THE BRASS VERDICT by Michael Connelly

THE BRASS VERDICT
by Michael Connelly
Little, Brown and Co.
Hachette Book Group
www.hachettebookgroup.com
ISBN: 9780316166294
Hardback, 422 pages, $26.99
Genre: Mystery

After two years recuperating from a gunshot wound and subsequent addiction to pain pills, defense attorney Mickey Haller thinks he’s ready for work, although he intends to take things slow and easy. When his colleague Jerry Vincent is murdered, Haller, as Vincent’s surrogate, inherits his active cases, one of which is garnering much media attention. Hollywood producer Walter Elliott has been accused of murdering his wife and her lover, and his trial’s coming up within days. Elliott refuses to allow a continuance and Haller’s scrambling to prepare for trial while butting heads with Harry Bosch, the detective investigating Vincent’s murder. As the case moves forward, Haller delves deeper into the case file, revealing secrets that will place his own life in danger and forever change his views of the judicial system.

The Brass Verdict, the second in the Mickey Haller series, pits Haller against Connelly’s popular series character, Harry Bosch. The two, although antagonistic toward one another, are more alike than not and make for an interesting combination. Connelly gives the reader a good mystery to solve, surrounded by characters supportive of Haller who look out for him. The plot moves at a fast pace and readers will enjoy “seeing” Bosch through another character’s eyes.