The PoetThe Poet
Score Modern
What it's about
When his homicide detective brother kills himself, Jack McEvoy, a crime reporter for the Denver Post, starts investigating police suicides, and uncovers a pattern that leads to a devious serial killer of cops, the Poet.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Anthony Award. It's one of Michael Connelly's best standalone thrillers.
You'll love it if you liked
The Scarecrow
Blood Work
The Silence of the LambsGood to know
It stands alone. Jack McEvoy returns in The Scarecrow.
By the numbers
- Readers76 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics43 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller21 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #103 of the 623 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #466 of the 1,648 modern books we rank
- #929 of the 3,057 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
More by Michael Connelly
The Lincoln Lawyer
The Brass Verdict
The CrossingBlood WorkIf you like this, read next
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
Verity
Gone Girl
The Martian
2666
Gideon the NinthExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is The Poet worth reading?
Yes. It won the Anthony Award. It ranks #929 of the 3,057 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 74.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Poet about?
When his homicide detective brother kills himself, Jack McEvoy, a crime reporter for the Denver Post, starts investigating police suicides, and uncovers a pattern that leads to a devious serial killer of cops, the Poet.
How long does it take to read The Poet?
About 13 hours (528 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has The Poet won?
Anthony Award winner (1997).
What should I read after The Poet?
If you liked it, try The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly, Blood Work by Michael Connelly or The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris.