Resurrection Walk by Michael Connelly

'Resurrection Walk' by Michael Connelly marks the return of Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller, this time working together on the case of a woman who claims she was wrongly incarcerated for the killing of her husband. As the duo look into her case, they become convinced of her innocence, and what follows is a superbly crafted police/legal procedural.

Harry Bosch

Listen, first things first. I'm worried that the author is preparing us for the end of Bosch. All good detective series must come to an end I guess, but Michael Connelly couldn't be any more obvious. As usual when writing up my reviews, I have a bit of music going in the background, and I've been listening to the jazz that Bosch mentions - this time it's the jazz stylings of Wayne Shorter. The name of the track that Harry keeps dropping the needle on? 'Harry's last stand'. Come on - could he spell it out any clearer for us?

There's also the fact of Harry's Leukemia. Mickey has added him to his medical insurance and pulled a few strings to get him on an experimental treatment program at UCLA. The effects of the treatment play a part in the case later on, and there's a sense throughout of the impact this is having on Harry.

I enjoyed the interplay and banter between the half-brothers. They're well used to each other's idiosyncrasies by now and are accepting of each other. I did smile when Haller jumped into the back of the Lincoln - Harry didn't sign up to be a chauffeur. Harry also squirms a bit on occasions when he gets the odd reminder he's working on the side of the defense - especially when he comes up against the LAPD. But I like their working relationship and if there wasn't a general feeling of Bosch winding down (I just can't shake it), it could certainly be the basis for a few more books.

Another sense of winding down Bosch came with the appearance of 'Angels Flight', the setting for a fine novel of the same name ( #6 on the chronological order of Michael Connelly books). There was just the hint of one of the greatest hits being trotted out for an encore.

Mickey Haller

The action begins with Mickey Haller feeling pretty good about himself. He's been involved in the release of Jorge Ochoa, who we see on his 'Resurrection walk' (great title) when he is freed because of the hard work that Harry and Renee Ballard put in during a previous case 'Desert Star'. Mickey decides that 'the innocence project' work gives him satisfaction and that wants to pursue more of it.

His increased profile means that he's getting a lot of letters from prisoners protesting their innocence. Part of Harry's job is to sift through this deluge, looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. This results in Harry highlighting the case of Lucinda Sanz.

The case

Lucinda Sanz is halfway through an eleven-year stretch for the murder of her husband, a Los Angeles County Deputy shot twice in the back in the front yard of their home after a domestic argument. She claims her innocence and says she was forced to accept a plea deal from her lawyer so as to avoid a life sentence. Something about it doesn't sit right with Harry and he contacts old friend Renee Ballard in the cold case unit for some background information. Strictly off record, of course.

And that's all you're getting from me about the plot of 'Resurrection walk', which is yours to enjoy. Harry, now in his seventies, does a lot of the leg work/driving and uses his superior instinct to sniff out the irregularities in the case. There's a little whiff of corruption too, which is always sure to get Harry's back up. He hates corrupt cops.

But the bulk of the action takes place in the courtroom, where Mickey Haller of course excels and annoys judges and prosecutors alike. He sails close to the edge and occasionally crosses it, but sure that's the Lincoln Lawyer for ye. I do love a good courtroom battle and there are some delicious back-and-forths to enjoy.

AI and Geo-Fencing

As usual, I learned a bit from this book. Connelly doesn't rest on his laurels and does his research, always using the latest advances in technology used in criminal cases. This time it's AI and geo-fencing, which I found fascinating, especially the active shooter angles. it makes the cases seem modern and relevant and adds to the believability of the plot. (I still think about the genetics analysis industry after 'Fair warning'.

Supporting cast

Maddie Bosch catches up with Harry, whilst Hayley Haller turns up in court. With Maddie enjoying her career in policing and Hayley switching from criminal defense to environmental law, I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking there's potential for a series with those two. It was also nice to see Renee Ballard who to me is a great character and there's plenty of mileage with her yet.

Summary

There are plenty of twists and turns in the investigation and courtroom to keep you guessing. It'll get the emotions going if you are anything like me, and although it's detailed you'll never feel overwhelmed or confused. Not many authors can weave a police procedural and a legal procedural but Michael Connolly delivers on both fronts.s. The case has plenty of depth and the events that occur are completely believable. It's tense and has enough action to keep me happy (loved the finale).

If Harry is coming to a fictional end, I look forward to more Mickey Haller books. There's a bit of a sea change with the character in this book, and you feel that it's going to lead the Lincoln Lawyer in an interesting direction. Maybe he'll link up with Renee (professionally) but I noticed there was a journalist that caught his eye outside the courtroom.

'Resurrection Walk' is another top-of-the-range thriller from Michael Connelly. I get sheer reading pleasure from these twisty, complicated cases and I completely trust him as an author - I've never been left unsatisfied by one of his books - no mean feat for a prolific thriller writer. I'm boring myself (and you, loyal reader) at this stage but there's nothing like a Connelly novel to keep you completely absorbed for a few hours, and I lapped this up on a couple of cold winter evenings.

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528 pages, Hardcover - published October 31, 2023 by Little, Brown and Company