Monday, June 6, 2011

Sunday Mystery Corner - The Lincoln Lawyer



Mary's Review

It is true that I love a good thriller/mystery novel.  I like the thrill of the "hunt" and the all the questions: "Who did it?" and "Why did they do it?".  This book selection was no different.  I had not heard of this book until I saw the movie trailer. 

Mickey Haller is an attorney who will represent just about anyone.  That is anyone who can pay and that is what Mickey needs right now.  That is when Louis Roulet comes along.  He is accused of attempted rape and attempted murder on a young female.  Mickey thinks that he will be able to get Louis a great trial and a very good payday through it too.  However, there are twists and turns (some that even I did not see) that Mickey and his team have to get through in order for everyone come out of this trial alive and well.

This was  a quick read for me because the second Mikey began putting the pieces of the case together is the second I could not put the book down.  I know that there are more books in this series and I would like to see how Mickey handles himself further.

I would recommend this book to others.


Jacque's Review:

The Lincoln Lawyer was recommended to me quite some time ago, but I have to admit, the fact that the movie was released starring Matthew McConaughey and Ryan Phillippe is what ultimately got my attention. 

Mickey Haller is a defense attorney in LA who represents a questionable group of clients.  Drug dealers, prostitutes, etc.  He will represent anyone who can pay his fees, but when he lands his "franchise case" (a case that will pay him six figures and will allow him to comfortably pay his bills for a while) he begins to question his choice of profession.   

Louis Roulet is a wealthy young real estate agent accused of attempted rape and attempted murder.  For the first half of the book I actually felt sorry for Louis as the defense attempted to prove that he was the victim of a setup.  As the book progressed and Mickey's investigator discovered additional information that connected this case to one of his previous clients, the truth behind the case became apparent.  Mickey ends up putting himself and his family in danger as he strives to do the one thing his father taught him about the profession, to always identify and protect the innocent.  "There is no client as scary as an innocent man."   

I have always enjoyed the John Grisham legal thrillers.  The one thing his books lack is a common element that makes you look forward to the release of his next book.  That is what drew me to the Kay Scarpetta series, which is next month's Sunday Mystery Corner.  When there is a character I can connect with that develops throughout a series, I am always excited to see what happens next.  This series is no exception.  Michael Connelly established a great character that we can continue to follow.  There are currently four books in the Mickey Haller series, which I hear only get better. 

What I liked most about this book is fact that the reader is able to unravel the mystery along with Haller.  Clues are exposed throughout the story and we can slowly see how Mickey plans to address the ethical dilemma that he is in.  With many legal mysteries, the reader is often blindsided with an unexpected ending.  Connelly left enough of a mystery to hold my attention, but provided enough clues to make me feel like I was an active participant in the discovery of the truth.


Flo's Review:

I was the last of the Book Nerds to finish The Lincoln Lawyer, amidst Mary and Jacque's "Keep reading!" Every time a new twist was introduced I frantically sent them messages with multiple exclamation points. I finished the book on Friday night and a few hours later I went to the see the movie.

As Jacque and Mary mentioned, one of the strengths about this book was that the reader was able to put the pieces together with Mickey Haller. And the more Mickey discovered, the more you wanted to read to see what else he'd discover and what he'd do about it. I think Mickey himself was the biggest strength of the book. No matter what was revealed or thrown at him, he always managed to have a great reaction, or redirect, if you will. This is evident in his actions both in the courtroom and outside of it. In the book, we also go to understand Mickey's motivations -- why he acted the way he did, and ultimately, why he was the was the man he was.

Unfortunately, it is always hard to translate inner dialogue to the big screen. Thus, I felt that all this personalization of Mickey was left out of the movie. Without the book, I would have come away from the movie not really knowing the character or his motivations. To me, the movie played as a series of events. It was a story, yes. It unfolded as it did in the book, with few and minor variations, but none of the background was there.

I'm curious to hear a review of the movie from someone who has not read the book. Is that any of you?

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