The Poet

I had read The Overlook by Michael Connelly and like that well enough, so I tried The Poet. Snoresville! It goes sooo slooow! I’d estimate 60% filler, like he had a contract that said he had to write a certain number of pages :(

I loved this book and I didn’t want it to end. There were so many unpredictable twists and it kept me on the corner of my seat until I was done reading it. The tone this story created such a suspense throughout the story. I love each of the three books of the John McEvoy series, and I can’t wait to read more Michael Connelly books! I highly highly recommend.

I have heard of Michael Connelly, but had never read any of his novels until "The Poet" was given to me by a friend. This is one of the best thrillers I have read since "Silence of the Lambs". I was completely sucked into the world of the poet, and couldn't turn the pages quickly enough. I hated to see the book drawing to a close, but I also could not wait to see where the story would take me. Connelly's writing is fantastic, and really captures the mood of the story. I found his description to people and places similar to the writing of James Lee Burke, who is also a master of this genre. This is a great introduction to Connelly's writing, and I plan on following up my reading of "The Poet" with it's sequel "The Narrows". Highly recommended for fans of great police thrillers!!

I have just re-read "The Poet", which is the book that got me onto Michael Connelly, and I see again why I liked it the first time around. I remember thinking at the time that the ending was "Hollywood", in that it seemed that the author wanted a film made out of it. Not necessarily bad; just different. You can't expect an author to bring out perfection every time, and the variety you get from trying out these sorts of things is usually a good thing.What's good about the book? Great gritty descriptions; interesting characters; great dialogue; very interesting plot. It's the sort of thing that will captivate you if you're interested. And you have to pay attention. Some reviewers have bitched about the book, saying "people can't kill or hurt someone else while under hypnosis". That's true. But, if you read carefully, no-one in the book does. Other people complain about the ending being totally "fake" or "unpredictable". If you pay attention as you read, you'll notice a number of subtle clues that point the way. Probably too subtle for some. Re-reading this book is like watching "Basic Instinct" or "The Usual Suspects" a second time; you get a lot more out of it. And some people complain that the plot has holes -- on reflection, I can't agree. I thought it was very tightly (and very well) plotted. Things pull together at the end, not apart. The bad parts? There aren't many. ....All in all, grab this book. If you like it, or even if you like most of the book but not the ending, you will like Connelly's others.

I have read this book and BLOOD WORK and I am eager now to dive into the Harry Bosch books. THE POET is meticulously plotted, totally involving, and impossible to put down. I am beginning to like Connelly more than Jeffrey Deaver, which I thought would not be possible. This is the sort of book that you want to finish because it is so gripping, but you are so sorry when the book is over because you want to stay enthralled. Read this one for sure!

The Poet! This book was really fun. While I am a fan of Connelly's Harry Bosch series, I was still able to fall for Jack McEvoy. I thought that Connelly's premise was very creative and great for bibliophiles.The killer uses Poe's literary works as a basis for his murders. What a fabulous way for Connelly to merge his genius with the brilliance of Poe - one of the genre's greats.I just could not put this one down. I found myself reading under the covers with my book light. A fun vacation from reality.