The Fifth Witness

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Peter Giles

In this #1 New York Times bestselling thriller, after taking on a foreclosure case, defense attorney Mickey Haller fights to prove his client’s innocence—but first he must follow a trail of black market evidence to its sinister end

Mickey Haller has fallen on tough times. He expands his business into foreclosure defense, only to see one of his clients accused of killing the banker she blames for trying to take away her home.

Mickey puts his team into high gear to exonerate Lisa Trammel, even though the evidence and his own suspicions tell him his client is guilty. Soon after he learns that the victim had black market dealings of his own, Haller is assaulted, too—and he's certain he's on the right trail.

Despite the danger and uncertainty, Haller mounts the best defense of his career in a trial where the last surprise comes after the verdict is in. Connelly proves again why he "may very well be the best novelist working in the United States today" (San Francisco Chronicle).

©2011 Michael Connelly (P)2011 Hachette Audio

Best yet

I have read most, if not all, of Connelly's books and found this one to the best. The main character is Mickey Haller, who is not one of my favorites, but the story makes up for any dislikes I have of his personality. The crime, of course, is murder and the suspect Lisa Trammel is not a particularly likable character either. However, Haller's development of the case is very well done. I also like the fact that all the facts used to eventually tell the truth are laid out somewhere in the story - no hidden clues or persons that aren't disclosed until the end.

The strength of the book are the court room scenes. Most of the story takes place in the courtroom and the workings of the law, courtroom procedures and legal strategies of the defense and prosecution kept me very engrossed in the story.

Haller has grown from an average, somewhat 'low end' lawyer to an agressive defender of his clients...an interesting transformation...

sensational story. cheers to author and narrator.

I completely enjoyed this story. I never understood the narrator focus, until now. This narrator contributed to my pleasure. I am an attorney who currently does not practice. This story reminded me why.

another good one

Another entertaining Mickey Haller story! This one took place mainly in the courtroom alhtough that didn't really disctract from the story. One interesting aspect was how facebook was introduced as a tool, something we probably all need to think about. We'll see if Haller really is successful in turning to the other side of the law, the author can take it any direction he wants. Whatever it is, I'll look forward to it.

5 stars till the end

All the stories end the same. This is getting really dull. Probably endangered 2 other people's lives as well. And one of the motives still did not seem valid, so how did it stand up in court, and more importantly, why did the perp do it? But Haller got his pay-back in the end.

Nevertheless, the case is engaging from beginning to end. It was exciting and interesting. There were several times that I think an astute crime reader would have known more than was presented, but maybe this is an old book. For example, they CAN estimate the height and/or weight of the assailant based on the angle of attack and the force of the strike. Even after all this, Micky Haller is a great lawyer, and we want more.

Another one out of the park!

The author has a real great series here. With the run along series of Harry Bosch tied in nicely. The character of the other series only makes one appearance. But it does add another dimension to the character of the Lincoln Lawyer. That car is a major part of the stories. I also love cars so its being included is a blast.

The narrator takes a little getting used to but he performs well. His delivery adds depth to this story.

Well done Mr. Connelly and Mr. Giles.

Fun book to listen to!

This book is really fun to listen to because we have a chance to learn more about Mickey Haller and his life as an attorney. It was interesting to see how the various characters act and react to different scenarios, especially his client Lisa. I for one was astonished at the end...usually know no later than halfway through a book "who done it" but not this one.

I LOVE Harry...don't always agree with his choices but you gotta love the guy for his moral and ethical stands...and how he handles it when he discovers he was wrong. Spend your credit....it IS worth it!

The Trial, the Whole Trial & Nothing But the Trial

In the wake of the 2008 housing market crash, Mickey Haller, Michael Connelly's Lincoln Lawyer, is doing quite well defending the little people from the predatory banks that want to foreclose on their homes. Doing quite well, that is, until one of his foreclosure clients is arrested and tried for the murder of a bank exec.

Michael Connelly dives right into the case right near the start and plows through it blow by blow right up to the end, following the twists and turns of the legal strategies and tactics with just about every witness, motion, objection, and sidebar. This is courtroom drama to the nth degree. There is a little bit of mystery and one big reveal at the 11th hour (literally), but mostly this is straight-ahead, no-frills courtroom drama.

Connelly delves into issues of innocence and guilt, as he does in all of his Lincoln Lawyer novels (at least, the three that I've read), even though Haller protests throughout that his mandate as a defender is to mount the best defense possible regardless of innocence or guilt. The background about foreclosures is a little dated even though it's less than ten years in the past, so too is the treatment of Facebook as this newfangled internet thing.

But nothing can detract from the forward momentum of this story. Dive right in, ride it to the end, and try not to waste too much time sitting in your car, going nowhere, unable to turn off this consummate car-idler of an audiobook.

Mickey Haller keeps the courtroom in suspense

A bit surprised by the amount of research and digging Haller's staff had to do to mount the defense, but it only supported the fact that this man is a good lawyer. And the ending only sets us up for the next Lincoln Lawyer book.

A complete story!

Even with an unlikeable defendant, you are interested in this story. I really appreciate the detail throughout the defense (and sometimes prosecution) and why and how the trail decisions/questions are made.

loved it

Connelly never lets me down. awesome performance by the reader. great relevant story. Thank you