The Scarecrow

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Peter Giles

Forced out of the Los Angeles Times amid the latest budget cuts, newspaperman Jack McEvoy decides to go out with a bang, using his final days at the paperto write the definitive murder story of his career.

He focuses on Alonzo Winslow, a 16-year-old drug dealer in jail after confessing to a brutal murder. But as he delves into the story, Jack realizes that Winslow's so-called confession is bogus. The kid might actually be innocent.

Jack is soon running with his biggest story since The Poetmade his career years ago. He is tracking a killer who operates completely below police radar--and with perfect knowledge of any move against him. Including Jack's.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Peter Giles delivers the crisp and compelling copy with a deadpan tone and a pace that advances like Patton through Italy. Scenes involving the stalking of McEvoy and Walling raise hairs at the back of the listener's neck. Great characters and a satisfying ending cement Connelly's place as one of the best crime novelists working today."—AudioFile

not bad - 3 stars only because of narrator

I am a big M Connelly fan - I love the Harry Bosch series and the Lincoln Lawyer. This is not up to the same standard. Most importantly, the narration is quiet annoying - Peter Giles sounds like a petulant boy and ruined the book for me. Bring on Dick Hill who makes any story interesting and breathes live into the characters by using different accents and voices.

Great thriller, as usual!

Story is contemporary with a tight plot. Loved it all and had a hard time hitting pause when I needed to stop. Connelly does not disappoint!

Why this narrator over and over????

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I enjoy the fast-paced narrative.

Would you be willing to try another one of Peter Giles’s performances?

I personally do not enjoy Peter Giles as a narrator at all. He makes every character sound like a dumb jock. He is particularly not suited to narrate the "Harry Bosch" series. I would have enjoyed this book so much more with a different narrator. While I am being picky, he also has an annoying speech impediment. He even makes Rachel sound stupid. Enough already!

Any additional comments?

As far as Michael Connelly's stories go, I feel I should point out that this story is more gruesome than all the others I have read by the same author (which are many since I am a huge fan of the Harry Bosch series).

A great listen

Connelly isn't my favorite writer but is right up there near the top. There was no dispointment in this book. It was believable (mostly), intriging and kept me wanting more. I highly recommend it.

Needs Editing, but Entertaining Nonetheless

This is a pulpy, entertaining novel. I thought the narrator was pretty good -- mildly amusing but not annoying -- and found myself walking around the house imitating him for fun.

The novel itself could have used some more editing -- Connelly likes his exposition, always writing one or two sentences too many -- but it was compelling overall.

I've read two other Connelly books: The Lincoln Lawyer and Angel's Flight, and I prefer this one to those.