Fair Warning and Law of Innocence

FAIR WARNING
LAW OF INNOCENCE
Michael Connelly
Allen & Unwin

REVIEWED BY STEVE HEPBURN

This year has been a stinker - no debate there. But one good thing about 2020 was American crime writer Michael Connelly has delivered two books.

Neither of them involve retired police detective Harry Bosch, a personal favourite, but are still top-rate yarns.

First up was Fair Warning, an absolute rocketing read centred around dogged reporter Jack McEvoy.

McEvoy has not been seen for more than a decade but it is worth the wait. He is a guy who can never turn down a good story. Can never let anything rest.

McEvoy dives into the dodgy world of DNA genetics and how it is being used for dark means. The story races along as the journo chases a dangerous killer who had been one step ahead of everyone for too long. Rachel Walling also makes a welcome return. 

A thrilling conclusion in what is one of the best in recent times from Connelly.

Connelly has then gone to lawyer Mickey Haller in The Law of Innocence, with the man on trial for a murder he swears he did not commit.

Haller works his magic and slowly gets the case to unravel as holes are found. Haller is perhaps at times not the most sympathetic of characters and it is all up and down for him.

The story also plays under the background of the building pandemic which is about to sweep the world. Bosch, who is Haller's half brother, features occasionally.

The ending is a tad of an anti-climax but believable in this day and age. It is perhaps not Connelly's best work but he has set the bar very, very high.

Steve Hepburn is ODT sports editor
 

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