Fair Warning (Jack McEvoy, 3)

Over the last few years, I have probably read more different books by Michael Connelly than any other writer, having worked my way through the whole canon. I have reached the stage where I am now eagerly awaiting the next one. In all too many ways, I have failed to grow out of certain childish traits, one of which is a frequent failure to defer gratification. This book proved to be yet another instance of that failing. Having bought it on the day it was published, I had originally planned to leave it for a little while, thinking it would be nice to have something to look forward to. I genuinely intended to put it to one side for a while … and I did … for at least three hours after it was delivered. Then, however, temptation got the better of me (not a concept I have been unfamiliar with over the last fifty odd years) and I simply plunged in. I do worry when an author I like brings out a new book – there is always the fear that the weight of expectation might prove too great, and the book won’t live up to them. After all, an author as prolific as Connelly might be expected to waver every now and again. Fortunately, however, he hasn’t wavered here. The ageing Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch is given a rest (perhaps he is on furlough), and the protagonist this time around is the journalist, Jack McEvoy, I would be interested to know to what extent McEvoy is grounded on Connelly himself, as I know the author started out as a journalist covering the crime beat in L<os Angeles. Jack McEvoy has appeared in a couple of novels before, and will be familiar to readers of [The Poet] and [The Scarecrow], in each of which his journalistic endeavours led to the recognition of active serial killers. This time around he is working for the Fair Warning website which conducts investigations into areas of consumer concern. Away from the main crime beat, he is brought into the case because a former acquaintance is found dead with unusual neck injuries. McEvoy is contacted by the police as a ‘person of interest’ and, true to form, manages to fall foul of the investigating detectives, which leads him to look into the case further on his own account. As ever with Connelly, the plot is fast moving, but always underpinned with procedural viability and overall plausibility. McEvoy is far from perfect, and finds himself straying down some red herrings. He is, however, always open to advice and support, and finds himself ably assisted by his former partner Rachel Walling (one of my favourite characters from the so-called ‘Universe of Harry Bosch’) as well as one of his colleagues from the website This is another welcome addition to the Connelly canon. My only regret now is that I read it too quickly, and will probably have to wait another year for the next one.

I have been reading Michael Connelly's books since his first efforts were published - way back. I can't truthfully say I love them all equally well. I will admit to being a Bosch fan, especially starting after the "Black" books, and I admire Connelly's craftsmanship and envy the heck out of it. I will also admit I have never warmed to Jack McEvoy, which is a shame because I have a feeling he is sort of Michael Connelly's alter ego, being a reporter in LA who is drawn to the crime beat even when he is doing consumer protection stuff. Mr. C. has to think that "there but for my laser-focus and hyper-drive, and the best seller list, could I have gone." Somehow, Jack McEvoy just irritates me. Maybe he is simply written in such a way as to tone him down a bit to avoid the appearance of his being some kind of super-reporter, but he lacks the sharpness of mind and the depth of moral conviction that drives Bosch, and the intrinsic courage that gets Harry through the battles with his dark side. And when Jack is coupled with Rachel Waller, as he is in Fair Warning, he always comes off as a bit of a stumbling, clueless side-kick to her kick-ass. I guess it is natural, if unfair, to compare all Michael Connelly's characters to Harry Bosch, but, even as a stand-alone I don't find enough to admire in Jack McEvoy to elevate his books to "extraordinary" in my estimation. Having said all that, I did enjoy Fair Warning as a good bedtime read. The DNA angle was interesting, and Connelly's exhaustive research was evident, as always, in his command of the subject matter. I found myself cheating and picking up my kindle to return to Jack and Rachel during times I was supposed to be doing something else, because, well, it's Michael Connelly and it has his magic all over it.

I spent the day reading and listening to Fair Warning. I know a little about genetic testing and thought Michael Connelly did a good job of describing the "wild west" aspects and the lack of FDA oversight. As always, the plot moved fast and I loved catching up with Jack and Rachel. I'm not going to say more because of potential spoilers but BOY … I was barely breathing for the last several chapters - just reading as fast as I could. I saw a review saying that the reader didn't think that Jack was behaving in character … I dunno, one thing I like about Connelly's books is that the main characters are typically flawed and still try to do the right thing. Thank you!!