The Reversal Summary A Gripping Legal Thriller by Michael Connelly

The Reversal Summary: A Gripping Legal Thriller That Will Keep You Hooked by Michael Connelly

Introduction: A Shocking Twist in the Courtroom

What happens when a defense attorney known for representing criminals is asked to prosecute one instead? .

The Reversal by Michael Connelly flips the script, putting Mickey Haller—the famed “Lincoln Lawyer”—in an unprecedented role. This legal thriller isn’t just about a courtroom battle; it’s about moral dilemmas, media manipulation, and the dark side of justice.

In this The Reversal summary, we’ll break down the high-stakes retrial of Jason Jessup, a convicted child killer whose case is overturned after 24 years. With Haller crossing the aisle to work as a prosecutor, alongside his ex-wife Maggie McPherson and half-brother Harry Bosch, the case becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Ready to uncover the twists? Let’s dive in.

TL;DR: Quick Takeaways

• Genre: Legal Thriller / Crime Fiction

• Tone: Suspenseful, morally complex

• Main Characters: Mickey Haller (prosecutor), Harry Bosch (investigator), Jason Jessup (accused killer), Maggie McPherson (co-prosecutor)

• Themes: Justice vs. law, media influence, the nature of evil

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A must-read for crime fiction fans

Pros:
✔️ Unpredictable courtroom drama
✔️ Brilliant character dynamics (Haller & Bosch together!)
✔️ Chilling villain with a terrifying backstory

Cons:
❌ Some legal jargon may be dense for casual readers
❌ Dark themes (child murder, abuse)

Best for: Fans of John Grisham, David Baldacci, and intense legal thrillers.

The Reversal Summary & Analysis

Plot Summary (No Spoilers)

Mickey Haller, a defense attorney who usually fights for the accused, is offered a shocking proposition: prosecute Jason Jessup, a man convicted of murdering a 12-year-old girl, Melissa Landy. Jessup’s conviction was overturned due to new DNA evidence, and now he’s a free man—suing the city for millions.

Haller takes the case, but with a risky strategy: he lets Jessup walk free before trial, betting that the killer will slip up. With his ex-wife Maggie and half-brother Harry Bosch on the team, they dig into old evidence, uncovering disturbing secrets about Jessup’s past.

But Jessup isn’t just a killer—he might be a serial predator. And when the trial takes a deadly turn, Haller realizes the stakes are higher than he ever imagined.

Full Plot Breakdown (Spoilers Ahead!)

Part 1: The Setup – Haller Becomes a Prosecutor

• Mickey Haller is approached by the DA to retry Jason Jessup, whose conviction was overturned.

• The twist? The DNA found on the victim’s dress belongs to her stepfather, who abused Melissa’s sister.

• Haller assembles his team: Maggie McPherson (his ex-wife) and Harry Bosch (his half-brother).

Part 2: The Investigation – Uncovering the Truth

• Bosch tracks down Sarah Ann Gleason, Melissa’s sister, who confirms Jessup’s guilt.

• FBI profiler Rachel Walling suggests Jessup is a serial killer, visiting old crime scenes at night.

• Haller’s gamble: He lets Jessup stay free, hoping he’ll reveal his true nature.

Part 3: The Trial – A High-Stakes Showdown

• The prosecution presents forensic evidence linking Jessup to the crime.

• The defense tries to discredit Sarah, but a surprise witness destroys their case.

Part 4: The Explosive Ending – Justice Served?

• Jessup, realizing he’s losing, murders his own lawyers and goes on the run.

• A final confrontation under the Santa Monica Pier ends with Jessup’s death.

• Bosch finds a charm bracelet, hinting at more victims—leaving the door open for future cases.

The Reversal Summary Chapter-by-Chapter

Chapter One: The Perp Walk

Mickey Haller is approached by District Attorney Gabriel Williams, who proposes an unexpected offer for Haller to serve as a prosecutor in a case that challenges his usual role as a defense attorney.

Chapter Two

Williams offers Haller the opportunity to prosecute Jason Jessup, a man exonerated by DNA evidence after spending 24 years in prison for a child’s murder. Haller’s ex-wife Maggie McPherson and detective Harry Bosch are enlisted to work on the case.

Chapter Three

Williams announces the retrial of Jessup, and Haller, acting as a special prosecutor, shocks everyone by announcing that the death penalty will be sought in the case.

Chapter Four

Bosch transports Jessup from prison to Los Angeles, and Jessup suggests the retrial is a political move to prevent the city from paying him millions for wrongful imprisonment.

Chapter Five

Haller, McPherson, and Bosch review the evidence from the original 1986 trial, which relied on eyewitness testimony and hair evidence, but they also discover that key detectives are no longer available due to health issues.

Chapter Six

McPherson reviews the original investigation, revealing that the victim’s stepfather’s DNA is linked to the crime scene. Bosch agrees to track down Sarah Landy, the key eyewitness who identified Jessup.

Chapter Seven

Haller takes the unusual step of allowing Jessup to be released on his own recognizance, betting that Jessup will make a mistake that will lead to new evidence.

Chapter Eight

Bosch locates Sarah Ann Gleason, now living a clean life in Washington, and also contacts profiler Rachel Walling for her take on Jessup’s case.

Chapter Nine

Haller faces a conflict as one of his current clients, Cassius Clay Montgomery, questions Haller’s new role as a prosecutor, highlighting Haller’s internal struggle.

Chapter Ten

Bosch and McPherson meet Sarah Ann Gleason, who reaffirms her identification of Jessup, and they inform her that the DNA on the victim’s dress matched her stepfather, Kensington Landy.

Chapter Eleven

The media begins portraying Jessup as a hero. Haller meets with Jessup’s attorney, Clive Royce, in an attempt to negotiate a plea deal, but Royce rejects the offer, confident the state cannot win.

Chapter Twelve

Sarah Ann Gleason testifies, confirming Jessup’s guilt. She explains that the semen on the dress belonged to her stepfather, not Jessup, revealing long-hidden family secrets.

Chapter Thirteen

The prosecution feels more confident with Sarah’s testimony and the new evidence, and Judge Breitman is assigned to oversee the case.

Chapter Fourteen

Bosch uncovers more troubling details about Jessup’s behavior, leading him to believe that Jessup may have been involved in other murders.

Chapter Fifteen

Judge Breitman deals with the media’s influence on the jury, while Royce tries to disqualify McPherson from the case, arguing that her past relationship with one of the defense team’s lawyers creates a conflict of interest.

Chapter Sixteen

Bosch follows Jessup’s suspicious late-night visits to parks, suspecting these are potential burial sites for other victims.

Chapter Seventeen

Haller and McPherson strategize against Royce’s upcoming motions, with Bosch uncovering more evidence that links Jessup to the victim.

Chapter Eighteen

Rachel Walling, the profiler, offers insight into Jessup’s past, suggesting that he may have been a serial killer, with his park visits indicating he could be returning to the sites of his previous murders.

Chapter Nineteen

At the pretrial hearing, Judge Breitman makes crucial rulings, including denying Royce’s motion to disqualify McPherson and allowing Sarah’s testimony.

Chapter Twenty

Bosch reveals that Jessup’s actions may be part of a larger, darker pattern. He shares his findings with Haller and McPherson, who prepare for the next phase of the trial.

Chapter Twenty-One

Royce attempts to discredit Sarah Ann Gleason’s testimony, citing her past drug history. Haller and McPherson remain steadfast in defending her credibility.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Bosch witnesses Jessup’s unnerving visit to his house, leading him to believe Jessup is testing the surveillance.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Bosch and McPherson discuss Jessup’s disturbing behavior, including his potential for violence and the possibility of him targeting Bosch’s family.

Chapter Twenty-Four

In the final pretrial conference, Judge Breitman dismisses Royce’s motion and allows Royce wide latitude to challenge Sarah’s testimony. Haller withdraws the death penalty as a strategic move.

Chapter Twenty-Five

The trial begins with the prosecution’s first witness, William Johnson, who testifies about discovering the victim’s body. Haller makes his opening statement, directly accusing Jessup.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Bosch reads the sworn testimony of the victim’s mother, confirming the identity of the victim and establishing the emotional weight of the case.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The medical examiner testifies about the cause of death, while Royce tries to shift the blame to the victim’s stepfather. The prosecution builds its case methodically.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Haller and McPherson uncover more about the defense’s strategy, including their attempt to discredit Sarah by calling a key witness, Edward Roman, who claims Sarah had confessed to him.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Izzy Gordon, a forensic technician, testifies about hair evidence found in Jessup’s truck. The defense tries to discredit this evidence, but Gordon’s testimony holds up under cross-examination.

Chapter Thirty

Bosch reviews the testimony of the original lead investigator, emphasizing the importance of Sarah’s identification of Jessup as the key to the case.

Chapter Thirty-One

Bosch uncovers more disturbing information about Jessup’s nighttime activities, indicating he may be planning another violent act.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Bosch finds a hidden storage area under the Santa Monica Pier, suggesting that Jessup has been preparing a hideout. Bosch’s search intensifies as he believes Jessup is getting ready for a violent confrontation.

Chapter Thirty-Three

The prosecution rests its case, with key testimonies from Bill Clinton and Sarah Ann Gleason, further cementing Jessup’s guilt.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Sarah Ann Gleason gives a compelling testimony, bravely revealing the truth about her sister’s death and the role of her stepfather in the crime. The prosecution’s case is strong.

Chapter Thirty-Five

The prosecution team celebrates their progress. Haller and McPherson discuss the defense’s strategy, which could involve calling Sarah and Jessup to testify. Bosch shares his concerns about Jessup’s intentions.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Bosch locates Edward Roman’s associate, Sonia Reyes, and confronts her to learn the truth about Roman’s potential false testimony.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The defense begins its case, with Royce portraying Jessup as the victim of a family conspiracy. He challenges Sarah’s memory and past drug use, attempting to undermine her testimony.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Bosch’s strategic use of Sonia Reyes as a silent witness causes Roman’s testimony to unravel, confirming that the defense tried to manipulate him into lying.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

The defense’s case collapses after Roman admits to lying. The prosecution celebrates, but the trial takes a tragic turn when a shooting occurs at Royce’s office.

Chapter Forty

Bosch investigates the shooting at Royce’s office, discovering that Jessup is the perpetrator. Jessup is on the run, and the team works to protect key witnesses.

Chapter Forty-One

Due to the shooting and media exposure, Judge Breitman declares a mistrial. Haller grapples with his role in Jessup’s release and the subsequent deaths.

Chapter Forty-Two

The search for Jessup intensifies. Bosch uncovers more about his hidden life, including a self-made prison cell at the Santa Monica Pier.

Chapter Forty-Three

Haller reflects on the events that transpired, realizing that Jessup’s actions were part of a larger plan to evade justice.

Chapter Forty-Four

Jessup’s final standoff with SIS ends in a shootout, and he is killed under the Santa Monica Pier, ending his reign of terror.

Chapter Forty-Five

Haller and Bosch uncover a silver charm bracelet under the sycamore tree in Franklin Canyon, linking Jessup to previous victims. This discovery reignites Bosch’s investigation into Jessup’s possible serial killings. Haller reflects on the case and his future as a defense attorney.

Key Characters & Their Roles

Themes & Analysis

About Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly is a #1 bestselling author known for his Harry Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer series. A former crime reporter, his books are praised for realistic police work, sharp dialogue, and relentless suspense.

The Reversal stands out for bringing Haller and Bosch together in a high-stakes legal battle.

Check Books Summaries of Michael Connelly:

• The Waiting by Michael Connelly Summary: A Gripping Cold Case Thriller
• Nightshade Summary: A Thrilling Crime with Power and Deception

FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

1. Is The Reversal a standalone novel?

No, it’s part of the Lincoln Lawyer series, but you can enjoy it without reading the others.

2. Does Harry Bosch appear in this book?

Yes! He teams up with Haller as the lead investigator.

3. Is Jason Jessup based on a real criminal?

No, but Connelly’s research makes him terrifyingly believable.

4. What’s the biggest twist?

Jessup’s violent escape and the shocking finale.

5. Should I read the book or watch the TV adaptation?

The book is far more detailed—highly recommended!

Final Verdict: Should You Read It?

The Reversal is a masterclass in legal thrillers, blending courtroom drama, psychological tension, and explosive action. If you love smart twists, morally gray characters, and villains who send chills down your spine, this is a must-read.

Final Rating: 5/5 – A gripping, unforgettable thriller.

 Grab your copy today and experience the twist for yourself!

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• The Reversal (A Lincoln Lawyer Novel, 3) by Michael Connelly
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Sources & References

• Amazon’s book page
• Goodreaders’s book page
• Author’s image source: amazon.co.uk
• Book Cover: Amazon.com
• Quotes sources: Goodreads