The Brass Verdict

A Novel

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Peter Giles

Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

Things are finally looking up for defense attorney Mickey Haller. After two years of wrong turns, Haller is back in the courtroom. When Hollywood lawyer Jerry Vincent is murdered, Haller inherits his biggest case yet: the defense of Walter Elliott, a prominent studio executive accused of murdering his wife and her lover.

But as Haller prepares for the case that could launch him into the big time, he learns that Vincent's killer may be coming for him next.

Enter Harry Bosch. Determined to find Vincent's killer, he is not opposed to using Haller as bait. But as danger mounts and the stakes rise, these two loners realize their only choice is to work together.

Bringing together Michael Connelly's two most popular characters, The Brass Verdict is sure to be his biggest book yet.

©2008 Hachette Audio; 2008 Michael Connelly

Mickey Haller Is My Favorite Mystery Character

I've got to admit that I don't usually like murder mysteries, but I do like legal thrillers because if written well they test one's intellect. I loved Lincoln Lawyer, and when this title became available I gobbled it up. I was not sorry. Mickey Haller is the perfect companion to Connelly's Harry Bosch - like one of my unexpected discoveries in the world of food couplings, black pepper and chocolate. They are unique protagonists, but come together beautifully creating a savory, thought-provoking mystery which is easily understood audibly, and I imagine would be just as good when being read by eye. I detest novels with too much gory detail, too much blood, too much violence. The story in The Brass Verdict revolves around an ugly crime, but is done in a way which is acceptable to me.

All in all, I give this book a solid four-star rating and recommend it to you.

Connelly scores big again

I am a Michael Connelly fan and have read most of his books. His LAPD dectective character, Harry Bosch, is my favorite in this genre. Harry Bosch though is a minor character in The Brass Verdict. Mickey Haller, who appeared earlier in The Lincoln Lawyer is the main character. He is a brillant but flawed criminal defense attorney and Harry Bosch's half brother although not much is made of this. In Verdict, Connelly presents both Bosch and Haller but the Harry Bosch is a little disappointing since he has few of the characteristics readers have come to expect. But Attorney Mickey Haller makes the reader forget Harry Bosch and get totally absorbed in Haller's legal skills. Haller is presented with numerous legal, ethical and personal challenges and Connelly deals with them all with great writing and an uncanny ability to tell a story. Even the most rabid Bosch fan will come away hoping that Connelly gives Mickey Haller another impossible case, as soon as possible.

Competent as always

Another good story from Connelly and not quite as bleak as usual. The expected interesting characters and interactions, good plot and pacing.

AUDIO: What a disappointment. It's odd that they'd pick someone who can't pronounce "peremptory" to narrate a legal thriller. The real misery, though, is in the reader's constant misemphases, making it hard to understand what the author was really saying without stopping an instant to think, and by then the story has gone on without you. He also has that repellent valley-girl fad of adding ee-oo to words like Malibu and food, making it sound like an adolescent has just spotted a slimy slug. Dump this reader! It didn't help, either, that the producers added pointless pseudo-music at random moments.

Five Star Book; Three Star Narration

If you're a Connelly fan, you won't be disappointed -- he brings Haller and Bosch together in a completely believable way. Seeing Bosch through Haller's eyes (which shows him to be deceptive and rude) is a treat, and reminds you that character is in the eye of the beholder.

However, for me Giles' narration was a bit of a disappointment. First, Adam Grupper did a great job with Haller in the Lincoln Lawyer, and should have been brought back. Second, after you've heard Len Cariou or Dick Hill do Bosch, it's a bit strange to hear Giles' thin take on the character. Same for Jack McEvoy, who plays a bit part: Giles makes him sound like some cub reporter for the Daily Planet.

Still a very credit-worthy book, though, with a great payoff at the end.

Good book; could have had a better narrator

As was the case with many other reviewers familiar with Michael Connelly books, I thought the narrator didn't come up to the very high standards set by Dick Hill. But even with a less than ideal narrator, the book was pretty good. Still worthwhile and I don't think harsh criticism of the narrator is warranted.

What a ride!

Mickey Haller is one of those characters you love and hate at the same time. I don't think I'd want him as a friend but if I needed a lawyer.....well, yeah. I found all the characters well developed and believable and the twists and turns in the story had me hooked from beginning to end. Get it!

Lots of Filler

The Lincoln Lawyer returns in The Brass Verdict. In a "come back" Haller suddenly has a full case load when his barrister friend, Jerry Vincent is murdered and bequeaths his practice to Haller. So begins the book's action as Haller teams with Bosch to find Vincent's killer. The defense and trial of a major Hollywood movie producer is the vehicle by which this is done. The plot is entertaining, but Michael Connelly puts lots of filler in the book. He constantly repeats what has gone before as if the reader can't remember from one chapter to the next. There is no need for this except that without it the book would be half as long. For those readers who purchase the book expecting, and hoping, for a plot that centers around Bosch, expect to be disappointed. Bosch is simply a supporting character. The book is told from the POV of Haller, and Haller is center stage 95% of the time. Nevertheless, the action moves along and the mystery has sufficient twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. The "moral of the story" ending is a little annoying. I'm not sure if Connelly does this so that Haller remains likable or if he does it because he does not intend for Haller to return in future books. It's hard to say.

Horrible Narration

What happened to Dick Hill? This guy Peter Giles is horrible. Constantly emphasizing the wrong words in the sentence. Why oh why was this guy hired?

Outstanding

As I thought this book is as good as Lincoln Lawyer. I want more!!!! I think mikey and bosch together was the making of the best book michael has written yet!!! I hope that michael continues to write with mikey and bosch just outstandting......

Ditch the Music

When I listen to music on my phone, say a Beethoven concerto, I do not what to hear people talking at the same time. Similarly, when I listening to a book, I don't want music on the soundtrack. A minute or so at the start is okay, but after that, ditch the music. This book was particularly awful because, besides the jazz, there was random, seemingly unrelated, percussion. As I listened to the story, I would be distracted by the sounds. "Did something fall?" or "Is that the doorbell?" It's extremely annoying!

For me, the Connelly books have too much jazz, which I don't like at all. The jazz music generally accounts for maybe five to ten minutes per book, which I endure because the story and writing are so good. But 11 plus hours of so-called music is way beyond my tolerance level, and this would be true if it was classical music. Maybe it is a right-left brain thing.