The Reversal

Of the three novels I’ve read so far in this series this is my favorite, and considering that stories and characterizations have become increasingly better from book 1 to here, I’m certain that this trend is not going to cease any time soon.

The story for The Reversal focuses on the re-opening of the trial against Jason Jessup, who twenty-four years previously was convicted of the kidnapping and murder of a child, snatched from the lawn in front of her own house: DNA analysis of biological traces on the victim’s dress - which was not available at the time of the first investigation - seems to point toward a totally different perpetrator so that the California Supreme Court is asking for a retrial or the acquittal of Jessup. The show more District Attorney wants someone with no ties to his office for the prosecution, and therefore asks Mickey Haller to take up that role: the reversal in the title then does not refer only to the possible repeal of the previous sentence, but also to Haller having to take on a role that goes against what has been his life’s work so far.

Haller accepts on two conditions: that his second chair be filled by his ex wife Maggie McPherson (also known as Maggie McFierce in the DA office) and that the new investigation be led by none other than Detective Harry Bosch, who Haller knows will leave no stone unturned seeking for the truth. The trio is certain of Jessup’s guilt, DNA results notwithstanding, but they are fighting an uphill battle with evidence that is a quarter of a century old, with witnesses who are either dead or have forgotten a great deal, and with the dangerous political implications of a case that might make or break many careers.

One of the reasons I so enjoyed The Reversal comes from the interactions of these three very different people who manage to work together toward a common goal: with hindsight I realized that all three of them have to travel some uncharted and uncomfortable territory - Haller is tasked to confirm the man’s guilt and therefore the life sentence that was imposed 24 years before; McPherson must work with the man she divorced because, among other things, their views on justice were at polar opposites; and Bosch has to swim upriver, so to speak, because he needs to re-trace the evidence collected at the time of the first investigation. What really brings them together is the realization that they need to find justice for the innocent victim whose life was cut horribly short even before she truly started living it. This is very much a character driven story set in a solid narrative background in which police work and courtroom drama blend into a quite compelling narrative: it’s clear from the start that, despite some doubts to the contrary, Jessup is indeed guilty, but it’s the journey that takes the readers toward this inevitable conclusion that makes this book a proverbial page turner.

By having his two main characters working together, Michael Connelly creates an intriguing partnership between two men whose final goal is that of justice, although they usually move toward it on different paths, and the narrative choice employed here - Haller with first person POV and Bosch with third person - creates an interesting balance that works quite well despite the constant change in perspective. Another interesting angle comes from the fact that they are both fathers, each of them faced with the difficulties inherent in parenting: where Bosch is now raising his teenage daughter as a single parent, having to balance the needs of his work with those of young Maddie, Haller is something of an estranged father, both because of the divorce and of his recent past of addiction, so he’s trying to regain the lost ground and proceeding through trial and error.

These two halves of the story act as a mirror for the two narrative components, the courtroom sequences and the investigation, both of them influenced by the ever-present political pressures that here are further weighted down by those of the public opinion: Jessup’s defense team has launched a massive campaign to promote the man’s innocence, and of course the public is equally divided into two factions, with the media breathing fuel into the fire for its own advantage. Connelly inserts a few passing mentions to some real-life equally divisive trials of the time, imbuing the story with another layer of reality that makes it even more compelling.

If I have to find a flaw in this very engrossing story it’s in the end: to me it seemed somewhat abrupt if I consider the long, careful buildup that led to it, and I felt almost cheated of the conclusion that I had hoped for, but to be honest it’s a really small blemish in a totally engrossing canvas, and I’m once again certain that I will not be disappointed in any future reading choices from this author, who is now one of my go-to writers when I feel the need of an immersive story. show less

A Bosch/Haller team up, which is always a fragile prospect. Haller takes a special appointment as a prosecutor - a fox in the hen house set-up - for an old case where the convicted killer has had his conviction overturned. Bosch is put on the team to re-investigate the case in the hopes of securing another conviction based on new evidence. Even though Harry retreats to his old flame, Rachel Walling - unnecessarily, if you ask me - he manages to unearth new evidence that the killer actually committed a series of murders, not just the one for which he was originally convicted. The combination of Haller's near Greek-level ego and Harry's unrequited suspicion of everyone but himself provides for a wonderful read. The back story between show more these two's origins always hovers over them, a ghost they are both haunted by.

5 bones!!!!!
Highly Recommended!!!!! show less

An interesting twist in this story as Harry Bosch teams up with Micky Haller, his half-brother, who has been persuaded by the DA to change sides from his usual defender role to act as prosecutor in a retrial of a convicted murderer. To add to the plot, Micky is assisted by his ex-wife Maggie "McFierce" from the DA's office and part of the sub-plot revolves around their evolving personal and professional relationships. As always Michael Connelly keeps you turning the page to find out what happens. Recommended.

Perhaps the best of the Mickey Haller books. Sharing the limelight is the lead character for another Connelly series, Harry Bosch. Bosch is the vehicle for much of the action and crime detection, while Haller runs rings around the rule of law and jurisprudence. As usual Connelly puts together a delightfully convoluted plot, though this time there is no Reversal at the end of the book. Atypically, Connelly lets the story flow to a natural but no-less satisfying conclusion.

Mickey Haller, the Lincoln Lawyer (I liked the movie too, by the way), his ex-wife, Maggie McPherson, and his half-brother, Lt. Harry Bosch of the LAPD, are working together on this case. Haller has been called in to sit on the other side of the aisle as a prosecutor when a convicted child-killer is retried following a high court reversal of his 24-year-old conviction. Even
Bosch's old girlfriend Rachel Walling gets involved. The story is riveting and the interactions among the characters well-done. I found the ending somewhat unsatisfying although it was probably a realistic picture of what might really happen in the situation. Still, don't miss this one.

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, show more 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. show less