Publication Date October 21, 2025
Almost exactly 2 years ago, Michael Connelly released Resurrection Walk, Book 7 in the “Lincoln Lawyer” series featuring Mickey Haller, and I loved it – FIVE stars. In that story, Mickey and his half brother Harry Bosch (yes, THAT Bosch) work together, Mickey having hired Harry as an investigator to assist him in his legal work. And the story is told in alternating chapters, which is tricky and a mess if not done well. Of course, MC does it right! And now it’s time for Book 8 in the series: The Proving Ground!
Following his “resurrection walk,” Mickey has had enough of criminal defense work, and decided to move over to what might best be called public interest litigation. Taking lots of stuff right from the headlines (do they still say “headlines”?) there is a sixteen-year-old boy who an incipient true incel, who HAD a girlfriend, but that ship has sailed. He then spends most of his time with an online chatbot, and when he tells the chatbot about his ex’s disloyalty, the bot tells him it’s OK to kill her. (YIKES!) Representing the victim’s family, Mickey files a civil suit against the AI company who created the chatbot. The family wants some accountability, while the AI company just wants silence.
It turns out the whole industry is basically unregulated, and Mickey faces ethical questions along with legal ones. Mickey recruits journalist Jack McEvoy (a future recurring character?) to help with the mountains of discovery documents provided to Mickey by the tech company, and while Jack really wants to use the experience to help him write a book, he does the work with the upshot being discovery of a whistleblower.
Some of the issues addressed in this terrific read include the danger of AI in an emotionally unstable or volatile environment, the whole incel issue with its rampant loneliness and impulsive tendencies of young males, the tons of issues around emerging technology, and the changing roles of attorneys in this new world of AI.
Bottom line: I loved it. It is a satisfying followup to Resurrection Walk, a thought-provoking discussion of hot topics without being preachy, and just a fun read while providing lots of topics for discussion (looking forward to book club talks, including the November online Connelly Book Club “meeting.” Note that while this is part of a series, it can definitely be read and enjoyed as a standalone. Did I say I LOVED it? Five stars, and thanks to Little, Brown & Company and NetGallley for providing a copy in exchange for this honest review.