The Fifth Witness, by Michael Connelly

This is a Mickey Haller, The Lincoln Lawyer, novel.

In it, Haller takes the case of Lisa Trammel, a woman who is accused of murdering the banker that foreclosed on her house.

The plot is fascinating, as is the writing, and twists all the way to the end of a difficult court case for Haller.

The book features a terrific ending, and in no way disappoints. Connelly is a sure-fire writer of this type of fiction.

LA Times review

Fearless Jones, by Walter Mosley

This novel is narrated by a character named Paris Minton. When Paris gets into some serious trouble, he springs his friend Fearless Jones from jail. Jones helps Minton unravel the mystery. Set in LA, soon after World War II.

I haven't read anything by Mosley in a while. This novel was about a 3-1/2 on a scale of 1 to 5. 

The Secrets of Harry Bright, by Joseph Wambaugh

Set in the Palm Springs area of California. I assume that Mineral Springs is a fictional city.

Another neglected draft I forgot to complete and publish.

Farewell My Lovely, by Raymond Chandler

I've read this book at least twice before, but I picked it up for fifty cents at a used book sale, and can't resist reading it once again. Moose Malloy is looking for Velma. Mr. Marriott has an easy job for Marlowe, just be there when he hands $8000 to a bunch of jewel thieves to retrieve a friend's necklace. What could go wrong?

Darkness More Than Night, by Michael Connelly

A Harry Bosch novel.

In this story, Bosch's unusual first name (Hieronymous) becomes an important element in the plot.

Another great entry in the Harry Bosch series.

Reversal, by Michael Connelly

An audio book.

In this novel, Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller, half-brothers (as we discovered in an earlier novel) are brought together again. Mickey Haller, the "Lincoln Lawyer," has always been a defense lawyer, and one who is particularly disliked by Los Angeles prosecutors, as he has an excellent track record of winning his cases. At the beginning of this story, however, Haller is approached by a representative of the DA's office and is asked to take a case -- for the people, as a special prosecutor.

Jason Jessup is the convicted murderer of a young girl, who has been in prison for the crime for 25 years. DNA evidence recently introduced has caused enough doubt about his conviction that he is to have a new trial. This is the case Haller is called to prosecute. Mickey is unsure exactly why the DA wants him, of all people, to take the case. There is an implication of sloppy or improper work on the original trial that may at least partially explain why Haller is a good choice -- or, is this a complicated political move wherein he will be used as a pawn?

Haller decides to take the case, but only if his ex-wife Maggie "McFierce" McPherson, a career prosecutor, will be assigned as his assistant. Furthermore, he insists on recruiting Harry Bosch as his investigator.

Good reviews and expositions exist.  I will only say that this is a terrific story, and a masterful use of the characters that Connelly has created in the Bosch and Haller series.

Wikipedia page

Official Michael Connelly page

NY Times review

The Hollywood Crows, by Joseph Wambaugh

An audio book.

Community Relations Officers, CRO, pronounced "crow."

Good stuff. Made me feel like I knew Hollywood a little better.

The Drop, by Michael Connelly

Bosch, post-9 Dragons. A fabulous read, another great Bosch adventure, and yet another reprieve from the impending retirement of the great detective. Michael Connelly does not disappoint.

The New Centurions, by Joseph Wambaugh

This book, which was published circa 1970, is quite dated, but nevertheless I devoured it. The writing pulled me into seamy early 1960s Los Angeles, seen through the eyes of three young policemen. The story begins in the Academy, and progresses through five years of experience, through the Watts riot of 1965.

My friend Marshall loaned me this book, a very old paperback copy with extremely dark and brittle pages. This was not a shortcoming, it lent to the ambience of the story, taking place in a dim, smoky, black and white world of heat, humidity, and uncomfortable clothing.

So many cigarettes, cigars, and pipes were smoked that I was suffering from literary bronchitis by the end. It's odd how, in 2013, one recoils at the use of the word "Negro," once considered a respectful term for an African-American person. At least, as a white person in that time, I was taught that it was respectful. I don't believe that it's considered to be so anymore.

What an excellent novel, and a terrifically entertaining read. It's the first Wambaugh I've read, and I look forward to many more.

Watts Riot, Wikipedia Page