The Scarecrow

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Peter Giles

Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Forced out of the Los Angeles Times amid the latest budget cuts, newspaperman Jack McEvoy decides to go out with a bang, using his final days at the paper to write the definitive murder story of his career. He focuses on Alonzo Winslow, a 16-year-old drug dealer in jail after confessing to a brutal murder. But as he delves into the story, Jack realizes that Winslow's so-called confession is bogus. The kid might actually be innocent.

Jack is soon running with his biggest story since The Poetmade his career years ago. He is tracking a killer who operates completely below police radar - and with perfect knowledge of any move against him. Including Jack's.

©2009 Michael Connelly (P)2009 Hachette

Critic reviews

"Narrator Peter Giles delivers the crisp and compelling copy with a deadpan tone and a pace that advances like Patton through Italy. Scenes involving the stalking of McEvoy and Walling raise hairs at the back of the listener's neck. Great characters and a satisfying ending cement Connelly's place as one of the best crime novelists working today." (AudioFile)

Love Connelly, and this series doesn’t disappoint!!

Loved this next book with McAvoy! The story was riveting and I couldn’t help but feel the angst when the killer started doing his thing... no need to spoil the story. Kept me engaged and thinking about what would happen next. Awesome!!!!

Jack is Back

After a thirteen year absence it is good to see Jack McEvoy back. Like his previous story, Jack finds a link between killings that point to a serial killer that had gone unnoticed before. Plausible and exciting thriller.

More Jack please!

I was hesitant to start listening to these smaller spin offs but boy was I missing out. Such a great character and more Rachel Walling. Pull the trigger its worth it.

The Scarecrow

Loved it. Characters well developed. Story just intricate enough, not confusing.
Reader was very good.

Another excellent Connelly Mystery

Jack McEvoy is a great character. Peter Giles is the perfect narrator. My only complaint is the insertion of music—I find it distracting. Otherwise this is a five star “page turner.”

Michael Connelly wins again

Loved this book. Fans of Harry Bosch books will enjoy Connelly’s signature style and suspense. Very satisfying listen!

Love all Connellys books

I Love all of Michael Connelly’s books. I even like re-listening to them. Keep them coming.

Fast paced story from Harry Bosch author

I love Michael Connelly from the Harry Bosch series and it was good to read a Connolly book with another protagonist. Jack is not as cynical as Harry and although the crimes are horrific, the focus of the story is not so much the crimes themselves. The story is perhaps not as realistic but it was fast paced and exciting. The voice actor was just right for the story.

Good book, well written, well plotted

I am working my through the "Harry Bosch Universe" and this second book featuring Jack McEvoy. Almost as good as the Poet but not quite as good. We also feature FBI agent Rachel Walling. In addition there is mention of Keisha Russell, as well as hints to Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch.

Started out slow, but ended with a big bang. The story is set in the world of journalism, of hackers and FBI psychological profilers, with some reflections on how much the internet and the ubiquitous cameras invade our daily lives. It has the right mix of suspense, a psycho-intriguing story and a love story.

The Scarecrow is a mixed bag of hits and misses. It is no 'The Poet' in terms of storyline or twists but it is still a solid serial killer/police procedural. The ending, while satisfactory, goes a little bit over the top and seems to fall a little more into the domain of Hollywood screenplay rather than thinking person’s thriller.

It was a pager-turner

The suspense kept me wanting for more. I enjoyed all characters especially the main ones