Michael Connelly's The Lincoln Lawyer: A Bright Legal Thriller, with a Firm Conclusion

"There is no client as scary, as an innocent Man" - J. Michael Haller, Criminal Defense Attorney, L.A.1962

The best reason why I enjoyed reading Michael Connelly's The Lincoln Lawyer, is the fact that I was able to get an inside look into the "Lawyer Morality". It is no surprise that to be an attorney, is the ability to be able to produce major amount of dollars. Yet, its not as simple as saying receive a case, win it, and go home with a pocket full of dollars.

For example, what toll is taken, when you lose a case and must watch an innocent man be sent to prison? I would seriously doubt, that any amount of cash would be sufficient to fill the void of losing that type of battle. The burden of having a man's life in your hands, and failing to release it from the cold grip of incarceration, when the person was free of wrong doing. Well, that battle is precisely the one that Mr. Mickey Haller faces in this here legal novel.

The Lincoln Lawyer

Mickey Haller is a criminal defense attorney, who operates predominantly form the back of a Lincoln Town Car. He is based in Los Angeles and defends all types of clients.. bikers, con artists, drug dealers, and really any one with fat pockets who needs saving from wrongful actions. The law to Mr. Haller, has little to do with guilt or innocence. It has more to do with his great ability at negotiating and manipulating. Yet, on rear occasions it can be about justice.

In an attempt to help a wealthy man who is arrested for attacking a woman, and is claiming to be innocent, he enters a different place in his life. At a certain point he is faced with having to decide how far he would go, to save an innocent man. But also, he is confronted with something that closely resembles evil. To escape its wrath, he must use every instinct in his arsenal to salvage his own life.

Mickey spent his whole pro. life afraid that he would not be able to recognize innocence if it stood right in front of him. Yet, what he should have feared is not being on the watch for... evil.

The Lincoln Lawyer Directed by ZeN

I loved reading The Lincoln Lawyer because it's delivery is similar to that of a movie's. If I held the opportunity to adapt a novel into a screenplay, this novel would be the most ideal material. The reason is, that this novel projects images like a movie does. All the characters are solid and precise, and the story runs smoothly with grace. You are able to read at a high pace because it tells only what is needed, and leaves mundane details aside.

At times, and Dean Koontz comes to mind, I find myself in an overindulgence of description. When that occurs, you can loose the sense of suspense and urgency. Well Michael Connelly has done a fine job at creating clear and conscious description of all things but the beauty is found in the brevity. Keeping the saga running fast and furious, which creates and entertaining read.

I Lava, My Court Room Drama

I don't care if its a legal film or novel, in any form I do love me some court room drama. Thankfully, L.L. gave me the fix that I needed. With firm and crisp dialog, the court room was filled with great moments of entertainment. Michael Connelly infuses great tenacity into his fictional attorney Mickey Haller, who gets the job done, when working the court room. Regardless of how it arrives, Lawyer vs. Judge, opening and closing statement, (or my personal favorite) Shredding a witness to pieces, L.L. surely does deliver in the tense and suspense department.

A big plus about this latest novel, is the fine wit involved. It is funny, without loosing its edge. Sarcasm and Dark Humor, are greatly used to lighten up the mood and giving the book multiple dimensions. Its surprising how quick a read it is, how funny it is, and in the end how satisfied you are left. Particularly because the ending is a do-zee. It pleasantly leaves you guessing until its final act.

ZeN