sentence: Everybody lies.

Michael Heller had decided to return to practice but not at this level. A former colleague is murdered and had designated Heller as the attorney to take over all his cases should something happen to him. One of those cases is defending producer Walter Ellio...more

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01/04/09

Kathleen added it

bookshelves: 2008-audio-books, 2008-mysteries-suspense

Read in October, 2008

The Brass Verdict, by Michael Connelly, A. Narrated by Peter Giles, produced by Hachette Audio, downloaded from audible.com.

Well here’s the case where Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller finally meet each other. Haller is a defense attorney who has taken time off because he had to go through rehab for his addiction to pain pills. He has finally decided to return to practice. Then he is called into the chief judge’s office. He is told that Jerry Vincent, another defense lawyer who ...more

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06/11/09

Susan Katz rated it:

bookshelves: mystery-thriller

Michael Connelly is a fine mystery writer with compelling characters, literate writing, and engrossing plots. This one - in which Mickey Haller, recovering from an Oxycontin addition after a gunshot wound, suddenly inherits all the cases belonging to his murdered colleague, Jerry Vincent - is a winner. Vincent's death may or may not involve the FBI and may or may not be connected to his most prominent case, the defense of a Hollywood bigwig accused of killing his wife and her lover. Everyone ...more

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05/02/09

Christy rated it:

Read in May, 2009

After two years recuperating from a gunshot wound and subsequent addiction to pain pills, defense attorney Mickey Haller thinks he’s ready for work, although he intends to take things slow and easy. When his colleague Jerry Vincent is murdered, Haller, as Vincent’s surrogate, inherits his active cases, one of which is garnering much media attention. Hollywood producer Walter Elliott has been accused of murdering his wife and her lover, and his trial’s coming up within days. Elliott refuses...more

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04/18/09

Nancy (Hrdcovers) rated it:

Read in April, 2009

Having just finished Connelly's The Lincoln Lawyer a month ago, I was eager to read this next book featuring defense attorney, Mickey Haller. As if another Haller book wasn't enough of a gift to his readers, the author further rewards us by injecting Harry Bosch into the mix. Be still my heart!!! Haller and Bosch together!!! It's a dream come true for Connelly's avid fans. If you're not familiar with Connelly's previous books, Harry Bosch is the homicide detective who has appeared in more than t...more Having just finished Connelly's The Lincoln Lawyer a month ago, I was eager to read this next book featuring defense attorney, Mickey Haller. As if another Haller book wasn't enough of a gift to his readers, the author further rewards us by injecting Harry Bosch into the mix. Be still my heart!!! Haller and Bosch together!!! It's a dream come true for Connelly's avid fans. If you're not familiar with Connelly's previous books, Harry Bosch is the homicide detective who has appeared in more than ten of them and is greatly loved by all of Connelly's readers.

One might say that each of these characters is cut from the same cloth. But almost everything about them is the flip side of the other. One serves the prosecution while the other serves the defense; one lives on one side of the mountain while the other lives on the other side; one has one view of the city while the other has a different view. But this book will show how much they are truly alike and the words "cut from the same cloth" can perhaps be taken literally. I think the thing I enjoyed most was seeing Harry Bosch through someone else's eyes and being able to get a new take on an old and much beloved character. At one point, Harry is standing outside of police headquarters listening to an Ipod. Mickey Haller is as surprised by this as is the reader who has followed Harry for years. There's no way I can picture Bosch standing on the street listening to music through an Ipod. We actually find out it wasn't music he was listening to which puts Harry back where he should be in the reader's mind.

In The Brass Verdict, Connelly dishes out my kind of justice...the brass kind....as Mickey Haller is defending an arrogant Hollywood bigshot charged with some serious murders. Prior to this, Mickey had been on leave for a year after the conclusion of The Lincoln Lawyer forced him to take some time off. The death of a former colleague brings him back to the defense table when he inherits that attorney's cases. Haller is great at picking apart the prosecution's case but, as with all of Connelly's books, it's more about the journey and not the destination. The things the reader learns along the way, about the characters Connelly so obviously loves, makes each and every one of Connelly books something to be greatly appreciated.

When I read The Lincoln Lawyer, I loved it but had no idea that The Brass Verdict would be as good, if not better, than the first book in this series. It's obvious that Connelly has the desire to make all of his books connect in some way. Pairing Bosch and Haller was the greatest of all connections for this reader. When I read books that are part of a series, I keep notes on each main character so I can go back and reference them from time to time. There was a note I made in The Black Ice that told me this connection would come one day. I didn't know who the character would be but I knew it would happen. If this doesn't make you loyal Connelly fans read this book, I don't know what else will. (less)

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02/26/09

Jennifer Chase rated it:

Read in January, 2009

Michael Connelly’s “The Brass Verdict” is a well-written, taunt, suspenseful read. Defense attorney, Michael “Mickey” Haller inherits his murdered friend’s high profile law firm. This no doubt comes with a high price complete with the case of the decade involving a Hollywood producer accused of murdering his wife and her lover. If that’s not enough, enter Detective Harry Bosch who then squares off against Mickey Haller. It’s Bosch versus Haller and neither is backing down. H...more

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10/25/08

Allen rated it:

Connelly always delivers and he did again here - great story, great characters - surprise ending on this one, not needed for this story, but maybe a way of setting up future books, which would be great.

i'm very busy with my own writing and blog, so my reading tends to come in short bites, usually literally, over one meal or another. Connelly is one for whom everything else is put aside so i can do a straight-through read.

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07/14/08

Katherine rated it:

Read in June, 2008

I picked up a galley of this and ALA, to my great delight. Connelly is a guilty pleasure that I don't feel all that guilty about. He writers really well-done satisyfing, even somewhat complex mysteries, and this one didn't disappoint. The efforts to bring two of his characters from different series together wasn't entirely successful, but it worked pretty well, all things considered.

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05/15/09

Barry rated it:

Read in May, 2009

Although I hoped Detective Bosch would be a main character, Connelly did an excellent job portraying him in the third person, and Haller was likable enough as the main character, a defense lawyer. There were some great quotes about the lies people tell, "Everybody Lies. Lawyers lie. Witnesses lie. Victims lie. A trial is a contest of lies." I also enjoyed the suspenseful quotes made to Haller from other characters, particularly Bosch: "Remember, that little trickle on the back of ...more

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05/02/09

Caitlin rated it:

Read in May, 2009

Michael Connelly writes a great mystery. I don't know how he manages to do it, but he delivers every single time. His primary series character, Detective Bosch, hooks up with his newest character, Mickey Haller from The Lincoln Lawyer in his latest book.

Like all of Connelly's books the writing is uncomplicated & well-paced with an emphasis on both plot AND character. I suspect it's this that makes his books so enjoyable. This one is less a police procedural & more a courtroom dra...more

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12/05/08

Cheryl rated it:

Read in December, 2008

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 h...more

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