Connelly was obviously striving for a ‘shocking’ finale (or at the very least one final major twist) but it earned only a sigh from me, and was the only true blemish on an otherwise greatly satisfying read. It’s the ending – that final dramatic beat before the epilogue – that feels unnecessary and could’ve perhaps done with a rethink. Don’t expect too many surprises here (although fear not, it’s not entirely perfunctory). This is less a whodunit or thriller and more an intriguing (and indeed illuminating) exploration of the mechanics of the legal system.

From here Connelly weaves a convoluted tale that quickly spotlights all the players and identifies them as good and bad.

Enter a new client: a cyberpimp (yeah, that’s a real thing) accused of murdering a prostitute who happens to be one of Haller’s ex-clients (and, of course, one he was particularly close to). It’s cost him, though – we learn at the beginning of The Gods of Guilt that he’s estranged from his daughter, who has effectively ‘disowned’ him. And after that initial taste I was hooked.Ĭonnelly paints Haller as a real person who accepts the reality of his career as a defence attorney he frequently represents the dregs of society, but understands that he plays a necessary function in the legal system. But Connelly won we over with The Lincoln Lawyer thanks to Mickey Haller’s character and circumstances a lawyer who works out of the back of a Lincoln is just intriguing as its own concept when you throw in the fact he’s Harry Bosch’s half-brother, well, you couldn’t keep me away. I am not a fan of ‘legal thrillers.’ I think it’s perhaps related to the fact I once wanted to be a lawyer – before I realised the work involved in becoming one, and the sheer amount of jargon I’d have to memorize, and the reality hit home that I simply don’t possess the verbal eloquence necessary to sway a jury. Still, if every attempt is going to be as good as this, I’m more than happy for Connelly to keep trying, and have little doubt in his ability to succeed, and indeed exceed my expectations. The Gods of Guilt follows that trend – another finely executed legal thriller – but unable top the original. And what a stunning debut it was, followed-up by equally stellar instalments, all of which I’ve enjoyed, but none of which have quite matched Haller’s inaugural outing. The Lincoln Lawyer – the first Mickey Haller novel – was a brave change of pace for Michael Connelly, who could’ve quite easily maintained his steady annual output of the Harry Bosch series.

Book the gods of guilt