This Trial is a Contest of Lies - An Audio Book Review

TITLE: "The Brass Verdict"
AUTHOR: Michael Connelly (Harry Bosch detective series; "The Lincoln Lawyer")
GENRE: Murder Trial Mystery
LENGTH: 11.5 hours, unabridged
PUBLISHER: Hachette Audio
NARRATOR: Peter Giles, TV and movie actor.

LOG LINE
Troubled defense lawyer Mickey Haller and loner Detective Harry Bosch spar their way through the intricate puzzle of a Hollywood murder mystery.

COMMENT
"Sometimes hot sauce is the only way I know I'm alive." This is the self-described emotional core of divorced, single parent, recovering Oxycontin addict and criminal defense lawyer Mickey Haller. Haller makes a return engagement following his debut in Michael Connelly's successful legal thriller "The Lincoln Lawyer," so called because Mickey eschews offices for three Lincoln town cars tricked out with fax, phone, computer and printer. Given the amount of time Los Angelinos spend in their cars, this makes sense.

Trying to re-build his shaky life, Halller inherits all the cases of a murdered defense lawyer including a major movie mogul on trial for the death of his wife and her lover.

When author Connelly is on his game, he's unbeatable for unexpected plot turns and compelling characters. With "The Brass Verdict," he is in top form.

This is a spin-off from the successful Harry Bosch series with the maverick Valley detective playing a supporting role to Los Angeles defense lawyer Haller as they clash and struggle through the shifting course of a capital murder trial.

Nothing here is as it seems. "Everybody lies. Cops lie. Witness lie. The victims lie. A trial is a contest of lies," says Haller. Just when you think you've figured who's lying and who's using who, Connelly curveballs the listener with unforeseen twists right up to the final moments.

Actor Peter Giles drives the story with pitch-perfect narration and pacing that heightens the whole experience.

BOTTOM LINE
Engrossing personalities inhabit a crackerjack murder mystery. For audio listeners, this is a battery drainer. You won't want to turn it off.