The Brass Verdict: A Novel (Harry Bosch) Summary and Reviews

The Brass Verdict: A Novel (Harry Bosch)
by Michael Connelly

The Brass Verdict: A Novel (Harry Bosch)
List Price: $26.99
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions

Book Summary Information

Author: Michael Connelly
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-10-14
ISBN: 0316166294
Number of pages: 432
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Product features:

Book Reviews of The Brass Verdict: A Novel (Harry Bosch)

Book Review: Courtroom Thriller with Harry Bosch Portrayed as He Is Seen by Others
Summary: 5 Stars

Do not read this review or this book unless you have at least read The Lincoln Lawyer and The Last Coyote. If you have read both of those, you'll probably think The Brass Verdict is a four-star book. If you've read The Lincoln Lawyer and all of the previous Harry Bosch novels, you will probably think The Brass Verdict is a very interesting five-star character study buried in a series of intriguing mysteries.

Characters, to me, are what make or break mysteries. If I like a character or find the character to be interesting, I look forward to each book teaching me something new about the character. In the best mysteries, the characters grow into something more than before which makes the progression interesting to contemplate.

The best writers save some things to surprise readers. Most such surprises are like a little firecracker going off. There's big bang for a second, but it doesn't mean much after a few minutes. Michael Connelly has the ability to set off what seems like a little firecracker that makes you see the whole world differently. It's a great gift, and he employs it in The Brass Verdict. But you need background from the earlier novels to appreciate the beauty of what he does.

I have a problem in reviewing this book. I can't tell you about the two most interesting aspects (what the title means and revelations about the two leading characters in The Brass Verdict). But I can tell you that these aspects will pique your interest and leave you with many fascinating things to think about after you finish the book.

Here's what I can tell you. Mickey Haller is a sadder and a little wiser version of the man who was the hero of The Lincoln Lawyer. He has had a serious run-in with drugs, and he doesn't have his empathy back yet. As a result, he can think clearly about legal issues . . . but human relations are difficult for him. The emotional environment for him is flat . . . which makes reading the book a little flat . . . but that's part of the Connelly's plan.

Michael Connelly also puts Harry Bosch in the background of this story. That's something that you should know before you decide whether or not you want to read the book. There's a good reason for doing this that you won't understand until you finish the book. But you should appreciate that you'll gain new insights into Harry's methods and effectiveness by getting a sense of what it's like to be on the receiving end of one of his investigations.

As the book's blurb reveals, Mickey Haller hasn't been doing criminal defense work since The Lincoln Lawyer events for about two years. When a fellow solo practitioner is executed in his parking garage, Mickey inherits Jerry Vincent's cases . . . including a multiple six-figure defense of a Hollywood mogul who is accused of killing his wife and her lover. Mickey's life is shaken to the core, but he decides he wants to get back in the saddle.

There's only one problem with being a criminal defense attorney . . . you are usually defending guilty people who did the crimes. You have to watch out that you don't get in their way . . . or you may become a victim as well.

Wanting to help with the Jerry Vincent investigation, Mickey Haller provides what information and cooperation he can to Harry Bosch. Bosch isn't too impressed, and soon Mickey finds Bosch putting on unnecessary pressure as well.

Can Mickey hold it all together? Will he become a victim, too?

Ultimately, Mickey has to face up to a question that his daughter asks: Why can't he do what mommy does, and prosecute bad guys?

It's gritty and exciting and filled with many mysteries. It's a keeper.

Literature & Fiction Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in My Most Favorite Book
Release 2.0: The Bangalore Imperative ImageRelease 2.0: The Bangalore Imperative
by Anil Goel
Undercover Productions; Published: 2007-12-14; Paperback; Book
Best price: $14.99
Sangria: A Recipe For Love ImageSangria: A Recipe For Love
by Manuela Requena
Undercover Productions LLC; Published: 2009-04-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $16.94
Price in other shops: $16.95
The Graveyard Book ImageThe Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman
HarperCollins; Published: 2008-10-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $8.45
Price in other shops: $17.99
Dear Popples: love letters from an unlikely mother ImageDear Popples: love letters from an unlikely mother
by Anouradha Bakshi
Undercover Productions; Published: 2008-05-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.75
From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, No. 8) ImageFrom Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, No. 8)
by Charlaine Harris
Ace; Published: 2009-03-31; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.85
Price in other shops: $7.99
Soul Search Engine: till now... ImageSoul Search Engine: till now...
by Al Raines
Undercover Utopia; Published: 2008-02-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.39
The Brass Verdict: A Novel (Harry Bosch) ImageThe Brass Verdict: A Novel (Harry Bosch)
by Michael Connelly
Little, Brown and Company; Published: 2008-10-14; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $3.58
Price in other shops: $26.99
For The Class Of 2010: A Handbook For The 21st Century Teenager ImageFor The Class Of 2010: A Handbook For The 21st Century Teenager
by Al Raines
Undercover Productions LLC; Published: 2008-10-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.99
Price in other shops: $7.00
The Secret ImageThe Secret
by Rhonda Byrne
Atria Books/Beyond Words; Published: 2006-11-28; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $7.45
Price in other shops: $23.95
November Rain: Original Indian Version ImageNovember Rain: Original Indian Version
by Al Raines
Undercover Productions; Published: 2007-08-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.48
Price in other shops: $7.49
Similar books summaries and other product reviews
Lost Light (Harry Bosch) ImageLost Light (Harry Bosch)
by Michael Connelly
Vision; Published: 2004-03-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.96
Price in other shops: $7.99
The Closers (Harry Bosch) ImageThe Closers (Harry Bosch)
by Michael Connelly
Grand Central Publishing; Published: 2006-10-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.98
Price in other shops: $13.99
A Darkness More Than Night (Harry Bosch) ImageA Darkness More Than Night (Harry Bosch)
by Michael Connelly
Vision; Published: 2002-03-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.10
Price in other shops: $7.99
Bones (Alex Delaware, No. 23) ImageBones (Alex Delaware, No. 23)
by Jonathan Kellerman
Ballantine Books; Published: 2009-02-24; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.50
Price in other shops: $9.99
The Gate House ImageThe Gate House
by Nelson DeMille
Grand Central Publishing; Published: 2009-11-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.99
Price in other shops: $14.99
The Lincoln Lawyer ImageThe Lincoln Lawyer
by Michael Connelly
Grand Central Publishing; Published: 2008-09-16; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.60
Price in other shops: $13.99
Divine Justice (Camel Club) ImageDivine Justice (Camel Club)
by David Baldacci
Vision; Published: 2009-09-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops: $9.99
Heat Lightning ImageHeat Lightning
by John Sandford
Berkley; Published: 2009-10-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.41
Price in other shops: $9.99
Nine Dragons ImageNine Dragons
by Michael Connelly
Little, Brown and Company; Published: 2009-10-13; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $10.48
Price in other shops: $27.99
The Scarecrow ImageThe Scarecrow
by Michael Connelly
Little, Brown and Company; Published: 2009-05-26; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $10.00
Price in other shops: $27.99