New Michael Connelly!! "The Scarecrow"

[Richardo]

This one is a Jack McEvoy novel - the reporter for the LA Times that was featured in The Poet and has minor roles in a lot of the other novels.

Book jacket sounds promising - maybe he's made a comeback from the disappointing 'Brass Verdict'.

SEcond novel in two years. I hope he's not becoming another Jim Patterson novel-o-matic. :scared:

Synopsis
Forced out of the Los Angeles Times amid the latest budget cuts, newspaperman Jack McEvoy decides to go out with a bang, using his final days at the paperto write the definitive murder story of his career.

He focuses on Alonzo Winslow, a 16-year-old drug dealer in jail after confessing to a brutal murder. But as he delves into the story, Jack realizes that Winslow's so-called confession is bogus. The kid might actually be innocent.

Jack is soon running with his biggest story since The Poet made his career years ago. He is tracking a killer who operates completely below police radar--and with perfect knowledge of any move against him. Including Jack's.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Scarecrow/Michael-Connelly/e/9780316166300/?itm=1

[Common Sense Party]

1. I had never heard of this author until a week or two ago...

Now I hear of him everywhere.

Someone suggested I read the Harry Bosch novels.

I usually don't read crime fiction, but I'm willing to take a shot.

What one or two of his would you suggest I start with?

[Richardo]

2. He's up to 20 books but my favorites are:

"Blood Work" (was made into a Clint Eastwood movie a while back)
"The Poet" (McEvoy)
"A Darkness More Than Night" (Bosch)
"The Lincoln Lawyer" (Mickey Haller - defense lawyer)
"The Overlook" (Bosch)

They're all good, though. Even though I called "Brass Verdict" disappointing, a mediocre Connelly is still better than most other
crime novels. Connelly was a crime reporter for the LA Times, and he knows the city well. I spent many years there so that's another selling point for me.

Happy reading!

[Common Sense Party]

3. Will I be lost if I don't read the Bosch novels chronologically?

[Richardo]

4. No, they pretty much stand alone (I read 'Darkness' first.)

Connelly/Bosch will sometimes refer to past cases or events that are covered by the other novels, but without spoiling the other story. He's pretty skillful at it.

[Sequoia]

5. That's good to know.

I saw this book and wanted to read it but then I saw it was a "return of" and I don't like that sort of on going adventure. But since your other post said one wouldn't miss anything by not reading the first AND that he was a crime reporter for the LA Times where I lived then I think I'll check it out at the library. Thanks.

On edit: The hold list is at 224 so I'll have to wait.

[Richardo]

6. Get another one!

The original story this character was in was 'The Poet' which was EXCELLENT. :thumbsup: And it's old enough that it should be on the shelf.

[Mz Pip]

9. Only in respect to

Bosch's person life, which has its own story through the series of books. It's not a propminent part of a story line but is interesting in terms of character development.

I like to try to read these kind if series chonologically if possible. Connonly, Sanford, Kellerman, George all have their characters have personal lives that run along in the books. I think most do and though these sub plots may not be always play an important part of the main story line I like to read the books in sequence.

[Richardo]

10. Me too.

In fact I'm going through them in chron order now :thumbsup:

[BOSSHOG]

7. Hey Richardo

James Lee Burke's new book "Rain Gods" will be released on July 14th, but its not a Robicheaux book.

[Richardo]

8. I'll check it out!

Thanks, BOSS :patriot: