The Poet

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 25,290 ratings

Price: 21.88

Last update: 07-26-2024


Top reviews from the United States

Jana L.Perskie
5.0 out of 5 stars A Well Written, Unnervingly Chilling Psychological Thriller!
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2005
The level of suspense in Edgar Award-winning Michael Connelly's riveting whodunit, "The Poet," is so intense that even though I read the thriller's sequel, "The Narrows," first and therefore knew some of the more important aspects of the plot, including the identity of the serial murderer, I was still caught off guard and surprised throughout the novel. I do suggest, however, that one read the books in order for maximum enjoyment - although both are easily 5 Star reads.

The opening lines, from the mouth, (or mind), of protagonist Jack McEvoy, are knock-outs. And the quality of prose only gets better. "Death is my beat. I make my living from it. I forge my professional reputation on it. I treat it with the passion and precision of an undertaker - somber and sympathetic about it when I'm with the bereaved, a skilled craftsman with it when I am alone. I've always thought the secret of dealing with death was to keep it at arm's length. That's the rule." McEvoy is the Denver Rocky Mountain News' crime reporter. Author Connelly was a crime reporter himself, and his obvious expertise when describing the investigation, along with his knowledge of police procedures and the newspaper business, lends enormous credibility to his narrative.

When Jack is informed of the suicide of his twin brother, Sean, a homicide detective who was obsessed with a particularly heinous murder case, he has serious doubts that his brother was capable of taking his own life. Jack breaks his own rule. How can he keep his twin's death at arm's length? He begins to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death on his own, and discovers that Sean was murdered - a murder ingeniously disguised as a suicide. His research also brings to light several similar "apparent" suicides by homicide detectives, in various US cities. All of the dead cops were deeply disturbed by exceptionally grisly cases they were working on. Also common to all the deaths are brief and cryptic suicide notes, quoting lines from some of the more obscure writings of Edgar Allen Poe. Cases in Chicago, Baltimore, Dallas, New Mexico and Florida are eventually reopened. Jack continues to follow his leads, and to protect his sources, until the FBI discovers what he has uncovered and puts an end to his detecting. Obviously, they want to take over - these are federal crimes, after all, and Jack is a journalist. McEvoy threatens to print the story, which is his right - but would give the killer a heads-up. However an agreement is struck that Jack will temporarily sit on the scoop if the feds allow him to sit-in on the case. Thus, an unlikely team is forged. Several members of the FBI's Behavioral Science Section, and one Denver reporter, race against the clock to track the killer(s) and prevent the next murder(s).

This is one scary, chilling thriller. Add Poe's writing to this unnerving mix, and I'd advise you to read during daylight hours, or keep all the lights on in the evening. If you are squeamish, this may not be the book for you, as it deals with mutilation, child molestation and pedophilia.

Connelly is an excellent writer and his characters are every bit as compelling, complex and convincing as his narrative. The psychological aspects behind the motivations of many of these personages are just plain fascinating. To me Thomas Harris' "Silence of the Lambs" and "Red Dragon" are the best books I have every read in this particular category/genre. I have yet to read anything which induces the terror evoked by these two novels. This one comes close.

JANA
Mary
4.0 out of 5 stars A good suspense novel
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2023
Measured against the standard set by most crime fiction writers, this is a pretty good book. As a standalone story out of the Bosch Universe I enjoyed it. McEvoy is well drawn, but he's not nearly as compelling or as interesting as Bosch.

While this case is referenced in early Harry Bosch stories, Harry doesn't make an appearance here. But, it's important to get the background on the case origins before Harry does get involved so that's why it is part of the Harry Bosch Universe.

The time period is the mid-‘90s, and I giggled at dial-up internet connections, faxes, pagers, landline phones, and new-fangled digital cameras. Seems forever ago and just yesterday. So there are times I was like just make a call but this is before everyone had a cellphone. It makes you wonder, if we did get rid of phone booths we might capture more criminals. Lol.

I enjoyed this twisting and turning, around-the-bend-and-back case. There are a few red herrings. I must admit to being a bit shocked at the ending, even though I had growing suspicions.

Recommended for fans of the Harry Bosch universe and fans of crime beat reporters.
Wendyk
5.0 out of 5 stars An ending, I did not see coming
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2024
I have not read Poe since high school and was curious to know how his work was incorporated into the story.
It is an easy story to follow with well written characters, which kept my attention. The pages flew by without notice, and the ending was a surprise.
It's worth the time to read, and as with books regarding crime, it has scenes described that could be seen as disturbing, which is the nature of the beast.
Edward C. Nielsen, Famous Author
5.0 out of 5 stars Time for Second Helpings
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024
I bought my first Michael Connelly book when "Black Echo" first came out, which was also his first book. I got hooked immediately and have read every subsequent book by Connelly as soon as it became available. There may be no better author. Others knock out a winner now and then, but Connelly hits a home run every time. I can't wait for his next effort, but in the meantime, I've begun rereading the older ones. It's been over 30 years and I'm old enough that I don't remember much about "Black Echo" (except that it was awesome), so rereading it and some of his other efforts is like reading it for the first time. "The Poet" is one of the few Connelly books my local library doesn't have available. If you like sharp dialogue and tight plotting, "The Poet" and any of Connelly's other efforts should please you.
Eric Long
5.0 out of 5 stars A thriller to read
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024
The Poet is a great story. Just when you think you know where the next chapter will go, Connelly puts a twist in.

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