The Gods of Guilt

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Peter Giles

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

Defense attorney Mickey Haller returns with a haunting case in the gripping new thriller from number-one New York Times best-selling author Michael Connelly.

Mickey Haller gets the text, "Call me ASAP - 187," and the California penal code for murder immediately gets his attention. Murder cases have the highest stakes and the biggest paydays, and they always mean Haller has to be at the top of his game.

When Mickey learns that the victim was his own former client, a prostitute he thought he had rescued and put on the straight and narrow path, he knows he is on the hook for this one. He soon finds out that she was back in LA and back in the life. Far from saving her, Mickey may have been the one who put her in danger.

Haunted by the ghosts of his past, Mickey must work tirelessly and bring all his skill to bear on a case that could mean his ultimate redemption or proof of his ultimate guilt. The Gods of Guilt shows once again why "Michael Connelly excels, easily surpassing John Grisham in the building of courtroom suspense" (Los Angeles Times).

©2013 Michael Connelly (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"The combination of this fast-paced courtroom drama and Giles's steady and consistent narration makes for an engrossing listening experience…Giles's rich portrayals help listeners differentiate the multiple characters as Haller becomes convinced that his client is not only innocent but also the victim of an elaborate setup involving local police and DEA agents." ( AudioFile)

"Connelly knows when to put his foot on the gas and when to take it off. Once he has you on board, turning the pages, you won't want to climb off." ( Boston Globe)

"Haller is the kind of slick, cynical showman who can't resist making high drama out of every legal procedure....There's always something deadly serious behind Connelly's entertaining courtroom high jinks" ( New York Times Book Review)

God of Scribe

After reading all 5 Mickey Haller novels, I have come to 1 definitive conclusion. Michael Connelly has both a boundless and an immeasurably creative mind. I have read many 'courtroom' thrillers, and i would firmly place Connelly at the top of the list of authors in this genre. Whats crazy is this isn't even his bread and butter. Mickey Haller is the cherry to the Hieronymus Bosch sundae. Simply put, this man can write. All 5 Haller novels are easily worth a credit.

Good court Drama

A good court drama that has several different threads that are part of the same line of corruption that leads deep into the cartel and police dept. After the death of a young escort her handler contacts her attorney to defend him against false charges brought against him in the case of her death.

I always enjoy Michael Connelly's writing, this is my first in the Mickey Haller series and I can understand why people like it so much. Great characters, fast pace and excellent narration will bring me back for more in this series.

Good Reader/Good Story

Good story line with plenty of twists to keep you interested. The reader could be understood. He had a pleasant voice and did a good job with all the different characters. Recommend to anyone looking for a good mystery.

Connelly Connects Again

Michael Connelly has always been dependable in delivering a top notch Harry Bosh or Mickey Haller story. His detective and lawyer yarns have been so good, I never bothered to write a review in this forum. Most everybody loves chocolate, so why rave and try and convince more people to partake in this pleasure.

I've noticed a number of reviewers indicating that this book about the lawyer is not up to the standards of one or more previous books. My only question for them is - did they really read the same book that I did!

I was fascinated by the intricacies of the trial, I got choked up near the end of the book (good thing I was alone in my car at the time and nobody saw that), and was blindsided by how a major witness ended up testifying. This was very entertaining from start to finish.

The neat thing about a Mickey Haller book is you never know if his client is really guilty or innocent until you are well into the story. Mr. Connelly is willing to expose that person you have been rooting for as a villain. This author is also willing to show our hero lawyer as not so praiseworthy in defending and freeing obviously guilty criminals.

You will have to read "The Gods of Guilt" to find out if he pulls any of those stunts in his latest book. I'm sure the majority of you will be glad you did.

Definitely entertaining. I had some smiles.

Boy can this author write. I can’t believe after doing so many books, he still comes up with such a good story, and well done, and entertaining. He does NOT use artificial devices to create mystery and suspense. He does NOT use flashbacks, jumping around in time, stopping scenes in the middle to create temporary cliffhangers. There’s no stupidity or characters doing things out of character to create conflict. It’s just a good story, in chronological order, good characters, good dialogue, and I loved the COMPLETE ENDING. It wrapped up well, questions were answered. I had a smile on my face all during the last chapter. Yes that means it was a happy ending. YAY!

I mention things he does NOT do because I am tired of other authors using those gimmicks. And in my opinion the best writing does not use them. And Connelly should be a role model for any suspense author (including romantic suspense which I love but frequently is not well done).

Some fun things in this story: I was intrigued with a scene where two characters were making their way into an unspoken agreement, acting it out on the fly, in front of others, without letting others know what they were doing, and also unsure of it themselves. I chuckled at Mickey’s comments about his clip on ties. I liked this neat character Legal Segal.

I normally do not like first person stories. But Connelly’s I do.

One minor complaint. Someone hired or forced Sewel to stab someone. I wanted to know more about that, who and how.

The narrator Peter Giles was very good.

Genre: legal suspense

Luxury Vehicle… Does It All

Michael Connelly's Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey Haller is perfectly crafted to fit my tastes. What it's not? Well, great literature. What it is? Well, great fun! Connelly writes this stuff for a living. He's like a successful architect who makes a bazillion bucks by satisfying clients.

Haller satisfies me this time by working his way through a decently challenging puzzle together with a cast that fills in all the holes… both entertainment and plot holes. From the opening grabber to the no-loose-ends wrap up… I want to know how this accused digital pimp'll get out from under the ton of evidence Connelly pours over his plight.

And Peter Giles directs this cast that he creates for us in perfect synch with Connelly's craftsmanship.

Good ~ Twice Read!

Would you listen to The Gods of Guilt again? Why?

Yes... already listened twice! Who are the Gods of Guilt? They are the Jury, of course! I am a Connelly fan, particularly Heller and Bosch, but loved Heller in Connelly's Lincoln Lawyer. A very entertaining personality.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Heller... his character is entertaining and unconventional... his office is in his Lincoln Town Car!

What about Peter Giles’s performance did you like?

Giles is okay... nice voice but not enough acting abilities. Dick Hill is much better.

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

No..... too long

Not quite The Lincoln Lawyer, but still great!

Sometimes I find it hard not to be critical of one of my favorite authors, not because the book is disappointing, but because the expectation bar is set too high. Connelly sets the standard for police/crime procedural and it is very high.

The trial work in this book is phenomenally suspenseful. It kept me up late wondering how it would end. In court and in preparation Mickey Haller's is a gritty and smart strategist. My disappointment lies in Haller's shallow and empty personal life. There he is weak, foolish, and a boring, self absorbed whiner. The contrast is remarkable. Thank goodness I don't read these books for the character's personal lives!

I found the narration lacking emotion and borderline deadpan. However, it's important to note that it never took away from the story. I just wish Will Patton or Ray Porter would take over the narration of Connelly's work.

Sorry for the cynical review. The bottom line is that this a really terrific read. An easy 4 star winner!

Disappointed

I struggled to finish this book. "Words just for Words". Sentences that added nothing to the story- fillers. I was disappointed with the book.

Adequate entry into the series.

I think it is about average for the series. There is much repetition, seemingly filler. There is no real "suspense" to speak of, no twists or turns. These books are getting too soft, too nicey-nicey and not enough bad behavior. Mikey Haller is despicable, he lies, cheats and pretty much bends the law to his needs, which is not only not appealing, but a little ridiculous. Connelley gives the judges much better standards of behavior, *always* belittles the prosecutors and generally makes the women characters very likeable. I think he is being a little too PC, it feels contrived. His client is claiming innocence of the murder, which is Mickey's case in this book, but the client is not someone I would root for--not because he is into bad stuff but because he's a wuss and I couldn't have cared less if he died in jail. Of all the characters, I think I liked Sly Sr. the most. He was the most authentic, but even he caved to Mickey's brilliant wheeling and dealing.

The plot to this one took some brain mapping. I don't know why, but I had a difficult time believing the tie-in between the (at least) three separate crimes.

Like I said, no surprises, no tears of sadness or joy, no real threats to anyone -- twice Mickey ignores the judge's admonition to quit running her courtroom and doesn't get in trouble. Mickey spends a good deal of time pinpointing his main juror, but it didn't matter anyway... why plant that seed? Bad use of red herring.

Anyway, I'm a fan of the series and of Connelley's past performances, so I am an eternal optimist. Maybe in the next installment he should kill off Mickey, so we don't expect more of a good thing that apparently is not forthcoming?

I have run into this syndrome in the past, favored authors' series and characters growing stale. It could be a matter of boredom by the author who may have publishing contracts to fulfill. Lee Child may be approaching this milestone, Jonathan Kellerman has gotten close too. Even Preston & Child's Pendergast series is getting a little predictable -- except that they have strong stories and AXP Pendergast is generally very much alive on the page and remains as likeable as a rock star.

It's kind of like knowing when to leave the party. I think it's time for Mickey Haller to pack up his boring self, his bad fathering, his womanizing, his self-pity and his tricky courtroom hijinks and drink himself to death.