The Fifth Witness

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Peter Giles

Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

In this #1 New York Times bestselling thriller, after taking on a foreclosure case, defense attorney Mickey Haller fights to prove his client’s innocence—but first he must follow a trail of black market evidence to its sinister end

Mickey Haller has fallen on tough times. He expands his business into foreclosure defense, only to see one of his clients accused of killing the banker she blames for trying to take away her home.

Mickey puts his team into high gear to exonerate Lisa Trammel, even though the evidence and his own suspicions tell him his client is guilty. Soon after he learns that the victim had black market dealings of his own, Haller is assaulted, too—and he's certain he's on the right trail.

Despite the danger and uncertainty, Haller mounts the best defense of his career in a trial where the last surprise comes after the verdict is in. Connelly proves again why he "may very well be the best novelist working in the United States today" (San Francisco Chronicle).

©2011 Michael Connelly (P)2011 Hachette Audio

Superb!

Amazing book! Twists and Turns everywhere. You'll never be able to figure it out until the very end.

To win

The economy is down and lawyer Michael Haller, who operates his office out of a bullet-proof Lincoln Continental, can’t make ends meet with criminal defense. However, the mortgage crisis has opened a new door, defending homeowners from greedy banks. One of his clients, Lisa Trammel, has also founded a protest group. She is about to lose her home after her husband abandons her and her child, and her protest group is getting attention. Then, the banker who is foreclosing on her is found murdered and Lisa is arrested. She is a difficult client, mercurial, and manipulative and she has periods of panic, but is also angling for a book and movie deal. Haller is thrust back into criminal law as he must defend her. I won’t spoil the plot, but just note that the book deals with the issues of criminal defense, which is designed to give the accused the best possible defense. For a defense attorney, it is not a search for truth but a goal to win. The book deals with that moral struggle which is a necessary part of protecting the innocent accused even when it means that sometimes the guilty get away. In this case, it seems clear that Lisa is being framed, as they discover that banker himself has some shady dealings coming from his own problems with the falling property market. The book has twists and turns and is easily as absorbing as the best of John Grisham’s legal thrillers. It is both interesting and informative, while pushing you to consider moral dilemmas. Recommended. 

WOW!! Fast & Highly Detailed

Great writing - details, courts, police, lawyers + fast paced storyline pulled me right in. And until the very end my interested was held stumped .... never really getting It until the last words.

Another solid Mickey Haller story

Any additional comments?

With a story well-placed in the mortgage meltdown window of time and news stories, Connelly weaves another good Mickey Haller crime/courtroom story. There's just something intriguing about a client you can't find a reason to like and a main character in Haller who is complicated, damaged and highly interesting. It won't disappoint to new or series Haller listeners.

Good story and performance

I was very happy with the writing and telling. Im a Bosch fan and enjoy this series as well.

Smart Until the End

Book Review

The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly

Smart Until the End
Jean A. Vachon

Rockland, ON - Mickey Haller, a lawyer going through rough times, takes up the defence of Lisa Trammel accused of killing her banker, who she claims, was trying to take away her house.
His team works hard to exonerate the accused even though a lot of evidence points to her guilt...
Court proceedings are most interesting and maintain the suspense throughout the trial full of surprises.
At one point, Haller is attacked by hoodlums who want to curb the lawyer’s investigation...
In the end, Haller succeeds in spreading doubt in the jury’s minds and his client is proclaimed innocent.
Nonetheless, the crafty lawyer thinks differently. New evidence confirms his beliefs.
But whatever the verdict, justice has a long arm and it’s purpose is achieved.
This book was interesting from beginning to end, and convinces the reader that lawyers are fully justified in asking high payment in return for their competence.

Connelly does it again!

Michael Connelly is fast becoming my favorite author. He combines the exciting legal battles and investigations behind the courtroom, with the personal lives of the characters. He also has the talent to explain the legal technicalities in an understandable way. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast moving and exciting story of the legal system.

Watch out! Here comes Mickey!

Would you listen to The Fifth Witness again? Why?

I'd definitely listen to The Fifth Witness again in a couple of months, after I have had a chance to recover from the 1st time. I have been a Mickey Haller fan since Michael Connelly introduced us to each other and what a wild ride it has been. Now The Fifth Witness ends with just a hint of where Haller is going in his future -- a new twist -- and I want to be sure to go along for the ride.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course, Mickey is my favorite, the star of the show, but right after Mickey comes Cisco, his trusty investigator. What's not to like about a guy who always has your back!

What does Peter Giles bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I am convinced that Peter Giles is Mickey Haller's alter ego. If Mickey Haller is fictional (and I am not even certain of that), Peter Giles gives him life. The written word can't do that!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I wanted to savor the twists and turns and make it last. I was glad I did because in the genuine Connelly style, the ending was a classic! That said, a reader will have to plan to spend the last few hours of this audio book undisturbed because it is nimpossible to put down.

Any additional comments?

Another Connelly Classic! Fantastic!

Great Story

Outstanding story. Another great story by a great story teller. Haller's legal team does it again with drama and intrigue

Good Read

The story gets bogged down with too much detail about the foreclosures; however it is still a good story. Connelly fleshes out his characters . They capture your interest. and the plot moves along.