Michael Connelly – The Law of Innocence – Review

 

Michael Connelly's novels and the characters within these crime stories over the last 25 years have become good friends, if not family, for this reader. The LA detective, Harry Bosch, is in the same league as Chandler's Phillip Marlowe or Dashiell Hammitt's Sam Spade. Indeed, I would go so far as to say that Connelly ranks with the American crime writer and novelist James M. Cain. Over 5 novels ago, we were introduced to the Lincoln Lawyer, Micky Haller. In his latest, The Law of Innocence, our ambulant defense attorney, has been pulled over in a traffic stop, where a body of an old client is discovered in the trunk of his Lincoln. Thus the twisting and turning game begin to prove the councilor's innocence.

Micky Haller is actually Harry Bosch's half brother. When you compare the two men in terms of their demeanor and overall character, the brothers are like chalk and cheese. Haller is willing to bend the rules to get his clients off. The LA detective Bosch on the other hand, for the most part, plays it by the book. They have in common their pursuit of the truth and their uncanny ability to make some serious enemies. In The Law of Innocence, it appears that Haller has made a smart and vengeful foe, as the dead body found in his trunk, all the evidence points to him as the perpetrator. It doesn't look at all positive when Haller is thrown in the lock-up, where he has to prepare for his up-hill defense.

Connelly's writing style runs at the pace of a screenplay. The courtroom scenes are realistic and accurate, placing the reader in the gallery, following the prosecution's spoken strategies and the defense. The reader is on edge, waiting for Haller's clever cross-examinations countering the prosecution's case. We see the presiding judges surprise and, in this case, fair rulings for the defense, as the prosecution is hell-bent, even crossing legal lines to keep Haller in jail and at a disadvantage. It's fair to say that Connelly's skill for courtroom dialogue is superb. It is obvious as well that the author began his writing career as a courtroom reporter.

Harry Bosch makes an appearance in this tale, aiding as an investigator in the case. Through Harry's connections in the LA Police Department and his outside-the-box investigation method, he discovers a vast scam against the federal government. When the FBI gets involved, the tale begins to become very interesting.

Connelly is an excellent storyteller. Reading the Bosch novels since the late 90's, we follow the detective's career as an LA detective through to his retirement, now consulting on difficult cases. The Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey Haller, is also maturing as we see his daughter now attending Law School. Connelly has created a realistic world around these two characters, situated in the third greatest character of the novels, LA's streets.

If you're a long term fan of Harry Bosch and the Lincoln Lawyer, this latest novel will not disappoint. If you're a new-comer to this world, The Law of Innocence is an excellent introduction and a novel that can stand on its own.