The Reversal

Written by Richard Powers

Narrated by Michael Brandon

Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch together take on a seemingly unwinnable case in blistering legal thriller from Number One bestseller Michael Connelly.

When defence lawyer Mickey Haller is invited by the Los Angeles County District Attorney to prosecute a case for him, he knows something strange is going on. Mickey's one of the best American legal brains in the business, and to switch sides likes this would be akin to asking a fox to guard the hen-house. But the high-profile case of Jason Jessup, a convicted child killer who spent almost 25 years on death row before DNA evidence freed him, is an intriguing one . . .

Eager for the publicity and drawn to the challenge, Mickey takes the case, with LAPD Detective Harry Bosch on board as his lead investigator. But as a new trial date is set, it starts to look like he's been set up. Mickey and Harry are going to have to dig deep into the past and find the truth about what really happened to the victim all those years ago in this nail-biting courtroom drama.

Read by Michael Brandon

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hachette UK Audio
• Release date: Oct 14, 2010
• ISBN: 9781409115441

Richard Powers

Michael Connelly is an American author of detective novels and other crime fiction, notably those featuring LAPD Detective Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch and criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller. His books have been translated into 36 languages and have won many awards. He lives with his family in Florida.

Reviews for The Reversal

[lbswiener · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reversal (A Lincoln Lawyer Novel) is another one of Michael Connelly's books where the reader asks, "how does this guy write so many good books that keep the reader on suspense from beginning to end?" This book was excellent with an ending that was not expected. The book is highly recommended and deserves its four stars in this review.

[paulagalvan-323293 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Haller gets roped in working for the prosecution in this murder mystery that goes horribly awry. This was not the most engaging story for Mr. Connelly but, as always, had good courtroom drama.

[sdramsey-298717 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I listened to the audiobook version of this book, which featured a narrator with a perfect voice for this book. Overall, though, I didn't like it as much as the previous Connelly books I've read. The courtroom stuff comprised a little too much of the book for me, and I wasn't very satisfied with the ending. However, I'll try other title by this author; he does spin a good plot and I like the characters.

[susandennis-139327 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was not the best Connelly but it still kept me to the end. I like the Bosch series and the Lincoln Lawyer series but not so much when they are blended together.

[melrailey-412132 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

n this book, Michael Connelly combines Harry Bosch with Mickey Haller and I've got to say, the combination worked very well. Harry Bosch is probably my favorite series character and definitely my favorite detective/mystery character. In The Reversal, Mickey Haller joins the prosecution team to retry a man convicted of murder 20 years earlier but DNA evidence has now freed him. Mickey asks Harry to help him find the evidence to put the killer back in prison.

I liked the way this story contrasted the differences between Bosch and Haller but also brought out their similarities. Peter Giles is the perfect narrator for these books.

I must say, I am continually impressed with Michael Connelly. Over the years, I have tired of almost every long term detective/thriller/mystery character except for Harry Bosch. Somehow, Connelly has managed to keep Harry the same but changing and growing. I forget just how much I love these books until I start reading them. In this case, I again found myself letting a Michael Connelly sit on my ipod for a long period of time and then kicking myself for not listening to it as soon as I got it.

[gypsysmom_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I count this Michael Connelly book as one of the Harry Bosch series even though it is mostly about a courtroom trial and stars Harry's half-brother Mickey Haller. Harry is the lead investigator for this case which sees Mickey change sides to become a special prosecutor. He is persuaded to do so because it involves the retrial of a man who was convicted of the kidnapping and murder of a young girl twenty-four years ago but had the conviction turned aside because of new DNA evidence.Jason Jessup was a tow truck driver at the time he was apprehended. The evidence against him at the time was mainly the eye witness of the young girl's sister who identified Jessup as the man who abducted her sister from their front yard. There was also an item of the girl's clothing found in his truck but Jessup claims the police planted that. The DNA evidence that got the conviction overturned was from semen found on the victim's dress which was linked to the sisters' step-father. The defense now alleges that the stepfather was responsible and since he is now dead he can't be charged. The surviving sister was severely traumatized by the events of that horrific day and went on to abuse drugs and alcohol. She has not shown up with any charges for some years and seems to have dropped off the face of the earth. Never fear; with Harry Bosch on the case finding her in her new, clean life as a glass artist in Washington is a piece of cake. Despite her years of drug abuse she still confirms that Jessup is the man who kidnapped her sister and Mickey Heller (together with his ex-wife) goes ahead with the trial.There are lots of courtroom details to satisfy the reader but long-time fans of Connelly will also appreciate the interplay between Bosch, Heller, Bosch's daughter and Heller's daughter. I especially enjoyed seeing how Bosch has taken to having a live-in daughter.

[eyejaybee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Veteran attorney Mickey Haller (known within LA legal circles as ‘the Lincoln Lawyer’ because of his tendency to work from the back of his Town Car rather than a conventional office) has established a reputation as one of the city’s leading defence advocates. This novel sees him crossing the void and agreeing for the first, and almost certainly last, time to represent the prosecution. It is, of course, no ordinary case. The defendant, Jason Jessup, had already served twenty-four years after having been convicted of the murder of a young girl, abducted from her family garden. Following a review of some cold cases, new evidence has emerged that potentially weakens the original prosecution case, although it falls far short of exonerating Jessup. Indeed, having reviewed all the remaining evidence, the District attorney’s office decides it wants to retry Jessup but, as this is an election year, the DA decides to appoint an ‘independent’ prosecutor. Based upon his successful career as a savvy defence lawyer, he decides that Haller might be the best person for the role.Haller is a natural supporter of the defence, but is enticed by a number of factors. Connelly handles this reversal of attitudes very adeptly, and we see Haller making a number of tactical errors early on, as his old defence habits get the better of him. He has a few things going for him, though, such as his former wife (a seasoned prosecutor) acting as his prosecution partner, and his half-brother, veteran LAPD detective, Hieronymus ‘Harry’ Bosch, acting as lead investigator to support the new case.Connelly’s books are always gripping, and one of his strengths is his ability to keep taking the detective story into different areas, yet still making it work. This novel successfully blends the John Grisham school of legal thriller with a traditional exciting police procedural. As always, his characters are very plausible, and his dialogue utterly convincing.

[drled_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Synopsis: Mickey has been tagged to prosecute a man who has been in jail for murdering a young girl. Mickey and his former wife believe that the man is guilty, although there is DNA evidence that puts another man on the scene. Harry Bosche is their investigator; he believes that the murder is also a serial killer.Review: This is a tense novel with lots of twists and turns; the ending doesn't help any of the good guys.

[csdaley-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A little predictable but I enjoyed the combo of his two main series. A good summer read.

[brucemmoyer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

With the inconsiderate death of Robert Parker, Michael Connelly is rapidly moving up in my list of favorite authors. The REVERSAL brings together two of Connelly's favorite leading men, Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller (Lincoln Lawyer). The book concentrates on a convicted murdered, who after having served 24 years in prison, is suddenly released due to the discovery of new evidence developed by technology that was not available at his original conviction. The District Attorney has decided to re-try rather than drop the charges which leads us down the path of two skilled attorneys using all their skills to present a new trial where many of the original witnesses are dead and some of the evidence has gone cold. A multi million dollar lawsuit for wrongful imprisonment hangs in the balance which attracts the brightest and best fully resourced law firm to the defense. The strategies and developments of the discovery and trial keep the reader totally involved. To fans of law and Courtroom drama, this book is a must and super reading even for those who think they are not into the machinations of the law.

[davewilde-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Reversal is Connelly's third book in the Lincoln Lawyer series about LA attorney Mickey Haller. The other books in the series are The Lincoln Lawyer, The Brass Verdict, the Fifth Witness, and the Gods of Guilt. Haller, in these books, is a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants criminal defense lawyer who does not normally maintain an office like a normal lawyer, but instead works out of the back of his Lincoln which is driven by a former client who does that in order to work off his legal bills. Connelly is a former crime reporter both in Miami and for the LA Times and his familiarity with his beat is evident in his writing. His familiarity with the Los Angeles courtrooms is so good that it is surprising that he never practiced. These books, like Connelly's Harry Bosch novels, are good, easy reading that flow from page one to the end generally with a speed approaching that of the cars in the Indy 500.

While it is obvious Connelly had fun writing this book and combining his most popular characters Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller (and also appearing are Maggie McFierce and Rachel Waller), the overall scenario of a defense lawyer being appointed a special prosecutor is simply not realistic and would never happen. Nor would he have been paired with his ex-wife as second chair. The talent of Connelly as a writer is that the reader can accept such an unrealistic scenario and get on with the story without having that jarring the reader from the story. There were also a few other points that did not ring true like the prosecution being worried about a motion to keep the key prosecution witness from testifying based on allegations about her credibility, which would be an issue for the jury to consider, not a point that would legitimately keep a witness from testifying. Also, the reference to the Ninth District rather than the Ninth Circuit at one point was a little jarring.

But it is a good story and one that was hard to put down and that is perhaps the most important point, besides what might seem to be nitpicking. Haller in this book is a prosecutor retrying a man whose conviction for the murder of a twelve-year-old abducted from her front lawn was overturned on appeal twenty-four years after trial. To make the story more interesting (although not realistic), the defendant is released on his own recognizance and is up to something in his late night jaunts around town. Connelly writes well and takes the reader through the investigation and the trial testimony to the startling conclusion to this story. Well done and highly recommended.

[dorie.craig · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Defense attorney Mickey Haller is approached to take on a new case -- as a prosecutor. Twenty-four years ago Jason Jessup was convicted of kidnapping and murdering a 12-year old girl, but his conviction is overturned when DNA testing of the semen found on the girl's dress turns out to belong to the stepfather. Since the DNA was only a small part of the evidence against him, the District Attorney's office is determined to try him again (and attempt to avoid a costly lawsuit at the same time), and they need someone independent to prosecute Jessup. Mickey agrees to take the case and appoints his ex-wife Maggie "Mcfierce" McPherson as co-council and his world-weary half-brother Harry Bosch as investigator. While Jessup is allowed out on bail, Harry makes sure he is kept under surveillance. During the day Jessup plays to the cameras, but at night he takes mysterious forays into the local public parks, sitting at picnic tables and burning candles. The first half of the book has Haller reviewing evidence of the first investigation and the testimony of the original trial, while Bosch interviews old witnesses and tries to find anything overlooked in the first investigation. The second half of the book covers the second trial.

While this wasn't perhaps your typical "page-turner" where you have to find out what happens next, the plot is expertly put together, and by the end you feel as if you've lived through an actual trial. And the ending is shocking and unexpected. My only complaint is that not everything was neatly tied up and resolved at the end. While this may be realistic, it was not very satisfying.

[addunn3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Bosch and Haller team up in this novel about a convicted murderer who has been granted a retrial after 24 years after new evidence comes to light. Yes, Haller is the prosecutor - an interesting twist.

[gmmartz · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Connelly was, at one time, one of my favorite crime fiction writers. He wrote great police procedurals that were not only well-written but also exquisitely plotted and researched. That's not the case any more, as it appears he's now 'mailing it in'. It's not quite the disappointment as 9 Dragons, but as someone who has followed his career since the beginning, I know he can do a lot better.

This one places two of his best characters, Harry Bosch the cop and Mickey Haller the defense lawyer, together in a story about a killer who is being re-tried for his crime, the murder of a little girl. It's neither a police procedural nor a courtroom drama. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and the story is pretty interesting and moves at a good pace. The problem I have is with the number of logical holes, unlikely events, and the manner in which the conclusion comes about. I don't want to spoil the story, but it was all pretty unbelievable. I did like the tension between Bosch and Haller, but the fact the story was split between them sort of watered down their impact.

For someone just starting out with this author, if you liked this one you'll love his early work. If you didn't care much for The Reversal, still give his earlier stuff a chance.

[bravenewbks · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was good. I wasn't sure I'd buy the premise of a defense lawyer turned special prosecutor, but I did. Perfectly enjoyable, but the surprises were fairly minor. I guess I'd say this was like riding a kiddie roller coaster -- still fun, but not thrilling. His first two books in this series set a high standard though, so maybe if this one weren't being compared to those it would be four stars.

[quibee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mickey takes a job prosecuting a convicted criminal about to be released because of modern DNA information.
He uses the help of Harry Bosch as investigator and his former wife as a second in the prosectuion to build a formidible case.
Unfortunately, justice isn't necessarily served by the games the legal profession employs. 4.5 stars

[johnfishlock · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

not as good as his others...

[ecw0647 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Connelly combines two of his best creations in this legal novel starring Mickey Haller and Hieronymous Bosch. The story is told in the first person by Haller and third person about Bosch’s investigation. Haller has been hired as an independent prosecutor to retry the case of a man sent to prison for 24 years for the murder of a young girl. His case had been overturned and despite DNA evidence that appears to exonerate him, the D.A.’s office has decided it still has enough evidence to prove Jessup, the alleged killer, was guilty of the murder. I don’t know why some authors feel it’s necessary for the bad guys to always target a cop’s family member or something similar. It’s just so improbable and unrealistic that I tend to tune out. It’s almost as if they must believe the cops or whomever won’t do their best unless there is personal involvement, which is, of course, nonsense.Good story though. I enjoyed it.

[christineellei · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Despite my protestations about not having time for another “series” I have found myself picking up the Mickey Haller books in some sort of order. In this installment, for a case that was first tried 24 years ago, we see Mickey going over to the “dark side” of the courtroom as a prosecutor rather than the attorney for the defense.

The appeal of these books have for me are the characters rather than the plots. When the characters are well written I can give a little leeway for “formula” plots. Although each of these books has a different (and admittedly interesting) storyline the steps followed for getting to the end are pretty much the same. Caring about the characters is what keeps me reading.

[jlsimon7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In the Reversal we get a combination of Mickey Haller, his ex wife Maggie, and Harry Bosch. As a result we get a mystery and a legal thriller in one.

This book watches Mickey move from defense attorney to prosecutor. It was a strange transition and feels a little off.

I did not like this one as much as the first two Mickey Haller books, but it was still a good read. Mickey, Maggie, and Harry team up to try to re-convict a child murderer after his verdict is over-turned. What I liked best about this book was that it shows some of the fallacies of our legal system, but the end isn't a forgone conclusion just because our heroes are involved.

If you enjoyed the first two books, I would recommend this book. If you didn't, you may want to give this one a pass.

[pmaurer_11 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This story teams two half brothers, Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller in the case focusing on the retrial of a low life that killed a little girl 25 years previously. Lots of it focused on courtroom drama.

[sarambarton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

94 points out of 100 -- 5 starsPlot -- 19 out of 20 pointsThe idea that a killer could be guilty, despite being exonerated by physical evidence, is a nice twist on the recent developments in DNA testing that have led to long-time prisoners being released. Jason Jessup is hardly a model prisoner, but he knows how to work the crowd. Normally arguing cases for the defense, Mickey Haller finds himself outside his comfort zone when he is tapped to prove Jessup actually did the killings for which he served time. Calling on an ex-wife or two as legal backup is a nice touch, as is the use of half-brother and experienced cop Harry Bosch.Characters -- 19 out of 20 pointsMr. Connelly’s strong suit as an author is his ability to develop characters that manage to push themselves beyond their ordinary strengths once they become invested in the case. It’s easy to understand the frustration of a cop like Harry; he knows too well that if he gets it wrong, someone could die. Mickey, suddenly on the “dark” side of prosecuting, focuses on what matters most, determining whether Jessup is innocent or guilty, in order to prepare the prosecution. The lead females in the story are portrayed as smart, empathetic, and humanizing in the author’s hands. Having both men dealing with daughters at the same time offers a nice contrast in their choices of approach to the world of teenage angst. One of the most sympathetic characters is Sarah Gleason. It’s hard not to root for her as she takes on an almost impossible task in the courtroom, convincing jurors she really did identify the real killer all those years ago.Setting -- 18 out of 20 pointsThe legal and law enforcement aspects of the case are treated very differently by the prosecution and investigation teams, and Mr. Connelly uses an interesting technique to highlight the unique perspectives. By sharing Mickey’s story in the first person and Harry’s in the third, it creates the illusion of merging together the two entities. The prosecutorial process is rife with politics and tainted by the constant maneuvering for position as top dog. The investigatory process is all about getting the evidence right and striving to avoid the temptation to cut corners, while pursuing very dangerous felons, occasionally stymied by the realities of Constitutional law. Harry and his team might suspect Jessup is about to kill again, but that’s not enough probable cause to trample the creep’s rights.Pacing -- 19 out of 20 pointsThe tale moves quickly, even as it passes back and forth between points of view. There’s plenty of action as Harry and his team of specialists tail Jessup on his nocturnal forays. The author blends everyday family interactions into the mystery, giving us those ordinary moments between tense, frantic chases, allowing the reader a few pages of breathing space and some valuable emotional downtime for the heroes. The courtroom antics and lawyer exchanges, while less physically dramatic (with a couple of important exceptions) than the police hunts, are intellectually and verbally vibrant, keeping the reader’s interest.Tone -- 19 out of 20 pointsThe author manages to make this story come alive by enticing us to care one way or another about the characters, whether it’s to revile some or feel compassion for others. No one is perfect, mistakes are made, but by the time the finale unfolds, it’s easy to feel comfortable and safe in the company of the determined team trying to get a bad guy off the streets. The personal differences between Mickey and Harry remain tucked out of sight as the two men work together; those family mysteries take a back seat to the importance of solving the case. The reader learns that Harry’s daughter used to live with her mother and something terrible happened. The father-daughter relationship is still new to him, and as he adjusts to having his daughter in his home, he tries to balance fairness with the realities of his job. Is Jessup stalking him, stalking his family? Harry will do whatever it takes to protect everyone from the man he believes is a monster.

[starkravingmad_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Entertaining crime thriller. 

[skinglist · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mickey Haller... for the People?!!While I'm relatively new to the Lincoln Lawyer series, I already struggle as seeing Haller as anything but the Lincoln Lawyer (that includes the flash backs to his time as a PD in the previous book). But this worked. It was believable and I loved the teamwork between Haller, Bosch and Maggie McFierece, who I adore. The characters were all easily believable - with CLever Clive as slimy as Haller isn't.I need to go read the Bosch series to fill in some of the holes in the history (his daughter, Halling) and apparently Michael Connelly is my summer reading project. However I already see signs three books in of this being a lot like Linda Fairstein/James Patterson in "who is threatening the heroes' lives as the books end"The only thing I didn't care for with this book was the flipping between 1st and 3rd person. While I realized later that the 3rd person was Bosch, I found that confusing.

[resaliens_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not a review, per se, just my ramblings. The Reversal was my first Michael Connelly novel and I wasn't overly impressed. He's a competent writer, obviously, a perennial best seller with, it looks like, over 20 books published, but until a few months ago I'd never heard of him. Which only proves that you don't have reach everyone to sell millions of books. I was looking for a legal thriller and someone at B&N told me if I liked Grisham, then I'd like Connelly only better. Didn't happen. Connelly has too many vulgarities for me, the writing isn't as snappy as Grisham, and I caught a few writer faux pas. There was a head hop in one scene and a "little did I know" slip. No big deal, but I was surprised when they popped out at me.

As for the story itself, sorta plodding. Interesting legal stuff about a child murderer on death row being released to be re-tried (the "reversal" by the court), but not very suspenseful. The most exciting part was the last few chapters when finally something unexpected happened. I've heard that Connelly's Bosch novels are better...but this is a Bosch novel. The narrative alternates between first person Mickey Haller (evidently another of his ongoing characters) and third person Harry Bosch. I didn't mind the POV change, made for a change up in an otherwise forgettable story.

[infjsarah · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I remain not a big fan of the lawyer versions of Connelly's world. Harry does have a part in this but it is the court that dominates. It was an OK light read for me despite the subject matter.

[she_climber · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is such a great series, one of my favorites. Great to see Haller, Bosch and McFierce all working together, with Haller serving as independent prosecutor for this one. Lots of courtroom drama and action after-hours. I'd somehow managed to miss this one in the series before skipping to the next, but now I can't wait to start reading Gods of Guilt.

[creighley_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Mickey Haller is sitting on the other side of the court room as the District Attorney has requested that Haller take on as prosecuting attorney for a case that happened 24 years ago. New DNA has shown up as a result of tests that weren't available 24 years ago. A fast-paced story with a somewhat disappointing end.

[edwardsgt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An interesting twist in this story as Harry Bosch teams up with Micky Haller, his half-brother, who has been persuaded by the DA to change sides from his usual defender role to act as prosecutor in a retrial of a convicted murderer. To add to the plot, Micky is assisted by his ex-wife Maggie "McFierce" from the DA's office and part of the sub-plot revolves around their evolving personal and professional relationships. As always Michael Connelly keeps you turning the page to find out what happens. Recommended.

[ricaustria · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Perhaps the best of the Mickey Haller books. Sharing the limelight is the lead character for another Connelly series, Harry Bosch. Bosch is the vehicle for much of the action and crime detection, while Haller runs rings around the rule of law and jurisprudence. As usual Connelly puts together a delightfully convoluted plot, though this time there is no Reversal at the end of the book. Atypically, Connelly lets the story flow to a natural but no-less satisfying conclusion.