Michael Connelly once again proves why he stands at the top of modern crime fiction with Resurrection Walk, a masterful blend of courtroom tension and investigative grit. The novel reunites two of his most beloved characters defense attorney Mickey Haller and retired LAPD detective Harry Bosch into a story that explores not just guilt and innocence, but what justice truly means.
The title refers to a powerful idea: the “resurrection walk,” the moment when a wrongfully convicted person steps out of prison and reclaims their life. For Haller, it is the ultimate reward of his career; for Bosch, it is a moral crusade. Together, they take on one of the most challenging cases of their lives a woman imprisoned for the murder of her husband, a sheriff’s deputy. She claims she is innocent, and Bosch, combing through a mountain of letters from inmates pleading their cases, believes she might be telling the truth.
From there, Connelly spins an intricate web of corruption, cover-ups, and courtroom maneuvering. The deeper Bosch and Haller dig, the clearer it becomes that their client’s conviction was built on shaky ground and that powerful forces want to keep the case closed. The stakes rise quickly, and the story unfolds with the tension and precision that have become Connelly’s trademark.
Readers who have followed these characters for years will appreciate the emotional depth added here. Bosch, now aging and battling leukemia, faces his own mortality. His decision to work for his half-brother as an investigator feels like both a personal compromise and a moral necessity. He may despise the defense side of the law, but his instinct for justice will not allow him to turn away from a case that smells wrong. Haller, ever the charismatic legal tactician, remains the perfect counterbalance quick-witted, persuasive, and fiercely devoted to righting systemic wrongs.
Mandy White, one of many long-time Connelly fans, described the annual release of a new book as “an early Christmas present,” and Resurrection Walk certainly delivers that gift. The courtroom scenes crackle with energy, and the banter between Bosch and Haller adds warmth and humor amid the tension. The pacing is near-perfect: part procedural, part emotional drama, and all classic Connelly.
Yet, as reviewer Thomas noted, there are moments when the story stretches plausibility particularly Bosch’s decision to take a job for health insurance purposes. Still, those narrative conveniences pale beside the authenticity of Bosch’s voice and the moral complexity that defines him. As always, Connelly balances realism with storytelling drive, ensuring the reader is too absorbed to nitpick for long.
Karen, another reader, offered a wonderful reminder of Connelly’s legacy. Beyond the page, his characters have lived vividly on screen Bosch and Bosch: Legacy on Prime Video, The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix and the author’s deep love of jazz and moral nuance infuses every scene. That sense of rhythm and soul carries into Resurrection Walk, making it more than just another legal thriller. It is a meditation on integrity, courage, and second chances.
By the novel’s end, the question is not only whether the accused woman is innocent, but whether redemption is ever truly complete for her, for Bosch, or even for a justice system that too often fails the people it should protect.
Verdict:
Resurrection Walk is an outstanding entry in the Connelly universe: taut, heartfelt, and deeply satisfying. It delivers the thrills of a legal drama while giving fans the emotional weight of seeing Bosch and Haller at their most human. For readers new to the series, it stands well on its own. For longtime fans, it is a reaffirmation of why Connelly remains the undisputed master of the crime genre.
👉 Get your copy of Resurrection Walk on Amazon today: https://amzn.to/4o9ewUr
