Jack McEvoy specializes in death. As a crime reporter for the Rocky Mountain News, he has seen every kind of murder. But his professional bravado doesn't lessen the brutal shock of learning that his only brother is dead, a suicide.
Jack's brother was a homicide detective, and he had been depressed about a recent murder case, a hideously grisly one, that he'd been unable to solve.
McEvoy decides that the best way to exorcise his grief is by writing a feature on police suicides. But when he begins his research, he quickly arrives at a stunning revelation. Following his leads, protecting his sources, muscling his way inside a federal investigation, Jack grabs hold of what is clearly the story of a lifetime. He also knows that in taking on the story, he's making himself the most visible target for a murderer who has eluded the greatest investigators alive.
Untitled
If you have never read a Michael Connelly book in your life, start now with The Poet. You can thank me later.
We meet Jack McEvoy; a crime reporter who, against all reasoning, decides to investigate a case of police suicide. His own twin brother’s. As Jack delves deeper, he discovers there seems to be a connection between an alarming number of police suicides across different states. But were they really suicides? Jack must decide between catching a potential serial killer responsible for his brother’s death, or breaking the biggest story of his career.
The Poet is a well-paced, captivating crime/detective fiction with a hint of noir thrown in for good measure. We are pulled into the smoky pub, onto its sticky seat, as we listen intently to the tactical minefield that is a reporter negotiating information with police officers. We meet a seemingly random character, William Gladden, whose chapters alternate those of Jack’s. Through his unsavoury nature and complete distaste for people, who really is William Gladden? Whatever happens, you are there in the midst of the action. Thanks to Connelly's masterfully immersive style of writing and insightful look into the world of crime reporters. Definitely helps when Connelly himself used to be a crime beat reporter.
Connelly gifts fans of investigative crime fiction with a gripping tale of twists, turns, murders and ultimately, closure. All without the gratuitous gore and excessive use of expletives. Bonus! - Maddie (QBD)
Guest, 27/04/2017
Untitled
The Poet is a chilling crime thriller about a crime reporter who finds himself deep in the ivestigation of cop murders after his brother has been found dead. Was it suicide or is there a serial killer at work? Michael Connelly will have you engrossed through entire book. It is a great read and definitely does not dissapoint. A must read for crime thriller fans. - Fabiola (QBD)
Guest, 31/03/2017
Untitled
You simply cannot go past Michael Connelly for crime fiction. The Poet is no exception! The first book in the Jack McEvoy series doesn't diappoint. This book grips you from the first line and keeps you turning pages right 'til the end.... or what you think is the end... but then it keeps you turning for 100 more pages... - Crystal (QBD)
Guest, 20/03/2017
The Poet
Having never read any of Michael Connelly’s books before I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed reading The Poet. One of the things I really liked was that the book is set before mobile phones and social media. Where the Internet is just starting to become a tool for criminals. The main character is Jack McEvoy, a crime reporter, who specialises in writing about violent crime. He finds himself involved after the suspected suicide of his brother. He soon discovers that it may not be a case of suicide and it becomes a mystery that he has to try and solve and write about. There are many twists and turns in the story and Connelly keeps a surprise up his sleeve till the very end. If you enjoy this book as much as I did, Michael Connelly wrote a sequel years later, using his most famous character, Harry Bosch. The Narrows is where I’m headed next.
-Julie, QBD Woodgrove
Woodgrove, 20/03/2017
The Poet-Michael Connelly
This is definitely the book that goes with the saying of 'Curling up with a good book'
The Poet is a thriller that will have you hooked from the first page right up until the end; with plenty of twists and turns that will keep the reader enthralled until the very end.
So grab a cup of tea and a biscuit, get comfy and curl up with 'The Poet' for a great day/night of reading.
Louise Bell-Chambers
Fountain Gate.
QBD, 15/03/2017
