The Fifth Witness

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Peter Giles

In tough times, crime is one of the few things that still pay, but if defence attorney Mickey Haller was expecting an uptick in business during the economic downturn, the reality is a different story. Even people needing legal representation to keep them out of jail have to make cut-backs, it seems. In fact, the most significant part of Mickey's business right now is not about keeping clients out of jail but about keeping a roof over their heads, as the foreclosure boom hits thousands of people who were granted unrealistic mortgages in the good times and now face being kicked to the curb by ruthless corporations. Lisa Trammel had been a client of Mickey's for eight months - his very first foreclosure case, in fact - and although so far he'd managed to stop the bank from taking her house, the strain and sense of injustice are beginning to take their toll, and the bank had recently got a restraining order to prevent her protesting against their fraudulent practices. But now the bank's CEO, Mitchell Bondurant, has been found in the bank's car park with a bullet in his brain, and Lisa is about to be indicted for murder. For Mickey, it's back to what he does best on the biggest stage of all, but if he thought defending Lisa Trammel was going to be a walk in the park, he'd be wrong. Not only is he about to learn some startling truths about his client, but also about himself, and by the time the verdict is in, Mickey's whole world will have been turned upside down.

©2011 Michael Connelly (P)2011 Orion Publishing Group Limited

Masterful story teller

Michael Connelly has done it again with this Mickey Haller story. Gripping to the end and his in-depth characters make his a good read/listen.

awesome

i loved it now will buy the next book on mikey haller hope that will be amazing as welll

Connelly's Mickey Haller is a "comeback-to" hero!

The successful Harry Bosch series is a hard act to follow. Mickey Haller has become the new star in Connelly's constellation of police/legal contemporary fiction. I am such a fan of Harry that there were doubts the new guy would win my heart. Connelly is a clever and market conscious writer. He knows how to bridge the gap. Mickey Haller is a character that is easy to like, one you can read and reread. I remain one of those fanatic fans who snaps up the New Connelly the minute it is off the press.

Don't expect profound literature...this is fun, a great read, a good way to spend a weekend with your feet up and a box of chocolates.

Another Great Installment To The Series

I have listened to every Michael Connelly book and love the way he writes and choses excellent narrators. I enjoyed most of this book but it all got a bit predictable and I knew the ending well before the book finished. The narrator did an excellent job whcih really added to the book.

I took my mp3 player from a car

It's one of few books that was difficult to interrupt listening to. Thrilling, very nicely written characters, excellent pace and last but not least, the voice of the narrator was very vivid, kept me listening after midnight. OK, I gave up 45 minutes before the end and went sleep, but I woke up early in the morning to finish it.

Another excellent Mickey Haller story

Another "page turner" (so to speak) in The Lincoln Lawyer series. The Fifth Witness continues the Mickey Haller saga and delivers another excellent courtroom drama complete with Michael Connelly's signature surprise ending.

I laughed out loud when the Hollywood director asked Haller what he thought of Matthew McConaughey playing him in the movie. Nice one, Mr Connelly.

Good for long drives because otherwise you'll have too many "driveway moments"!

consistent connelly

From the start, I'm a Connelly fan. But I have to say, Harry Bosch was getting tiresome. So, I'm glad he has a new character, Mickey Haller, who first appeared in the Lincoln Lawer (now a pretty good film). In the Fifth Witness Mickey wrestles with the defense of a woman who is losing her house to a bank foreclosure, a current theme if there is one. He does a great job and is assisted by his team who are just as interesting as the main character. The plot twists at the end. A great read.

As always great!

This is my third book by this author and I cannot wait to listen to more!

Lincoln lawyer moves on

Once again Michael Connolly has developed an edge of your seat story which provides a twist of events to keep the reader on his/her toes. Excellent story.

As good as it gets

Would you consider the audio edition of The Fifth Witness to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print edition.

What other book might you compare The Fifth Witness to and why?

The Lincoln Lawyer - same character - same fast pace.

What about Peter Giles’s performance did you like?

He portrays characters cleverly, making each unique and easily distinguishable.

Any additional comments?

A stunning, clever, fast moving book with more twists than the road to Kosciusco.