When you read Michael Connelly’s books, you meet numerous interesting and colorful characters. The good thing about this beloved crime fiction author is that he knows exactly how much his readers adore certain characters, so he writes an entire book series on them.
One such example is that of the Jack McEvoy series, whose protagonist is a crime reporter named Jack McEvoy. Through this series, we follow his personal and professional life as he attempts to navigate through numerous upheavals.
The series consists of three books, all of which were released with a considerable gap between the publication years, making the readers crave for them even more.
All the books in this particular series contain the correct amount of mystery, intrigue, thrill, and much more. After all, very few writers get the ingredients right when creating the perfect crime fiction series, and Michael Connelly surely tops that list.
In case you’re wondering why you should pick up this book series, we’re here to convince you of exactly that through this article. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
THE CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF Jack McEvoy Series
The following are the titles of the books in the series along with the years in which they were released:
Summary of the Jack McEvoy series
Here are the summaries of the books in the Jack McEvoy series:
| Sr. No. | Title | Publication Date | Print Length | Publisher | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Poet | September 26, 2017 | 656 pages | Grand Central Publishing | |
| 2 | The Scarecrow | September 25, 2018 | 576 pages | Grand Central Publishing | |
| 3 | Fair Warning | May 26, 2020 | 512 pages | Little, Brown and Company |
1. The Poet
Jack McEvoy is a crime reporter who works for the Rocky Mountain News. One day, he comes to know that his brother, Sean, has apparently committed suicide. Sean was a homicide detective, and Jack just couldn’t seem to believe that his brother could have killed himself.
Deciding to take matters into his own hands, he investigates Sean’s death, and his investigation proves that foul play was involved and his brother was indeed murdered. This is proven when Jack discovers other similar cases where detectives were killed, with the killer leaving behind notes quoting Edgar Allan Poe.
The FBI tries to close the case, but Jack convinces them not to do so by making them aware of his discoveries regarding the other murders. Therefore, they welcome him into their team, which includes Robert Backus and Rachel Walling.
The team names the killer ‘The Poet’ due to the Poe connection while Rachel and Jack begin to form a romantic relationship. The investigation leads them to the presence of an online pedophile network that involves a man named William Gladden.
As they go to arrest Gladden, he kills Rachel’s ex-husband, Gordon Thorson. Eventually, Gladden ends up being killed by Jack, but they ultimately discover that Gladden is not The Poet.
When Jack receives evidence that the killer could be connected to the FBI, he suspects Rachel. He discusses his suspicions and theories with Backus, after which Backus takes him to a remote area and drugs him.
It is revealed that Backus is, in fact, the serial killer they have been after. Although Backus attempts to end Jack’s life, the latter is saved by Rachel and a dead body is discovered later. The police, however, aren’t sure if the body belongs to Backus.
When the reality of the case unfolds, Rachel’s involvement is questioned due to her working relationship with Backus and her personal bond with Jack. Rachel breaks up with Jack, and he decides to write a book about the details of the events that have transpired so far.
2. The Scarecrow
The book begins by informing the readers that Jack McEvoy’s days as a crime reporter will soon be coming to an end. There is also the little fact that the Los Angeles Times, the newspaper he works for, is facial financial struggles.
Jack’s last assignment involves him taking on the responsibility of training the person who will be replacing him, who turns out to be a newbie, a fresh graduate from journalism school.
However, Jack has plans of his own. He is hell-bent on ensuring that his last assignment will be his best one so far and will fetch him a Pulitzer Prize, the highest honor a person can receive for their work in newspaper journalism.
Jack comes across the case of a 16-year-old drug dealer named Alonzo Winslow, who has confessed that he raped and killed one of his clients. He reaches out to Alonzo’s mother and reassures her that he will help Alonzo if she cooperates with him on the case.
In reality, however, Jack plans to use the details of the case to write about how the evils that exist in society lead to the creation of young criminals.
Jack is in for an ugly revelation when he realizes that Alonzo had merely confessed to stealing the vehicle which contained the body, thereby making his confession useless.
This is how Jack initiates the biggest story of his career, which is perhaps something that can surpass the time he came face-to-face with The Poet. He finds himself reuniting with Rachel Walling, and together they must catch the killer who has been deceiving the police and the FBI at every turn.
3. Fair Warning
In the final book of the Jack McEvoy series, Connelly’s protagonist might be up against one of the most brutal and notorious criminals he has ever seen.
Tina Portrero is a woman Jack once had a one-night stand with. One day, she is found murdered in her own apartment, and Jack is interrogated because of his brief connection with her.
The detectives on the case take his DNA sample, and Jack decides to investigate the case himself despite being advised against it by his editor and the police. He makes some disturbing discoveries that connect this particular case to previous ones with similar details.
His investigation, however, hits a bump since he himself is being considered as one of the suspects. Running against time, Jack must work harder to clear his name while also solving the murders.
He discovers that the serial killer has been deceiving the law for a very long time by collecting the personal data shared by his potential victims to pick his next target. Jack gets back in touch with Rachel Walling to help him solve the case.
Together, the two must now attempt to capture the killer who has not only been physically torturing his victims but has also been forcing the defendants of the law to engage in painful mind games.
Book review of the jack mcevory series
Listed below are the book reviews of the individual books that are a part of the Jack McEvoy series:
Book Review of The Poet
Connelly was a celebrated crime reporter before he became a full-time writer, and the creation of Jack McEvoy feels like a homage to his crime reporting days.
Yet another valuable element the writer derived from his last profession was the ways in which a crime reporter works and thinks, all of which he generously and thoroughly includes in The Poet. Perhaps this is why the investigation and technical details seem realistic and well-researched.
While on the one hand, we see Jack’s professional prowess, on the other hand, we witness his personal struggles. Not only does he have to deal with the sudden demise of his brother, but he is also faced with the dilemma of having romantic feelings for his colleague.
Rachel and Jack’s relationship develops gradually, serving as a much-needed respite from the gruesome events of the case. In true Connelly fashion, the first novel of the series is brimming with surprising plot twists that keep you guessing till the last minute.
Book Review of The Scarecrow
The Scarecrow throws readers into the heart of the action from the get-go. We meet Jack McEvoy during a vulnerable time in his life and career when he has just been laid off, making him feel like all hope is lost.
Connelly, however, gives his readers hope in the same way he encourages his protagonist to have faith through the belief that Jack’s last case will be an absolute banger for which he will be forever remembered and revered.
Therefore, as Jack attempts to turn things around for himself professionally, readers root for him at the same time as well, praying he gets a win.
The author doesn’t make the journey toward success easy for Jack. Not only is he faced with a tech-savvy criminal who seems to intellectually overpower the police at every corner, but he also makes him face his old flame, Rachel Walling.
As Jack attempts to balance professional issues and the needs of his heart, Connelly crafts a wild chase that keeps you hanging tight to the edge of your seat.
Book Review of Fair Warning
Connelly is a master when it comes to keeping up with the times. Although the series had its inception almost 30 years ago, the third book in the series never even provides the slightest hint that the writer could be dusty regarding his technological updates.
Instead, he fills the novel with modern references and up-to-date innovations. Readers get to encounter electric cars while also being reminded of the dark web and just how dangerous the internet can be when utilized for malicious purposes.
Connelly also doesn’t shy away from commenting on the evils that pervade society by mentioning the extreme violence against women that is common in every part of the world, along with rampant misogyny. The author’s social commentary is skillfully woven into the novel so that it never feels forced or inorganic.
The events of this particular book focus more on the pace of the case than the legal details, thereby making it more intense and personal. Despite the modern hat the novel wears, it also gets into the nitty-gritty of good old-fashioned journalism, which is where Jack McEvoy thrives.
The readers feel a spark of joy and nostalgia once Jack and Rachel reunite, which is when you find yourself cheering not only for Jack to solve the case and clear his name but also for the characters to find their happy ending.
Conclusion
Very rarely do readers come across a book series that competently satiates their craving for some delicious fictional crime stories. Fortunately for those readers, an author like Connelly exists who is an expert in churning out fabulous crime fiction books one after another.
The Jack McEvoy series is the ideal example of how this genre should be dealt with. Taking his readers through the inner workings of his protagonist’s mind and heart, Connelly helps us dive deep into a beautiful abyss of mysteries.
If you’re yet to pick up this series, then this is definitely a sign for you to do so.
