A single encounter a year previously has led to reporter, Jack McEvoy, being suspected of murder.McEvoy, who featured in earlier Connelly novels ( The Scarecrow and The Poet ), is presently working for a consumers’ rights website, exposing criminals who prey on the public.
The brutal and unusual method in the killing of Tina Portrero forces the reporter to research and find a series of startlingly similar murders. The victims - all women - had been looking into their genetic history using a very cheap analytics company and had subsequently been strangled in a particular way which required great strength.
McEvoy can investigate the crimes, using, sometimes, methods not wholly within the law in an attempt to unmask the killer and has the assistance of his former lover, Rachel, an ex- profiler with the FBI.
It is no surprise that Michael Connelly novels ( 34 ) have sold over 74 million copies worldwide as he is a master storyteller as the excitement and tension crescendoes to an unexpected climax.
A brilliant book by a brilliant author.
Wholly recommended.

Jack Mc Evoy is back as an investigative reporter when he is wrongly accused of murder. I enjoyed the first two books in the series, this one not so much. There is lots of technical detail about genetics and DNA, slightly detracting from the story and a bit long winded. I got lost in the middle of the book and just feel the ending never really fitted with the book. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

One of my favourite authors, this book is an absolute must. It's good to see Jack McEvoy back. Michael Connelly's writing is seamless, his characters fully rounded, the plot fascinating, the pace from the start is enthralling and the subject of DNA very interesting. What's not to like?
Many thanks to Netgalley/Michael Connelly/Orion Publishing for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Once again Michael Connelly doesn't disappoint, the master is back! A fantastic read, brilliantly written and totally engrossing, a real page turner. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review honestly.

I loved the Poet and enjoyed The Scarecrow too and was delighted to see the return of reporter Jack McEvoy and this is an exciting and highly topical story regarding the use of DNA and a hunt for a murderer with our hero, Jack also a suspect.

Anything written by Michael Connelly is going to be worth reading and this is no exception. Taut, tense and exciting, it grabbed me from the beginning and never let go.

Michael Connelly resurrects his veteran reporter, Jack McEvoy, for this gripping crime thriller set in New York. Jack is now working for Fair Warning, a non-profit consumer protection news website run by Myron Levin, which actually exists in reality. The story focuses on the complexities and terrifying possibilities that having an all too unregulated genetic analytics industry with its lack of governmental oversight, the responsibility of which falls under the remit of the FDA, poses to society. Jack is shocked when he finds himself a suspect for the murder of Tina Portrero, a woman who had picked him at his local bar for a one night stand a year ago. Tina had been killed by Atlanto-Occipital Dislocation, where her neck is twisted so hard that her spine is severed, an unusual way of murdering anyone.

The LAPD detectives Mattson and Sakai treat Jack harshly, taking his DNA for elimination purposes, and on discovering Jack is investigating Tina's murder, respond by issuing threats, severe harassment, and arrest. It turns out that TIna had been cyber stalked, been creeped out by meeting a strange man in a bar who appeared to know far too much about her, and had recently found out she had a half sister on submitting her DNA to the cheapest private DNA testing company, GT23. GT23 openly sold on the DNA analysis of their clients for huge profits to a myriad of customers, ostensibly anonymously, but acknowledging that there was a possibility their systems and security may not foolproof, to ensure they avoid liability. Jack reconnects with the love of his life, Rachel Walling, former FBI special agent and profiler, a relationship with a long history of hope and hurt, but which he just cannot help sabotaging. Jack, a fellow reporter and Rachel find there are other women in the country who had been killed with the same MO, pointing to the existence of a dangerous serial called The Shrike.

Connelly writes of the rise in misogyny and the high numbers of men in Incel groups, driven by their hatred of women to denigrate and abuse, act violently and even murder, here illegally accessing DNA information that includes the identification of a specific gene associated with addictions. This is a thrillingly entertaining crime read, touching on issues that need to have stricter governmental oversight and monitoring, and with a suitably flawed, driven and charismatic protagonist in Jack, a man for whom death had once been his beat, only to discover that it still is when Tina is killed. Connelly can be relied on for his intricate and complex plotting, and riveting storylines full of suspense of tension. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.

Journalist Jack McEvoy is questioned by detectives following a murder. Jack met the victim a year ago but hasn’t seen her since. The details of the case picque Jack’s interest - she was killed by an unusual method and she had also recently been researching her family after sending her DNA away for analysis. After further research Jack finds similar cases and he and his colleagues at FairWarning realise that the killer is identifying these women from their DNA samples.

A fantastic read from start to finish - couldn’t put it down.

Thanks to Netgalley, Orion and Michael Connelly for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Jack Mcevoy’s back and he doesn’t disappoint. An interesting and thought-provoking topic of nefarious uses of seemingly innocuous genetic heritage testing. Mmm, maybe that makes it sound boring, but it’s not, honestly! Fast paced, brilliantly researched and a great quick read. I look forward to more Mcevoy and Walling investigations.

This is the third of the Jack McEvoy series and although I have read a few of the Harry Bosch this is the first one this series I have read. Easily read as a standalone.
Jack is an investigative reporter for an online investigative news organisation, Fair Warning.
Jack becomes a person of interest when a woman he had a one night stand with is found murdered. The cause of death is an unusual one and he sets out to discover how many more people have also died with the same cause of death.
This all leads to a web of intrigue. DNA, once used as a positive ID of someone is now used by millions of people around the world to trace their ancestors. Scary to think that the security of this is not as we would be led to believe.
Michael Connelly keeps up the pace without too much gore, despite several murders and attempted murders.
I've not been disappointed by one of his books yet.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for my ARC in return for an honest review.

A very complex murder mystery,involving the intricacies of DNA and what it can be used for. Long winded at times and very factual.

I love books by this author so it was a real treat to catch up with Jack again. Picking up after his previous forays into catching serial killers he’s at it again. By chance he’s drawn into the web created by the latest killer and once again its a race to save lives. Yet once again the author has gifted us an amazing thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through. Fabulously additive i read it in one day as i could not get enough of the words that pulled at my mind. In short its a book that will leave you wanting more of the same, yes the same . A great plot, a believable main character and twisted minds to unravel.

Thank you to Orion Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC of the latest Michael Connelly featuring Jack McEvoy. Another excellent story from the brilliant Michael Connelly. I found this story to be fast paced and an excellent page turner. Got it read in 3 sessions, couldn't put it down.
His ability to set the scenes through his descriptions are second to none, It makes me want to visit LA.
I have no hesitation in recommending this book or any of his books.

I had read The Poet recently so I was looking forward to reading more McEvoy and I found myself hooked immediately. Really interesting premise and plenty going on. Devious antagonist, great characters as always and a cracking plot. Brilliant as always!

Oh my word, the master is back! What an enveloping and engrossing read. I believe I have read everything Michael Connelly has written and this is up there with the best of them.

Clever, twisty and highly topical in terms of cyber stalking, DNA, gnealogy sites, INCELS and the dark web.

It's also good to see the return of Jack McEvoy (the hero of the Poet), he may be a good investigative journalist but his social and emotional skill aren't great. Yet again he manages to ruin his love life, antagonise the local cops and his co-workers.

Currently we are in Corona lock-down and this was a book that totally involved me. Hurrah and thank you

Thank you Netgalley and Orion for letting me have an ARC of this book.
It is a little gem. Not overlong, not padded out with extra detail just to get the word count up. It is a perfect book to devour in a couple of sessions and thoroughly enjoy.
I have read previous novels featuring Jack McEvoy so I had some background knowledge of the character but I liked the way this novel showed how up and down the fortunes of a writer can be.
I was fascinated by the plotline. Being able to identify someone via their DNA is supposed to be a good thing, a problem solver that helps put the bad guys behind bars. It is not supposed to cause a new set of problems where the innocent have to worry about their safety.
Michael Connelly Has written a story that might be closer to the truth for any of us to feel comfortable about.

#FairWarning #NetGalley
I've no words to explain its perfection.
Jack McEvoy is a reporter with a track record in finding killers. But he's never been accused of being one himself.
Jack went on one date with Tina Portrero. The next thing he knows, the police are at his house telling Jack he's a suspect in her murder.Maybe it's because he doesn't like being accused of a crime he didn't commit. Or maybe it's because the method of her murder is so chilling that he can't get it out of his head.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me an advance copy.