I love the Jack McEvoy books and Fair Warning is a cracker. Both a love letter to journalism and an exciting serial killer thriller, Fair Warning is a must read.

Jack McEvoy, once LA Times reporter turned author, is working for an internet based, non-profit consumer news organisation called Fair Warning. Jack is an intrepid journalist and solver of crimes but all too sadly prone to self-sabotage in matters of the heart.

Fair Warning is a real news organisation; Connelly is on the Board and as a post-script he has a discussion with its editor, Myron Levin which explains what Fair Warning is and why it is important in an era of declining investment in newspaper journalism and a rising prevalence of fake news.

Jack works as a consumer investigative journalist at Fair Warning and when he is questioned by the police for having once been to the home of Tina Portrero, a woman he picked up in a bar – and that woman was subsequently murdered some time later- he starts to look into her case. What he discovers is a link to the murder of other women, and that link plays directly to his role as a consumer journalist.

Finding his way around the unregulated world of ancestry determination – involving DNA analysis, Jack discovers that we are all giving away knowledge of ourselves far too cheaply in a free for all world which chooses not to regulate this industry at all.

In his quest to find the serial killer Jack McEvoy does not miss his opportunity to bring in former FBI agent and profiler Rachel Walling, a woman who captured his heart in The Poet only for him to throw it away in a cloud of mistrust and self-doubt. Jack, a fellow reporter and Rachel work together to establish the existence of a pathological serial killer known as The Shrike. As ever, Connelly has his finger on the pulse and he references the rise of pockets of Incel groups of men who are the worst kind of misogynists, fuelled by their hatred of women.

Fair Warning is Connelly at his best. Great characters, fast paced action, miles of authenticity and a brilliantly plotted story all come together beautifully.

Fair Warning is fascinating, intense and exciting. Connelly is such a brilliant writer that his plots never fail to surprise and delight. He can build the tension to such a peak that your heart races and you just have to know what’s coming next.

I love the Bosch/Ballard novels too, but there’s something about Jack McEvoy that makes me think this is Connelly going back to his roots – to what he loves best, and it shows in the way this book is crafted.

Easily read as a stand-alone, the audiobook is narrated by Peter Giles, who also read The Scarecrow and makes for a fabulous listen.

Verdict: Tense and thrilling with layered and detailed plotting, and masses of suspense, this is another terrific book from a writer at the top of his game.

Always knew this would be a good read, from the pen of Michael Connelly it really couldn’t be anything but good, but it way exceeded all my expectations. A brilliant plot, great characters and oh what and ending - excellent stuff

Was gripped with this story after the first couple of pages! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book - I had finished in two days and didn’t want to put it down with anticipation on how it would end. What I really liked about this book is the ethical questions that were raised and I have now also decided that I will not be searching for long lost relatives anytime in the near future! Will definitely be recommending once released.

Michael Connolly certainly knows how to tell a good story and his characters are always interesting.
In Fair Warning Jack McEvoy and Rachel Walling make a welcome return after several years.
Jack is now a journalist for the Fairwarning website which mainly looks into consumer issues after many years working as a crime reporter and catching a notorious serial killer.
One day he is confronted by two cops when a woman called Tina Contrero is murdered-Jack is now a suspect In the case.
Although he’d met her only once in a bar; she had his books and other references to him in her apartment which has In turn led the police to Jack.
To clear himself he gives them a DNA sample and then resolves to look into the murder. There seems to be an element of cyber stalking involved as well as ethics surrounding DNA and this is how he sells the investigation to his editor who is mainly concerned with consumer rights articles and not murder.
As he gets more involved he partners up with another Fairwarning journalist, Emily and he also approaches his ex girlfriend retired FBI Agent, Rachel Walling, for help. As they delve more deeply they discover a string of murders and it looks at one point as if they might become targets themselves.
This is a bang up to date thriller which looks into the ethics and ownership of DNA and how it can be used and in this case misused.
The murderer is difficult to track as he leaves little trace apart from his signature method of killing.
This is an enjoyable thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. The main characters worked well together and I’m hoping that Mr Connolly will give them another outing soon.
If you have read the author’s other books you will love this one and it definitely does not require any prior knowledge of the characters as it is self explanatory.
I was interested to read that the Fairwarning website and its owner Myron Levin actually exist in real life as it added a lot of authenticity to the novel.
Five stars from me for another fantastic read from this excellent author.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars from me

You just know that you are in safe hands picking up a Michael Connelly book!

Fair Warning is no exception and I loved reading about 'Fair Warning' so was delighted at the end to discover it is a real thing.

Jack McEvoy is a great character - he has a pigheaded and and relentless drive to find the truth. Albeit all too often at the expense of his future happiness.

I loved following this case, the book offered a reasonably in depth look into the risks of 'fun' DNA profiling and I have to say it would certainly make me think twice.

This felt like a long book (it's hard to tell on Kindle!) but not in a bad way - more of a value for money kind of a way - it was a substantial read, maybe perfect for a lazing by the pool holiday! 

I could easily see this making it onto Netflix (I haven't checked, maybe it already is!) where I am currently watching - and loving - the Bosch series. 

Great book - definitely recommended to fans of police/FBI/detective thrillers.

Another brilliant book from one of my favourite authors. I think Jack McEvoy is a wonderful character. I loved the characters and the plot and would recommend reading any book by Michael Connelly.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

The Jack McEvoy novels introduced me to the world of Michael Connelly. A few years ago, I was at a bookstore and I picked up a copy of The Poet, the first novel featuring Jack McEvoy, a reporter investigating the death of his brother. After I finished reading The Poet, I quickly picked up the sequel, The Scarecrow, in which Jack chases a dangerous killer. Then I read a few of Harry Bosch novels, but I always had a soft spot for Jack McEvoy so I got really excited when I heard that a third novel was on the way.

In Fair Warning, Jack is no longer a crime reporter, but he works on consumer protection stories, which is not as much exciting as chasing killers so Michel Connelly brings a murder investigation right at Jack’s door. One evening, Jack arrives home to find two LAPD detectives waiting for him. A woman Jack had met a year earlier has been murdered and his name came up during the investigation. Of course, Jack finds himself deep in the investigation chasing a serial killer that he is more dangerous than he can imagine.

Michael Connelly is one of the best at writing a crime story, with intricate plots and full of twists. In Fair Warning, he addresses themes of DNA testing, genetics, and the lack of government control over them that makes for an interesting, but also scary read. I really like the character of Jack McEvoy (although sometimes I don’t agree with his choices) and I was really happy to see the return of a former character.

Fair Warning is a terrific, suspenseful and unputdownable crime story that can be easily read as a standalone, although I highly recommend reading The Poet and The Scarecrow, not only because they are gripping reads, but to better understand the protagonist of the series. Fair Warning is out today so go and buy a copy. In the meantime, I am hoping for a fourth Jack McEvoy novel in the future…

Wow….just finished, and what a fantastic read and possibly one of the best books written by Mr Connelly. Jack McEvoy, you Connelly devotees will remember him from The Poet when he was a crime reporter and his brother died in an apparent suicide, and what an andreniline ride that was. Now Jack a man in his 50’s and working for an online “defender of consumer rights” site called Fair Warning, is back and hot on the heels of a killer who uses a bizarre, brutally painful, and unusual way to destroy his victims….atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) This is a form of internal decapitation where the spine is separated from the skull. When the body of Christina Portrero is discovered, and Jack’s DNA is identified he becomes a suspect. Now I’m not going to destroy the plot by telling you that Jack did not of course commit the murder, but as he does a little digging he soon discovers that there are a number of similar deaths that appear to be related…..yep the word that we crime readers adore...wait for it….a “serial killer” is on the loose! Hold on for the ride, and I can honestly tell you that this book moves with an unrelenting pace, forget everything...put the cat out, cancel the milkman, switch off the telly, unplug that bloody phone, and just do what we all do naturally….read. We enter the world of DNA, supply and demand, seller and purchaser and of course shady trading on the darknet. Jack once again finds himself working alongside ex FBI agent Rachel Walling, hoping to ignite that old flame of passion, and entice the delectable Rachel back to his lonely single man flat!. There are false leads, a super (nasty villain) and a well researched intelligent story, just waiting to be consumed by MC’s hungry and adoring fans!

After some 25 years as one of the leaders in American crime fiction, Michael Connelly shows no signs of waning, the writing is taut, fresh, no wasted words or descriptions, simply great storytelling….if you only read one crime novel this year, this is it...many many thanks to the good people at netgalley for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written….Highly, highly recommended.

Well if you read a book by Michael Connelly,you'll get an unusual story,exceedingly thoroughly researched and destined to keep you reading. This is a very contemporary story which is about an online site with which Connelly is involved in real life as board member. This information is revealed at the end and is probably worth reading before you start the book. It gives the whole thing awesome authenticity. FairWarning is real news site and it is there that the main characters work. Jack McEvoy has discovered a connection between the unexplained deaths of several women. He has to keep his boss,the founder of the site, onside as he pursues his hunch. The boss,Myron Levin, is also the real life founder of FairWarning. The women who have died had submitted their DNA to a confidential laboratory which then passed their details to a rogue source. McEvoy is on the case. There is considerable detailed research which gives the book credibility. It ends satisfactorily. What else could a reader hope for?

I had only recently read the first four Harry Bosch novels and in the process become a Michael Connelly fan so when Netgalley and the publishers offered me one of his novels to review I jumped at the chance.
A character new to me, reporter Jack McEvoy, is treated as a suspect in the murder of a woman he had only met once. His treatment by the police inspires him to begin his own investigation and he discovers that there have been other murders with the same M.O. Jack sets out, via his on-line news site (FairWarning) to alert the public that there is a serial killer operating.
This is an excellent well constructed novel, that kept me enthralled to the very end.
I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one, but first I need to go back to read the two previous ones I’d missed that featured McEvoy ‘The Poet’ and ‘Scarecrow‘.

Thank you to @orionbooks and @netgalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

As an avid reader of Michael Connelly, I was delighted to get my hands on this, and it did not disappoint. Jack McEvoy returns and what begins as a fight to clear his name becomes greater than he ever imagined. IN true Connelly style, this leaves us with a crime novel that’s almost impossible to put down. His ease of writing had me hooked from the first chapter, finishing it in a day, and covers many topics relevant today. In the digital focussed world we now live in, are we truly anonymous or are there others that will always find a way to exploit data gathered for innocent means.

Fair Warning by Michael Connellyis his third book featuring reporter Jack McEvoy. Jack has slipped from being a high profile author and reporter and is working for consumer rights magazine Fair Warning. Fair Warning is a reputable place to work and is well thought of in the LA journalistic world. A one night stand comes back to haunt Jack when the woman, Tina Portrero is murdered in a particulary gruesome manner. Treated with suspicion and contempt by the police investigating the murder, Jack launches his own investigation. He soon discovers that a serial killer has been operating under the radar. So begins a journey into the unscrupulous world of DNA harvesting. This is an industry which at the time of writing was self-regulating and where DNA samples were being sold to research companies without the donor's knowledge. Jack follows a trail into the dark web and quickly finds himself immersed in that murky world. The book moves at a really fast pace and is well researched and written. Michael Connelly's experience as a reporter shows and it's interesting to have an investigation outside the police force. Once you start reading be prepared to stay up late because this is one book that is hard to put down. #Netgalley #FairWarning

A serial killer murders women by internally decapitating them from behind earning him the name The Shrike after the bird who has a similar MO. When his latest vic turns out to be a recent one-night stand of reporter Jack McEvoy’s, making him a person of interest, Jack becomes involved in the murder investigation. Can Jack uncover who The Shrike is, find out why he’s doing what he’s doing and stop him before he kills again?

Michael Connelly’s previous Jack McEvoy novel The Scarecrow is still one of my favourite of his books but I wouldn’t say Fair Warning is as good as that one - though it’s better than The Poet, the first McEvoy book.

What really made The Scarecrow stand out was the killer whose identity was compelling and terrifying - I can still remember the character and I read that book nearly a decade ago! In comparison, The Shrike is a paper-thin villain that we never really get to know in the least. (view spoiler) It’s very unsatisfying. (view spoiler)

Not that any of the characters are that memorable, especially the main characters Jack McEvoy and Rachel Walling, who’re basically Connelly’s stock capable professionals that appear in all of his books. About the only difference is that Jack will occasionally lose his cool and go off on one, like he does in the geneticist’s lab, which are rare exciting character moments.

But it’s also not a dull narrative either. Jack investigates at a breezy clip and the story develops well: we find out more about The Shrike’s victims, who he might be working with, other shady characters involved, Jack is always getting harassed either by the police or others, then the bodies start piling up.

Connelly writes it all in his usual competent, if sometimes long-winded, style. He’s skilful at putting across complex procedures and esoteric jargon in a way that doesn’t distract too much from the more compelling, lurid aspects of the story that most readers want to get to, as well as highlighting valid points like the lack of oversight and protection of personal data in the burgeoning field of consumer genetics.

The flipside of that is that the prose sometimes reads like Connelly’s talking down to a complete idiot, painstakingly explaining obvious acronyms after they appear in conversation (“44 YOA” = 44 years of age, AOD as Atlanto-Occipital Dislocation, the Shrike’s method of killing, mere paragraphs are having pasted a Wikipedia article on the cause of death!), having the main character frequently reminding you why they’re doing what they’re doing, all of which becomes tedious. Does his audience really have that short attention spans and struggle to follow a plot only slightly more complex than canned soup instructions?

The ending is also plain confusing and contrived. (view spoiler)

Fair Warning is a fairly standard crime thriller by Michael Connelly’s slick standards that’s none too onerous to read either on a technical or story level. It has its flaws and it’s largely forgettable but it’s not bad either being by turns nearly gripping and thuddingly blah and settling for inoffensively agreeable most of the time. Still, if you haven’t read it, I recommend checking out The Scarecrow over this one instead.

Slightly predictable

This is the third of the Jack McEvoy novels. McEvoy is a reporter on FairWarning which is a news site focused on consumer affairs, warning the public about scams and more serious issues. McEvoy is questioned by police when a woman he dated once is murdered in a most unusual way. He is a person of interest. Against the warnings of the editor and the detectives he continues his investigations and begins to find links to other murders with the same MO, which include the fact that all the victims had submitted their DNA to the same company. The samples were supposed to be anonymous but McEvoy senses that someone has access to real names and details.

Michael Connelly is a very well-known author and is a master of his art. He knows what makes for a good plot and is able to fashion and mould one to satisfy the reader. McEvoy is a flawed character with a self-destruct button who clearly has history with Rachel Walling, ex FBI, ex girlfriend. However, the fact that this is the third in the series did not detract from the understanding of the storyline although there were references to McEvoy’s previous tracking of killers in the earlier books.

This thriller was well-written with credible dialogue and larger than life characters. The friction between Jack and both Rachel and Emily, his partner at FairWarning was tangible and well-drawn. Where I felt the book fell down a little was in the pace and the predictability. There was little light and shade and therefore tension levels were low. I was also able to predict certain developments and “uncoverings” in the investigation. Additionally, the ending was a little disappointing. That’s not to say that the offering could be considered a pot boiler – far from it. It’s a good solid read and one which anyone who enjoys this genre will find very satisfying.

mr zorg

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

Not one of his best, but even off top form Connelly gives great Whodunnit. This one brings investigative reporter Jack McEvoy (from connelly Top 10 The Poet and The Scarecerow) back to the table, but this time the plot isn't garnished with some fun character driven storytelling, which i missed

Jack McEvoy is a reporter with a track record in finding killers. But he's never been accused of being one himself.

Michael Connelly returns with another masterful crime thriller in Fair Warning.

As with his Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer series', Connellys' superb writing pulls us along, with this story being told from three points of view: the journalist, the scientist and the killer.

Jack McEvoy is drawn into the murder of a previous acquaintance as a person of interest to the police, but then gets drawn into the story behind her death.

I always gleefully await a new book from Michael Connelly and this did not disappoint. I love being transported to LA, relishing the descriptions of the eateries, properties and courthouses.

If you like an intriguing plot, you'll love Fair Warning. If you haven't read Michael Connelly before then welcome, you're in for a thrilling treat!

With thanks to #NetGalley, @MichaelConnellyBooks and @Orionbooks for my advanced copy.
#FairWarning

Fair Warning is the third instalment to feature journalist/investigative reporter Jack McEvoy and this time the events take place in New York despite Jack being Los Angeles-based. Each thriller works as a standalone perfectly and I am so pleased Connolly has decided to resurrect this two-book series that ceased way back in 2009. Jack is now working investigating the shady dealings of companies for a website that champions consumer rights known as Fair Warning. As a Veteran reporter Jack has taken down killers before, but when a woman he had a one-night stand with is murdered in a particularly brutal way, McEvoy realizes he might be facing a criminal mind unlike any he's ever encountered. Jack investigates--against the warnings of the police and his own editor--and makes a shocking discovery that connects the crime to other mysterious deaths across the country. Undetected by law enforcement, a vicious killer has been hunting women, using genetic data to select and stalk his targets. Uncovering the murkiest corners of the dark web, Jack races to find and protect the last source who can lead him to his quarry. But the killer has already chosen his next target, and he's ready to strike.

This is up there with Connolly's best thrillers to date and is crafted to within an inch of perfection, is completely compulsive and palpably tense from the get-go. It becomes engrossing from early on with the original and intelligently woven plot gripping you with a fascinating motive that highlights the dangerous nature of DNA and genetics in this modern world where information is knowledge and a commodity to sell to the highest bidder. Ancestry sites particularly have the possibility of being misused when people are entering such private information as their DNA; not everyone has good intentions. The discussion about lack of government oversight in this incredibly sensitive area is interesting as it is shockingly non-existent so it's only a matter of time before something potentially catastrophic occurs in real life. This is such a unique thriller and I found myself racing through it in a single nail-biting sitting. McEvoy is a bit of an anarchist and breaks rules regularly but it does seem as though this is for the right reasons. A thoroughly entertaining, danger-filled and high stakes adventure from a masterful storyteller. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.

The idea of Jack working in Fair Warning a website dedicated to exposing corporate wrongs was quite a big change for him. However, it opened up many possibilities for him as well as many hurdles to overcome. When he realises that his fling with Tina Portero might have landed him in bother, he is intrigued. Then, he discovers links to other women's deaths with the same cause of death cited and he's hooked.

I loved the way he was forced to justify his continued investigation of the case with Fair Warning's owner. Jack is one of those characters you instantly root for. His tenacity combined with his over zealousness is appealing. He finds it hard to trust, which in his swork life is probably an asset ... not so much in his personal life.

I loved the relevance of the question of human rights in relation to privacy and lack of scrutiny of malpractice by governmental agencies ... the underworld explored by exploiters of this was chillingly authentic.

The killer is an adversary remorseless, focussed and all the more chilling for that.

The plot interweaves seamlessly and the tension is ratcheted right up on numerous occasions, which kept me hooked

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although not as excting as The Poet, it was satisfyingly addictive.

In a break from writing novels involving his cop characters Harry Bosch and Renee Ballard, Connelly has chosen to reacquaint readers with crime reporter Jack McEvoy. In the 1990’s The Poet brought Jack to life and became one of the writer’s most successful books. After one more standalone book, The Scarecrow, we’ve only seen Jack in cameo roles in Bosch and lawyer Mickey Haller novels, so it feels like a welcome return for MC’s most autobiographical character.

McEvoy is now scratching out a living working for a consumer protection news site called Fair Warning. Funding for the site is dependant on donors and the small team share a sparse office in what was once a retail site in Studio City, Los Angeles. It seems a far cry from the days Jack was covering the crime beat for the L.A. Times. But when a girl he’d met in a bar and had a one night stand with meets a brutal end the police come knocking on his door. It’s an unpleasant experience and one that spurs him to to do some digging of his own into the case. Neither the police or his own boss are happy about this but soon he thinks he’s found a link to a number of other murders with a similar M.O.

All of Connelly’s lead characters have a strong moral compass driving them to seek the truth, to do the right thing, but I believe McEvoy to be the most self centred. Here, he wants to identify the killer and as a result get him (yes, they know it’s a man) brought to justice but really his main aim is to get the story – and this leads him to a moral quandary: does he hand over all his information to the police which might expedite capture and arrest or is it more important to get the story out first to ensure he’s credited with the scoop (and in his own mind warned the public of this killer at large)? His natural inclination is to pursue the latter course but in enlisting the help of his ex-girlfriend Rachel Walling, a former FBI agent, to assist him in his investigations it starts to become clear that she might not be fully attuned to this approach.

I really enjoyed the dynamics between the people ostensibly on the same side here: the cops, Jack, Rachel and also a teammate of Jack’s who he is forced to accept help from. They do want the same thing but each in a slightly different way and therefore tensions are ever present. In addition the the major goal of ensuring the capture of a serial killer each in this group also wants something else from this investigation. It makes for some terrific interaction and is an added source of unease amongst this group who have been somewhat reluctantly pushed together.

In addition to this being yet another top notch thriller from the modern master of crime fiction writing, I also managed to learn a good deal of interesting facts about an online subculture I was totally unaware of, to consider ethical questions regarding the use of DNA and to wonder once more just how people get intwined in the mysterious underworld of the dark web. Yes, Mr Connelly has done it yet again, it’s another brilliant offering that kept me glued to the very last page.

Jack McEvoy, an investigative reporter best known for his work with tracking down murderers has come home to roost at Fair Warnings, a consumer watchdog website where he unearths unethical practices and writes to protect the ‘little guy’. Not a murderer in sight, or is there ...

Tina Portrero is a young woman who is known as a ‘party girl’, Jack and Tina dated once, a year ago, but when Tina is killed Jack becomes a ‘person of interest’ in the case. This, in turn makes Jack a whole heap of interested in what happened to Tina and when he starts to dig, what happened to the others ... The link he finds is that all four potential victims had their DNA tested by the same company and then sold off to a second company for research purposes. So far all legal and above board, as long as the data is anonymised ... but what if there’s a way to de-anonymise (that’s not a word but you get the drift) the data and then use it to track down women with certain genetic markers for risky behaviour. Then you’ve got yourself a crime, a crime that the ‘little guy’ definitely wants protecting from and if those same women are then showing up dead you probably have yourself a serial killer ‘to boot’.

Michael Connelly is a master of his craft, he spins a story and draws you in, all the boxes are ticked ... intriguing storyline - tick, well executed- tick, characters you want to win - tick. The trifecta- boom!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.