Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Connelly's back into top form ... thank goodness!
Jack McEvoy, long time investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times, has fallen victim to the ravages of the internet and the modern economy and has received the dreaded pink slip. Angry at having been summarily dismissed after so many years, McEvoy decides that the most powerful message he could leave upon his exit would be a story with the potential to win a Pulitzer Prize, something to top even the story that he wrote about his encounter with THE POET.
Originally his intention is to write the story of Alonzo Winslow, a young black man in a run down public housing project, and how he evolved from a child through street punk to a drug dealer and killer, all in the astonishingly short space of a brutal and cruel 16 years. But as he begins to investigate the details of the story he uncovers the likelihood that Alonzo is innocent and that there is another fiendish murderer out there escaping the attention of the police by expertly framing more likely suspects.
When I read Michael Connelly's last Harry Bosch novel, THE NINE DRAGONS, I was disappointed and, frankly, terrified at the prospect that Connelly's train had finally run out of steam, that he was threatening to jump the shark. But ... thank goodness, no worries mate! THE SCARECROW is a return to peak form and the pages once again virtually turned themselves with all the intensity that I expected with Connelly's typical thrillers.
More than that, THE SCARECROW, as only the very best thrillers do, provides educational and informative background material on the setting of the story. In this case, we are first treated to a wonderfully atmospheric description of the daily internal workings of a major metropolitan newspaper and the travails that they are encountering as they compete with other media such as radio, television but most notably and most immediate, the internet. Equally interesting, we are treated to an extensive explanation of the workings of an off-site data storage and server "farm" for those organizations such as legal firms that require air-tight security for the protection of their working data and client files.
While it's a first-rate thriller, THE SCARECROW is not without its faults. Most notably, the ending, while satisfactory, goes a little bit over the top and seems to fall a little more into the domain of Hollywood special effects screenplay rather than thinking man's thriller.
That said, I'm pleased once again to be able to give an unqualified thumbs up to a Connelly novel and express the hope that we haven't seen the last of writer Jack McEvoy and his new found love, FBI agent Rachel Walling. (You just gotta love how Connelly's characters all populate the same L.A. universe and manage to show up in all of the different novels!)
Paul Weiss
Jack McEvoy, long time investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times, has fallen victim to the ravages of the internet and the modern economy and has received the dreaded pink slip. Angry at having been summarily dismissed after so many years, McEvoy decides that the most powerful message he could leave upon his exit would be a story with the potential to win a Pulitzer Prize, something to top even the story that he wrote about his encounter with THE POET.
Originally his intention is to write the story of Alonzo Winslow, a young black man in a run down public housing project, and how he evolved from a child through street punk to a drug dealer and killer, all in the astonishingly short space of a brutal and cruel 16 years. But as he begins to investigate the details of the story he uncovers the likelihood that Alonzo is innocent and that there is another fiendish murderer out there escaping the attention of the police by expertly framing more likely suspects.
When I read Michael Connelly's last Harry Bosch novel, THE NINE DRAGONS, I was disappointed and, frankly, terrified at the prospect that Connelly's train had finally run out of steam, that he was threatening to jump the shark. But ... thank goodness, no worries mate! THE SCARECROW is a return to peak form and the pages once again virtually turned themselves with all the intensity that I expected with Connelly's typical thrillers.
More than that, THE SCARECROW, as only the very best thrillers do, provides educational and informative background material on the setting of the story. In this case, we are first treated to a wonderfully atmospheric description of the daily internal workings of a major metropolitan newspaper and the travails that they are encountering as they compete with other media such as radio, television but most notably and most immediate, the internet. Equally interesting, we are treated to an extensive explanation of the workings of an off-site data storage and server "farm" for those organizations such as legal firms that require air-tight security for the protection of their working data and client files.
While it's a first-rate thriller, THE SCARECROW is not without its faults. Most notably, the ending, while satisfactory, goes a little bit over the top and seems to fall a little more into the domain of Hollywood special effects screenplay rather than thinking man's thriller.
That said, I'm pleased once again to be able to give an unqualified thumbs up to a Connelly novel and express the hope that we haven't seen the last of writer Jack McEvoy and his new found love, FBI agent Rachel Walling. (You just gotta love how Connelly's characters all populate the same L.A. universe and manage to show up in all of the different novels!)
Paul Weiss
I read this when it first came out and really enjoyed it. Just reread it. WOW, edge of the seat thriller!! Really loved that McEvoy, a journalist, brought in Rachel Walling, an FBI agent that was in the first McEvoy book, The Poet, and in a Harry Bosch book, Echo Park. I loved the meshing of law enforcement and a journalist to drive the story. Super smart bad guy, clever twists.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really liked this story. The performer did a great job and his voice matched how I pictured the main character. I haven't read/listened to a Connelly book I didn't like yet.
That said, I have to fault the producers of this audio book. The volume was MUCH lower than most books I listen to. Frequently on my rides to/from work I was unable to hear the performance at all. In fact, that's the reason I didn't give this book 5 stars.
That said, I have to fault the producers of this audio book. The volume was MUCH lower than most books I listen to. Frequently on my rides to/from work I was unable to hear the performance at all. In fact, that's the reason I didn't give this book 5 stars.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm writing this review years retroactively, which means it'll be in generalities rather than specific to the story. This is a review of all three Jack McEvoy books. (So they will all say the same thing.)
I first encountered Michael Connelly in the movie version of The Lincoln Lawyer. I loved the movie and started reading the books. I had no idea how prolific a writer he was, and I was busy for several years (I read a lot less back then than I do now). I eventually caught up and read every one of his books. He is one of my favorite writers. There's always lots of action, lots of suspense and tension, lots of unsavory villains (no one I can think of whom I feel sorry for even a little), and an indomitable hero of unimpeachable principle (even if their integrity has to negotiate a lot of gray areas).
This was true of this very short series. Given how many Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller books have been written, I am a little sad for Jack McEvoy. I'd love to see him get his own book again.
I first encountered Michael Connelly in the movie version of The Lincoln Lawyer. I loved the movie and started reading the books. I had no idea how prolific a writer he was, and I was busy for several years (I read a lot less back then than I do now). I eventually caught up and read every one of his books. He is one of my favorite writers. There's always lots of action, lots of suspense and tension, lots of unsavory villains (no one I can think of whom I feel sorry for even a little), and an indomitable hero of unimpeachable principle (even if their integrity has to negotiate a lot of gray areas).
This was true of this very short series. Given how many Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller books have been written, I am a little sad for Jack McEvoy. I'd love to see him get his own book again.
A solid piece of mystery/suspense fiction. It was a little slow getting started, but it quickly sucked me in and did not let go until the end.
from the beginning its clear that who is the bad guy, but still the thrill is maintained...nice read...
LOVED this book!!!! Unfortunately, Connelly isn't writing any more in this series at this time!