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The Scarecrow

by Michael Connelly

The Scarecrow Cover

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

The instant #1 bestseller from "the best mystery writer in the world" (GQ) brings back the hero of The Poet in a terrifying new thriller. Forced out of the Los Angeles Times amid the latest budget cuts, reporter Jack McEvoy decides to go out with a bang, using his final days at the paper to write the definitive murder story of his career.

Review:

"Bestseller Connelly comments on the plight of print journalism in a nail-biting thriller featuring reporter Jack McEvoy, last seen in 2004's The Narrows. When Jack is laid off from the L.A. Times with 14 days' notice to tie up loose ends, he decides to go out with a bang. What starts as a story about the wrongful arrest of a young gangbanger for the brutal rape and murder of an exotic dancer turns out to be just the tip of an iceberg that takes McEvoy from the Nevada desert to a futuristic data-hosting facility in Arizona. FBI agent Rachel Walling, with whom he worked on a serial killer case in 1996's The Poet, soon joins the hunt, but as the pair uncover more about the killer and his unsettling predilections, they realize that they too are being hunted. With every switch between McEvoy's voice and the villain's, Connelly ratchets up the tension. This magnificent effort is a reminder of why Connelly is one of today's top crime authors. 8-city author tour. (May)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"The Scarecrow, a return to form for Mr. Connelly and his sharpest book since The Lincoln Lawyer, pivots energetically among its subplots, often returning affectionately to the newspaper world." Janet Maslin, The New York Times

Review:

"With its ingenious story line and the twisted brilliance of the creeps involved, The Scarecrow holds its own with its predecessor [The Poet], which was a breakthrough novel for Connelly." The Washington Post

Review:

"Alternating point of view between villain and reporter, Connelly builds tension expertly, using dramatic irony to its fullest, screw-tightening potential. Even confirmed Harry Bosch fans will have to admit that this Harry-less novel is one of Connelly's very best." Booklist (starred review)

Review:

"Connelly has done it again....The newspaper industry is on the verge of collapse these days, and ex-newspaperman Connelly here tackles the subject head-on while juggling an intricate mystery at the same time....[T]errifying and compelling..." Library Journal (starred review)

Review:

"Michael Connelly is one of modern pulp fiction's most skilled, prolific authors....The Scarecrow isn't some tongue-clucking cautionary tale, but at the same time, Connelly's detailed depiction of journalism under siege is as vivid and frightening as any murder plot. (Grade: B+)" The Onion AV Club

Review:

"[R]ip-roaring crime fiction that hits the ground running and doesn't let up until the finale. Connelly is one of the most consistent of today's crime fiction writers. The Scarecrow ranks among Connelly's best work." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Synopsis:

The instant #1 bestseller from author Michael Connelly--the best mystery writer in the world (GQ)--brings back the hero of The Poet in a terrifying new thriller.

Forced out of the Los Angeles Times amid the latest budget cuts, newspaperman Jack McEvoy decides to go out with a bang, using his final days at the paper to write the definitive murder story of his career.

He focuses on Alonzo Winslow, a 16-year-old drug dealer in jail after confessing to a brutal murder. But as he delves into the story, Jack realizes that Winslow's so-called confession is bogus. The kid might actually be innocent.

Jack is soon running with his biggest story since The Poetmade his career years ago. He is tracking a killer who operates completely below police radar--and with perfect knowledge of any move against him. Including Jack's.

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About the Author

A former Los Angeles Times crime reporter, Michael Connelly's familiarity with the seamy side of L.A. adds a steamy kind of street cred to his hardboiled, gritty detective novels — especially his bestselling series of mysteries featuring dark detective Hieronymous "Harry" Bosch.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
OneMansView, November 26, 2009 (view all comments by OneMansView)
The Internet, a tool for deviants (3.7*s)

Connelly, years ago, established the gritty Harry Bosch of the LAPD as one of the best characters in all of crime fiction; really, few others measure up. However, Jack McEvoy, a reporter for the LA Times on the cop beat, is not without his credentials in the world of dealing with lowlifes, as he was instrumental in the demise of a particularly ingenious criminal, the Poet, some ten years earlier. Nonetheless, given the rapid decline of the print media, his high profile and corresponding high salary have put him on the RIF – Reduction in Force – list; the Times has given him two weeks notice. And that only so he can train his replacement, Angela Cook.

An unexpected phone call from the mother, or is that grandmother, of a sixteen-year-old gang member, who had the misfortune of stealing a car with a dead woman in the trunk, declaring the boy’s innocence, gives McEvoy the thought to write one last great article, though rather vaguely conceived. Mostly through Cook’s initiative, the details of the death scene are found to be eerily similar to a female’s death in Las Vegas. The story has gotten bigger; it appears two innocents are in prison. Jack soon is on his way to visit the second person in a Nevada prison and enlists the unofficial support of LA FBI agent Rachael Walling, who was a part of the Poet case and, more significantly, had an intimate relationship with McEvoy. Little does he know what he will come to owe her.

It quickly becomes evident to Walling and McEvoy that they are dealing with a truly sinister and highly intelligent serial killer(s). Jack finds that his Internet dealings have been penetrated: his e-mails deleted or constructed and falsely sent, bank and credit card accounts closed, phone contracts canceled, etc. Slowly, they dig deeper; they retrace their steps, especially Internet sites visited; and they see common connections to a data security firm. But can they hope to contend with a foe that seems to know their every move?

This is not one of Connelly’s more gripping tales. The suspense factor is down considerably as the perpetrator is identified on page one. The plot also revolves around some rather fortuitous interpretations of data. The bad guy(s) is/are a bit too crafty, yet remain largely a mystery. The interaction of Walling and McEvoy is overly strained, even taking into account the entire situation. The man vs. organization themes that are such a part of Bosch’s dealings with the LAPD barely get off the ground despite McEvoy’s sacking and Walling’s temporary firing for freelancing. Connelly fans will undoubtedly enjoy this easy-reading book even though it lacks the intensity of some earlier efforts.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780446401203
Author:
Connelly, Michael
Publisher:
Grand Central Publishing
Subject:
Thrillers
Subject:
General
Subject:
Popular Fiction-Contemporary Thrillers
Copyright:
2010
Publication Date:
20100231
Binding:
Mass Market Paperbound
Language:
English
Pages:
562
Dimensions:
7.58x4.30x1.01 in. .65 lbs.
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Related Subjects

Fiction and Poetry » Mystery » A to Z
Fiction and Poetry » Popular Fiction » Contemporary Thrillers
Languages » Foreign Languages » Spanish » Fiction and Poetry » Popular Fiction » Contemporary Thrillers

The Scarecrow Used Mass Market
0 stars - 0 reviews
$4.95 In Stock
Product details 562 pages Grand Central Publishing - English 9780446401203 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "Bestseller Connelly comments on the plight of print journalism in a nail-biting thriller featuring reporter Jack McEvoy, last seen in 2004's The Narrows. When Jack is laid off from the L.A. Times with 14 days' notice to tie up loose ends, he decides to go out with a bang. What starts as a story about the wrongful arrest of a young gangbanger for the brutal rape and murder of an exotic dancer turns out to be just the tip of an iceberg that takes McEvoy from the Nevada desert to a futuristic data-hosting facility in Arizona. FBI agent Rachel Walling, with whom he worked on a serial killer case in 1996's The Poet, soon joins the hunt, but as the pair uncover more about the killer and his unsettling predilections, they realize that they too are being hunted. With every switch between McEvoy's voice and the villain's, Connelly ratchets up the tension. This magnificent effort is a reminder of why Connelly is one of today's top crime authors. 8-city author tour. (May)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review" by , "The Scarecrow, a return to form for Mr. Connelly and his sharpest book since The Lincoln Lawyer, pivots energetically among its subplots, often returning affectionately to the newspaper world."
"Review" by , "With its ingenious story line and the twisted brilliance of the creeps involved, The Scarecrow holds its own with its predecessor [The Poet], which was a breakthrough novel for Connelly."
"Review" by , "Alternating point of view between villain and reporter, Connelly builds tension expertly, using dramatic irony to its fullest, screw-tightening potential. Even confirmed Harry Bosch fans will have to admit that this Harry-less novel is one of Connelly's very best."
"Review" by , "Connelly has done it again....The newspaper industry is on the verge of collapse these days, and ex-newspaperman Connelly here tackles the subject head-on while juggling an intricate mystery at the same time....[T]errifying and compelling..."
"Review" by , "Michael Connelly is one of modern pulp fiction's most skilled, prolific authors....The Scarecrow isn't some tongue-clucking cautionary tale, but at the same time, Connelly's detailed depiction of journalism under siege is as vivid and frightening as any murder plot. (Grade: B+)"
"Review" by , "[R]ip-roaring crime fiction that hits the ground running and doesn't let up until the finale. Connelly is one of the most consistent of today's crime fiction writers. The Scarecrow ranks among Connelly's best work."
"Synopsis" by , The instant #1 bestseller from author Michael Connelly--the best mystery writer in the world (GQ)--brings back the hero of The Poet in a terrifying new thriller.

Forced out of the Los Angeles Times amid the latest budget cuts, newspaperman Jack McEvoy decides to go out with a bang, using his final days at the paper to write the definitive murder story of his career.

He focuses on Alonzo Winslow, a 16-year-old drug dealer in jail after confessing to a brutal murder. But as he delves into the story, Jack realizes that Winslow's so-called confession is bogus. The kid might actually be innocent.

Jack is soon running with his biggest story since The Poetmade his career years ago. He is tracking a killer who operates completely below police radar--and with perfect knowledge of any move against him. Including Jack's.
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