The Brass Verdict
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Michael Connelly |
| Products | Crime novel |
The Brass Verdict marks the 19th book authored by American writer Michael Connelly and features the second case involving Los Angeles defense attorney Michael "Mickey" Haller. The character of Haller was initially introduced in Connelly's popular 2005 release The Lincoln Lawyer.
Plot
Following a year-long period of recuperation from injuries and overcoming painkiller dependency, lawyer Mickey Haller reenters the legal field after the murder of defense attorney Jerry Vincent. Upon Vincent’s death, Haller assumes responsibility for his pending cases, notably the prominent trial of Hollywood executive Walter Elliott, accused of murdering his wife Mitzi and her lover. Haller secures Elliott’s case by committing to a trial without delays, scheduled to commence in nine days.
Detective Harry Bosch from LAPD takes charge of investigating Vincent’s homicide and cautions Haller that he may become a target as well, convincing him to collaborate. While preparing for the complex double-murder trial, Haller simultaneously defends Patrick, a former surfing champion battling painkiller addiction who is charged with stealing a diamond necklace; Haller successfully obtains an acquittal by demonstrating the necklace contained counterfeit diamonds.
With assistance from investigator Cisco and his ex-wife and assistant Lorna, Haller constructs Elliott’s defense focusing on gunshot residue explained by police handling and scrutinizes who might have been the actual intended victim. Elliott confesses connections to the Mafia and suspects their involvement in Mitzi’s and Vincent’s deaths.
Haller uncovers jury manipulation tied to Vincent’s bribery schemes, identifying a juror operating under a false identity, which leads to a trial suspension. Elliott admits guilt for the murders but later suffers an attack by the compromised juror; Bosch intervenes just in time to prevent further harm.
The source of corruption is traced back to a senior judge, resulting in her arrest by the FBI. After Elliott and his secretary are killed—later revealed as retaliatory acts by the family of Mitzi’s lover—Haller discovers that he and Bosch share a paternal link, realizing they are half-brothers due to their resemblance to their mutual lawyer father.
Awards
This novel received the 2009 Anthony Award for "Best Novel" and was also shortlisted for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger at that year’s Crime Thriller Awards.
Television series adaptation
On June 25, 2019, David E. Kelley developed a television adaptation based on the Haller series with an initial commitment from CBS. However, on May 2, 2020, CBS declined to proceed with the pilot. Subsequently, Netflix commissioned a 10-episode series of The Lincoln Lawyer, adapted from The Brass Verdict, with Kelley attached as developer; this announcement was made on January 11, 2021. Production started on March 31, 2021, and the series premiered on May 13, 2022.