by Siew Cheng Hoe

Created on: October 02, 2009

The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly is written in the first person, through the perspective of Mickey Haller. Mickey Haller is a defense attorney.

While The Brass Verdict is also a story about Harry Bosch, Michael Connelly spends too little time on him. Harry Bosch always appears out of the blue, like a guardian angel.

Most of the pages are courtroom scene, and these are very exciting.

The Brass Verdict is a plot within a plot thriller. When I start to think that Mickey Haller is very smart, an unexpected twist in the story will show that he is just a pawn. His client lies to him and uses him as a pawn. Harry Bosch uses him as a pawn. The chief judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court uses him.

Halfway through The Brass Verdict, Mickey Haller realizes that Harry Bosch is his half brother. Harry Bosch knows that already. Even the thicker blood does not stop them from playing each other.

Michael Connelly uses The Brass Verdict to expose the corruption within the judicial system of America.

Michael Connelly shows how it is possible to have corrupted judge with the ability to put a sleeper in the jury.

I feel slightly depressed in the reading of The Brass Verdict. It is possible for the guilty to walk free as long as they can afford a good defense lawyer, and have the money to pay a corrupted judge.

However, Michael Connelly shows that there is a greater Judge over all of us. There is justice.

The first instance of justice from above is the Mickey's client, Barnett Woodson. Michael Connelly writes, He (Barnett Woodson) walked out of the courtroom and sarcastically apologized to the media for getting away with murder.

A few paragraphs later, Michael Connelly says, He would've been better off taking a conviction. Woodson got killed in a drive-by about two months after the acquittal.

Harry Bosch explains that The Brass Verdict means simple street justice.

I like the ending of The Brass Verdict. Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller show that blood is indeed thicker than water. Both of them have a deep love for each other, and for justice.

The Brass Verdict ends with exposure of all the corrupted persons, even those holding high positions in the judicial system.

It seems like the client of Mickey Haller is going to get away with double murders. A sudden twist in the story occurs. Someone kills him and his girlfriend. The trial ends. Justice is served by a greater Judge than mere human judge.

The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly is an exciting legal thriller. The Brass Verdict shows that there is justice even when everyone lies, and many people are corrupted.

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