The Reversal (A Lincoln Lawyer Novel, 3)

by Michael Connelly

Hardcover, 2010

Status

Available

Call number

813.54

Publication

Little, Brown and Company (2010), Edition: 1, 389 pages

Description

Fiction. Mystery. Thriller. HTML: INSPIRATION FOR THE ORIGINAL SERIES THE LINCOLN LAWYER �?? THE #1 TV SHOW ON NETFLIX The stakes have never been higher: when DNA evidence frees a sadistic killer, defense attorney Mickey Haller and LAPD Detective Harry Bosch must put him behind bars before he strikes again. Longtime defense attorney Mickey Haller is recruited to change stripes and prosecute the high-profile retrial of a brutal child murder. After twenty-four years in prison, convicted killer Jason Jessup has been exonerated by new DNA evidence. Haller is convinced Jessup is guilty, and he takes the case on the condition that he gets to choose his investigator, LAPD Detective Harry Bosch. Together, Bosch and Haller set off on a case fraught with political and personal danger. Opposing them is Jessup, now out on bail, a defense attorney who excels at manipulating the media, and a runaway eyewitness reluctant to testify after so many years. With the odds and the evidence against them, Bosch and Haller must nail a sadistic killer once and for all. If Bosch is sure of anything, it is that Jason Jessup plans to kill again.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member sarambarton

94 points out of 100 -- 5 stars

Plot -- 19 out of 20 points
The idea that a killer could be guilty, despite being exonerated by physical evidence, is a nice twist on the recent developments in DNA testing that have led to long-time prisoners being released. Jason Jessup is hardly a model prisoner,

but he knows how to work the crowd. Normally arguing cases for the defense, Mickey Haller finds himself outside his comfort zone when he is tapped to prove Jessup actually did the killings for which he served time. Calling on an ex-wife or two as legal backup is a nice touch, as is the use of half-brother and experienced cop Harry Bosch.

Characters -- 19 out of 20 points
Mr. Connelly’s strong suit as an author is his ability to develop characters that manage to push themselves beyond their ordinary strengths once they become invested in the case. It’s easy to understand the frustration of a cop like Harry; he knows too well that if he gets it wrong, someone could die. Mickey, suddenly on the “dark” side of prosecuting, focuses on what matters most, determining whether Jessup is innocent or guilty, in order to prepare the prosecution. The lead females in the story are portrayed as smart, empathetic, and humanizing in the author’s hands. Having both men dealing with daughters at the same time offers a nice contrast in their choices of approach to the world of teenage angst. One of the most sympathetic characters is Sarah Gleason. It’s hard not to root for her as she takes on an almost impossible task in the courtroom, convincing jurors she really did identify the real killer all those years ago.

Setting -- 18 out of 20 points
The legal and law enforcement aspects of the case are treated very differently by the prosecution and investigation teams, and Mr. Connelly uses an interesting technique to highlight the unique perspectives. By sharing Mickey’s story in the first person and Harry’s in the third, it creates the illusion of merging together the two entities. The prosecutorial process is rife with politics and tainted by the constant maneuvering for position as top dog. The investigatory process is all about getting the evidence right and striving to avoid the temptation to cut corners, while pursuing very dangerous felons, occasionally stymied by the realities of Constitutional law. Harry and his team might suspect Jessup is about to kill again, but that’s not enough probable cause to trample the creep’s rights.

Pacing -- 19 out of 20 points
The tale moves quickly, even as it passes back and forth between points of view. There’s plenty of action as Harry and his team of specialists tail Jessup on his nocturnal forays. The author blends everyday family interactions into the mystery, giving us those ordinary moments between tense, frantic chases, allowing the reader a few pages of breathing space and some valuable emotional downtime for the heroes. The courtroom antics and lawyer exchanges, while less physically dramatic (with a couple of important exceptions) than the police hunts, are intellectually and verbally vibrant, keeping the reader’s interest.

Tone -- 19 out of 20 points
The author manages to make this story come alive by enticing us to care one way or another about the characters, whether it’s to revile some or feel compassion for others. No one is perfect, mistakes are made, but by the time the finale unfolds, it’s easy to feel comfortable and safe in the company of the determined team trying to get a bad guy off the streets. The personal differences between Mickey and Harry remain tucked out of sight as the two men work together; those family mysteries take a back seat to the importance of solving the case. The reader learns that Harry’s daughter used to live with her mother and something terrible happened. The father-daughter relationship is still new to him, and as he adjusts to having his daughter in his home, he tries to balance fairness with the realities of his job. Is Jessup stalking him, stalking his family? Harry will do whatever it takes to protect everyone from the man he believes is a monster.

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LibraryThing member she_climber

This is such a great series, one of my favorites. Great to see Haller, Bosch and McFierce all working together, with Haller serving as independent prosecutor for this one. Lots of courtroom drama and action after-hours. I'd somehow managed to miss this one in the series before skipping to the next,

but now I can't wait to start reading Gods of Guilt.

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LibraryThing member ATechwreck

Great book with not so great ending.

Connelly's best characters come together to retry a convicted child murderer after his release from prison on a DNA technicality. Bosch and Haller must find 20+ year old evidence to support their case.

LibraryThing member delphimo

I enjoy Connelly, especially the Harry Bosch series. Bosch has a minor part in this novel, the major character being Mickey Haller, Bosch's half brother. Haller is a lawyer and Bosch is a police detective. The story is written in first person, and the narrative becomes confusing, at times. Both

Harry and Mickey have a teenage daughter, but Bosch seems the better father. After reading the brilliant Anatomy of a Murder, the courtroom scenes in this novel are tame. Connelly does a good job explaining discovery and courtroom procedure. I am amazed that someone that has been convicted and sent to prison could possibly have the verdict "reversed" and then be set free. Connelly delves into what must be done for the new trial, and hints that our judicial system reigns supreme, but has flaws. An exciting treat to read Connelly, but still prefer Bosch.

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LibraryThing member howzzit

I enjoy Connelly's work ... but this one is starting to "push" it a little. The cast of "good guys" includes two ex-wives, two teenage female cousins, and two half brothers. AND, the central character, who is a defense attorney, decides that this time he will be a prosecutor! What next? Include the

parents and grannies?

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LibraryThing member cmwoods_71

Another hit by Connelly. In this one, Mickey Haller teams up with Harry Bosch. Also, Bosch switches sides in this one and works as a prosecutor to re-try a 24 year old case. Enjoyed this one from beginning to end.

LibraryThing member johnbsheridan

A book I was really looking forward to and while it didn't exactly disappoint neither did it see the world alight. Connelly is one of the best authors around so even a relatively weak novel is still pretty good. The pairing of half-brothers Haller and Bosch works well as does the switching from

first person narrative to third person to indicate which of the two is being represented. Jason Jessup is released from prison following new DNA evidence but is unexpectedly brought back to trial with Haller switching from his longtime defense role to prosecutor on a one-time deal in order to prove something to his daughter and possibly help his ex-wife's career as she is brought in to assist and he also adds his half-brother Harry Bosch to the team as lead investigator. (Another recurring Connelly character Rachel Walling also features). The two strands follow each of the brothers in their respective roles with Haller being the more prominent and focussed on the retrial while Bosch is running down witnesses from the old trial while also tailing Jessup to be there if he steps out of line. A very easy read but not as suspenseful as last year's 2 books "The Scarecrow" and "Nine Dragons". If you're considering as Christmas gift for 2010 you won't go far wrong with this.

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LibraryThing member waldhaus1

Connelly continues developing the character of Bosch and Haller as well as there circle. Cleverly plotted, and a welcome addition to the series.

LibraryThing member bookappeal

Who couldn't love a Mickey Haller/Harry Bosch mash-up? Haller crosses the aisle to provide an untainted prosecution when a convicted kidnapper/killer asks to be re-tried based on new evidence. Mickey enlists half-brother Bosch as his investigator as well as ex-wife Maggie "McFierce" McPherson as

co-counsel. Mickey's not exactly comfortable in the role of prosecutor and he certainly doesn't intend to answer to the DA. Bosch pulls off some incredible investigation and finds not only the key witness but a way to ruin the defense's key witness.

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LibraryThing member bitsy08

Wow! Really enjoyed this one. Highly recommend. 'nuf said!

LibraryThing member EdGoldberg

First I must say that this is a vast improvement over Connelly's most recent endeavors, Scarecrow and especially 9 Dragons, which was a clunker to me.

Second, I have to admit I'm not a fan of mixing characters between series, such as Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller, however, it worked out OK.

Haller is

hired as an independent prosecutor to retry a 24 year old case whose guilty verdict was thrown out by a higher court. A twelve year old girl was abducted and murdered. Her thirteen year old sister saw and identified the abductor. Haller hires Bosch, his half brother, as his investigator. Twenty four years later, Bosch must locate the living witnesses and find new ones. Connelly also brings in Rachel Waller, the FBI profiler, who we all love and respect.
It is interesting but not action packed, although there is more action towards the end. This is more court room drama than police procedural. The attorneys cannot refer to the original trial. It is like it never took place.

Paragraphs are alternately Haller (in first person) and Bosch and McPherson, Haller's ex-wife and co-prosecutor, (in third person). This makes it easy to track who's talking and is a nice touch.

All in all, Connelly seems to be heading back in the right direction. Maybe if he took his time and lengthened the time between books (no need to compete with James Patterson), his books will approach the quality of his initial Bosch books. Just a thought, Michael!

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LibraryThing member Twink

I've been a fan of Michael Connelly and his recurring character Harry Bosch since the first book - The Black Echo- in 1992. When Connelly introduced a new series featuring lawyer Mickey Haller, I was a little miffed that it wasn't a new Bosch book. I was wrong - I loved the Haller character just as

much. Bosch and Haller have been appearing in each other's world over the last few books in each series and The Reversal finds them working together.

Haller has been asked to lead the prosecution in the retrial of convicted killer Jason Jessup. He has served 24 years for murder, but recent DNA evidence may clear him. Haller asks Bosch to be the investigator on the case. Out on bail, Jessup isn't acting like an innocent man....And the defense attorney is crossing all sorts of lines....

As always, the case is intriguing and the suspense builds. I really enjoyed the courtroom scenes with Haller and the defense attorney verbally sparring. Connelly has taken Bosch is a bit of a different direction with the last few books. He has his daughter living with him and must now stop to consider her safety and well being first. It's a side of Harry that we haven't seen before. I thought the story would end differently, but upon reflection realized that it was right for the story.... and the stories that will follow.

I chose to listen to The Reversal in audio format. The reader Peter Giles was excellent. He has covered previous Connelly books and does an excellent job. His voice is calm and modulated for Haller, but changes to a rougher tone for Bosch, effectively conveying the difference between the two and capturing their personalities.

Another page turner for me, one that had me driving just a little slower on the way home from work, so I could start another disc. Connelly remains firmly on my must read list with both series. I can't wait for The Fifth Witness due out in April 2011.

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LibraryThing member co_coyote

I got hooked on Michael Connelly when I picked up one of his books off the
shelf of a beach house we were renting in Virgina Beach one summer. I think
I read four or five of his book within a two week period. This is his latest,
which follows Detective Harry Bosch as he is involved in another crime

thriller.
This is not one of his best books (the ending seems contrived to get the author
out of a jam and meet a publishing deadline), but it's a fast, fun read, as
always.

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LibraryThing member dhaupt

Reversal is the fourth novel where Harry and Mickey share starring roles.
Only in LA would a defense attorney ever become a prosecutor and only in the movies. Right? Wrong. Mickey Haller defender of the underdog, seeker of truth and always up for a raspberry to the DA’s office has just switched

sides. A 24 year old case has just been overturned because of new DNA evidence and guess what, it doesn’t belong to the guy they sent away, the only problem is they’re all sure of his guilt so Mickey needs his A Team to help him out, that would be ex-Maggie McFierce for second chair and half brother and star of his own Harry Bosch as prime investigator. Well buckle up because this is going to be one wild ride.
Mr. Connelly never ceases to amaze me when he comes up with these story lines, okay you could easily read if from the front pages of the LA Times but he brings it to life in a multi-dimensional way, through all the senses. He will enlist all your emotions as you get through this novel where he’ll have you laughing one minute and biting your nails the next, you’ll be scared to death one second and in the next breath you’ll be wiping tears from your eyes. He achieves this through his characters and in this tale you’ve got three stars in Mickey, Harry and Maggie and they each play their part to perfection as they gradually drain all sensation from the limbs of the readers. And as a rare treat we also get to keep up with the daughters of these half-brothers who will meet for the first time.
So put on your helmet and safety glasses and prepare yourself for a non-stop, adrenalin rush. If you like that in your fiction, climb aboard and you’ll get more than you bargained for. Or maybe like me you’ve just come to really appreciate the superb performances by this amazing author who has two of the coolest protagonists on the planet.

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LibraryThing member marient

Longtime defense attorney Mickey Haller never thought he could be persuaded to cross the aisle and work for the prosecution. Then convicted child killer Jason Jessup, imprisioned for twenty-four years, is granted a retrial based on new DNA evidence.

LibraryThing member les121

Another great mystery from Michael Connelly! This one is narrated by defense attorney Mickey Haller, but the chapters alternate so that we also get to follow detective Harry Bosch in the third-person. Haller and Bosch make quite a team, along with Maggie McPherson (aka. Maggie McFierce), Haller's

ex-wife. The mystery is intriguing, the plot suspenseful, and the writing excellent, as always. This is my first Mickey Haller novel, and it has made me interested to read more of his courtroom escapades. He and Bosch are such different, multifaceted characters that the alternating points of view really add to the story. Although you can easily read this book on its own, be warned that it contains major spoilers for previous Bosch/Haller books, especially Nine Dragons. The ending isn’t 100 percent satisfying; all hell breaks loose in the last fifty pages and it concludes on a bit of a cliffhanger. Still, this book is top-notch entertainment. It’s everything I've come to expect from a Michael Connelly novel. I definitely recommend it.

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LibraryThing member shazjhb

I enjoyed the book. Like the side plot with the other characters but Harry is still excellent.

LibraryThing member Gary10

Hey, it wont change your life, but very well crafted lawyer novel that gathers momentum from start to finish. Connelly injects plenty of tension and also provides some great insights into the down and dirty operation of the criminal justice system.

LibraryThing member cmeilink

In The Reversal, Michael Connelly brings together two of my favorite characters--Mike Haller and Harry Bosch--who team up to retry Jason Jessup, a man convicted 24 years ago for the murder of a twelve-year old girl. Recently released due to new DNA evidence resulting in a reversal, Mike Haller is

asked to switch over from his normal role of defense attorney and work for the prosecution.

The characters are rich and believable, the story well-paced, and the combination of Haller and Bosch in the same book is not to be missed.

Loved it.

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LibraryThing member susiesharp

Mickey Haller has been recruited by the DA’s office, and his ex-wife Maggie, to represent the state in a case of a child murderer who is getting a new trial. Mickey recruits his half brother Harry Bosch as his investigator. We also have an appearance by Rachel Walling.

This was as usual a great

book by Michael Connelly, I am however a bigger fan of Harry Bosch than I am of Mickey Haller but maybe he is growing on me, I also have not read all the Haller books from the beginning which is something I plan on remedying. This was a good book that I enjoyed very much I just wonder if all the books are going to be these two characters together or if we will get a new just Harry book.

I think my biggest problem is I have listened to all the Harry Bosch books on audio narrated by, Len Cariou since this is technically a Mickey Haller book this was narrated by Peter Giles he does a good job at the narration but he just isn’t the voice of Harry Bosch. I wish they would have done a multi-voiced and had both Giles & Cariou narrate this one! However I don’t want that to affect my rating of this book because I did enjoy it very much as I do all of Michael Connelly’s books.

4 Stars

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LibraryThing member mikedraper

The perceptive voice of defense attorney Mickey Hatcher leads the reader inot a case of kidnapping and murder that occurred twenty-four years ago. Most of the witnesses are deceased and others cannot be located.

Mickey crosses the aisle from defense and is hired by the prosecuting attorney to work

on this case as prosecutor. Jason Jessup has been in prison for nearly a quarter of a century but is granted a retrial based on new DNA evidence.

To recreate this case, Mikey is joined by Harry Bosch of the LAPD. Harry's duty is to review the evidence and attempt to find a key witness, the victim's sister Sarah, who was age thirteen when the crime was committed.

Celebrity defense attorney Clive Rivas defends Jessup and relishes his every moment in front of TV and news reporters. Jessup feels that he will be set free and make millions of dollars from a book deal.

The novel does a nice job in dealing with the grievous subject of child kidnapping and murder. The reader experiences the attitude of many parents when a child kidnapper and killer is free in the community. Both Harry and Mickey have young daughters and they are concerned for them with Jessup out on bail.

The enticing story mixes the history of the crime and the current day events. We also see Mickey in his work to attempt to prove that Jessup was guilty and should be returned to prison.

Harry, Mickey and Sarah are sympathetic characters who are well described and generate feelings of hope for the reader.

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LibraryThing member porchsitter55

This was a surprisingly lightweight effort by one of my favorite authors, Michael Connelly. Although I found the book compulsively readable and smoothly written, the story line was fairly shallow and there was not much suspense or action til near the end. I did find the ending satisfying but at the

same time I was expecting more from this book than what was given by Mr. Connelly. This would be an excellent book to read when you don't want something heavy.

In a nutshell, the book revolved around a child murderer who has spent 24 years in prison, who is released due to his diligence in seeking out someone to hear his pleas of innocence and help him fight for a reversal in his conviction. He is finally exonerated and released from prison once DNA testing proves that one of the main pieces of evidence was not what it had been thought to be, namely a semen stain on the little girl's dress. It belonged to someone else. However, the DA's office enlists Micky Haller, of "The Lincoln Lawyer" books, to take on the prosecution of the man in a new trial.

Micky decides to go from defense attorney to prosecutor and gets his ex-wife (a prosecutor) and Harry Bosch (a detective) to help in this case.

The court convenes and most of the book is spent in the courtroom, going through the usual back-and-forth banter between sides, with a stern female judge and different witnesses.

Somehow Harry discovers a hidden area under the Santa Monica pier where the convict (Jessup, who was released on his own recognizance) has carved out a small space to stay, complete with pillow, blanket and canned food. Harry doesn't quite know what to make of it, since he knows that Jessup has a room at a hotel where he is staying. He also learns from the SIS that Jessup, the convict, is also out hitting the bars and sitting in the parks in the dead of night for no reason that they know of. This may have been an attempt by the author for some suspense but I found it lacking.

Finally, near the end of the book, there was a sharp twist that was both surprising and unexpected....but unfortunately it led to an ending that was rather lackluster.

I still have Michael Connelly on my "favorite author" list, but this was definitely not one of his best works....mediocre at best.

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LibraryThing member Kathy89

I really enjoyed this book! Harry Bosch works with Mike Haller (the Lincoln lawyer) who has switched sides and is working for the prosecution in trying the case of a man who has been in prison for 24 years for the abduction and murder of a 12 year old girl. His lawyer feels that he has been

rehabilitated and that 24 years is enough punishment. Mike gets the opportunity to work with his ex-wife and sees things from the other side of the aisle.

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LibraryThing member csayban

4.0 stars

RECOMMENDED!

What could possibly cause lifelong defense attorney Mickey Haller to jump the isle and become a special prosecutor on a 24-year-old case? It would take nothing short of the impending release of a child murderer, Jason Jessup. With the DA’s office in shame and the public

believing that DNA evidence has exonerated an innocent man, Haller makes it clear that he will do it – but only do it on his terms. Those terms include him ignoring the posturing of the political-minded district attorney as well as enlisting the only two people he can trust – his half-brother LAPD Detective Harry Bosch and Mickey’s ex-wife, Assistant District Attorney Maggie McPherson. But the road won’t be easy. Between a crafty defendant, a slick, media savvy defense attorney, a no-nonsense judge and a star witness who can’t be found, Haller’s team is going to have to pull off a miracle to keep a man who they are sure will kill again from gaining his freedom.

This is Michael Connelly’s fourth installment with Mickey Haller (The Lincoln Lawyer, The Brass Verdict, Nine Dragons) and 16th featuring Harry Bosch. Even though I had not read any of Michael Connelly’s previous novels, I was immediately sucked right into the story. Connelly hits on just enough of each character’s history to keep the reader informed, but he never slows the story down. The characters truly come alive as this unlikely team tries to piece together a 24-year-old mystery and Connelly’s skillful scene setting and characterization makes for an entertaining ride. He is even able to make the stodgy innards of an arraignment courtroom interesting:

“Presiding over this anthill was Judge Malcolm Firestone, who sat with his head down and his sharp shoulders jutting up and closer to his ears with each passing year. His black robe gave them the appearance of folded wings and the overall image was one of Firestone as a vulture waiting impatiently to dine on the bloody detritus of the justice system.”

Connelly brings equal precision to the police procedures taking place under the watchful eye of Harry Bosch. Tensions flare between the half-brothers as Bosch’s pursuit of Jessup’s new life becomes personal and threatens to upset Haller’s chances of a conviction while Bosch suspects that the DA’s office is only interested in heading off a multi-million dollar civil suite at the expense of justice. I was rewarded throughout the book with subtle changes of direction rather than complete reversals, right up to the unexpected conclusion. And while the story is an exhilarating journey, it is never outlandish or contrived. Sometimes the biggest surprises were when the expected switch didn’t happen. It is a lesson to aspiring crime writers everywhere. But the biggest reward was the characters that were brought to life so skillfully that the story had the feel of something lifted right out of today’s headlines.

There is no doubt after reading The Reversal that Michael is a master storyteller and a premier crime fiction writer at the top of his game. It has motivated me to go back and read all of his earlier works to see just how much I have been missing. I highly recommend this book to all crime and legal aficionados. One of the best I have read in a long time.

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LibraryThing member debavp

Hmmm--I don't like these combo books. Bosch is the superior character and he's not only taking the back seat to Haller, he's being short-changed character-wise as well. There was a great possibility for two very interesting relationships to evolve with Bosch at the end of9 Dragons and while The

Reversal definitely was not the place to go into them in length, Connelly instead chose to hint around at a relationship brewing between Bosch and Haller's first ex, for which I am eternally grateful he didn't pursue seriously. It would have been a much more interesting story if that time had instead been spent somewhat exploring the relationship between Bosch and Haller. Another complaint is Haller's strange bouts of conscience. They don't ring true--it's really just self pity which is getting tedious quickly. The most interesting aspect of The Reversal was the trial itself. I do think it was reasonably accurate with regards to that type of situation. The difficulties, the conflicts, the politics. Throw in a couple of interesting twists with regards to the killer and the ending of the trial was surprising. Unfortunately, the ending of this book was a let down.

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