Michael Connelly The Lincoln Lawyer Review

The Lincoln Lawyer

Michael Connelly

Little, Brown, Oct 2005, $26.95, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0316734934



Criminal defense lawyer Mickey "THE LINCOLN LAWYER" Haller makes the rounds of courthouses defending some of the dregs of society. His mobile office is the backseat of his Lincoln Town Car, in which he works up a case while a lowlife client drives the vehicle.



However, Michael has the ideal client, someone with money who can pay for his services. Beverly Hills realtor Louis "Hard Case" Roulet has been accused of brutally assaulting a woman; Louis claims he is innocent. In spite of his dad's dire warning that the innocent make the worse clients, Haller takes on the case seeing dollar signs and an easy win. When a friend associated with the case is murdered, Michael wonders what he has gotten into as his father's prophecy proves right, but there is no way out except seeing the case to its conclusion.



Though no Bosch, except his indirectly being related to Mickey, THE LINCOLN LAWYER is a terrific legal thriller headlined by a fabulous attorney and strong secondary players especially his filter Gloria, his current client, and those who drive him to pay off debts. The exhilarating story line is literally driven by the cast though there is plenty of action. Fans will enjoy Michael Connelly's latest tale starring an attorney trying to climb up the food chain, but finding the ooze underneath a lot warmer and safer.



Harriet Klausner