The Poet

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Buck Schirner

Length: 15 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE HARRY BOSCH AND LINCOLN LAWYER SERIES

An electrifying standalone thriller that breaks all the rules!

Death is reporter Jack McEvoy's beat: his calling, his obsession. But this time, death brings McEvoy the story he never wanted to write - and the mystery he desperately needs to solve. A serial killer of unprecedented savagery and cunning is at large. His targets: homicide cops, each haunted by a murder case he couldn't crack. The killer's calling card: a quotation from the works of Edgar Allan Poe. His latest victim is McEvoy's own brother. And his last...may be McEvoy himself.

©1996 by Michael Connelly. (P)1996 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Deep Into That Darkness Peering

The first four words of "The Poet" are "Death is my beat," which are as memorable as Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Edna Buchanan's nonfiction title/quote from her first book, "The Corpse Had a Familiar Face" (1987). Michael Connelly and Buchanan were both crime reporters, and grab readers' attention and hold it from start to finish.

"The Poet" (1996) introduces Jack McEvoy, a crime feature writer for the tabloid Rocky Mountain News (an actual paper in publication from 1859 to 2009). McEvoy's twin, Sean, a tail-burner homicide detective, kills himself after he fails to find the brutal murderer of a young college student. Jack McEvoy begins an investigation that reopens cold cases around the country. Jack McEvoy is tenacious, creative, and tortured by the journalist ethics that guide and bind him.

Connelly is a great modern Los Angeles fiction writer. His Harry Bosch series (The Black Echo (1992), etc.) and Mickey Haller (The Lincoln Lawyer (2005), etc.) capture the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles in such exquisite, loving detail someone could literally follow Bosch's or Haller's paths from the Van Nuys Courthouse to Mulholland Drive.

"The Poet" starts in Colorado and works it's way to Ventura Boulevard. I only know Colorado as a place I go through to get to other places, except through Stephen King (The Shining (1977) and Doctor Sleep (2013), The Stand (1978), and The Colorado Kid (2005)). King is heavily influenced by The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, and that haunted hotel is mentioned in Connelly's "The Poet." In fact, King wrote an introduction to the 2004 paperback edition of "The Poet" praising it as elegant and classic. Connelly's description of Colorado is so vivid and beautiful that I will stop just going through Colorado, and stay a few days. (Unfortunately, the Audible edition doesn't have King's introduction.)

"The Poet" was a good read/listen, and Jack McEvoy is a strong character. That character is more complex and has greater depth and freedom than Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller. However, I am disappointed by Connelly's supporting women - they are strong, like FBI Agent Rachel Walling (introduced in "The Poet") and Maggie McPherson ("The Lincoln Lawyer" (2005) etc.) - but one dimensional. I haven't read/listened to all of Connelly's books, and I hope for more.

Buck Schirner's Audible narrative was good, but a little too East Coast for a Western character.

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Connelly Does It Without Bosch--McEvoyGoodReporter

I am a big fan of Connelly. This book shows his skill and ability to pull the reader in. Jack McEvoy is a journalist in Denver when his twin brother, Shawn, a Denver detective, commits suicide. Jack doesn't believe it. He decides to investigate. His editor at the paper at first doesn't want him to write a story but then after Jack finds some 'facts' that don't fit neatly into suicide, relents. Jack follows the trail to Chicago, where a detective committed suicide under similar circumstances. The story continues to the FBI and to other cities where homicide, always homicide, detectives have committed suicide after becoming obsessive about a recent case, usually a child murder. Jack thinks this is too coincidental. He gets inside the FBI because it is his information that first exposed the issues. Connelly writes with ability and skill that only someone who has done his homework can do. He was on the crime desk of the LA Times before becoming a famous author. The book is not Harry Bosch but it is compelling and leaves you twisting with who is The Poet right up to the end. Even then you aren't sure about what happens to The Poet. Good writers do that. they can wrap up the book but leave enough doubt to make you read the next installment.

The audible book is terrific. Narrator Buck Schirner was a good voice for all the characters. I have not heard him but would listen to more books he narrates.

Narrator spoiled the book for me...

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Would not recommend the book because the narrator turned the story into a sleeper. Although Michael Connelly is one of my favorite writers and The POET should be another great read, the nondescript voice and performance of the narrator made it hard to decipher between characters at times. That, in turn, had me repeating parts to see who was speaking or losing track of what was happening. Very monotonous voice which sounded the same in every conversation.

Any additional comments?

A great story needs to be presented by a great narrator, otherwise I would prefer to read it instead of listening to it so I can apply the personality I imagine the character would have.

Not a Protagonist For Whom You Can Root

I avoided Michael Connelly books for years so I am very late to jump on the band wagon. Earlier in the year I listed to one of his Lincoln Lawyer books and enjoyed it and added some to my Wish List. Then, over Christmas, I binged all three seasons of Bosch and couldn't get enough of it. I then listened to a couple of the Bosch series enjoyed them. I bought The Poet during an Audible sale. Ugh! I made it through but the main character, Jack McEvoy is totally unsympathetic. I know Harry and Mickey are not perfect (who wants that?) but this guy....what a mess. Also, I did not like the narrator. As a black female, let me just say I found his voice impressions of black people offensive.

Having said all this, the story was a good story. I enjoyed it.

Good story with annoying narration

I found myself very much immersed in the story line which was fast paced with breadth. However, I found the Narrator to sound robot like and came close to quitting early. However, I soon became use to his annoying staccato like narration and continued to finish the story.

I actually would recommend the book... but with some hesitancy because of the narration.

OK....not great

An ok book....rather a mindless listen...a few interesting plot twists....SPOILER ALERT: VERY cheesy ending.....a cheap trick to leave the door open for a sequel. Oh wait...it is a 20 year old book...not a fan

Whoa, didn't see that coming!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Poet to be better than the print version?

I have never read the print.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Poet?

When the real Poet is revieled.AAAHHH!!!! way out of left field.

Have you listened to any of Buck Schirner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't, but he did an amazing job!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Oh my gosh sooo many!! Tears, anger, confusion.. all them.

Any additional comments?

One of the best books ever written.

Trists and turns

This mystery has MANTY twists and turns. I could not figure the ending until the last half hour. I would recommend it.

Good, complex read!

Story has good twists, turns and surprises - well written - easy reading and worth your time!

Spectacular read

This was an amazing book. I could not stop. I figured out at least three endings before I found out the truth. I cannot recommend this book enough if you are into the mystery/thriller/detective read. I know I'll listen again.